After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
What a fantastic way to end the horse show season! Back in July, my friend Shelly and I were asked to marshal at the 3yo Maine Sire Stakes Final at Scarborough Downs. Marshaling at the track is one of my most favorite things to do! It was a windy and chilly day, but at least the sun was out. Post time was at 12:05, so we arrived early to get our horses ready. Our horses are very similar looking and we wear identical clothing, so we always look snazzy as we bring down the post parades. Dreamy and McKeever are best buds and know their job on the track. They are calm and happy, which adds to the FUN!
There were 14 races, which made for a very long day in the saddle! Thankfully, much of what we do is standing around. LOL! We bring down the post parade (we trot down), stand off to the side of the track while the race goes, then we bring the winner back to the winner's circle. Then we stand at the fence by the apron and chat up the crowd! The horses love the attention from everyone. Once the next race is coming down the chute from the paddock, we go up and bring them down again. It is a lot of fun watching the horses race, seeing old friends, and meeting new ones!
This year we got a bit bored and decided for the last two races to switch horses! HA HA HA! For all the years we have been friends, we have never ridden each other's horses. So I climbed aboard McKeever (who is MUCH wider than Dreamy, by the way!) and Shelly got on Dreamy. We giggled and laughed about how SAFE we were.....great idea to ride a new unfamiliar horse for the first time on the TRACK! LOL!!! Of course, our horses are very well behaved and both of us are decent riders, so I knew it would be fine when I suggested it. McKeever likes to pace, so I had a funny time at first trying to get him to trot rather than pace. He was so good though! :-) Such a sweet horse. Dreamy was good for Shelly too. While we waited for the 13th race, Shelly cantered her on the back part of the old TB mile track and I took a video. LOL! It is funny to see your horse with someone else riding!
Shelly cantering Dreamy! from Elizabeth Tewksbury on Vimeo.
We had so much fun, as usual! I love being asked to marshal! Thanks to Diann P., Susan H., and all the horsemen for a great day! :-)
There were 14 races, which made for a very long day in the saddle! Thankfully, much of what we do is standing around. LOL! We bring down the post parade (we trot down), stand off to the side of the track while the race goes, then we bring the winner back to the winner's circle. Then we stand at the fence by the apron and chat up the crowd! The horses love the attention from everyone. Once the next race is coming down the chute from the paddock, we go up and bring them down again. It is a lot of fun watching the horses race, seeing old friends, and meeting new ones!
Dreamy is just chillin' and watchin' a race...nbd. She is so good at the track! |
McKeever (left) and Dreamy. Can you tell which of our two horses was more competitive back in the day? LOL! |
Shelly and McKeever! |
We switched horses! I am on McKeever, who appears to be asleep! |
And Shelly on Dreamy. My mare looks so impressed! LOL! Shelly is on her phone....big surprise! ;-D |
Shelly cantering Dreamy! from Elizabeth Tewksbury on Vimeo.
We had so much fun, as usual! I love being asked to marshal! Thanks to Diann P., Susan H., and all the horsemen for a great day! :-)
That looks like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a lot of fun. How cool that you have your good friend to do that stuff with!
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