BOOTED ENDURANCE
To Complete is to Win
Follow Jack's progress through the ride season for 2010.
I am pleased that sponsorship for Go Get Em Jack from Performance Horse Therapies the Australian Distributor of Bio Scan products will continue through our 2010 season.
Performance Horse Therapies has played a vital role in Jack's health and fitness since the start of his endurance career and I am so very very proud to carry the name of a business and product that offers such fantastic treatments to keep our horses in tip top condition.
To find out more about Bio Scan or any of the services Kelley from Performance Horse Therapies can offer your horse and for contact details see http://www.performancehorsetherapies.com.au/
Please feel free to come and meet us at any rides and in the near future view some of the Performance Horse Therapies Bio Scan products - I am sure you will be able to spot us - just look for the logo!
17 August 2010
Last weekend on 14th August GERZ held their Rosedale Ride along with the GERZ Championships. The ride organisers Jenny, Jennie and Susan put on a fantastic weekend which ran incredibly smoothly and thankfully after the terrible weather forecast, although very cool it was a dry weekend!! There was a vast array of distances to choose from including a 120km elevated ride, a two leg 60km Trainer, 40km Trainer and also a 20km Social Ride. A good turn out for the 120km along with a amazing turnout for the shorter distances with everyone seeming to have a fantastic time.
Jack and I entered the 120km ride with the hope of elevating but fully prepared to retire at the 80km point and have a completion under our belt if I felt he wasn't ready for the longer distance yet as this was only Jacks second ride back after a very long break. I had a fantastic strapper in Kate who was just an absolute blessing and SO organised including delivering the BEST dinner on Friday night and Gene arrived on Saturday morning to also strap and work out on one of the checkpoints for a few hours during the day as well.
Rosedale ride is a ride that is nearly all sand and some of it is deep sand. I had been told that these tracks take their toll on horses at this ride with usually a large number of lameness vet outs from the changeable surfaces you encounter and the sand work involved. In saying that it is a fantastic track and so much fun and great for barefoot horses!
Ride start time was 7am and Jack was ready to go. At the start of the ride he just flew along wanting to stick with the rider and stallion who eventually won the ride (and my god they could move and looked incredible the entire way through!) - I was worried about him chasing and tiring himself out, so 30mins into the ride I pulled him off the track and waited until they had gone ahead and then continued at a much more leisurely pace! So we continued on being greeted by checkpoint operators offering water and lollies, at this stage all I could think about was how cold me feet were though! Homeward bound we trudged along to be meet by the shorter riders heading out for their rides along the way and I arrived back at base around off the first leg at around the 2hr 9min mark.
Strapping on the first leg we had quite a chilly wind come through and Jack ended up getting a little to cold but we vetted through fine and while Kate cleaned all my gear ready for the next leg and made sure Jacks hamstrings didn't stiffen up (legend!) Jack and I both relaxed and ate our rest time away.
Heading out on the second leg which to me was a lot harder, Jack kept stopping to eat and drink at will and ate like he hadn't seen food before lol. There seemed to be longer deeper stretches of sand in this leg and towards the last 10km I could feel Jack's motivation starting to drop. I would get off to lead him down all the deep sandy hills and it was murder on my legs so I can only imagine how Jack's felt! It was at this point that I thought I probably wont elevate. Arriving at Gene and Steve's checkpoint, gobbling down lots of lollies (which with these two manning it I was surprised there were lollies left 
) and a few cups of water, giving jack a drink and bit of a break (although all he wanted was lollies as well) and off we trotted for the last 6km home! Due to Jack getting cold off the first leg I walked and slowly trotted him in hoping to not have to use a lot of water on him. His heart rate dropped really quickly and we vetted early but it elevated in the vet ring (ggrrr) but we got through and so I didn't elevate and stayed with the 80km completion! We rode the 80km in around 5hrs 37mins and for how tough that second leg was I am so proud of Jack getting around in that time.
