I'm Shari Parys from Gretna, Nebraska, and I really look forward to this Derby! My two main teammates include Wiley (14yo Paint) and Mika (13yo Foxtrotter), with miles also shared with Lucy (7yo 1/2 Arab), and Tigger (19yo QH). I love trail riding and camping with friends as well as competing in CTR. There are so many beautiful places to ride in this country and I try to explore a few new ones every year. CTR gives me goals and feedback in my riding and conditioning, and Trail Time and now the Distance Derby really compliment that, giving me additional incentive to get out and ride longer and farther!
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99 comments:
Finally able to sneak in a ride and post some miles before the weather turns!
2.27 miles
30 minutes
4.4 mph avg
13.0 mph max
on Mika
Nice ride on Wiley in the arena, with a friend on Lucy. Not many miles, but a good set of horses on a windy day!
2.72 miles
40 minutes
4.1 mph avg
Another beautiful day in January, even if a bit windy. Took Mika out alone for a couple miles, then returned to ride with Lucy again.
5.20 miles
1.25 hours
4.2 mph avg
Just a short ride, but had to get out on such a beautiful day!
Mika
2.49 miles
40 minutes
3.8 mph avg
Slipped in a short ride in between 2 jobs, dentist appointment and a 4-H meeting. I just had to take advantage of another stellar day in January!
Mika
2.11 miles (14.79 YTD)
30 minutes
4.3 mph avg
Mika
2.0 miles (16.79 YTD)
30 minutes
4.1 mph avg
Last ride before the storm moves in. Rode with a friend on Lucy then took Mika back out for the final bit of daylight.
Mika
2.94 miles (19.73 YTD)
1 hour
3.1 mph avg
Fun ride through the snowy fields. :)
Mika
1.82 miles (21.55 YTD)
25 minutes
4.4 mph avg
10.4 mph max
3/6/12
.31 miles (21.86 YTD)
Only rode long enough to warm up Mika for the college girls, but I'll take anything I can get right now!
2.29 miles (24.15 YTD)
Nice ride on Mika through the fields at sunset. Looking forward to gaining an hour of daylight in the evenings.
7.12 miles (31.27 YTD)
3 hours
2.4 avg
4.8 max speed
Windy ride on Mika at Branched Oak.
2.75 miles (34.02 YTD)
41 minutes
4.8 mph moving avg
4.0 mph overall avg
13.0 mph max
Excellent ride on Wiley in the arena and fields.
2.13 miles (36.15 YTD)
35 minutes
3.9 mph moving avg
3.5 mph overall avg
12.0 mph max
Absolutely perfect ride on a spectacular evening. I think Mika was as happy to be out as me, because every time I pointed him toward home, he would wander a different direction. Fields were soft and the weather was warm for his heavy winter coat, so didn't move out too fast but rather just relished the beautiful day and no wind!
3.15 miles (39.3 YTD)
45 minutes
4.7 mph moving avg
4.1 mph overall avg
14.6 mph max
Wow. Another perfect day on a perfect horse. Oh my. I feel so blessed!
2.04 miles (41.34 YTD)
38 minutes
4.0 mph moving avg
3.2 mph overall avg
11.5 mph max
Have to just keep stealing short rides. Took Wiley tonight and went straight to the fields as the sun was going down.
2.34 miles (43.68 YTD)
4.4 mph avg
Good ride through the fields. Mika is still sporting a pretty good winter coat, so he was quite warm and we took it easy.
Sure wish the GPS worked in indoor arenas to catch the past couple of rides with team sorting and dressage lesson!
3.22 miles (46.9 YTD)
4.7 mph moving avg
4.3 mph overall avg
12.2 mph max
Another excellent ride through the fields on an extremely windy day.
4.16 miles (51.06 YTD)
Rode Mika with a friend on Lucy. He is gaiting more consistently as he gets fit, and she was a good girl, much quieter than last time.
2.72 miles (53.78 YTD)
4.3 mph moving avg
3.9 mph overall avg
11.8 mph max
Wiley's turn tonight. Worked on our dressage homework a bit, then took a short ride through the fields. Dark and rumbling but the storm skirted us.
2.2 miles (55.98 YTD)
3.7 mph moving avg
3.3 mph overall avg
11.1 mph max
Just plugging along with Mika while a friend rides Lucy. We aren't racking up the miles, but are getting out on a regular basis and accomplishing a few things!
9.34 miles (65.32 YTD)
3.3 mph moving avg
2.9 mph overall avg
Great ride on Mika at Two Rivers. Met Shelly & Tina and took it easy in the 90' weather. Mushroom hunters are already out in force!
3.18 miles (68.5 YTD)
4.8 mph moving avg
3.9 mph overall avg
12.8 mph max
Worked with Mika on canter transitions with a lot of rests in the heat.
4/4/12
5.91 miles (74.41 YTD)
Rode Mika for a great kick off for the PRR at Two Rivers.
4/5/12
4.13 miles (78.54 YTD)
3.1 mph moving avg
13.3 mph max
Very slow and relaxing ride in the arena while catching up on things with Taylor (on Sid).
8.17 miles (86.71 YTD)
3.9 mph moving avg
3.4 mph overall avg
15.8 mph max
Great ride on Mika at Two Rivers, with a friend on Wiley.
5.8 miles on Mika
.64 miles on Sid
(93.15 YTD)
Nice Easter ride with Taylor and another 4-Her. Worked on transitions then a little fun jumping. Switched horses with Taylor so she could jump too.
4.85 miles (98.0 YTD)
4.6 mph moving avg
4.5 mph overall avg
11.9 mph max
Rode through fields to see where NRD has fenced us out from riding to the river. They did a lot of work on the dike after the floods of last year, but didn't expect them to lock us out. :(
2.90 miles (100.9 YTD)
5.4 mph moving avg
4.6 mph overall avg
11.2 mph max
Finally had time to ride! Arena was blocked by farm equipment so went straight to field for a fun night of foxtrotting and loping on Mika. Fields are being planted this week so will lose that area soon.
8.57 miles (109.47 YTD)
3.7 mph moving avg
2.9 mph overall avg
8.3 mph max
First time I've ridden the MoPac. Started from Louisville end and had a great ride with the PRR. What a nice time visiting with everyone, and Micah was a brave boy over the metal see-thru bridges!
5.94 miles (115.41 YTD)
3.7 mph avg
17.7 mph max
Beautiful day at Bader Park for the camping trip of the year! Mika improved at cantering in a group.
4/28 continued
Last ride posted was the morning ride, this one was the afternoon.
7.52 miles (112.93 YTD)
3.2 mph avg
14.9 mph max
4/29
7.64 miles (130.57 YTD)
4.0 mph avg
15.8 mph max
Cold and damp morning at Bader Park but still nice to be out riding with friends.
Should read 122.93 YTD
I really wasn't riding backwards!
Miles are from Saturday, April 28th.
Fit in a few rides on Mika while judging for an ACTHA ride at Turkey Creek.
5/4/12 10.11 miles
5/5/12 6.38 miles
5/6/12 7.17 miles
154.23 YTD
5/10/12
2.29 miles on Mika during 4-H meeting.
(156.52 YTD)
5/12/12
NECTRA Clinic on Mika.
2.42 miles (158.94 YTD)
PRR at Two Rivers. 17 riders, beautiful night, good horse!
6.68 miles
(165.62 YTD)
5/17/12
4-H practice and last ride before CTR
1.87 miles
(167.49 YTD)
5/19/12
23.6 miles
(191.09 YTD)
Hill & Dale CTR Day 1
Beautiful weather, perfect trails, great riding friends, horse exceeded all expectations, camping with the windows open - it just doesn't get better!
