The Lighter Side Of Endurance Riding

"Written and illustrated by the 'Erma Bombeck' of the endurance set, this compilation of short stories and cartoons by Angie McGhee is the culmination of more than a dozen years as a humorous columnist for Trail blazer magazine, Endurance news and other publications... Angie's stories highlight not only her own experiences in the world of endurance but also includes musings on her first pony, horseflies and bad housekeeping, as well as dozens of humorous cartoons depicting situations most riders can identify with and laugh at."-- http://www.longridersgear.com/LongRidersFallCatalog.pdf

The first book about endurance riding written specifically for those beginning in the sport, this guide covers selection of horse and tack, training and conditioning and takes you through a complete ride day, including post ride day. There are plentiful anecdotes and a lively pace, along with over 100 images.

Provides advice on various aspects of trail riding, with information on selecting and caring for a horse, equipment, health problems and injuries, and descriptions of several specific rides.

First Star to the Right and Straight on Till Morning.... At the 90-mile vet check she sat in the middle of the road crying, claiming extreme illness and trying to avoid her nightmarish fears her horse would die of founder or colic, or anything. The last ten miles of trail stretched forever in her mind, black like licorice taffy. After a large measure of TLC from her patient and understanding crew, she and the gelding were out of the check and on the trail again. The entire universe shrank to center on the pair in the moonlight. Time stopped and the world faded into nothingness. They were running in a small, ever-changing pocket of existence, the rhythm of his hooves, the heartbeat of that universe. Ribbons and trail appeared before them and lost substance as they moved past. For the rider, clinging to the saddle, there was no thought, no pain, no emotion, only the instinctive drive to chase past each ribbon as it appeared. Suddenly her horse jumped sideways, eyes and ears frozen forward. Awakened from her trance, she oriented herself on his suspected woods troll, a familiar embankment that meant they were a half-mile from home. Easing him past the scary object, she sent the gelding on, clinging to his neck. As his soft lope swept them across the finish line, she wanted to laugh out loud or cry, but was unable to summon the strength for either. A few small tears trickled down her cheek, the only sign of the enormous pride she felt inside. Becky Huffman Endurance rider, wife, mother of two, and student of author Donna Snyder-Smith The Howell Equestrian Library