Edgewood Equestrian Arena Play Day

My friend Dana invited me come join her at the Edgewood Equestrian Park while she worked with her gelding, Blaze. Since I live close-by, and I love hanging out with my buddy Dana, I loaded up Apache into my trailer and joined her.

Looking east towards Edgewood. The Wildlife Park is next door.

Since Blaze is only 4 years old and Dana's only had Blaze for a few months, they still do a lot of round-pen work together.

We played in the arena for a little while, too.

Edgewood Equestrian Park has a very nice arena and beautiful facilities.

Dana and Blaze.

After the round pen and arena, we decided to ride the short loop trail that travels around the park.

Me and my buddy Dana!

We each took turns leading and following because that is so great to teach all horses so they don't get spoiled riding in the same position all the time.

We ended up riding the trail twice. When we got to the end, we turned around and rode it in reverse.

Happy Trail Selfie!

The Edgewood Equestrian Park is just north of Interstate 40, so it's a good place to get horses used to loud noises as semi-trucks zoom past.

Dana and Blaze with I-40 in the background.

I can't have too many selfies with my Apache mare!

After we rode the trail, we decided to play in the Obstacle Course for a while.

Dana and Blaze working the gate.

Great trail practice over logs

Dana and Blaze aced the bridge.

Cowboy Car Wash...on a windy day...no problem!

Negotiating the steps

After we were thoroughly satisfied playing with our horses, we unsaddled and set up an area next to my horse trailer to visit and enjoy some lunch.

Hanging out with my buddy Dana is always such great fun!

Life is Good!

First Ride Post Eye-Removal Surgery

Seventeen days after Apache's eye was surgically removed, I hauled her over to the Edgewood Equestrian Park on a windy day, to ride her for the first time.

She was a little amped up due to the wind and the group of people in the distance working on an old barn shed in the Wildlife West Nature Park.

 



My first view of Apache's missing right eye as seen from her back.

My friend Ginny was actually the first person to sit on Apache's back post-eye removal surgery because I thought it would be a good idea for me to be on the ground walking beside Apache the first time she carried someone because she trusts me and feels safe with me, and I could gauge her comfort level as I led Ginny around and through the obstacle course.

It was Ginny's first time riding a one-eyed horse, which she thought was pretty cool. And it was her first time riding Apache, which she said she loved. She rides high energy warm-bloods who like to go, go! And Apache is very relaxing to ride and so calm and gentle.

But I was eager to get back on my Apache's comfy back again, so after about 15 minutes, I climbed up and it. felt. like. home. 

Apache and I, along with my tribe of dear friends, making our way over to the obstacle course.

Apache surprised me because she felt the same to me. She maneuvered over all of the obstacles as if she had two eyes still.

While Apache and I made our way through and over the obstacles, my friends worked with their horses on the obstacles, too.

Ginny had a heck of a time trying to convince her mare, Mimi, to walk through the pool noodles.

At one point, Mimi burst through the pool noodles and ran right into Apache's back side...hard! (You can see Apache's tail in the photo below)

Apache was so brave and solid under that assault. She barely even moved...just a few steps forward to move us out of the way.

Afterwards, Apache and I offered to try and help Mimi get through the pool noodles calmly and with a bit of humor......

Mimi was watching, so we had hope!

Of course, we went through both sides. And we did manage to encourage Mimi to walk through a little bit slower, but she didn't really like it.

Unlike my Apache, the One-Eyed-Wonder-Horse! Not much bothers her. And definitely not a bunch of silly pool noodles. haha!

My friends, Yvonne and Roxanne were working with Roxanne's horse, Shadow, who'd not fond of crossing wooden bridges. Yvonne's mare, Etta Bay is like Apache and not bothered by much at all.

Awww! Look at my beautiful Apache mare up on top! I love this photo also because my friend Yvonne was smiling and so happy for Apache and I that day.

My pretty Apache mare and I standing on the wooden bridge.

This obstacle was just a little tougher. We had to climb into the center, and do a tight circle without stepping out of that circle.

But we did it! And then stepped down gracefully...at least Apache did anyway! lol!

Meanwhile Ginny tried to convince Mimi that crossing bridges was fun. Mimi said, "No thank you".

Yvonne and Etta Bay

Apache totally surpassed all of my expectations and erased any doubts or trepidation I had about riding her again, after I had her eye removed.

I was over-the-moon happy! And so deeply proud of my beautiful, brave mare!

Apache is truly my heart horse and I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

Love! Love! Love!

Well, one thing is for sure. Having only one eye is not going to hold back my amazing Apache mare. No way!
I tell her every day that she is the best horse in the entire world. And I mean it, too! 

Onward and Upward on this new journey together!

Edgewood Equestrian Park Round Pen Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Earlier this year, our local community Equestrian Center hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for a brand new round pen that was donated. I decided to haul my Apache mare over there since it's only a few miles from my house and I wanted to show my support for such a wonderful facility.

Apache saddled up and ready to ride after the ribbon cutting ceremony. (although I hadn't buckled her rear cinch yet)

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, there was a round pen demonstration by a famous local mounted shooter.
I just had to take a photo of this horse advertised for sale during the event. It was such a clever idea. The guy had quite a few people checking out his horse and asking buyer type questions.
Apache was cocking an ear back towards me because I was telling her she had better be a good girl or I was going to paint a For Sale sign on her butt, too!

Apache was pretty worked up and excited that day because there were equines traveling in all different directions and she wasn't sure who we should follow. There was a lot of activity going on. There were even folks driving their horses and carts at the event.

We did connect with another horse riding friend and went on a short trail ride, but Apache was pretty jiggy and pranced and wanted to go-go-go the entire time.

I was grateful for a delicious lunch afterwards, hosted by my local horse riding group.

I was glad we went and it was fun to haul my horse and do my own thing.

Edgewood Equestrian Park

On a windy winter day, I hauled my mare over to the local Equestrian Park, to meet some friends for some riding and horse fun.
Apache wasn't impressed at all.

My friends wanted to lunge their Arabs first before riding.

After they lunged their horses,they did some tack adjustments.

Apache was bored and fell asleep while waiting.

We rode around in the arena for a little while, and then went over to the obstacle course and played around on the various obstacles. And then we headed out onto the trails.

Apache and I led the way at first. The trails are very wide, flat and smooth and well groomed.

We each took turns leading because it's good for the horses to ride in different positions.

The main loop trail is just a couple miles long, but we rode it around once and then turned around and rode it back in reverse afterwards.

It was a very windy day, but riding in among the trees, we could barely feel any wind at all. These trails were built as wide as they are so people can also hook up their equines to carts and drive their carts on them, too.

We all enjoyed ourselves.

The trail, although short is fun, easy and interesting to ride. And it's less than 10 minutes from my house, so I feel very blessed to have such a nice facility just down the road.

There are even pretty views to enjoy from the trails in the Equestrian Park.

Such a great way to spend a couple hours....with good friends and great horses. 

But Apache was still not impressed.