Horseshoe Lake Challenge

On May 17th I rode in the first race of the season. It was an international level (FEI) ride. I rode in the FEI* 50 mile division on Hailey. There are 4 * levels for FEI rides: FEI* 50 miles, FEI** 75 miles, FEI*** 100 miles, and FEI**** Worlds (usually 75 or 100 miles). Horses and riders never having done an FEI race have to start with the FEI* and work their way up through the star (*) levels. I would like to compete internationally, so I'm starting at the bottom and building my resume.

Hailey and I waiting to vet in the day before the race.

Watering at Horseshoe Lake. Lisa is in the black jacket on Steal. Behind her are Sharon and Leah, a mother-daughter team. Leah graduated this year from her pony Willow to a full sized horse. We all miss seeing Willow. He's everyone's favorite pony!

Trying to convince Hailey that the little waves will NOT eat her.

Heading back out on the trail. Jaylene is behind me on Flint.

I rode with Lisa and Jaylene for most of the day. On the last loop I left them to catch a lady I knew was about 15 minutes in front of me. We blew by her and raced the rest of the way in. Hailey and I had a lot of fun on that last loop, tearing around and weaving through the trees as fast as we could go. She's so fit that it only took about five minutes for her pulse to reach her resting rate after we crossed the finish line. We successfully finished (forget our placing, but somewhere close to the end), and are looking forwards to the next FEI ride, possibly in Sept.

Hailey and I just after we cantered across the finish line.