Day 59 Monday
Back to training ready for the next ride which would be Blakeridge. Ashley and I took our prospective Blakeridge mounts; Mercury and Liberty to Roode Bloem to do a fast 20km. Both horses still feeling fresh we took them for a few spins around the track also and furthered our distance to about 30km.
After a quick trip into town and lunch I rode out to Red Valley with Lucy and Ashley. I rode Samraa as this would be somewhere new for her to see and also the terrain would be beneficial to helping to further harden her hooves. Samraa was so quiet and docile it was almost like riding a donkey, it must be because its a Monday!
Day 60 Tuesday
First mount of the morning or challenge rather, to take Obelix out on his own. Another big step in becoming an endurance horse; knowing how to brave it with just your rider. Despite not wanting to leave the yard, he was very good once out in the camp and we headed off to ride round the track. He was very good in all three gaits and was not spooking at bush monsters either.
That afternoon Ashley and I took Platinum and Nile out. These two our both brothers by the same sire Perseverance Silver. They look very similar although Platinum is bigger despite Nile actually being the older brother. Platinum has not long been backed so this was not to be a very long hack out, just a stretch of the legs and to test the brakes. Mostly a good ride, with Nile leading as the big brother!
Day 61 Wednesday
So Bob, Ashley and I spent pretty much the entire morning in town. We each had things to do and I got to have another trip to Sarmies our favourite cafe for Team Perseverance.
In the afternoon Lucy and I trecked out with Nile and Liberty to Roode Bloem for a 20km ride. I rode Nile whilst Lucy "borrowed" Liberty from me. Due to these being two of my favourites here at Perseverance its a hard choice to make when you know they're both going to be trained of who to ride. I decided on Nile though and off we went. I still think its absolute bliss to be able to canter for practically the entire 20km and only needing to stop for 1 or 2 gates. Most of the roads are dirt and we only cross one tarmac before going straight onto grass, yes this beats training in Britain!!
Day 62 Thursday
First horse to ride of the day: Samraa. I think I'm growing rather fond of this mare! For a change I decided to do a bit of schooling. Out into camp 1 where there is enough flat space to be able to work. 3 gaits ridden and also did exercises working on her suppleness. Lots of circuling at different diameters, a little bit of leg yielding although that needs some more practise and S-bends. Also teaching her how to turn on the forehand, no wonder she was feeling tired after half an hour! So to cool off we headed off down the road a little way and in a new direction for Samraa to see. Got to keep things interesting after all!
Onto horse number 2 and another schooling lesson, this time with Obelix. Obelix did not want to leave the comfort of the yard, then he did not want to open the gate and then would not go forward. I had rearing and whipping round, such a stubborn little horse! So onto school with yet more stubborness. Yes Obelix you will do as I say, eventually! I was down at the school for about an hour with him throwing a paddy quite a few times. Eventually however, we managed to do some circuits of the school in trot without him rearing and trying to run to the gate. Ashley also joined us with Ochre but luckily missed me shouting at Obelix.
In the afternoon I had the chance to take Nile out and for me to just have a pleasant chill out ride. So 18kms up the road in a canter. Nile has such a comfortable canter and he covers the ground so easily that 18kms was done in well under the hour and according to the GPS we went at 20.3kph without even trying. Yes thats another horse I want to compete before I leave!!