2008 Adventures
Again, the first few months of 2008 didn't offer much for riding. Although we didn't have a major snowstorm, the area was like the Northern Tundra. We had snow/ice cover until mid to late March.
The CTR in April was canceled due to lack of participation. I had some reservations attending anyway as the weather wasn't cooperating in getting Cora conditioned for the ride. Things happen for a reason as I would find out a few weeks later.
At the end of April, Tammy and I played hooky from work and headed to Iowa to check out some new trails at Oak Forrest. Nice place, steep inclines, lots of laughs, but not someplace that I'd drive over an hour to get to for 5 miles of trail. If this was in my backyard, I'd be there almost every weekend for conditioning. We did see some cool scenery and off trail experiences in addition to climbing steep hills with our horses.
After going to Oak Forrest, we took a short detour and checked out the Mo-Pac trail at Springfield. Again, nice trail but not something that I would drive an hour to go ride. If it was in my backyard, I'd be on it for conditioning though. Vic did a good job in working to get this trail done.
Cora & I attended a dedication at The Nebraska Humane Society for a fountain that was given to them over 100 years ago. Pretty cool and Cora was her usual awesome self.
The Friday Before Mothers Day Ride was a major turning point for Cora. She would come up lame at the end of the ride. Had my vet come out to look her over and see if this was a minor sprain or something worse. I've been feeling that something isn't right with her and felt that it was the beginning of some arthritic changes in her front legs. The x-rays confirmed my fears and we are now dealing with high ringbone on her right pastern. She's on R & R for the next 8 weeks and then we'll evaluate our next steps. I'm heartbroken, this wasn't supposed to happen to her yet as we have 100's if not 1000's of miles that we were supposed to travel still. Heck, I still get teary eyed just thinking about this. She doesn't look to be in any discomfort right now and is still The Princess, although she is not happy with being left behind.
This has forced me to bring out AJ and get him ready to tackle the trails that Cora & I were supposed to hit this summer together.
Cora missed the Fort Robinson trip, it was a great ride with "The Kid" though.
Early July I brought Cora back out of R & R and hit the trails. Started off real slow, a nice easy ride at Cunningham Lake with a co-worker and her horse. 2 hours of riding and no lameness when we got home. I think she's back :)
A week later, I met up with two friends and hit Two Rivers. Not many times will you find 80 degree weather in the middle of July! Cora of course had to keep everyone entertained. She scared herself when she blew bubbles in the pond. It was great to have my loping girl back!
Wow, guess I need to update Cora's page. We got a few rides in August to get ready for our Annual Cowgirl Weekend which was going to be held in Kanopolis, Kansas. We hit Moses, Branched Oak and Two Rivers. She stayed sound and was willing to take on any trail I pointed her at. I hoped she would stay sound for me in Kansas. I ended up not needing to worry about how she'd handle those trails. She was a trooper!
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Check out Cora's past adventures:
