Having had Destiny's last two attempts at a first competative ride canceled
due to the glorious summer weather we are having currently I was keen to sart this ride.
This was so even though I thoroulgy espected a) it to be canceled and b) if it did go ahead
to mean four hours riding in the rain. Apparently the venuse, Bakwell show ground had ducks
swimming on it on the Wednesday. Two were still present, though walking when we pulled in
on Sunday morning.
Destiny traveled well on the way over and was
excited though quite no arival. I had reaslied just before arriving that for the first time
ever in 8 years I had forgotten my horses ride master card and folder so had to leave a deposit
and a handling fee cheque so we could start he ride. I still can not believe I did this. Oh well,
things got a little worse when I realised I had slo left my laminated map at home, but fortunately
I had two non laminated copies with us, so took one of these. Destiny had been shod with a pair
of fronts on the Friday leading up this competition which the farrier duly noted then off to see
the vet. Unsuprisingly he was a little excited so we had to wait a bit for his hear rate to drop
to 64, then produced one osf the most drunken trot ups ever on record as he spooked at everything
and anything. I shall have to work on that one.
Tacking up proved a littel more eventfull then I
would care for with him deciding to spin round Steve as I approached him with the saddle. But
once he was tacked up and I was on board he behaved impecibly and we were off trotting along the
railway line. I was really pleased with his behaviour here as several other riders passed us and
all he did was get on his toes a little. Also he was not bothered about them leaving him behind
and did not try to catch them up. I was exceptionally impressed with the way he just did
everything I asked no quibles even going up the 40% gradient that was like a washed out stoney
river bed.
We had a couple of levely canters on the grass in
Chatsworth park and he drank from the sugar beet water when we met Steve. Given the weather
sloshing was not required. Toowards the end of the ride I was confident in his behaviour to ride
with two riders, Ruth Hatchet on her bay mare and one other, sorry I never got your name, for a while.
On the final stretch home the gate openers who had stood out all day in the rain with on cover where
very appreciated. Nibbler and I walked accross the line to finsih what I felt was a very tough first
ride in a respectable ride time of 4 hours, averaging 10kph exactly. At which point it sopped raining
allowing us to untack and vet instantly passing with a heart rate of 54. Then the rain started again
so we popped Destiny in the trailer together with his food and water while we waited for his paaer work
then left for home with our first ride sucsesfully completed.
Below are my heart rate monitor and GPS readings from this ride.
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