The first picture is a tree root that has been exposed by water running through the branch. No water now. It is so dry but the water has washed away the dirt over the years and have left this root exposed. It is an interesting configuration. The second picture is Mt Girl and me. She had just had a bath and then her mane and tail were combed out.

The third picture is a view from the top of the hill on the farm. The barn is hidden from view but the silos are standing tall and proud from behind the trees that nearly block the view.

Our trail ride was a great success. We had pictures in our local paper and a nice story about the ride. I made sure it was a good story. I wrote it myself. They published it word for word.

Our day started with a brief rain that blew in. It was an answer to our prayers. It was hot all summer. I am sure no one has forgotten that. Bob and his grandchildren and my grandson had worked in rotation all summer cutting trails. Because of the extreme heat we had decided to get as much of our trails through the woods and in the shade as we could. About seventy five percent of the trails were in the shade. But the rain came through and cooled everything off several degrees and then stopped after about 15 minutes. Someone called and ask if we were going to go on with the ride. Of course we were. Rain was not going to stop these riders.

And rain did not dampen the spirits of the 35 people that turned out for our ride. The riders started off in small groups every fifteen minutes that took a hour to see everyone off. The first obstacle was a mail box. My friend Sheri with whom I worked at the post office was the official judge on that one. Almost no one connected the name on the mail box to the little house that sets across from it. The name on the box was "Wiley E Coyote" Think back to the "Road Runner" cartoon. We have often noticed the horses get a little uneasy when they pass that old house. So we have finally decided they smell coyote there. We have seen them around that house so it is altogether possible that is what is going on. Hence the name on the mail box and the letter addressed to same in the mail box.

The next obstacle was the drag. More people had trouble with that one than any other. I don't really know why but we had several that timed out on that one or could not complete it. It was two barrels set up with a rope on the first one. As the title indicates there was a block of wood that had a rope tied to it and the rider had to drag the wood from barrel A to barrel B.

The third was a gate. Even H T was temporarily stumped by that one because we ask the rider to open the gate from a different direction than usual. H T had to study that one for awhile. But many of the riders got it and scored well on it.

The fourth was maybe my favorite. It was a downhill ride and across a wooden bridge. The bridge was built just for that ride and is of course still there for riders on the trails to enjoy. I have not tried that one yet because the horse I have been riding likes to run down hill and I really have to hold him back. So I am hoping for more strength in my arms. It is really a neat obstacle and most of the horses did it. The judge on that one was amused because one of the horses walked down the hill and to the bridge so nicely and then turned and ran back up the hill thus refusing to cross the bridge. He said the horse made a perfect U turn. The rider dismounted and walked him down the hill and over the alternate route.

The fifth was a water obstacle. We had to haul some water for that one. We did have the rain so there was not so much water to bring to it as there would have been had it not rained. That was a huge success. The horses were suspicious of that one. Of course a horse will almost always think they will drown in a puddle. But many did the obstacle. Some refused it.

The last obstacle was the easiest. Not one refused the uphill. All that was required of all riders that their horse go up a steep incline. So it worked out nice that the last was the easiest. After a long ride, horses and riders were ready for an easy one.

Each first place rider was awarded $100 by Whispering Oaks Farm and the Lipginski Family. Second place received $50. Ribbons were awarded for six places as well as prizes awarded by ACTHA and local sponsors.

We considered the day a great success. God certainly blessed us with the quality of horses and riders that showed up for the event. The weather couldn't have been better. The farm was complimented over and over for how beautiful it is. I think the riders enjoyed the various scenery that they encountered. There was the woods, open fields and views from the top of the hills. The open fields had a fine crop of soy beans putting on their best show.

We plan to have another ride next spring. The trials are already cut and ready to have another ride. We will have it before crops are planted so there will be other trails and of course different obstacle.

I like trail riding the horses. It is training they can't get in an arena. We have already seen that my horse Velvet has a different view of things outside of the barn and the arena. She is fearful of my dog if she runs up behind her. Erica often does that and none of the horses that have been here and been ridden worry about her. Velvet will learn to not react over time. Other than that, Velvet is a very brave mare. She doesn't encounter anything that bothers her. She will climb piles of dirt and do any obstacle asked of her. She is a very nice mare that makes me proud to own her.

Velvet has learned over her three years that she can trust people. She has never been asked to do anything that would hurt her. Over these past three years her faith in humans have grown to the point where she will willingly do what is asked because she has learned that the person on her back is her herd leader.

In the Bible we are referred to as being like sheep. We need a herd leader or as in the case of sheep, a shepherd. Jesus is referred to as the good shepherd. We often see pictures depicting Jesus carrying a lamb in his arms. Sheep know their shepherds voice and respond to it. I have often said in these blogs that horses teach us a lot. They keep teaching. There is so much difference in each horse.

Some learn early to trust the herd leader. The human. Others have bad experiences in their formative years. They learn to distrust because of mistreatment. They learn to strike out and fight becaue they have learned this is what they must do for survival. Others have had no experience with humans.

So we learn from horses that they are many different kinds of reactions to God and his son Jesus Christ. Some learn early in life that God is their friend. He has sent Jesus to die for us. Jesus had a choice but he who was without sin and tempted in all manners as man died for us in obedience to the will of his father. We start by learning from our earthly father. But some are very unfortunate and have no human father who shows a picture of our heavenly father. Some are mean and abusive. They learn to distrust and believe if this man who is suppose to love and protect them is not a good person then how can they trust God whom they have never seen.

Still others have no early experience in church or with anyone who tells them about God the Father and his son Jesus who died for our sins. All of this we can see as we study and relate to our horses. Which one are you? I hope you are the one who had the earthly father that showed you a picture of a loving protective God the Father who loves perfectly.

May God bless you and keep you in his loving care.

Regards,

Mary

Oh Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.

Psalms 8: 9