Also at this ride you could enter a Team Competition made up of four horses and riders - the team we were in came first in the teams event with the fastest combined riding times. I am unsure as yet what our riding time as a team was but that was a wonderful way to top of the weekend!
The following day Jack was bright and alert and cantering around his paddock and looking like he hadn't even been out! Kelley is here massaging this weekend and I am sure he is going to need it!
It was great to meet more people and put more faces to the names at this ride as well, along with chatting around the campfire to the Castlebar Crew about South Africa and Meg, meeting Merv and Heather and Hans etc and so many more - it was a wonderful weekend all round . I know there were alot of personal goals achieved at this ride by people entered in all of the distances not just the long ride and the smiles said it all! Well done to everyone and to the RO's thank you, for how busy it was you ran a smooth fantastic ride and kept smiling the entire time. OH and the Rosedale Pony Club Canteen was fantastic as well!
Some piccies below of Jack over the weekend:
Ready to head down to the start line
Checkpoint 1 & 2 - ironically called 'Jacks Track' Checkpoint 1 and 2
Heading out on the second leg 75km mark - nearly home
Post Ride Jacks opinion again
26 July 2010
Training is still on track with Jack but have missed a couple of planned rides the last few weeks for various reasons but with all things going to plan will hopefully get to one of the rides in August. Jack had a spider bike on his back the week before a ride that hadn't cleared up and then this week out towing vehicle was in the shop for some work and wasnt ready in time - most frustrating but thats life! I am also trying a new saddle with jack that I am quite excited about. It is the new Freeform Elite from Horse Connection - I cant wait to give it a go! http://www.horse-connection.com.au/
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Some sad news this weekend. We headed out with friends Kate, Di and Tarryn for a bush bashing session and a nice relaxing ride on Saturday. Sadly a few hours later Steve's horse Masal that Kate rides had fallen ill. We stayed with him while our vet arrived and then while Steve arrived with the float to get him to surgery. Sadly Mas could not be saved. It was a heartbreaking time for all involved. Mas was in his prime and looked incredible that day and everyday..... It is a huge loss that he is no longer with us. I know Jack loved training with him every weekend as they egged each other on and galloped up the hills like race horses, each driving each other to be the best they could be - he was the perfect training partner for Jack, Steve's best mate and bought the enjoyment of riding back for Kate. Mas was a once in a lifetime horse and also one of the luckiest to have Steve as his owner.
Below is a link to a collage I have made up of Massie. These pictures are purely a snapshot of the last few months since I have known him so feature him mainly with Kate. But they are images of the fun times Jack and I had with Mas that I will hold dear to my heart.
Rest In Peace Beldamar Masal - I know you will watch over us all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVZMQdZrJdY
27 June 2010
Training seems to be on track for Jack and I at this stage and with Kelley due next weekend for a massage we will see how he is feeling! On Friday three of us did a 34km session around here at home and then today 7 of us from GERZ headed out to Rosedale for a 40km hit out. After starting out as a very cool morning it turned into a beautiful clear yet still cool day for our ride - perfect riding weather. All the horses seem to love it and had a ball flying around these awesome tracks, I know Jack did and got a little carried away forgetting he had brakes and that he is supposed to listen to the rider on board at all times not just when it suits him! He is feeling great but unfortunately his need for speed is resulting in some arguments between us, so a few walking sessions while the other horses went on ahead took place today to try and resettle him and get his mind back on me. So, aiming for our next ride all seems to be traveling along well at the moment, which is really nice!
A few pics below of today's ride.
