I am pleased to see the various recent emails about list members participating in trail trials and competitive trail rides. As I have written before, these are great activities for Icelandic owners. It still surprises me that so few Icelandics are doing this kind of thing in the Central Coast area of California where I reside. We used to see a lot more. I rode point on Skjoldur for the open division at the competitive trail ride right here in the Santa Ynez Valley at the end of April. We rode along the shores of Lake Cachuma and then up high on the ranch formerly owned by the then head of the U.S. treasury. The spectacular views across the lake in the morning light reminded us of a painting of the Italian countryside. I saw eight zebras and a bunch of Watusi cattle on one ranch but no Icelandics anywhere other than the one I was on. A friend of mine rode at a trail trials east of here last weekend. She had fun but saw no Icelandics either. Last weekend I helped put on a two day endurance ride at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch. Absolutely the prettiest scenery in this region, especially as you ride out of the deep oak forest up to Cuesta Ridge. Unfortunately, two weeks ago I had an accident while marking trail on the ranch in preparation for the ride. As a result of something that was 100% my own stupid fault, Skjoldur wound up going over backwards on top of me. He was fine, but I broke the fibula in my right leg and severely sprained my right knee and ankle and left shoulder. Ouch! The worst part is that I did this in front of my wife. She has made a wonderful nurse but has taken every opportunity to remind me that it was my own fault and that I should consider myself extremely lucky. My doctor advised me not to ride for awhile while things healed. But since I was the one who arranged access to the ranch and felt responsibility for anything which might happen, I drove on up to the endurance ride last weekend anyway. One thing led to another and I wound up riding the fifty miler on Skjoldur on Saturday to see the whole glorious trail. At least I skipped Sunday's ride. The riding was fine but it was hard getting back on when I had to get off to open gates. Like I told everybody at the ride, it can sure pay to ride a super smooth horse and there are none smoother than Skjoldie. He is a good boy. He was the only Icelandic there out of eighty or so horses. These kind of events provide some unique and wonderful opportunities to ride around here. I'm glad I have the horses to do it. John Parke Solvang CA
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