Birthday Ride

Cyd failed at posting my stories, my birthday was nearly two weeks ago. But here it is now :)
 
Hello everybodies, how are you? I am fabulous. Now I am six years old, which is a lot like being a grown up. To celebrate, me and Cyd joined Aunty S and her guest peoples on a long pony ride. We went to one of our favourite places, called Orca, and rode some of our favourite trails. I walked politely, not being derpy, to where my friends live. I waited quietly with a snack until it was trailer time. I got right in the pony trailer perfectly! While we were in the field getting our bits (or flower non-bits) and our girths snug(or kinda snug-ish), Gamaypony threatened to bite my face off. Cyd and Aunty S were right there, and it turns out Gamaypony didn't mean it, she's just a big mouth bully. I stayed out of her way anyway. I had no friends on this ride, none of the ponies we joined like me, but they all tolerate me cos for their riders controlling them and me and Cyd knowing to stay out of their way. 

I was a bit fidgety for the first few minutes of our pony ride, cos for not going out for two weeks, and the last time being our hornet adventure. I settled down super fast though, cos for being a grown up now. I wasn't walking as quickly as the other ponies, but I didn't mind being left behind, and every now and again we would catch up. I got a bit stuck at a puddle crossing the trail, but when I saw that my friends were leaving I hopped on over. We had to go up Vet Check Hill, which was only my number three time going up there. It is a long long trail winding up the hill, and at the top there is grasses and the people get off and check our pulses to see how fit we are, and teach guest peoples what an enduring ride vet check is a bit like. I did cantering and trottings all the way up, not as fast as the other ponies, but we could always see them a little bit. When Cyd first hopped off and checked my pulse it was 100. She left me snacking and went to duck behind a tree, then came and measured me again and it was at 56!! I am getting so fit, ready for my 50 mile enduring ride next month. 

Next we went through the trees to get to Spectacular trail. I was just doing pony riding on a loose rein cos for knowing how to be good now. Spectacular has some canterings too, and this time I mostly kept up, just needing a few breathers. I am still learning to pace myself. I bounce a bit at the beginning, so get left behind, so canter fast to catch up, then need to get my breaths back, then canter fast to catch up again. Cyd says I should just canter normal and then I would be with my friends the whole time, but she is happy that I stop when I need to and not panic if I get left behind. Apparently this is a Good Skill. 

Guess who we saw on Spectacular trail? Aunty V and her guest peoples were admiring the view. We all did chatting for a minute, and they wished me a happy happy birthday. We overtook them cos for us riding faster than them. I did not have any troubles leaving those ponies behind, even though that has been a Difficulty for me in the past. Nice to be seeing you Aunty V, it's confusing to me that you're not on my pony ride. I can't steal cookies from Aunty S's saddle bags like I can from yours :p

I was practicing being a good leading pony coming down the Manchester hill, like at my enduring ride. Cyd had my skinny purple rope and waved it at me any time I got in her spaces. Sometimes I did teeth snappng for being displeased, which meant the rope bopped my nose for Behaving Unacceptably! At the bottom it was time to go get a drink at the river before lunch times for the peoples. The field has been mowed and turned into hayfoods, and I kept looking around a bit disoriented. At lunch time I stayed where Cyd put me, and did not escape or eat my rope. I know the drill now, you see. Even when Aunty V and her people arrived for their lunchtime I did not do misbehavings. 

After lunch times, it was time to go do our most favourite trail. It is not my favourite yet, cos for still being hard for me, but I'm learning to like it. Abalobodiah trail is very pretty and very fun. While Cyd was cheking my tack to make sure we were ready to mount up and be on our way, we shared a banana. Except Cyd made the mistake of giving me the first bite, so she only got a little bit of banana. So much for that plan! We walked to do warming up, then some trottings practice. I did some of my big trot to keep up with the other ponies. Then it was time to do canter. This pony ride stretch was my very fastest ever, I did a small gallop with Cyd on top. I got really proud of myself going so fast, especially on the steep bit, but then I was out of breath, so paused to walk a few strides, then trotted the rest of the way up to meet the other ponies. 

