Parrsboro Judged Pleasure Rave

Wow, what a great weekend! Beauty and I took part in our first Judged Pleasure ride in Parrsboro, NS with the Atlantic Canada Trail Riding Association (ACTRA). I was stressed and worried with nervous jitters for 3 days before the event, packing everything you need to camp for a human and a horse. I had given up hope of making it at all but managed to borrow a trailer at the last minute after my Dad offered to bring his truck and drive us.

Beauty has only been trailered a handful of times in her whole life so it was a huge deal for her. Packed up SO MUCH STUFF, got her loaded in about 10 minutes (YAY!) on Friday night and away we went for Parrsboro.

Had to stop in Amherst for an air mattress. Its really funny how many people came over to say hi while we were parked:


Finally arrived and got our little camp all setup. The site was just amazing. Everyone was setup inside a beautifully mowed grass paddock with wood rail fencing for safety just in case any horses escaped (most rides don't offer this but it was reassuring having the fence since Beauty had never camped away before). The hosts of the event allowed the partcipants to use the washroom inside the house which made roughing it a bit easier. No shower, but a real toilet and a sink with hot to wash your face and brush your teeth made all the difference!



Day 1 - Saturday
Up and at er at about 6:30am. Clean Beauty's "stall" as well as myself and feed humans and horse. Horses had to be presented to the judge for inspection (without tack) at 9am. Each horse was given a number upon registration that was placed on the rump and you were presented to the judge in numerical order, we were #9. We were judged on how clean the horse was and any pre existing scars, blemises, marks, rubs, etc were marked down by the judge so we were not penalized when presented to the judge at the half way point of the ride. Once the initial check was completed we went back to our camp site and tacked up. Then, we were presented to the judge for a second time, tack was inspected for safety and cleanliness and we had to mount in front of the judge all while being marked. At that point, away we went!

Here we are just before leaving:


The trail was an 8 mile loop, basically straight up a mountain. We don't have hills like that in Sackville so it was pretty awesome, but very challenging at the same time. The footing was very rocky so we wore Renegade boots on the front feet and went bare behind.

Mile marker on the trail - "4 Miles to Go"


Your's Truly


Camp


We did the 8 mile loop twice for a total of 16 miles on Saturday. For the first 3 miles of loop 1 Beauty was excellent. We started out alone and went along at a good pace. Then, we eventually started meeting other horses and she turned into a fire breathing race horse. The last 5 miles of that first loop was intense. She jigged the whole way and it was one big fight. I've learned that she needs to pass and be at the front of the pack, trying to hold her back is a) a lot of work for me and b) makes her heart rate sky rocket, which potentially put us at risk of being pulled from the second 8 mile loop. After the first 8 miles we went back into camp, were given a bag lunch by the host (sandwich, apple, piece of cheese, cookie and bottle of water) and the horses had to be checked by the judge again. Heart rates were taken to ensure the horses were not in metabolic danger and if anyone was not in the appropriate range they would not have been allowed to continue but all was well for everyone I believe. Beauty's heart rate was a little high so on our second trip we let the fast runners of the pack leave in front of us to ensure that we would go at a slow pace and not repeat the jigging of the first loop. Being out there completely alone on that second loop was sad for both of us. I was worried that she was overly tired because she didn't want to move out and she was lonely being the only horse (plus I think she knew I was worried about her and she took the opportunity to take total advantage of me). We eventually met up with 2 other riders going at a slow pace and finished the last 3 miles with them. What a difference that made for both Beauty and I, motivation for sure.

Once the second 8 mile loop was completed the day was done. We were checked by the judge for a final time and then went about making the horses comfortable (sponging off with room temperature water, blanketing, feeding, watering, walking to relieve stiffness and swelling). All the participants brought something for a potluck and the host provided BBQ'd sausages so we all indulged in a feast! There was so much food! After the meal there was a little awards ceremony and I actually tied for 3rd/4th place in horsemanship and won a ribbon and a curry comb. What a bonus. At that point it starting down pouring which sucked because we were in a tent but we survived :). I think everyone except my crew was in bed by 9pm (I'm a night hawk, no way I can go to bed that early!), the grounds were SOOO quiet that night.

Day two started out the same as day 1. I was hesitant to go out again on day 2 because we had such a good day the day before and I thought it woud be good to end on a good note but my Dad pressured me into it so we got ready.

Went with braids on day #2. We were #9 both days:




Stop taking pics of me and lets go!