5/20/12
15.04 miles
(206.13 YTD)
Hill & Dale CTR Day 2
Chilly day and slow pace, but still a great time on the trail. Hard to tell how adequate our conditioning is when the going is so easy. Gaited horses certainly make for easy miles. I finished 5th in Horsemanship, Mika took 1st in Horse with 99/100, and our scores together were good enough to win High Point Combo. I'm pretty impressed with the white horse. :)
5/24/12 4-H practice
1.57 miles (207.7 YTD)
5/26/12 14.7 miles
5/27/12 15.5 miles
5/28/12 4.47 miles
242.37 miles YTD
Spent an amazing Memorial Day Weekend at the National Forest near Halsey. Camped and rode with Robin & David and Gary & Mary. Mika was a good boy overall, walking out well, content in his e-fence even when his buddies moved much farther away as pens opened up, and only getting a bit anxious on the way home each day if he thought he was getting left behind. Wonderful and relaxing weekend!
5/31/12
1.41 miles on Mika at 4-H practice
243.78 YTD
6/1/12
7.47 miles (249.84 YTD)
11.7 mph max
3.9 mph moving avg
3.5 mph overall avg
Took Mika to Two Rivers to mentor a friend interested in CTR. Good ride and fun to visit about my passion. It was our big 4-H horse show kickoff weekend, so no riding for me but lots of watching kids enjoy their horses. Glad I got so much trail riding and camping in before show season started this year!
1.6 miles (251.44 YTD)
Rode Mika in 4-H practice
YTD should read 251.25 miles
Correction carried forward: 252.85 YTD
7.56 miles (260.41 YTD)
11.3 mph max
3.8 mph moving avg
Met a friend at Lake Cunningham to condition for CTR.
5 others joined us for a nice ride and swim in the lake.
2.16 miles (262.57 YTD)
Rode Wiley then switched with Taylor and rode Sid so she could work on 4-H patterns.
2.98 miles on Mika
.5 miles on Sid
.63 miles on Wiley
266.68 YTD
Rode Mika in the arena working on foxtrot and canter, then switched out on 4-H horses with Taylor.
6/16/12
7.66 miles (274.34 YTD)
Short ride after Grand Opening event
7/7/12
10.26 miles (284.60 YTD)
Took Mika for a spur of the moment solo camping trip to Turkey Creek. He was such a perfect boy, leaving the horses in camp without a whinny or look back, willingly going wherever I pointed him and allowing me to thoroughly enjoy the ride and beautiful trail. The intense heat finally broke and the day was perfect, overcast then sunny but with a nice breeze.
7/8/12
6.35 miles (290.95 YTD)
Friends hauled in to join us for a morning ride. Explored some of the pastures more for CTR route options.
7/10/12
2.64 miles (293.59 YTD)
Worked on obstacles while arena was set up for State trail class practice.
7/10/12
2.64 miles (293.59 YTD)
Worked on obstacles while arena was set up for State trail class practice.
7/12/12
2.67 miles (296.26 YTD)
Rode Tigger for 4-H practice. I need to ride this boy more often!
7/13/12
1.54 miles (297.8 YTD)
.97 on Sid
.57 on Wiley
Getting ready for State Horse Show, so toodling around on whoever Taylor is not working with.
7/14/12
.77 miles (298.57 YTD)
Between Taylor's prep for State 4-H Horse Show and the blasted heat, I may never make it to 300 miles!
7/22/12 1.71 miles
7/23/12 1.60 miles
7/24/12 2.08 miles
7/25/12 2.44 miles
(306.40 YTD)
Riding Mika a little each night helping the 4-H kids get ready for County Fair.
7/26/12
1.49 miles (307.89 YTD)
4-H group practice so a lot of watching and coaching and not much mileage...
Getting ready for 4-H Trail Ride and Poker Run, and wonderful to be back on the trails after 9 days of County Fair! Bonus is a break from the heat. :)
8/7/12
2.84 miles
Took a 4-H family for their first trail ride while we checked which routes were open and not blocked by downed trees or too much overgrowth. Lightening ended the night short, as I didn't want to fry them on their first outing!