We went back the same way we had come, doing some more trottings and canter on the Two Log trail, and an emergency stop when Gamaypony thought she knew better than Aunty S and them having a steering discussion (Aunty S succeeded in not riding through the trees - yippee!). It was pretty riding back down Vet
Check Hill to go back to the cattle field, looking at the oceans. Once we were back at the trailer, I waited while Cyd took off my flower nonbit, and my reins, and unsnugged(ish) my girth. Indypony went in first, then it was my turn. Cyd put my rope over my saddle then pointed me at the pony trailer. Guess what? I did Self-Loading! Very polite of me. 

Of course it wouldn't be a Bugsy story if I didn't bleed some of my bloods. One of the partitions is broken a bit in the pony trailer, so it's hard to make it stick open. This meant that we couldn't stick open my partition either. When I was hopping out, the partition closed on me, so I took a step the wrong way, then charged out at speed. The partition bit my leg, so now there is a piece of me missing. I get to start my sixth year as a pony with a missing bit of leg! I am totally fine though, so don't worry about me. I was holding it up cos for it hurting, so Cyd looked at me, then made me do a trot out with Aunty S watching too and I was fine. Then once I was showered and ready to go home I trotted all the way up the road and I was fine then too. I got my magic spray on it, and we're keeping an eye on it, but I don't think I'll lose the leg. Phew!

Cows and Hornets!

Hello everybodies, how are you? I am mostly fabulous except for getting misplaced in the woods and having big welts on my poor body. I have two pony rides to tell you about.

Number one with cattles!

I got to go pony riding with Aunty V and her touring people. We went to Orca where the cattles lives to do Panorama loop. I went in the back like a good following pony, I went in the front like a fearless leader pony, and I got left behind without panicking like a grown up. Aunty V was super impressed at how good I'm getting! We mostly did some walking, except up the big hill for trottings practice.

Thanks for taking us Aunty V, and taking our picture, and Cyd accidentally took one in funny colours and still can't figure out how. After our pony ride I got on the trailer by accident. Cyd led me to the door to get my leadrope (if you leave it on the outside the cows eat it, so you have to put in safely inside the trailer. Leopony was going to go first but I stepped right on in, so Cyd shut the barrier to keep me there. No need to confuse me when I did so good getting in without help! We had a lot of fun this day!

Number two with hornets!

Ohmygoodness you guys, this ride was awful! Me and Cyd and Aunt-T and Hueypony (my bestie) all went pony riding, except there was a tree in our way. We tried to find a way through, with Aunt-T leading her pony and Cyd riding me. I started losing my mind for no reason and was super panicky, so Cyd waited for me to pause long enough for her to jump down safely and find what was attacking me. Aunt-T came to hold me while Cyd checked me but couldn't find anything even though I was so sad. Then  I started losing my mind again, even worse this time, so bad that Cyd had to let me go. She felt something owie, looked down and saw hornets all over her legs. She yelled to Aunt-T but her and Huey were about to get stung too, and Huey broke free and galloped after me. Lucky Cyd does lots of running, and set off after us. She took the homewards trail, running and phoning people to get to the road so we didn't get hit by cars. She got to the spot where there is a pony that I like to say hi to, and there was Huey. She grabbed him and started running with him until she found a safe tree to tie him to. She kept an eye on him while she ran away to make sure he wouldn't get scared again, then kept going to find me. Except she got all the way nearly home and found Uncle J but not me. So they turned around and set off again. Finally they found me on the homeward trail, I must have turned right instead of left and Cyd ran ahead before I turned myself around. I was so happy to see her that I did whickering and marched right up and hid my face next to her for cuddles.

Scratched and bumped

I definitely had my worried face on, and had some scratches on my face but no real owies. We slowly made our way back to my house where I got my saddle off and Cyd gave me cuddles and scratches while Aunty V pulled a ton of stingers out of me. I got left with my hayfoods to calm down, and Cyd to get a proper drink. She came to check on me before going home to make sure I didn't get tummyache once the adrenalines wore off. I was ok, and still ok this morning, except for having big welts all over me.

Welts are no biggie except super itchy. It's better to be itchy than still lost in the woods. Thanks to all the people who came to help look for me (ten people total, with more ready and waiting if needed). That was a bit too much adventuring even for me!

