GOING DOWN IN A BLAZE OF GLORY? 9TH DEC.

Caribbean
Today was a long long day, with some 7 hours in the saddle, between two rides. I have Bestman, a pure Nooitgedachter. We trek off. We have a mixed bunch from advanced to total beginner riders – 16 people. It is exceptionally hot. Whilst going through the first field, Cheryl has already worked out the groups between advanced / intermediate riders, to beginner riders. Michaela leads the first group, who go on ahead. Laura, who is backing Hermes for the first time is suddenly on the ground. (NO chocolate cake? Definite favouritism here). I’m in the middle of the group. Cheryl is back and forward between us all. We all trot on. My groin is coping.
The group now splits up into two. I’m at the tail end of the first group, with 8 year old young lass, behind me, on Excalibur. She is coping well and Cheryl is monitoring her. We cross the bridge and come to the road which goes to the cliffs. Cheryl asks me to take the young lass for a canter. Off we go. Four strides later, I realize my groin cannot take this. Cheryl takes over and puts me in charge of the beginners group, who are happy to trot and walk on. I am pleased. We take our time on our ride and all meet back at the stables. We untack, sort out the horses, grab a pie at the shops and we are back at the stables reorganizing for the next ride. We are tired and burnt from the sun.
There are 10 people to saddle up for. We start. I am allocated Midnite to ride. I saddle him up. I ask Michaela who else is gentle enough for me to saddle up. She tells me to do Blaze. He is NOT a problem horse (so long as you have the right attitude). I walk into his stable and he turns his butt to me. I land in the trough. I hope and pray no-one witnesses this. I am safe! Or so I thought. Panic stricken I stay pinned up against the wall, IN the trough. Cheryl turns around to see me ashen and asks “AND NOW?” I become a child and tell her I am scared. One of the development kids, September, (9 yrs old), comes giggling, to my rescue….. Blaze is the softest natured horse!
Again, the group is split. Ashleigh is on Bliss. She is nervous. This time Cheryl asks me to go ahead with the faster pace riders. I know my groin cannot cope. I decline and offer to take the 2 children who are beginners, one who is very quick to cry. The kids are led on a lead reign by the development kids behind me. Midnite is a good ride with great responses to me. By the time we get to the bridge, the faster group is coming back. I’m placating our young crying rider who has got a fright from the horse sneezing. We turn back, the faster riders passing us by to head for the beach. I am en route home and Ashleigh joins my group. We get back home through the rain having made the kids touch their toes whilst riding and getting them to ride with their arms outstretched to their sides. Ashleigh dismounts to open the gate to the stables. Cheryl is not far behind us with two young boys having great fun with her.
The next thing Ashleigh is hitting Bliss in the face. Apparently he tried to bite her. Bliss does not bite but affectionately licks one. Cheryl rightly so gets agitated and shouts at Ashleigh. The problem is twofold. Cheryl and Don are angry over Ashleigh going AWOL and missing from their ride to the beach. You never leave a group without informing someone. You never hit a horse in the face. This could cause major future problems with either putting a halter or bridle on the horse, or even coming near it. We untack and go home. Everyone is very subdued. Ashleigh is in tears. I have a long chat with her to get her to understand their concerns. We eat dinner and Ashleigh goes to bed. I blog and email and get to bed at 01h30, only to be rudely awoken at 02h15 by Cheryl just about throwing my cell phone to me with some repeated alarm going off. I will never live this down!
M