Gutierrez Canyon Group Ride

On a hot summer Saturday, the local riding club that I'm a member of, gathered together at the Gutierrez Canyon/ John A. Milne Open Space parking area.

After tacking up, we all lined up for a photo, minus the photographer and the group leader that was riding a stallion. I think there were 16 horseback riders.

Apache and I are over on the far left, and my rig is parked behind us.

Life I've said before, I'm not a fan of riding in large groups because the energy level of the horses tends to be higher, you don't know the skill level and riding behavior of those in the group, and I despise nose-to-tail riding.

So, Apache and I hung back at the very end of the group and we rode at our own relaxed pace. 

Just the way I like it!

The rest of the group did the nose-to-tail thing.

Ahhhh...it was so peaceful and quiet way in the back of the group, and felt like we had the entire trail to ourselves.

At one point, the trail switchbacks up a hill and another rider captured a photo of Apache and I just moseying along enjoying ourselves.

My happy Trail Selfie!

I always enjoy the gorgeous views of the east side of the Sandia Mountains from the trail.

Oh so pretty!!!

And the very best thing about not riding nose-to-tail? Not being wedged between two horses and always looking at another horse's butt. 

We only saw clear, beautiful views ahead!

Oh. And the Sandia Mountains, of course!

We ended up riding past my favorite lunch spot about an hour into the ride. Apache even tried to pull me over to our lunch spot, she knows my routine so well.

But, my poor girl, I had to let her down (and me, too! I do love my leisurely trail ride lunches), and we continued on down the trail, eventually stopping so one of the guys could dismount, stretch his legs and find a tree to pee.

There's Apache and I, over on the far right, chatting with another rider.

We were a very large group!

Another ride photographer...taking a photo of me, taking a photo of her.

I found a nice patch of green grass for Apache to munch on while we waited.

And then we continued on down the trail.

We rode over one of the stone bridges that one of my sons helped build when he was an active volunteer for the Open Space.

And then, almost back to the parking area, the leader of our group decided to lead us down a very steep section of trail, not considering the abilities, skills or tack that the riders were using in the group. And one of the riders had a tack failure mishap and fell off.

The rider did not have a rear cinch, nor a breast collar on her horse, which is a necessity on most mountain trails. So, when her horse walked down the steep section, it's saddle lifted up in the back, tossing the rider over the horse's neck, which then caused the saddle to twist all the way under the horse's belly with the rider's weight.

Thankfully, the horse was a sensible, calm gelding and didn't get upset with the saddle underneath him and his rider beneath his feet. 

The rider was not seriously injured, but she was very sore, scratched and bruised because she landed in a pile of rocks. Thankfully, she was wearing a helmet.

The rest of us waited up at the top of the steepest part of the hill, until two other riders were able to help the lady on her feet and move the horse and rider off of the trail.
And then afterwards, we rode down the steep hill and back up to our trailers.

Most of the ride was enjoyable, but I still always question my sanity when I participate in a large group ride. (And Apache and I didn't get our leisurely, lunch break. The leader of the group and a few others, left their horses at their trailers after the ride, and walked over to Ribs Restaurant for lunch. I drove home.)

Life is still Good!

Princess Place Reserve - Florida Horse Riding Adventures

On my fourth day in Florida with my friend KD, we went to Princess Place Preserve to ride. I had the honor of riding Ranger, the paint gelding again.

I was very impressed at how well the trails are marked and mapped in Florida. 

The day that we rode there, some kind of pet fundraising event was being held with lots of dog walkers out on the roads and trails. 

Lots of signs for eagles and their nests, but we didn't see any while we were there.

My friend KD beside another rider in our group. And Mule Man in the back.

There were a few water crossings, though.

And water fountains, too.

I was fascinated with the unique vegetation at the preserve.

Everything was so green and lush.

I just could not get enough of the Live Oaks dripping with the moss. It was gorgeous and so prehistoric feeling.

We rode past the Equestrian Campground. 

The campsites were beautiful and well manicured.

Our group rode past another group of horseback riders. This was the first time that Ranger got a little sassy with me. When we rode past the other group, he got excited and started getting prancy and then threw in a little buck. After the group was past us and out of sight, though, Ranger calmed down again.

 

It was a pretty large group. With some "spirited" horses among them.

We stopped and asked the park ranger for directions.

Then we crossed a bridge.

There were lots of cars to ride past, too, but I didn't take any photos, so I could make sure Ranger and I stayed safe.

But we did stop to give the horses some water, at one of the water tanks, set up just for equines.

And we chatted and laughed while the horses drank. Here's my friend, KD and her mare Stylin, Ranger's Mama.

Mule Man

After watering the horses, we found the trail that leads to the Land Bridge that crosses over I-95. This was a huge highlight on my trip!

Even though there are semi trucks and loud traffic racing beneath you, you barely hear it on this bridge. It was built for wildlife with a buffer of vegetation and dirt on the bridge and on the sides of the bridge.

But we were definitely crossing over a major 6-lane interstate highway!

I was pretty darn excited!

I took this photo of the Land Bridge that we rode our horses across, after we left Princess Place Preserve. I took this photo from the auto bridge that crosses over I-95, south of the Land Bridge. I think it provides a better perspective of what we were actually riding across...and over!

  

After crossing the bridge, we made our way down the other side to a small lake.

It was a beautiful lake. And there was even some Fall color around it, too.

We rode around to the other side of the lake where there was a little platform set up with a seating area, perhaps for outdoor ceremonies or church. We all took a little snack break there and I decided to ride Ranger up onto the platform, just for fun.

After our break, we turned around and rode back around the lake and then made our way back across the Land Bridge. This time, Ranger and I led the way.

Ranger reminded me of my Apache mare. When we are in the back and following, she tends to mosy along like a slowpoke. But when we lead, she steps up her energy and is more forward. And a lot more fun! Ranger was the same way. We left everyone behind.

We still checked out the traffic down below us, though.

We saw some other trail riders up ahead. Ranger was eager to meet them.

When we got to the other side we found a kiosk with a map. When I was on Ranger, he didn't feel small, but when I look at photos of me on him, he looks too small for me. But he sure had no problems carrying me around. He had plenty of energy off and on throughout our ride. He was a lot of fun.

The trails at Park Place Preserve were very horse friendly. And well marked, too.

We rode a different trail on the way back to the parking area. This one traveled through the tall pines.

Once again, Ranger was eager to lead and leave everyone behind.

And then we arrived back at the trailer parking area.

We untacked the horses and let them munch some grass, while we all had some lunch and relaxed under the shade of the trees.

Another fantastic day of riding in Florida!!