Endurance Riding

I am really getting sick of this weather. We’ve had weeks now of rain, snow, sleet, and hail. With NO break in the weather. At least one sunny day here and there would be nice.

Today, I experienced another one of my “screw it” attitudes. I thought, “I’m going riding no matter the weather.” I am getting so behind on my training schedule with Asali, I’m starting to freak out about our first limited distance ride in two weeks!

The problem is, the weather was so horrible today that my “screw it” attitude didn’t win over the weather… Until about 3 pm, that is. I woke up from a mid-afternoon nap, jumped out of bed, made some chocolate chip cookies (and then ate a few for motivation), and put on several layers of clothes.

I rode Asali bareback, with just a rope halter and lead line. We went out on the South Loop. It was foggy and cold and the snow added a deafening silence to the forest. I could hear two things – the raindrops tapping softly on the top of my helmet and running streams, alive because of all the rain and snow melt.

The sky was dark and ominous. Many trees had been struck down in the storm, unable to withstand the wind. Asali rode through the snow, stopping for a drink where the snow had melted, leaving puddles of fresh, cold water.

The quiet of the forest, especially when it’s vacant and uninviting, makes you think. I was humbled by the nature surrounding me and I spent some time in reflection. I thought about my past, how I feel like a much different person now. I often wonder what happened to the girl I left behind. I am glad she is no longer with me; I have outgrown her.

I thought about my life now. I have much to learn, but I am ready to listen. I am beginning to understand there are just some things in life we will never be able to understand. I still have many questions, but now I am more focused on asking them rather than answering them.

I thought about Asali and how it is that we came to be riding on this trail, in these woods, these dark, empty, wet woods. I focused on fluidity. I closed my eyes, let her pick the pace, and moved with her every move. I let go of my grip and realized I could stay on if I went where she went. I tried breathing with her breaths and somewhere, out there on that trail, we were dancing as one.

I smiled.

Tags: horseback riding, trail riding

Trackback URI | Comments RSS