We left alone again on day #2 but a couple of the experienced, faster riders quickly met up with me on the trail and I decided to go with them. What a difference! Beauty has a fast stride and these riders horses like to move so we were a good match. She was so much happier going with these horses. We finished the first 8 miles in less the 1.5 hours, the time just flew by and I was anxious to go out on the last 8 miles. Unfortunatly my transportation had to get back home so we opted out of the last 8 miles, big mistake! Beauty decided she didn't want to leave and would not get on the trailer. It only took 3 hours and 1o people to get her loaded. The ladies who I had completed the first 8 miles with on day two were finished and back before we had her on the trailer. Very disappointing, but as others told me she isn't the first horse who refused to load and she certainly wouldn't be the last. No one was hurt, we had a great time and learned tons so I guess if not loading was the worst that could have happened we were lucky.

Overall I had one of the best weekends I've had in a long time. I'm so proud of my horse for taking this all on stride, she was awesome and I received so many compliments on her. I met a lot of great people, made new friends and learned tons! I can't wait for the next ride.

If anyone is interested in getting involved in Endurance, the Atlantic Canada Trail Riding Association (ACTRA) is looking to gain more members. Come on out you guys! I know there are some of you on the board who would enjoy this. Its excellent cross training for a show horse. If you want to be competitive you can but the main goal is to complete with a sound horse and to have fun.

The entry fee was only $25/day and included my camp site (for 1 horse and 2 tents), a bag lunch, a potluck meal and prizes for those who place. Not bad at all in my books (I'm sure the bag lunch and wonderful supper would have cost me $25 on my own!).

Thanks for sharing! The pictures really add to the whole report.

I am happy for you that you were able to make it and that you had such a good experience. Good for Dad for his help too, eh?

Beauty is a beauty...must get over to see her in the flesh one of these days.

It looked like you had a LOT of fun. I know I would love to start getting involved in something like this. Flicka LOVES trails much better then she does ring work. But she sounds like Beauty, has to be in front, else sounds like a freight train for the stomping and jigging.

great pics and story, I've heard about ACTRA but never looked into it now we have inside info on how it actually goes should we ever try it. Thanks for posting :)

Hanover wrote:

I am happy for you that you were able to make it and that you had such a good experience. Good for Dad for his help too, eh?

Beauty is a beauty...must get over to see her in the flesh one of these days.

I'm still smiling :).

Beauty was my Dad's horse before she came to me so he enjoys watching us do things. I am so grateful for his and his g/f's services. I don't think I would have survived without all their help. Jason's too. Hopefully you and Gary can make it here soon!

Quote :

It looked like you had a LOT of fun. I know I would love to start getting involved in something like this. Flicka LOVES trails much better then she does ring work. But she sounds like Beauty, has to be in front, else sounds like a freight train for the stomping and jigging.

Maybe we can become trail mates, sounds like they would move right along with each other, haha. A palomino and a buckskin would make a gorgeous pair I think ;). I reccomend starting with a judged pleasure ride for your first one. I volunteered at a 30 mile ride last fall and after this weekend I have GREAT respect for those riders (most of whom are 50-60+, that's so inspirational to me!).

Here's another pic I stole off a friend's FB. This was on day 2, right after we were soaked on the top of the mountain in a torrential downpour with huge claps of thunder and lightning! Exhilarating to say the least!!! I'd never experienced that before. I love this pic.

Just one more, I promise....we are moving in this pic



They had people parked on 4-wheelers or in trucks at all major turns to make sure no one got lost.

WOW.
this is the neatest thing ever...im SUPER jealous!! Wish we had things like this on the Island.. there are so many beautiful trails around especially my area, and i love to trail ride! especially in new places, its so exciting to explore, and my gelding loves it way more than doing ring work.

super cool..thanks for sharing!

I know there have been rides on PEI, RBBP.

Hahaha I'm jealous on so many levels. I have no trails, no one to ride with and no transportation, ahahha. Ahhh someday I'll do something like this. Looks like an absolute blast. And your Beauty is gorgeous <3

wow, thanks for sharing that, it seemed to be a wonderful experience for you and your horse...

Your saddle looks so comfy! Glad you had fun.

WOW very neat! I wish we had something like that.
Thanks for sharing you guys look like you had a blast :)

What a great time you had. Sounds like a fun (and somewhat nerve racking) time. Bravo to you for biting the bullet and going. It was fantastic reading your account of the weekend and the pictured really added to it. How was your bum afterwards?

great story, great adventure, great pix.......well done there girly...........once all your jitters were under control you seemed to have an amazing time................ :cowboyhound.gi :cowboyhound.gi

THanks so very much for sharing your weekend experience with us all. I loved all the pictures... I would even love to see more! Beauty is just that A BEAUTY! I'm so happy to hear it was a successful adventure for you both.

I chuckled out loud when reading about the loading issues. I know first hand how stressful that can be. Makes for entertaining stories, after the fact.

Thanks everyone! I volunteered at another ride near Peticodiac this weekend and learned tons. Hopefully Beauty will be ready for the 25 miler at the end of the month in Wickham, NB and hopefully we can find a drive. I intend to start doing some serious trailer training in the next 3 weeks. :)