L-R Kate, Tarryn, Nadine, Jen M, Kylie, Jen A Nadine and Sage L-R Tarryn on Riley, Nadine on Sage
Jen M on Elpine and Kate on Mas (aka HRH) Kate and Jen M
L-R Jen M, Tarryn, Nadine Jen A
20 June 2010
Ducked out for a quick (well actually not so quick), lets say steady 23km session today in between showers. It was actually quite a muggy day and not cold at all even with the rain. Jack is feeling really good but starting to get a little to big for his boots when I wont let him go the pace he wants to go! So a few reminders of pace control are on the cards for both of us in the near future I think! We stayed on the forestry roads today instead of heading into the bush. With the site of all the trailers that had dirt bikes on them heading out to play in the mud after the rain we decided the tracks they would find boring would be best for us today!
Jack obviously decided that it was all a bit much for him today judging by the photos below - but seriously, it was just bad timing with him blinking when the photos was taken, but he certainly does look asleep on the job! After a ride through the gravel and mud, a tail wash was in order, and I was most impressed with the result (see piccies below) but don't worry, it is winter and will only stay clean until next weekend.
What is a horse to do around here to get some shut-eye... Fine.... I can sleep and walk at the same time
Jack giving Mas the tongue...... ok I am awake!
Before After
14 June 2010
Jack seems to be going well this week. The rain eased over the weekend which was lovely to see and Jack headed out with Massie to do a nice big training loop. We headed off to do the 40km loop from home but since I kind of got us a little lost we ended up doing around 56km (actually I knew where we were going but the signs that were missing threw us off track lol). The horses went like steam trains the entire way and I think they loved the sun on their backs as much as we did. and did a nice session in novice time. We met a few dirt bike riders along the way who were all most courteous which was GREATLY appreciated - all stopped for us with some turning off their bikes. In return we got out of there way as quickly as we could so they could be on there way again - it is so nice when we can all share the tracks and stay safe like that. Lucky Jack has some spunky new rugs on the way - they are currently having their embroidery done by Heather at Stich-ee Fingers - check out her website here. When they arrive I will pop photos up of Jack in his smart new outfits!
In the meantime no photos were taken on our rides over the weekend but here is the loop we did on the big training session.
23 May 2010
As I just mentioned on Fanta's page, Jack and Fants had a lovely morning at the beach this weekend! I have to say I think we are all enjoying this Gippsland weather at the moment!! Nothing special to report, just couldn't resist popping up some pictures of Jack from the day 
Kate and Jack enjoy some down time... What do you mean you can still see me??? Loving life!
15 May 2010
This weekend was Jack's (and my) first 80km endurance ride back after around 18 months off. Because of the length of time out of endurance Jack was under the 13 month rule which meant we had to abide by the Novice Horse rules for this ride. If he completed and got through he would revert back to endurance status.
We had a fantastic ride, riding with Kate and Masal who have been amazing training partners and were so much fun to ride with this weekend - a huge thanks to them for the company and support!!
Both Jack and Masal got through the ride well and seemed to have loved every minute of it. We took 6hrs and 27mins and Jack received all A's and 1's in his log book for this ride. I am so proud of him. He felt fantastic the entire way and with ears pricked as he got stuck into the job!
He recovered really well and condition wise I was really pleased with how he looked today (day after the ride) and he is bright and alert. He drank and ate really well all weekend which was a relief, to the point that on the second leg he stopped dead from a canter when he spotted an obviously scrumptious patch of grass he just couldn't go past!
But alas as with endurance when the ride is over taking care of and keeping an eye on your horse has not yet finished. I spotted tonight some puffiness in one of Jacks legs that I am not happy with, so poultice on and wrapped it up and yarded him for the night and I will check tomorrow. Hopefully it has resolved and is just a bit of filling all things going well. (Updated Monday 17/05/2010 - I had the vet out to jack today as I was concerned about tendon damage with the puffiness in the legs as Jack has never had any leg issues in the past - it turns out that a tiny little cut he had under a tendon boot at the ride has caused the inflammation in the leg - incredible! So tendons were all checked and are ok *phew* and he should be good to go! Was a timely reminder for me though to be more vigilant in my leg checking post ride just to be safe!)