8/8/12
4.34 miles
Later start than planned due to storms moving through. Missed out on riding with PRR group but was able to trim quite a bit.
8/9/12
4.58 miles
Took a different set of 4-Hers out on the trail to trim and check the route. It's a good excuse to get saddle time and share my love of trails. :) Absolutely beautiful night but sad to see no water in the river.
319.65 miles YTD
8/12/12
11.94 miles (331.59 YTD)
4-H Trail Ride and Poker Run
Went early to mark the route, then led the ride out, and afterwards rode it one more time to sweep for missed ribbons or trash. Great turnout and a beautiful day to ride with friends!
Quick ride on Wiley to make sure he's doing good in case I take him to Turkey Creek along with Mika this weekend.
1.40 miles (332.99 YTD)
Work weekend at Turkey Creek to get ready for our CTR. Doesn't feel like work though when out riding such incredible trails! Took both boys as a test to see how they did when riding one and leaving one. Both got excited about being left but survived and rode out well when it was their turn.
8/18/12
Mika 9.22 miles
Wiley 4.77 miles
8/19/12
Mika 7.50 miles
Wiley 4.73 miles
359.21 YTD
Lots of riding, trimming, marking, exploring and mentoring to get ready for the CTR! It was long slow miles and I'm glad I brought both horses again. The beauty of Turkey Creek Ranch never ceases to amaze me.
8/24/12
Mika 18.64 miles
Wiley 6.06 miles
8/25/12
Mika 9.52 miles
Wiley 6.62 miles
8/26/12
Wiley 4.21 miles
Mika 5.05 miles
409.31 YTD
8/29/12
Wiley 4.74 miles
(414.05 YTD)
Pre-ride NHTC Trail Challenge course and select obstacle locations. The night was much more pleasant than expected, despite the high heat during the day.
9/6/12 1.63 miles on Mika in the arena
9/7/12 5.15 miles on Mika marking trail for the NHTC Trail Challenge
9/8/12 5.81 miles on Mika testing the obstacles and checking on the flow of contestants
9/8/12 3.26 miles on Mika enjoying a nice evening ride at Branched Oaks after the competition
9/9/12 .6 miles on Sid & Wiley helping Taylor get ready for her last 4-H show
9/12/12 1.18 miles on Mika for last check before Brushy Creek CTR. Had to fit in a quick ride before the beautiful rain came!
(431.68 YTD)
Dave Smith Fall Fiesta CTR at Brushy Creek
Beautiful weather and a great ride, other than when the judges were watching. LOL Mika was a bit buddy sour and anxious at obstacles and P&R's, though he had amazingly low respirations, so no problems with panting!
9/15/12 21.84 miles
9/16/12 15.42 miles
(468.94 YTD)
9/21/12 3.88 miles on Wiley, check Open loop for CTR
9/22/12 19.2 miles on Mika, pre-ride Novice Saturday route
9/23/12 14.0 miles on Mika, pre-ride Novice Sunday route
9/23/12 6.8 miles on Wiley, add ribbons and check mileage in a few areas
(512.82 YTD)
9/26/12 6.63 miles on Wiley, check markings in High Country and in Art's pasture for CTR route
9/27/12 4.13 miles on Mika, check markings in Exterior Loop and Pete's
9/30/12 6.95 miles on Mika, rode 10:30pm-1:15am under the bright Harvest Moon as a perfect way to celebrate a successful ride and my birthday
10/1/12 7.60 miles on Wiley, remove markings after CTR
10/1/12 7.78 miles on Mika, ride Brenda's new trails, then split off from group to continue removing markings
(545.91 YTD)
3.98 miles on Mika, riding through the corn and bean fields that have been harvested this past week. I love field riding except it means winter is just around the corner!
(549.89 YTD)
2.01 miles on Mika. Fun fast ride through the cornfields before 4-H practice.