Beach Riding

About to hit the beach

Hello everybodies, how are you? I am fabulous, cos for going a short but brain-busy ride this morning. Cyd came to fetch me really early, which usually means we are going a long ways or to ride with my friends. After getting me brushed I got my saddle and Cyd's helmet, and we set off down the road to my friends' house. Except we didn't stop there, Cyd said we had to keep going. I looked back at my bestie who lives next to the road, but kept on going. We went across the highway and I thought about doing stopping but it's far too dangerous to do stopping there so we were able to get over safely. Once you cross there is a safe trail next to the road so we don't get run over by the cars and fake-camping vehicles. The trail goes next to the campground, so I got to do looking at the tents, and the early rising campers who were already cooking their breakfasts. I curled my lip up cos for it smelling funny and Cyd laughed at me. I was really brave the whole way, and had my bouncy excited walk but very well behaved. I strode all the way down the haul road, and without hesitation went down on the beach where Cyd told me.

We walked half way down the sand to where the line was from the tide last night. I walked a bit on the wetter sand, but we didn't go close to the oceans cos for the waves being far too big for ponies who are trying to learn that the beach is fun. We started walking along the beach when disaster struck. There was some kelps, and I was being brave about stepping over, except there was a bubble in one and I stepped on it and it went pop. OhmygoodnessCydtheEarthisexploding! I tried to do a big spook but we were in deep sand and it was too hard so I stopped spooking and did snorting instead. I took a deep breath and off we went again. There was some more kelps with bubbles, so I stopped and Cyd let me do sniffing. I took a big bite and it popped at my face. I shook my head and then ate it cos for being the bravest pony I know. Now that I've eaten it, I'm not scared anymore. I sampled some of everything else we came across, to add to my bravery. I got a bit stuck sometimes, so Cyd would look at my face and see if I was scared and just needed to do some breathing, or if I was pretending to see if I could just stand still. If I had my worried face on, we stood quietly for a minute. If I was being sneaky, I got big boomps and grr-y voices to make me go. Mostly though I was just being good and walking and looking and sniffing. I kept licking my lips cos for the air tasting funny (the breeze was blowing the salts around). We went all along the beach, then up to the road and started heading back for home. Cyd asked me to go back on the beach so I did like a good pony and marched right down towards the sea (but not too close). We kept heading towards home but walked past our turn for the road. Cyd pointed me at some rocks to take a picture; there were some funny looking sea-dogs sunbathing and swimming. I couldn't go too close so we did camerazooming so you can see them kinda too.

White blobs are seals, there's loads that are really hard to see (more than 20!)

After standing politely it was time to head back to the road and go home. We thought about going to South trail since this was a short pony ride, but I had been so good that Cyd wanted me to rest my brain and finish on a good note. I did great going back through the campground, waited politely at the highway to cross over without cars, and nearly managed to walk past my friends' house without stopping. Cyd hopped off to lead me up the road and we made it home safely. I had so much fun on my beach ride, I'm getting really good at it. We are going to find me a friend to come with me soon so we have company to ride all the way down the beach to the river. All my friends are really busy right now doing their jobs taking tourist riders on the beach, but soon they'll have time to play with me :)

P.S. - Congratulations to my bestie. He used to belong to the pony ranch, even though only Aunty V and Aunt-T rode him lately. Yesterday Aunt-T became his official own personal person! Yay!

Splat!

Hello everybodies, how are you? I am fabulous, but Cyd has some bruisys. I went pony riding on Sunday with Aunt-T and my bestie. We were just going to do a short pony ride of mostly calmly walking like grown ups, so Cyd opted to have no saddle. We do this quite a bit now, so it's no biggie.

I was feeling a bit stubborn and had a few stopping moments but none really bad. We went down the emergency trail, up the bumpy trail, and down the steep hill to go home. I did a bit of stopping where we were about to go around the corner heading for home. Aunt-T kept going until I figured it out, and saw a jack rabbit. I was a bit bouncy to catch back up to my bestie, and did a little hop when I caught up. I got laughed at by Cyd and Aunt-T. They mentioned that it's lucky Cyd is not super bad at bareback pony riding (she had told Aunt-T not to laugh at her wiggling all around and being a bad pony rider). Aunt-T said actually she is quite balanced and centered. We walked a few more strides (not even minutes...) and there was a rustling in the bushes. My bestie jumped some, and I jumped some. Cyd didn't grab my mane in time, and I turned around fast to run away. Except that Cyd didn't come with me. Gosh Cyd, how can I protect you if you don't cling on tight? She went splat on the floor. I totally stopped right by my bestie and Aunt-T reached over and grabbed my rein so I couldn't run away if I got more scared. Cyd took a minute to figure out breathing cos for having the wind knocked right out, and did wiggling of all the parts to make sure they all still work. I got my worried face on cos for not understanding what happened, she never did falling off me before. After some dusting off we found a bank and she hopped back on and we uneventfully rode home. There's a purpling big toe, and an ouchy shoulder, but nothing actually hurted. Phew! Now we got that out of the way, it was going to happen eventually.