Finally I need to say a HUGE thank you to Gene (visit Bare it All Hoof Care) for the fantastic strapping job he did on Jack and keeping me fed, watered and organised. I know for a fact that I wouldn't have gotten through this ride without his help. We had a lot of heat to get rid of from Jack after finishing the second leg and Gene did an amazing job - so thank you.
A few snapshots of the weekend below and of jack post ride today chilling out back at home!
Friday Evening Ready To Start
About to cross the line and across we go - FINISHED!
Relaxing at home the following morning
09 May 2010
What another glorious weekend!! Friday was a horsey day with Kelley from Performance Horse Therapies at the property scanning horses all day. Jack and Indi were also scanned and no major issues were detected there which was great. Jack was a little tight through areas from living and training on the hills again but all in all he is ready to go!
Saturday a friend (Kate) and I did a slow 28km exploring some new tracks around home which was lovely and ended up with some big hill climbs and then today we forgot about the training and just took off to the beach for a nice relaxing stroll along the sand and a bit of fun for the horses. Below are a few photos from the day - it was a gorgeous day to be on a beach - could not have asked for more perfect weather!
I had been intending to test out the glueon shells on jack this weekend but did not get around to it so will try that another time. Jack is going really well and feels great. I am not getting the midweek training in that I want to with it being dark so early so for what we have done so far I am happy with how he is coming along.
26 April 2010
What a fantastic horsey weekend these past few days have been!
Friday morning hit the hills with jack for a quick 22km session, arrived home and strapped as I am trying a few different things to get his HR down in this heat that neither of us are accustomed to yet!! Then had a wonderful friend arrive for the afternoon and evening sharing all our horsey stories! Saturday had another lovely friend over and enjoyed an afternoon of horse clipping and a horsey sleep over for their horse ready for a ride we were planning on Sunday.
On Sunday a group of us drove down to Foster to do a 41km training session along the Rail Trail. It was fantastic. Very cool when we first headed out but soon warmed up and layers of clothing were quickly being removed! A few of us carried rugs as we were stopping at the halfway mark for an ice cream at the Buffalo General Store (who we have to say thanks so much to for opening up earlier for us) and there was quite a cold breeze when we stopped so I was glad we did - but the sun returned for the final 20kms and the return trip began and the horses knew exactly where they were going!
Being a long weekend the trail was busy with a pushbike club having an outing on the same day - needless to say the horses had a bit to cope with from normal pushbikes to tandem bikes to the bikes that people nearly lay on that also carry nice orange flapping flags for visibility - most people were very obliging and stopped when asked to allow for the horses that weren't coping with this very different visual experience. The Rail Trail was fantastic - wonderfully maintained and managed. Thank you to the Rail Trail Committees who provide these for us - it was fantastic riding and I am sure I will become a frequent user of it!
Unfortunately due to it being a training session and we were moving along at pace for most of the ride I didn't get any photos while on the trail - I am disappointed as it is a great ride. See their website for pics of the track and further information click here
A huge thank you to John McKay from the Great Southern Rail Trail for his help getting us organised with parking, directions and general guidance in the area as well!
In general Jack is going really well in his training. Kelley is due in a week or so to give him and a few others treatments in the area so we will see how he is going then before deciding on the next ride. When he is hot I am finding due to the warmer temps we have been having here I am needing to re-learn my strapping techniques to get his heart rate down quickly and keep it down when there is more humidity around than we are use to.... even though it has made me feel like I am starting from scratch again I have to say I still prefer the warm days we have been having compared to the cold I had become accustomed to!! In the meantime I will work out at home what system is going to work best for us on these hot days and Murphy's Law will say once we are sorted with that winter will be here and none of my 'hot day' strapping techniques will be required 
A few snapshots at our rest stop and the end of the ride are below 
Kate Fiona Jo Susan
Jack & his drink slave Kate Susan , Jo and Fiona at Buffalo Danny at the Buffalo Store tie up area
The 'boys' back at the float ready for bed! Jacks thoughts on the entire thing.