(551.9 YTD)
10/13/12
15.4 miles on Mika
First day of Indian Cave CTR
Muddy trails but good sensible horse
Rained more that night and next morning so dropped to a B ride and didn't go out again on Sunday.
(567.3 YTD)
10/20/12
8.29 miles on Mika at Branched Oak for Sheila's Reunion Ride
10/21/12
8.75 miles on an absolutely perfect day to ride with friends!
(584.34 YTD)
3.16 miles on Mika. Working on a few things for this weekend's CTR and checking that the bridle doesn't bother where he cut his face this week. Nobody is fessing up how it happened!
(587.5 YTD)
10/26/12 1.2 miles on Mika. Quick ride at Kanopolis Lake to check tack and attitude before the last CTR of the year.
10/27/12 20.5 miles. Brrrr! A cold ride and not quite enough layers, but still awesome to ride through that beautiful park. Mika covered the miles easily but we still have to work on his patience at obstacles.
10/28/12 17.7 miles. Wind made it even colder than the previous day and only a few brief glimpses of the sun throughout the weekend. Layered up better and had another great ride. Whitey kept it together enough to give me 1st place in Horsemanship, he earned 2nd in Horse, and together we received CP High Point Combo, so a great end to my first year competing on him.
(626.9 YTD)
Congrats! What a way to finish out the CTR season! Mika did so good for you.
You aren't that far from finishing in the Top 15 of the Derby! I know, you are tired! Lol. But I bet you can come darn close!
Good for you, has to make you feel wonderful.
Juanita
10/31/12
2.19 miles on Wiley in the arena and corn field
(629.09 YTD)
4.12 miles on Mika through the bean and corn fields
(633.21 YTD)
3.04 miles on Mika in the bean field.
(636.25 YTD)
9.25 miles on Mika. Wonderful ride at Mike Andersen's. Awesome trails, beautiful weather, great friends, perfect horse. How blessed we are!
(645.5 YTD)
The above miles were from November 2nd.
2.89 miles on Mika. Played in the fields with Mika doing Sky Art like Tammy, riding letters and shapes with GPS tracks. I rode the word and Taylor challenged me to do the shape. :)
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/240339316
(648.39 YTD)
3.80 miles on Mika. Rode in the bean field until too dark, then under the arena lights. Nice warm night!
(652.19 YTD)
2.49 miles on Wiley in the arena. Worked too late to have any daylight.
(654.68 YTD)
2.21 miles on Mika under the arena lights.
(656.89 YTD)
11.66 miles on Mika
Nice ride with Robin at Wilderness Park. Good place to go to stay out of the wind and not worry about hunters.
(668.55 YTD)
2.18 miles on Mika through the bean field and pasture. Beautiful end to a 70' day as we watched the sun go down. Mika was the most relaxed and responsive as I've ever seen him, so an absolute joy to ride today. :)
(670.73 YTD)
4.8 miles on Mika in the fields. I'm so thankful for the joy, great friends, and beautiful places my horses introduce me to!
(675.53 YTD)
3.11 miles on Mika in bean field and arena. Cold and windy day but better ride now before winter really arrives and my days get busier.
(678.64 YTD)
1.16 miles on Wiley under the arena lights. How does one try to reach a mileage goal? One mile at a time! Wish I could have rode longer, but a little saddle time is better than none on such a nice night.
(679.8 YTD)
1.76 miles on Mika. Too busy with a 4-H fundraiser to enjoy the beautiful day but did get a ride in after dark.
(681.56 YTD)
2.02 miles on Mika. Snuck home in between jobs to enjoy the last bit of daylight and a good lope through the bean field.
(683.58 YTD)
2.64 miles on Mika in the field then under the arena lights. Sure wish I could hit a trail in the daylight and get some real miles, but I'll take what I can get!
(684.2 YTD)
This is the end of my miles. What a fun Derby this has been! Thanks for all the work and thought put into it, as I have enjoyed it so much, been pushed a bit farther, and watched this competition motivate and link others. On to 2013 with renewed goals and dreams!
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