CANTER FOR A CURE MKEC 17th May 2009

The day started bright and clear and all hopes for a nice morning were growing, decided to take Spike and that was starting to look doubtful when he decided today he wasn't playing ball and going in that darned trailer. Was I gonna be taking Kyle instead but by the way he was keeping a watchful eye on me from a distance I thought the likelihood of catching him was pretty low. Ah Ha!! Change of heart and Spike goes in the trailer, looking relaxed so I can raise the ramp.

Off I set for Milton Keynes EC where the charity ride is being held and on arriving I find I am the first there of our group of 4. I go and check in and get my number and lucky dip bag. We got a free stock, but though that was a nice gesture, I already had thoughts of offering it to Catherine as it is something I'd never wear. I'd have preferred a pair of socks like we got last year.

Very soon Jenny, Kim and Katie arrive with their horses and while Jenny checks in I held Indi for her. I can't get over how huge she is, being used to seeing ponies everyday having a 16.2hh horse next to my somewhat small frame was strange. Indi was great, no bother at all as long as she could eat the grass which I was happy to let her do. Time was clicking away and I still hadn't got Spike out of his box and I really wanted to walk him around a little to help settle him but that looked unlikely now. I finally had to take Indi over to her trailer in the hope jenny's partner was there to take over and luckily he was. So off I dashed to get Spike out and yep he was full of curiosity and refused to stand still for more than a minute. My idea of putting pink leg wraps on went out the window instead tacked up. By now Kim and Katie had arrived and tacked up and it looked like I was last in line.

Now we are at the start of the ride and on our way, Spike seems pretty settled which is pleasing and I give him a free rein so that he can stretch and not feel held back which only makes him anxious. The sky is turning a unwelcomed shade of grey and like others I guess we're hoping the forecast rein stays off.
Kim's horse decides to give a display of bucking and looks like she wants to go off and have her own fun, Buddy is cool as ever and Spike and Indi saunter along. Did I speak too soon as when I look Jenny has dismounted and now leading a rather high headed horse now grown from 16.2hh to 17.2hh. Indi soon settles again and Jenny hops back on.
The ride is great, lovely scenery, a few squeeze games through gates, paths and over bridges and lots of interesting objects to touch. We were riding peacefully along when I felt the first drops of rain, "I do hope this is a light shower" no such luck, soon the rain was coming down with the full intent of soaking us but it failed in dampening our spirits.

Others were great, always asking politely to pass and did so at a forgiving pace apart from one group, they asked to pass but did so in canter which for Indi was not great nor for Kim's horse were as Spike and Buddy just looked on. I am so pleased with Spike, all these interruptions to his usually quiet day to day life and nothing seems to bother him. Mind over bridges he needs a horse in front to give him confidence which they always do.

I soon start to feel a little uncomfortable as I realise I have very wet arms as the rain now starts to be absorbed through my clothes, strange as though soaked it is only my right arm that feels wet to the skin. Thankfully I have my waterproof breeches on so my legs are warm, dry and comfy.
Katie recognises Kathy Hutton a friend from one of the forums and goes over for a chat, Kathy and her friends are turned out brilliantly sporting a vast display of pink with Kathy wearing a large curly pink wig.. Strangely enough I later find it is the same Kathy who I have been emailing,, darn and I never got to speak to her. Carrying on with the ride I suddenly realised the rain had stopped , the sun was wearing his sunny hat and I was actually feeling dry, my focus was on enjoying the day so much I hadn't noticed the change in the weather.
We ambled along at a comfy steady walk to find we were in a field where we had to pass through some cows, now these cows turned to face you and some bravely started walking over. Not knowing how Spike would react I decided the best thing for us both was for me to stay calm and relaxed and though I half expected a 180 spin I never let it worry me. It must have worked as Spike sauntered along past the cows like he chatted to them every day. "What's the fuss" he seemed to say.

We had been out riding for what seemed an age and then I found we were at the XC course of the MKEC, Did I or the others do any jumping, not on your nelly, though I was thinking of going to the water to see if Spike would go in. However the others seemed to be just heading for the finish so I went with the flow, I was a little disappointed especially as later I found out all the photographs this year were being taken at the water. we carried on to the finish line where Spike for the first time give a little shy, dunno what it was but it woke him up a little. I checked my watch to find we'd been out for approx 2½ hrs which is a long time and pleased to say I never had a sore botty. Getting back to the trailer / horsebox park I seen Hoppy who may I add looked fantastic, not that she looks any worse any other time.
I quickly untacked Spike and made him comfy and went and handed in my number. I then waved Jenny goodbye as I saw her leave and got on with loading Spike, or is that not loading Spike, maybe he'd had such a great day he'd decided to stay. I got three offers of help and with no disrespect to anyone I politely refused, I knew with time and patience Spike would load and the last thing I wanted was shouts of encouragement, bribes of food and possibly someone trying to rope him in, all of which would have sent him to the world of RB's. Instead after a mere 10 min Spike wandered up the ramp and stood like a doll and let me put the ramp up.
Finally all set and finished my goodbyes I set off for home .
Another great day with great friends with a safe and magnificent ride on my partner Spike.