17 April 2010
WOW is all I can say - I LOVE IT HERE! I cannot believe how lucky we are to have the riding I have on my doorstep!! Last weekend and this weekend I have been exploring the tracks around me and they are fabulous! A friend came over today and we headed out over some known tracks but she also showed me another track as well - but there are still so many to explore, just have to find the time!!! The horses had a blast racing each other up the hills and pulled up really well considering how warm it was today and Jack's recoveries seemed good. I am still unsure if I will do an 80km next or another trainer with Jack so I will just see how it goes.
A group of us are heading out for a 40km training session next weekend and hopefully if the weather stays fine it will be another great day on some more new trails!!
Below is a very inaccurate map but basically where I have been heading out of late for our training loops - and Jack is loving it! Stay tuned and after next weekend's session - I am certain to have some photos of our next ride!
05 April 2010
What a fantastic easter weekend! I went along to the Gippsland Endurance Riders Zone (GERZ) Greenhills at Toongabbie ride this weekend. They held a 160km, 80km, 40km, 25km and a 5km fun ride. What a fantastic track, amazing views and friendly atmosphere.
Jack had a ball being back out and about at a ride again. The moment his hoofboots went on he was ready to go and since we only did a 40km ride it was a effort to keep him to the minimum time. Unfortunately he obviously thinks that he is still 'ride fit' and can go along at a faster pace than he is really ready for at this stage. He has alot of work ahead of him to get him ready for an 80km ride again but it felt so nice to be out on track again completing the 40km ride.
Since Jack has not competed for over 13 months he has to be ridden under the "13 month rule" in his first 80km ride back. What this means is that he has to do 1 80km ride at novice pace to regain his "endurance status". Jack obviously doesnt agree with this at the moment LOL and thinks he can do what ever pace he likes. He is not fit enough for this and over the next few weeks will assess his training and decide when his first 80km ride will be once I feel he will cope with it again. I have to admit it was like it was his first time out again - very excited in the vet ring staring at everything - it all seemed new again, hooninig around his yard before the start. This excitement caused me to hold my breath at our final vet check as he was 40bpm in his yard but as we were at the vetting area it kept creeping up again! But we got through and he has pulled up beautifully. My ankle gave in by the 30km mark so my body is not use to rides again and will need work on my fitness as well over the next few months!
A large portion of the leg we did was flat but with one very long continuous climb that treated us to magnificent views at the top of the hill. Jack absolutely powered up the long hill climb and felt fantastic. I was really happy with how he traveled along except for the pace itself lol. I was even happier though to be greeted at our first checkpoint by wonderful people offering cups of cold drinking water and fruit kebabs loaded with pieces of oranges, apples, watermelon and pineapple. WHAT A TREAT and so refreshing!
Thankfully the day was cooler than it has been and had a lovely shower to cool us off nearing the top of the hill climb. I am glad I clipped jack as it is alot warmer over here than it has been in Tassie and even though ride day was colder than anticipated it was perfect riding weather.
A huge thanks to the ride committee for putting on a fantastic ride. I really enjoyed my first Victorian endurance experience.
You can view some photos of the weekend here on the GERZ website.
Below are some photos of Jack from the weekend away as well.
24 March 2010
WE MADE IT! All humans, horses, dogs and cat have landed safely in Victoria. By car, boat, truck, float and one by air!
Jack has settled in really well and I have been spoilt and taken out by a friend Jenny and shown the first of my local tracks which is fantastic and I have many more to learn as well. I am heading to Holey Plains State Forest with her on Friday for another big hit out and will be at the Greenhills Endurance ride penciling in the vet ring over Easter weekend - see http://ww.gerz.webs.com/ The GERZ Committee and members have been more than welcoming with emails, calls and messages of welcome being passed on - they are a fantastic group! AND a huge thank you goes out to Jenny as without her we wouldn't be here!
