2015 Trail Challenge

My Spanish Mustang crossing the river

By Jennifer Klitzke

My Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend (Indy) and I went to Governor Knowles State Forest on September 6, 2015 for a Trail Obstacle Challenge. Getting there was the most challenging part. Google took me to the North entrance which was 30 miles North of the horse trails. Thankfully Indy and I made it with a couple minutes to spare before our start time.

Indy and I were rode with my friend Kristin and her wonder horse Whiskey. Just a month after I purchased Indy, she set out to buy her first horse. I’ll never forget saying to Kristin, “Whatever you do, don’t buy the first horse you see.” And that’s what she did—but it was for a good cause. She rescued an underweight Arabian/Quarter Horse from a dire situation. He was abandoned on a foreclosed property with no food or water and his hooves hadn’t been trimmed in over a year!

“Something about him made my heart leap,” she said with a smile.

The next month was rather trying as Whiskey pushed his boundaries, but my friend got good instruction and set Whiskey on the right course. Within no time, Kristin and Whiskey were sorting cows, attending ranch rodeos, fun shows, endurance rides, trail rides, and swimming at the lake. Plus, Whiskey is hard to beat at trail obstacles as he took second place!

Whiskey and Kristin
Whiskey and Kristin successfully accomplishing the noisy obstacle drag.

Indy and I enjoyed our time with Kristin and Whiskey and riding through the wooded three-hour trail ride on a beautiful bugless summer day. We negotiated six obstacles: crossing the river, weaving through poles, walking through streamers, opening a mail box, dragging a pole, and walking over rails decorated with spooky items. Indy did very well and tied for sixth place out of 18 riders in our division. We had so much fun crossing the river, we had to do it again and again!

Spanish Mustang Indian's Legend on trail challenge
Me and my Spanish Mustang Indian’s Legend on our three-hour trail challenge on a beautiful summer day at Governor Knowles State Forest.

P.S. While at the rail obstacle, the judge asked me what kind of horse Indy was. Bracing for the common “Fjord” response, she said, “He looks Iberian.” When I told her that he is a Spanish Mustang, she said she totally sees it. Not more than five minutes later, a group of trail riders passed us and remarked, “That’s the skinniest Fjord I’ve ever seen!”

Video: My Spanish Mustang crossing the river