Laughing is the best thing to do after splatting

My Enduring Adventure Pt2

Hello everybodies, how are you? Are you ready for more Bugsy stories? My adventure isn't over yet!

After my dinner and my leg stretch and the peoples dinner, Aunt-E and Cyd decided that me and Nickypony should hop in the pony trailer and drive back to Aunt-E's house where we would be staying a bit longer. Usually we would do camping one more night for best recoveries but it's not very far away and we were well hydrated and bellies full. Nicky pony went in first, then me. I totally hopped in after about 8 seconds of thinking time, cos for being a grown up now. Once we got to Aunt-E's house, we had to wait in the pony trailer while the peoples rearranged the fences. Aunt-E's Elliepony and JellyBean the mini were in one big paddock, but we needed to all be in separate paddocks so as to not get hurt. It didn't take long for them to make three pens for us all next to each other, and a high-(low?) line for JB outside Ellie's pen. Aunt-E had to go running across to call down the hill to the neighbour people cos for them lighting off fireworks! We are good ponies, but that's a bit much. He stopped, and we all went in our pens; I was in the middle of the girls cos for being the coolest guy ever. Elliepony is a bit bonkers and danced all night long but I didn't let her bother me, I stayed calm and just ate my snacks. We were all ready for bed!

Overnight accommodations

Cyd did camping in a trailer, and her morning view was us ponies all behaving ourselves. She got up to come give us breakfast, but there was some troubles. I Was Bleeding My Bloods! Now, I know this happens all the time and it's not too big of a deal usually, but these bloods were coming from right near my joint, and there was a tiny spot that looked like it might be a puncture. Cyd got it cleaned and thought it was ok but asked Aunt-E for second opinion. She thought it was ok too, but neither were positive. I only just hurt it right before Cyd came out (by poking my leg where it doesn't belong of course) and it wasn't swelling up massive and I was walking ok but it was a bit ouchy.

Owiee :(

Cyd put some spray on me, and the peoples decided to eat breakfast and see how I was. Aunt-E had to take Nickypony to E-2's house, and wanted E-2 to evaluate Elliepony to make sure her leg didn't still hurt (she got an ouchy on her last enduring ride). She called E-2 and asked if I could maybe go too and be checked out for a third opinion. E-2 has lots of ponies that have babies, and a gorgeous stud called Meg, who is the sire of Aunt-E's baby ponies. E-2 said of course I could come too, so we all hopped back in the pony trailer, first Nicky pony, then me, then Ellie pony. Know where Jelly Bean went? Loose with Miss Ellie, which means she could come and see me under the divider too. I was very careful to not step on her. This was just a short drive, and we had to park in a pull out on the side of the road. First Ellie and Jelly got out and walked carefully down the road for Ellie's leg check. They waited in a paddock while Cyd and Aunt-E came back for me and Nicky. I was very polite walking down the road, and didn't lose my cookies when we went through the gate and all these new ponies were calling to me. I got right down to snacking on some grasses, just looking around a little bit, waiting my turn to be looked at. Luckily the verdict was that Cyd and Aunt-E were right, I was ok just a bit ouchy. E-2 said I should get a little bandage to stop me accidentally kicking it when I make the flies go away, and that some skins would fall off soon, but no sneaky puncture wound.

My bandage, that wouldn't stay on

We left Nicky pony there, and Ellie and Jelly and me all walked carefully back down the road to get back in the pony trailer. I was getting pretty confused with my trailering always getting out in new places, but still loaded right away (grown up, remember?).

