Competitive Trail, part 2

I've never seen a German made horse trailer that looked sturdy enough to be hauling horses. I've seen a French model that gets it, and now I know of an English trailer and I think I must have it! It's called an Ifor Williams. Look, a horse is actually tied to it: ) (What...with a chain on its halter??)

You can unload on a ramp on the front of the trailer if you wish. Not something I want, but still kind of nice.

The wheels, however, are oddly tiny on all European horse trailers.

This one has the spare on the back door like a Honda CRV. I've never seen a trailer so flexible - you can switch it from ramp to swinging rear doors, depending on what your horse likes.

No manger. Perfect. I hate mangers. I want a big open space like a stock trailer.

The lady showed me how you can change it from a straight load to a slant.

I love this trailer!

The lady who owned the trailer was a real cowboy. She started walking toward the start line and I saw she could barely walk. Probably an injury. She had a cigarette and she took a final puff and said "I'm a very considerate smoker!" as she collected the butt. I liked her. I really liked her lovely bay horse too.

She puts out her cigarette and her horse looks longingly at the green grass. No worries, he got lots of bites as she tried to mount.

I would have taken him home, if he'd been for sale, whatever he is.

After scolding him loudly for stealing bites of grass, and refusing help holding him, she was up.

Ah look, someone else has a center-rubbed mane like Baasha.

They had a covered wagon with their stall logo on it.



Yvonne, my host, I realized, is a typical German. When you read that Germans are cold, she fits this perfectly. She was friendly to me but as soon as I started chatting with her (attempting), she acted withdrawn in a way that said, "I have boundaries - you are NOT a friend so don't behave like one." She smiled and was polite but if I tried to engage her in conversation she would simply answer my questions and not really respond. Whenever she was around her buddies though, she was obviously an overwhelmingly affectionate, humorous woman. I am getting used to this distinction Germans make as they are protective of themselves.


My husband has no idea what I'm talking about, but I've experienced it enough to recognize it now.

On the start line people were so relaxed.



I was keenly aware of the difference between our Orienteering and theirs. Ours is a timed event, a treasure hunt over 10-20 miles of trail with a 6 hour time limit so time is of essence and people can be a little bit stressed at the start of our rides. (I was the complete opposite. I was so slow that I would hear my ride manager yelling at the top of her voice that my time had begun!)

I was offered brotchen and apfelschorle (I took an apfelschorle). They were very nice to me.



And if I had a quarter for every time someone assumed my horse must be a Quarter Horse (cuz I'm AMERICAN), I could afford to import one of Mikael's Arabian Horses into Germany. (Why are people so disappointed when they find out I imported an Arabian into Germany!?)



Finally all the groups had departed and Yvonne said she could drive me to a couple of the challenge stations (or whatever you call them). I was curious what kind of horsemanship feats would be required...boy would I be surprised!

We approach the first station and I asked Yvonne, "They have to ride on pavement?" She said, "Partly - there are also unpaved trails."

The horses wait while the riders are asked to do something. Note this Haflinger's brand, and what lovely feet he has. Also it seems a lot of Germans have bought into the treeless saddle idea. I see these everywhere. I like that this girl had an endurance-type cantle pack for her water (you can actually trot and not bruise your horse up from slapping bags).

The riders were asked to walk across a rope, holding another rope, and not let a banana fall from their helmet. Okaaaaayyy... (What does this have to do with horsemanship or horsey knowledge?) The people here were really friendly and welcoming to me. The guy asked if I wanted to try walking the rope and I said "No, I would like to ride a horse though."

I asked what kind of horse the dark one is and she said, "A Fell Pony. The best Fell Pony in the whole world!!!" I said "omgosh I've never met a Fell Pony - can I take a few more pictures?" She said, "Yes, because she's the best Fell Pony in the world!" hehehe

What a lovely thing - such wonderful feet, and a sweet face, and the perfect height, I wanted to just climb aboard and trot off over the hillside.

