Covered Bridge Trail Pace

 The next morning was the Covered Bridge Trail Association fall pace. Eryca and I did this one two years ago and loved it. They weren't able to hold it last year, and I was excited to see it back on the calendar for 2024. These are Terra's home trails and we invited her to join us. 

Eryca and I agreed to meet at the barn at ten with the goal of being at the pace at 10:30. It's right across the highway from us. We were running right on time until I realized that I had forgotten to factor in the covered bridge! You see, the trail association gets its name from the Green Sergeant Bridge. The start of the pace was in a field on the road the bridge is on. For a moment, I hoped the parking would be before the bride. Alas, it was just after.

Technically, the truck and trailer fit over the bridge. However, we are significantly over the weight limit. I have since learned that many people regularly drive their horse trailers through the covered bridge. Others go the wrong way (into oncoming traffic) on the bridge parallel to the covered bridge (which is one way). Neither of these options gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I don't want to be responsible for damaging a historic landmark. 

Not a great option with truck and trailer.

So while I was driving, Eryca was scrolling through the map, trying to find an alternate route that didn't involve tiny back roads or hairpin turns. We got it figured out without much misadventure, but it did make us late. I arrived apologizing to Terra, but she wasn't concerned.

We got signed in, paid our entry fee, and got directions to the starting line. We also found out it was a poker ride (where you draw five cards at random from buckets along the trail). The winning hand gets a prize (usually cash) but I'm not sure they ever announced which team had the winning hand. Anyway. None of us had previously done a poker ride so that was a fun way to mix things up. 

Soon we were tacked up and ready to go. 

Terra brought Nadi and all three mares were feeling good on a sunny fall morning. The course was the same trail we did last time, but in the reverse direction and with a different start/end point. Because of the ongoing drought, the trail conditions were perfect and very dry. As a result, we went fast. 

I love this video of the mares cantering in sync. This summarizes how the whole ride went.

Most of the course was open fields and we cantered the majority of it. The mares were pretty sweaty in their winter coats, but none of them gave any inclination of wanting to slow down. The temperature (low 50's) was perfect for a fast ride. 

Nadi led for much of the day. Lilly was like, "Oh god, another Arabian..."

There were some wooded sections and we took walk breaks when we hit those portions. We could have kept up the pace, but we suspected we were going too fast. Eryca and I told Terra that we often go way too fast, and that if we can't get in the ribbons, we aim for fastest time. I joked about making "fastest time" ribbons for various hunter paces to hand out to ourselves. (I'm not competitive. You're competitive.) 

I was blown away at how dry everything was. There was a portion of this ride two years ago that featured deep, sucking mud. It was marshland that had clearly been mowed specifically for the event. We went through the same section this year and there wasn't a drop of moisture in sight. We were in desperate need of rain and multiple wildfires had sprouted across the state. (I'm sure the planet is fine.)

We passed several teams while we were out there (another indication that we were going too fast). Before we knew it, we had reached the midway point. Here, they had a fall themed drink that was positively delicious. I asked what it was and learned that it was apple cider, white whine, and a splash of cinnamon whisky. This has become my go-to drink since the pace. We haven't really had winter weather to warrant it yet, but I'm betting it would make a really great mulled drink as well. 

Approaching the midway stop.

After our pause, we were off again. 

The next farm had several jumps set up. There was a variety that included cross country style fences as well as some cross rails and verticals set with standards. Lucy and I jumped them all. We also briefly rode with a mother-daughter duo who were very wholesome and sweet. 

Long before I was ready, we reached the picturesque property that was across the street from the finish line. I knew we were closing in on the end of our ride. The horses were still going strong and we jumped the same barrel jump that felt like such a big accomplishment for Lucy two years ago (easy peasy now). 

We decided to bring it down to a walk to let the horses cool out and to slow our time a little bit. We were also savoring the moment. I say it all the time, but nothing beats good weather, good trails, good horses, and good friends. 

You can see the trailers parked in the upper right of this photo.

I adore this old barn.

As we crossed the road and passed our trailers (and waved to Sandy along the way), we realized we only had four poker cards. Had we missed a bucket? It seemed unlikely. We speculated that the last bucket might be in the final tree line, to prevent people from taking a short cut to the finish. 

We were right.

We crossed the finish line at a canter, grinning from ear to ear. 

There was a delightful surprise between the finish line and our trailers.

A hot dog cart!

I don't know what it is about horseback riding that makes hot dogs hit the spot every time, but this made my entire day. (I've never ordered a hot dog from a cart on horseback before...) The lovely volunteer manning the hot dog cart took our orders and delivered fresh, toasty hot dogs wrapped in foil so they'd keep warm until we dismounted. 

I was a very happy camper as I stuffed my face at my trailer five minutes later.

We stuck around for a little while after the ride while the horses ate their mash and enjoyed a roll in grass. (We have no grass left at home because of the drought.) 

Looking a bit quarter horsey in this one.

Eventually, it came time to pack up and head home. Nadi has been known to give Terra a hard time about loading in the trailer. This was the case on this day as well. I am firmly retired and believe in minding my own business unless specifically solicited for advice/help. 

Terra eventually handed Nadi to me and I asked, "Do you mind if I grab my dressage whip if I promise not to beat your pony?"
"I don't mind, but I will tell you that she'll shut down if you use too much pressure."
"That makes sense. She's a red Arabian mare." 

Nadi had a moment of hesitation when I first took her lead and gave her a tap. Then she looked at me, looked at Terra in the trailer, and went, "Ew, you are way more annoying than my mom." She loaded right into the box. Good mare.

I've still got it. 😉

Next thing we knew, we were heading home. Now I know where Terra lives. We did not have to take any detours along the way and were home in no time. 

The results were posted some time later. The course was seven miles and our time was 1h10m33s. This was 14 minutes too fast, which put us in 10th place (out of the ribbons). However, we did get fastest time so we felt very accomplished (even if that misses the point). It's a win in my book. 

The following weekend was the Jersey Devil. I was originally going to take Lucy, but after the Essex Pace, I wasn't sure she was up for the challenge I had planned. 

But more on that later...