This time we got out at a people school that was right by Arcata National Forest. I got brushed, and got my front go-faster booties on. Wait? What's happening? We are seriously going pony riding again? Aunt-E got my saddle, but she put it on Elliepony cos for wanting to test it out and see if they like it. That meant I borrowed Ellie's saddle, which is Free'n'Easy kind. Cyd has not liked these saddles for a long time, but rides in them when she has to. This one was not one of the worst kind she has ridden in and we were just doing short ridings cos I was maybe tired from enduring, so it was ok. Except the pink pad we borrowed. I was not impressed!

Um, I'm a boy remember? Also I'm orange, now it clashes! Hmph

We set off to the forest, Aunt-E on Ellie and leading Jelly Bean, me and Cyd in the back. We weren't really sure where to go and set off on one trail, but quickly had to pick a route. Aunt-E looked at a map and decided we should go back and pick a trail we just passed. Even though this meant turning towards the trailer, then going up a big hill, I didn't do stopping. We could hear noises above us and it turns out we ended up riding through a frisbee golf course. The people playing were very nice and held their dogs and didn't throw their frisbees until we were gone. There was one on the trail and I tried to snack on it and got laughed at a bit. We also saw lots of bikes, which is new for me. Mostly the people stopped for us or slowed down to come by, but some we had to ask politely. Aunt-E explained that it was cos for us having a baby horse and they all thought she meant Jelly Bean cos for her being mini, when she meant me, even though I'm big.

Daisy decoration

We just did a little ride, with some short trottings practice. I was really good, went in the front a bit, and happy to be moving, not grumpy. I wasn't doing my fastest walking but kept asking to do trottings or canter. Back at the pony trailer I once again jumped in, still not knowing where we would be going. This time we went back to Aunt-E's house and back in my pen, which was much bigger now. Ellie and Jelly Bean had the paddock, and I had the three pens turned into one big pen for me. Ellie kept making angry faces at me and charging at my fence, but it turns out she's a wussy and when there was no fence she stayed away from me! Jelly Bean loves me, and was in season so kept wiggling her butt at me and lifting her tail in my face for no privacy. This was confusing to me so I just ate my hayfoods. We didn't go on any more adventures that day, and I did not get any more ouchies.

Taking a little nap

The next morning I had to get in the pony trailer Again! This time all by myself. It was time for me to go all the way home to my own field. I had so much fun on my adventure. Cyd says I learned so many things while we were adventuring it was like my brain got six months older. I took everything in stride, and while my body wasn't too tired, my head was. I was ready to nap in my field and process all the things I saw and did!

Home time! Thanks for the adventures!

My Enduring Adventure Pt1

Hello everybodies, how are you? I am fabulous, and so very grown up now. I am still a bit brain tired from my adventuring. I have lots of stories for you so there is going to be two parts to my typing. Firstly big thanks to Aunt-E for helping me and Cyd with my adventures!

My adventuring started on Friday morning, when a pony trailer that I never met before showed up outside my house, with Cyd and Aunt-E. They gave me my bucket foods even though it was morning, and I didn't do any pony riding yet. While I ate, they were taking my things like my saddle and my go-faster booties, and Cyd's helmet, out of my shed and putting them in the pony trailer. Then they put my alien mask on, and put me in the pony trailer! I took a few minutes to get in, cos for it being weird, and a narrow gap, and smelling strange, but Cyd led me, and Aunt-E waved her hand behind me, so I got in like a good pony. We drove for a really long time, with one stop to check on me, and got to a warm sunny place called Cuneo Creek. Cyd got me out the trailer, and my eyes got really big with all the looking I had to do in a hurry. We went for a lap of the campground, and found a rolly pit for itchy ponies, and super scary water tanks that I couldn't drink out of yet, and saw some of Cyd's friend people so we said hi. Someone had saved a corral for me, so I got put in there, with my halter wrapped around the gate and buckled tight so I couldn't set myself free, and my water bucket and my hayfoods. I got right down to eating, like a good enduring pony should, while Cyd went to go get us checked in, and find Aunt-E's rent-a-pony. Once we were all set to go, I got my saddle and my bridle, and my front booties for safeties, and we set off to meet Rushcreek Nicky, who was to be my new best friend for the weekend. Even though she is a girl pony, she was never grumpy with me, and she is very smart at enduring, having done over 3000 competition miles. Today's task was just to go for a short pony ride for Aunt-E to get acquainted with Nickypony, and for the peoples to check all of our gears was ready and set just right.

