Not the Tevis Cup

The crew.
(Notice how the other horses are tired from the hills. NOT HAMPTON)

A little group from our barn is getting into a little routine of a Sunday morning trail ride. I am loving it!

An older gentleman who lives down the road also joins us, and since he knows quite a few of the property owners in the area he was able to get us permission to ride to the Ohio River on Sunday.

It was a gloomy day, but that didn't stop us. It was probably best as it kept the horses cooler. There was quite a bit of hill work and countless creek crossings as we made out way down the big hill.

Hamps was in the lead most of the time and seemed to enjoy himself. He likes the "responsibility" of being the lead horse, I think. It's interesting to me. When he is in front, he walks with authority. Marching along at a good clip, ears perked. When he follows, he almost always turns into a plug. Relaxing, has airplane ears, head lower.  I am guessing it is because as a follower, he doesn't have to worry as much. Anyone else experience this? He has always been a protector - both of other horses, and me. Which is why I think he thinks it is his job, his duty, to be out front.

Anyway.

As we made our way out, we passed several abandoned race horse farms. One had this COOL old outhouse on the property. It was crooked, and leaned to one side. I noticed their barn sign was called "Leaning Crescent Farm." It had a picture of the out house on the sign. You could tell the property had been long abandoned though.

The outhouse

Once we hit the actual trail, it started to get a little slick and muddy. Hamps slid a good 5 feet down one hill. Good boy kept his footing and kept trucking!

We had to help the mustang cross one rocky creek crossing. She has spent most of her life as a dressage pony, so trails were new to her. Yes, she was caught from the wild but I believe she came from Nevada so perhaps creek crossings were new to her? haha. Anyway she quickly gained confidence and on we went.

After weaving out way through more creek crossings and some gorgeous flood plains, we finally reached the river. It was a touch foggy and in spite of the gloomy day, was still gorgeous. We stopped to get some photos.

The other horses - including an Arabian who is a multi-champion endurance horse - stopped to rest. Guess who still had a flame up his butt? Yes, Hampton. He would not stand still. Chomping at the bit. Not the least bit tired.

I thought, ok buddy, well the way back is ALL UPHILL so good luck with that.

As we turned around to head back home, Hampton was LIT. He was practically passaging up the hills. I could hear the other horses behind me huffing and puffing. Meanwhile, Hampton thinks this is the goddamn Tevis Cup and is hauling ass up the hill

Once we got back up to the road, I let someone else lead and he calmed down. Boy was he on a mission! He still was not tired even as we got back to the farm!

I don't think fitness will be a problem this year....

One of the few flatter areas