Spring Break 2008--Colorado or Bust!

Chadd and I traveled to Avondale, CO with Bandit and Lily in tow. While 18 hours driving one way with a dog (who farts) and a horse (who cut his head open before we even left Missouri) was tough, it was definitely worth it. Even though we had to stop in Pratt, KS to shell out $100 dollars for a vet to sew Bandit's head back together, we would definitely make the trip again!

We took Bandit to Harry Vold's Red Top Ranch where his wife, Karen, teaches trickriding. Every Spring, she runs schools of 3 days to a week--where you can learn how to trickride for 5 hours a day. (After the first session, it becomes progressively harder to get out of bed, much less get on a horse.) When I left, I had more bruises than I could count, but that's part of it. On the last day, I "bonked" and fell out of a shoulder stand at a run--my muscles literally gave out because I nothing left to give. (Of course, I didn't include that blooper in the highlight reel!)

For those of you unfamiliar with trickriding, it is sort of a specialty sport that originated in rodeo. Riders would try to "out ride" others by performing daring and dangerous acts on the back of a running horse. It used to be a competition, but became too dangerous as a result, and re-materialized into a specialty act or performance. It also has much more ancient ties from Russian Cossack riders, ancient Roman horsemanship, and Mongolian horseback riding. I enjoy trickriding because sitting gets boring, and I want to do my part to keep the sport alive.

Overall, Bandit did great for his first lesson as a "trick horse." Everyone was impressed with his docile demeanor and "loud" coloring. Thank you, Harry, Karen, Linda, Jon, and Melissa for your trickriding wisdom and support. We will definitely see you again soon!