Aunt-E and Nickypony

I did going in the front, and in the back, and we did walking, trottings, and some canters. I did a bit of stopping but Aunt-E was patient while me and Cyd discussed the appropriate behavings of a nearly grown up enduring pony. After pony riding, it was time for our first vet check. This was my biggest disaster of the weekend. I was good for being touched all over and my pulse check (though it was still 50bpm cos She Was Touching Me!).

Um, she's touching me...

Then we do trottings to check I'm not hurt. Total fail! I didn't want to go, so a nice volunteer did a bit of running behind me and I was not a fan. Then I had to do it again cos for being so bad, and I tried to bite Cyd. Everyone laughed at me and said we have some big learnings to do and Cyd was embarrassed cos for us practicing so much at home!

Not Good Behavings!!!

Even though I was bad, I got all A's for my check, which is good. I was ready to go! Cyd put me in my pen with some mush, and went to dinner to learn all the things we needed to know for our Big Ride.

First red, then black/white

We all woke up early ready to go pony riding. The ponies going 50 miles went an hour before us, so they were getting ready while I was just eating my breakfast. I stayed calm; Cyd took this opportunity to put my booties on securely. After the peoples had their breakfast, it was time to get our saddles on. Me and Nicky went the wrong way away from the start, cos for the peoples not wanting me to get all amped up with the other excited ponies. There was another pony who wanted to start late, and the peoples went back and forth on who got to start last. Cyd got on me while they were discussing and I had a small hop but then was mostly calm. The other lady agreed to go in front of us as long as we stayed way back from her, which is exactly what Cyd and Aunt-E wanted to do anyways. We didn't see her all day so it was perfect! There were also two sweep ponies, so they were told about me being a baby and to please give us some room and thank you for being helpful. Then we were off! Just walking to keep things calm and let us ponies warm up our muscles thoroughly. We took turns being the lead pony, and did some walking and some trotting. A couple of times I could see the sweep ponies down the hill from us, but other than doing looking I was really very good.

This wet patch was scary

After a few miles the vet was waiting to watch us do trottings to make sure all the ponies were doing okay once they were warmed up. She said we look great, so on we went for our long loopy of about a bajillion miles. Mostly we had to go up. Me and Nicky took turns being the leader, trotting the flatter bits and walking the steep ups so we didn't get tired too soon. We ate a few grass snacks and had lots of fun.

Leading the way

After going up and up it was time to go down and down. The peoples got off us and we did trotting/running on the not steep downs. We had to be careful for Nicky pony, she couldn't go down too fast. This section was very good for my learnings at how to be a good running pony, cos for me being really bad at the first bit, and quite polite by the end of our enduring ride. Look, I have my concentrating face on, cos enduring is Serious Business.

I'm a grown up, I'm a grown up...

We got to flat ground, and the peoples hopped on and we trotted away. There was a photographer lady waiting to take our picture, so we did some posing, and then we were nearly back to camp. There was some two way traffic on a single track trail for a while so Aunt-E and Cyd did loud bad singing, that way other pony riders knew we were round the corner. Nicky pony thought it was ok to do spooking at the other ponies, but lucky I know that is Not Appropriate. Once we were nearly to camp Cyd hopped off and loosened my girth and told me to think low-pulse thoughts. She's weird, I know. There were lovely volunteer people waiting to greet us and write down our times and check our pulses. My trimmer lady N was there and she came and took my pulse and it got to 60 really quite fast without me getting my saddle off and washed my sweats. I'm getting fit and strong. We went straight to see the vet people to make sure we were still being healthy and not hurt our legs or getting tummy ache. I scored 2 Bs and 2 Cs for my belly, but the vet said it was okay cos for me stuffing my face the whole time I was there and it was only the beginning of my break. Aunt-E was going to run behind me for my trottings but Nicky had to do her trottings first. Since there was enough room we went together and I did much better this time. I got As for all my other scores! Now it was time to eat and eat and drink tons of water. Even though I drank loads at all the streams and puddles, I drank a whole bucket and some more in my pen! Hydration is important.

That was a long ride, better fuel up!