Riding last night jack trashed his old pair of Bares - typical! They were many years old and I knew it was coming, oh well means I better hurry up and perfect glue ons for him.
Fanta and Indi have both now settled in really well and cant wait to get Fanta out later in the year for some short treks being ponied of Jack. Friends and I have some wonderful rides planned including a lovely night ride on the local tracks and riding some of the Rail Trail tracks with an overnight stay - sounds fantastic and I cant wait.
Links to the tracks we are doing are here:
As usual I have included some pictures below of the lovely new paddock for the horses (over 200 acres but this is the 'home' paddock) 
and some snaps of one of my training tracks taken last night. Sadly I then damaged my camera but really hope to get it fixed so I can take some happy snaps of our ride on Friday.
Track One (Fosters Track):
05 March 2010
Jack had his very last ride in Tasmania today!
A small group of us headed out to do a nice relaxed 20km loop in local forestry. It was an wonderful way to spend Jacks last ride here and I was really happy with how he felt. He was forward, smooth and felt fantastic and he really wanted to get going!
I cant wait now to get over to Victoria and pick up the training again! Motivation found!!
I would like to take this opportunity to express a huge thank you for the support received from all of our friends and clients here in Tasmania - without you so many things would not have been possible. ♥ Thank you - you know who you are ♥
Some photos below to remember and mark the occasion of the end of one part of our lives - and the start of something new!
Melissa & Beaver The Beaver Butt on one of the descents Sonia H on Melissa's Sam (the man)
The group about to gallop up the hill - Sam leading the way Jack
And Jack's thoughts on it all.....
17 February 2010
Well exciting news at the bootedendurance and Bare it All Hoof Care camp for February - In March this year we will be leaving Tasmania, along with all the animals and of course Jack, Fanta and Indi we will all be moving to Victoria.
I am really excited about the move and look forward to becoming part of the Gippsland Endurance Riders Zone (G.E.R.Z) Click here to visit their site and competing at rides in Victoria and possibly other states if I get motivated to drive that far!!
Jack is currently going really well, we are still just enjoying getting back into training mode slowly but I plan on attending a 40km ride around April and then back into the long rides in May.
For now though, I better get back to some packing and try and squeeze in some riding over the weekend!
19 January 2010
Over half way through January already, the time feels like it is flying already! At this stage I am still just heading out for some nice trail rides over the weekends making sure Jack feels ok and building him back up slowly. Have had some great rides through the bush and along Seven Mile Beach up here on the North West Coast - just a bonus that while I rode my husband fished off the same beach and caught some lovely flat head for tea that night!
Fanta and Jack both had lessons with Carlos a week or so ago and we did a heap of fun liberty work and driving Fanta around the arena - both the horses had a blast as did I... no pictures of the recent rides but some lesson photos are below along with pics of the horses just relaxing in the paddock this week.
January 2010
WOW another year over and done with. Thank goodness! I am hoping 2010 will be a much better year for Jack and I. The new float is here and we are ready to slowly start legging up for the 2010 season! Will be starting by heading out on some slow steady easy trails. We had a few xmas trail rides with friends before the new year and since Jack has been out of work for awhile now, and due to the steep hills we climbed he ended up with some very tight hind end muscles!! Was a timely reminder for me that I need to take it slowly for this initial stage on easy flat tracks if I can, until his body has become re-accustomed to carrying a rider and working. Think how you would feel if you haven't been to the gym for 12 months then went in and tried to pick up where you left off - disaster for your body!!
Jack and Fanta both have a lesson with Carlos next weekend which will be great fun as well. But today is the start of Jacks legging up! So I best get out there and start some riding!
Below I have pictures of the fantastic pre-xmas ride we did organised by Melissa of Farmyard Feeds - it is the most fantastic endurance training grounds - huge hills and Jack loved it!
