Ride: Island In the Sky – Multi Purpose Blue Ride
Trail Bosses: Juleen & Brandy
Date: 8/3/24
Ok, so maybe we were a little to ambitious with the activities planned for the same day? This event was planned and advertised as a precursor to our main Fund Raiser of the year, Island in the Sky at Pebble Beach. The Trail Trials competition was scheduled for the following weekend.
We anticipated including the following: (a) Flag the 9 mile trail with Pink Survey Ribbons; (b) Test our Radios; (c) Judges learn their obstacle and how to get there; (d) Everyone learns how the score cards work; (g) Friendly competition for members including score cards and prizes. This way judges had actual competitors to score and learn their obstacles!
Members would finally get to ride the trail and try the obstacles. Plus we got the trail marked for the following weekend. Almost forgot – someone decided we HAD TO HAVE A POTLUCK with the club providing the hamburgers and hot dogs. Brilliant Plan?????
22 brave horses and riders started out. We took a great photo/video in front of our new signs advertising the club, generously donated by Traci. Thanks Traci, those signs are so cool!
As we arrived OB #1, Down and Out, 2 of the judges for this obstacle had turned back. It was a little chaotic but everyone survived and Kate knows what to expect.
When we reached OB #2, it became obvious that this was going to take all day. First riders through the obstacle moved on down the trail. Penny discovered her cell phone was missing. Penny and Annie turned back.
Thankfully, Carrie was riding Navajo, a 16+ hand Tennessee Walker, plus Carrie has really long arms. Carrie & Navajo were able to clip pink flags on the top of the snow mobile poles as we rode down The Deep Creek Trail. Yeah!!! The trail was getting flagged too!
OB #3 & #4 were skipped for different reasons. Obstacle #5, Cynthia, Pamela & Penny learned how to judge the dismount and mount. The first riders through, hop-scotched to the OB #6. Dodger decided this whole thing was stupid. He headed back to camp while his rider was busy helping others with the side pass.
Fire & Ice was a bust. Brandy & Juleen were wandering around trying to decide the best location for this obstacle. “S the Bed” was up next, most riders gave this one a try and decided it was more difficult than it appeared.
Finally, 5 hours into the ride, we were on the Pebble Beach By-Pass. That is when the skies opened up and it really rained. Out came the rain slickers for most of us. About 1/4 of the members didn’t have any rain gear, that was a wet and cold mistake. Somewhere in this section folks kinda gave up marking the trail.
Several stopped at the Big Flat Rock to give OB #9 a try. Those without rain gear, wet and freezing, headed back to their trailers. Estella had brought up her Rope Gate and there was one last obstacle before we were done! Over 6 hours to complete this ride. Riders were exhausted, horses were done too.
Now on to the Potluck! The sun came out, it was a glorious afternoon and the food and the laughter made it all worth while.Awards were presented in all 4 categories to match the age groups for next weekend. Photos of the winners surrounded Traci’s new “Let’s Ride” club signs.
(Looking back – we tried our BEST to stuff 10#s of Manure in a 5# Sack.)