I was a bit confused when Cyd put my saddle back on me. Didn't she remember we just rode a long ways? Silly Cyd. I followed her anyway and we went to the timing people to check out. Cyd and Aunt-E both stayed on the ground in case I did my stopping cos for not wanting to leave camp again, but I only had slightly sticky feet. This loopy was not so long, and even though it went up a lot it wasn't very steep so we did trotting most of the way. I did trottings in front, and in the back. I got stuck one time, but unstuck pretty quick without help from Nickypony or Cyd having to get off. Then I went right back to trottings. This was Cyd's favourite bit of trail, shady switchbacks going up up up. Then down down down again so the peoples did some more running next to us. At the bottom we played in the stream a bit cos for it getting quite warm and good practice for me. I like to be sponged when I'm sweaty, and kept leaning into the sponge to make sure Cyd didn't miss a spot.

Sponging off my sweats, see my happy face

Posing in the creek while my legs cooled

I drank even more on this loopy, and ate some snacks whenever I had the chance. Now it was just a few miles back to camp. Since I had been on this trail for our pre-ride, and again to finish up the previous loopy, I totally knew where we were going. I did my big trot and some small canter, just cruising along on a loose rein. At the same spot as before Cyd hopped off and loosened my girth and we walked down the hill where the nice volunteer peoples were waiting for us again. They had us stop in the shady bit so we didn't all get too hot. A nice man took my pulse but it was 68 and needed to be 60. Nicky was still being measured so we waited for her before going to cool me off some more. When buddy ponies are having their pulses done it is polite to stay next to each other so the pony being measured doesn't have the pulse go high wondering where their friend is going. Since we were waiting 30 seconds for Nicky the nice man measured me again and I was 60 already. Nickypony needed a couple of minutes to get her pulse just right so we waited with her, and I did some drinking and eating. Once we were both timed in it was time to go back to our pens and fill our bellies before our last vet exam. I did even better at my trottings this time! My belly got a slightly better score from all my snacking, but my back was a little bit sore so it only got a B score. Here is my vet card of my scores all day:

My vet scores

I passed my vet check which meant I officially finished my first enduring ride. Go Bugsy!!! I got put back in my pen with two kinds of hayfoods, a mush bucket, and lots of water and left to relax. A few hours after the ride all the people have dinner together, and get their awards and cheer for each other and the volunteers. Cyd looked in my direction during her dinner, and couldn't quite see me. I was totally laying down with my face by my food munching away. She watched for a minute in case I wasn't feeling good, but I was just relaxing cos for being a super chill grown up enduring pony now. After dinner she came to take me for a walk around to stretch my legs (our pens are very small like an outside box stall cos for being temporary). I got all excited and flipped my tail up and was doing prancing around to show off to everyone (although still doing good behavings). Three different people said how great I looked, and lots of people congratulated me for my first ride and how good I did. 

Big thankies to my Aunt-E for driving me and riding with us on Nickypony, and thanks to Nicky's person M for loaning her to us for the weekend! We had so much fun!

Scoffing my face after my ride

Last Testing Ride

Hello everybodies, how are you? I am fabulous, as usual. Today I went on a pony ride with my friends to do a last test that all my gear is ready to go for my adventure next weekend.

We went up the really big Abalobodiah hill, around the Two Log trail, and down the Green Gate trail. I went on a loose rein nearly the whole time, and barely did bouncing, though I did do some head flinging. Oopsies. I had one sticky moment where I thought I knew a better way to go, but I unstuck really quick. My go-faster booties had no issues, and my tack all fits me good. There was one bit where Cyd had to hop off for safeties, when a big logging truck was coming fast and I got super scared and did running around in the road, and Cyd was trying to get off to help me be brave but I wouldn't stop for long enough. Once she got down and put me safely in the grasses on the side of the road I did shaking and snorting, but calmed right down again after it had gone by. Today's leader was Aunty S, and she rode new pony Fantom, and we love each other. There's another new pony called Patches, we get on good too. Fantom didn't want to go into the creek, so you know who was a grown up and helped him go?

"C'mon Fantom, be brave like me"

Me! I did ponying, and was patient while Fantompony did some thinking, and didn't get scared when he did a big leap and splashed us, and took him all around in the creek.

It wasn't that long ago that I needed help to go in the creek, now I'm the helper. He still needs some practice, but he'll learn it's okay soon. I did really good at getting in the pony trailer too, not needing any helping. I am ready for my new adventure!

I'm so beefy!