In the beginning: As I had previously blogged, we had planned on a ride to EW Beck's for a birthday (belated) celebration. This should be an mostly uneventful ride, about 10 miles round trip, a few steep ravines, but nothing that is terrible or dangerous. It's no "Man From Snowy River" excitement. Usually.
Saturday dawned frosty, with a brilliant sapphire sky. I had kept the boys in because it was supposed to be so cold. I slept in; at that point I had a horrible sore throat and a bloody nose. Max wanted to go out at 6:40-ish and Tom took him out so I could stay in bed.
We planned to meet up around 10:30-ish, RTR (ready to ride) at 11:00. I think we pretty much kept to that time frame, the boys were easy to catch and the truck was already connected to the LQ trailer. Easy.
Our friend was trying out new tack for his young mare and took some time to figure it out and put it on. I did not see the new equipment close-up. We headed out the 'side' exit for the shortest way to the railroad tracks and river. Also saw several deer while walking through the woods. We meandered to the bottom of these woods, going into the first open field. At the bottom, at the fork, he said to take the trail into the woods at a trot so he could jump the downed timber.
Titan was first, I was behind Titan, trotting over the downed logs. None are high, logs at ground level. As we got closer to the top of the rise the mud was a little deep and KC came back to a walk; he really does hate mud. Behind me I heard yelling and a kerfuffle. I pulled KC around to the left to see Bree charging up the hill, broken tack and loose bridle leathers flapping all around her. She ran straight through the woods off the trail, stopped next to Titan. Our friend was standing in the woods.
What happened?
We still don't know what really happened. If the tack failed because of her bulk stretching into the shoulder straps or if her bucking (yes, she was bucking like a PRCA bronc) snapped the leather. The metal 'S' at the junction snapped. The bridle was in pieces, too. At the time he thought it best to evacuate, so he baled.
We thought we'd go back to the trailers but he said he had no tack to change into if we did. We all had halters with us for the planned lunch break. I had my 4-knot rope halter and offered to let him ride her in that.
The 4-knot halter is no ordinary piece of equipment. These knots are strategically placed over the nose for maximum pressure, compliance. They really work, too. He accepted my rope halter and unbuckled the loose, broken tack.
We continued on our way without incident, crossing the road, through the Archery Club, down the steep incline, over the railroad tracks, into the river, and down the flat shady single-track trail.
When we arrived on River Road we noticed several guys fishing, wearing hip waders. A couple cars came down the road, mostly respectful. KC doesn't like white cars or SUVs.
When we arrived under the overpass I noticed the shoulder had been bladed off, no more clover! And there were cars parked along the roadway. Hmmmmmmm. There was activity at the Skate Park, too. Hmmmmmmm. I could hear live music. Hmmmmmmm.
My logical brain was working overtime - what was going on? He looks it up on his 'Droid and proclaims it is Sykesville Heritage Festival. O boy. Someone suggested that one go for take-out, while the rest of us stay here in the little Park. Really? At this time we took their bridles off and I got my 4-knot halter back. I didn't think that Beck's was going to be crowded, because there was so much going on in the street.
Main Street on the other side of the bridge was closed, too. Because of water main issues (road torn up) the scheduled parade had been canceled. The place was packed with pedestrians, baby buggies, kids, and other noisy distractions. We attempted to 'take' the bridge but one car decided it would try to weave between the horses (some people are clearly clueless). I did say into the open window, "you're setting a fine example for your daughters." At that exact time, KC swung his ample AQHA hindquarters at the front of her car. Understand what I'm talking about?
We got across the bridge and into the Southern States Cooperative parking lot. KC saw the cows in the pen and gave them a serious eyeball. I kept going on, and he didn't get attacked by bovines.
This is when it gets interesting: I proceed through the parking lot to the sidewalk. We have walked this sidewalk as the route we take to Beck's. What I didn't know is that the rest of them plowed right down the middle of Main Street. Wish I had known that! I walked, with KC right behind me, along the sidewalk, which is right up against brick and stone buildings. Against the sidewalk curbing to the left is canopies, tables full of cupcakes (yum!), vendor booths and flapping tarps and signage. Lots and lots of people. He was perfect. I still am full of joy over his stellar behavior.
We went between the garbage can and the pit beef stand, with its hot, smoking grills, behind the live music stand, making the right turn onto Sandusky. A woman with a child in her arms wants to pet KC's nose. This is his favorite thing in the world. It was at that time, too, that I realized we were alone. Where are the other riders? KC started calling out. O boy.
At this point I am relieved that now KC has on the 4-knot halter. I tug on the lead rope and he stops. He's still calling out, but he is standing stock still. I don't want him to fall off the sidewalk into the electric piano, or the drum kit, or anything.
I turned him around and he's still calling out; I see no other horse. Where did they go? Turns out they went straight through the Police barriers, right down Main Street, on the double yellow line, with Skip following. He claims he couldn't get around them, they stopped to let every kid pet the horses. He said people were walking straight into Skip. A woman in a wheel chair was coming right at them. O boy.
Finally from under the canopies and signs I see them coming around into the intersection, with the crowd. We get together and everybody seems fine, collected, calm. A yellow school bus is stopped up ahead, kids milling around. Another Police barrier, with a Seqway parked at the saw horse. How cool!
We go through the parking lot, jammed, to our usual place to tie up and there is too many cars, just not going to happen. We meander around and finally come up with an alternative and with some Yankee ingenuity we get them tied up and settled. O boy.
Police cones are set around them so cars won't get too close. There are all kinds of activities for kids: Moon Bounce; rock climbing wall; super slide; bigger super slide. It's all good. The generators are roaring. I am so glad that he listened to the Spookless CD when he was younger! That CD is PRICELESS!
There is no wait at EW Beck's. We enjoyed a delicious lunch on the outdoor patio and caught up with all the latest this and that. We took turns checking on them, but they were mostly sleeping. The cones were getting moved, too, one was missing in action. Someone had thrown into the little woods up the hill.
I retraced my steps, with him following, along the sidewalk. He kept saying the path was blocked, but it was not. We tacked up at the little park, mounted up and rode out of town.
The ride back was good, the daylight slanting through the trees. While going up the ravine at Gorsuch Switch, KC let me know someone was down the hill. I looked over my shoulder and noticed an archer's bow leaning up against a tree. I laughed out loud when the guy, in complete camouflage, put his finger to his lips. I did not see him until he moved! KC knew he was there. He's a great watch dog.
When we came out of the ravine there was a car parked at the trail head, with a frantically barking dog in the car. The couple said the dog rolled in 'something' and they were hesitant in getting in the car with him, because he stank. O boy. They got out of the way and we rode past the barking, lunging dog.
We trotted up the hill, made the right at the top and cantered several strides from there. Bree was fine with the 4-knot rope halter as a bridle. She never got strong; she did kick up her heels, but not in the way she had earlier.
We got back to the club, lots of folks were spending the night. We had to get home to let the dogs out, and resume our regular lives. What a fantastic day and experience all of this has been!
On Sunday the weather started out great, warm, but then got cloudy, threatening. I did a couple few things then we went down to his job in DC to pick up a sofa. Can't argue with free! In and out like surgeons. We moved furniture around the house, and now it looks like it has always been this way. Yea!
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