Her face was not her best feature: )

Check out the rider's shoes. She puts those shoes into normal english stirrups? Aiyiyi..But look how much fun they're having.

Apparently she does put those shoes into those stirrups!

Obstacle Zwei. These people are doing it wrong - you are supposed to separate and ride "slalom" through these cones (on pavement) away from each other. The adult did not think the kid was ready for this.

The silly part of this obstacle (cuz you know Germans have a propensity for silliness by now right?) was that when separated the riders must drink out of giant straws a tub of water. The amount of water drank is the factor here.



Now I had to step up and say something: "Now this is a great test. To make a pair of riders separate, even for 10 meters and a few minutes, is a great test - how many horses have done it well?" They said not many, at that point, only 2 had done it at all. Separation is rough for most horses, even when they can see each other.
I asked if they would be marked down for not completing the obstacle properly and they said, "No, we have to have a little grace." SO.....how does one win this sport, I wonder?

I see the scoresheet shows how much water each rider was able to get before the horse said "Enough!" The kid said, "How many more stations are ahead?" The answer "Two" made him groan. He was not having a fun time I guess.


I did not like that the riders had to trot an obstacle on pavement.

Here is another pair of riders. Easyboots on the back, shoes on the front, map hanging from breastcollar (where I used to attach my map).

Check out how much fun the ladies working this station are having: ) They were soooo nice! They wanted to know all about American Orienteering.

Note the Germans are wearing vests. I was wearing a tank top and dying in the humidity and oppressive heat.

The bay mare went ahead just find to complete her slalom/drinking test.



Things did not go so well when the bay mare came back and the buckskin left. Note they're on pavement. The bay mare started fussing and getting very light on the front end. The rider yelled at her to quit it but the mare was very concerned that her friend was leaving her. She suddenly reared straight up in the air - on pavement. Then she landed, saw the buckskin was making his way back, and she calmed right down. OTOH I almost had a heart attack. I thought the terrified rider would fall off right onto pavement. And how exactly to you deal with that situation on pavement? Please tell me a safe way to convince a horse not to rear on pavement.

That moment really impacted my view of this sport.

Here is what may be the only Arabian of the day - apparently suffering Cushing's syndrome.  I had to run over and caress the Arabian! Here Yvonne holds the stirrup for the rider.

That poor horse was completely soaked with sweat (and I was pretty wet myself in that heat).

Then we arrived at station 3. I saw no horsemanship test here either, sadly, though the ladies were having a great time with this. The rider must sit on the ball and the other rider must hold her hand and they must play a catch-the-ball-with-the-basket game.

I saw some long ears toward the back. Can you see them? I had to go see.....

DONKEYS!

They even let me touch their ears.

I never knew donkeys could have manes that fall to the side.

This is one of my biggest pet peeves - bathtubs used as water troughs. I have to admit there are three bathtub troughs on the edge of our field right now. They are just outside the fence, in the creek area. I have no idea how to remove them but since they are outside our fence, I hope they never pose a threat.

This water was really clean though, just the bathtub itself was black with algae. It looked like fresh rainwater.

This was the last station we visited. Afterward back at the stable, I saw other silliness I do not dare even type about.

I excused myself, thanked Yvonne heartily, and began my journey home on these narrow lovely roads.


I have to say I did something similar in Germany when I first arrived, when I leased the TB mare Tolima. Our stable had an Orienteerungsritt where we had to ride a course and answer questions about horses along the way. It was hard for me cuz my German wasn't so good at the time. But I thought it was fun. It did not involve any horsemanship tests.

I wish anyone reading this could experience Mounted Orienteering in America. It is a fast paced, challenging, serious sport, though small.

Thank you for coming along with me for this new experience for me.

It's not an official sport, I see. It's just something boarding stables put together for their boarders.

I wish so much I knew enough people to organize my own American style Orienteering ride here in Germany. Maybe someday.