Our day at the marathon
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
October 26, 2019 6:39pm CST
Our day at the Blackwood Marathon went well and the riders seemed surprised and very pleased that we were there to take their photos. Out on the course, quite a lot found time to give us a wave which was nice. As it was only 16 kilometres (9.9 miles), they rode at a much fast pace than in the longer endurance rides that we're used to.
The veterinary inspection was not quite as intensified as those at the endurance days but they did inspect all the bridles and bits. There are some severe bits on the market for hard-to-control horses so I guess they were on the lookout for such gear.
Some of the horses were very fit while others were pretty fat and had to go at a very gentle pace. The last two horses walked the last kilometre or so and were followed by a number of ‘official’ cars which had come from the rowing and swimming sections. I’m sure the drivers in the convoy were champing at the bit, so to speak, wishing the riders would trot on a bit.
The terrain was very hilly which made it quite taxing on the horses but the views where we were were terrific. The countryside is still quite green although farmers are now busy baling hay. Anyway, here are a couple of photos of the ride. I’ll put up more later perhaps.
17 people like this
19 responses
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
27 Oct 19
Beautiful countryside. I love these photos since I really have very little mental pictures of the landscape in Australia.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Oct 19
Looks like beautiful countryside and great weather. If I'm correct, you're in the spring season right now.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Oct 19
@JudyEv Enjoy that last endurance ride! And enjoy the last of the spring weather while you can!
Do you ever ride in any of these events, or do you and Vince just take photos?
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Oct 19
@moffittjc I used to ride a lot then we had driving ponies but now we just take photos. Here is one of the horses we had for a while. Vince was supposed to be my groom but he wouldn't touch horse manure so I had to do all that part. 
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@snowy22315 (208920)
• United States
27 Oct 19
Wii t looks like a fun and festive event
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@wolfgirl569 (135745)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Oct 19
For many of those horses that ride was nothing.
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@wolfgirl569 (135745)
• Marion, Ohio
27 Oct 19
@JudyEv Easy for the ones used to it. I have had a couple that loved to carry me to town and back. 3 mile there and 3 more back. We would mix our speeds up all the way and they would still be bouncing after. Then I have had those that acted like I was killing them just getting there 
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Oct 19
@wolfgirl569 When we had the farm, we were always bringing sheep in and out from paddocks near and far Sometimes we'd spend nearly all day on horseback. Although much of it was at a walk, we still would have covered a few miles in that time.
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@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
27 Oct 19
oh, 't looked to've been a most magnificent day fer such'n event! i bet those folks were surprised a bit, y'all bein' their to take those photos. perhaps 'tis the 1st time someone's been dedicated to do such? needed to giggle o'er the fat horses, glad they took 't slow. no need'n causin' injury.
i hope the vets were checkin' fer those torture devices. i despise those harsh bits 'n those that use 'em. 've rehabbed many with permanent scars'n their mouths'n there'n their tongues from such cruel treatment. they jest needed more trainin' 'n somebody who actually knew how to ride 'em. {jumpin' off my high horse now...}
'tis that a natural playa there'n the background? love seein' all 'f that green. hopefully there'll be great hay crops this year there. ours's been hit/miss the past few years. either not 'nough rain/irrigation 'r floodin' rains. very lil in between.
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@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
28 Oct 19
@JudyEv that's wonderful news to my heart, hon. yepperz, proper trainin' fer both steed 'n rider. i've seen many horses turn quite ugly due to mistreatment coz the rider really didn't know how to ride. 'tis more complicated than jest jumpin' 'board 'n givin' 'em a kick...
'tis odd these folks ride'n such events? havin' a strong core'd be key i'm thinkin'. proper posture easier'n rider 'n horse. oh well, what do i know, eh?
my 'pologies. a playa 'tis a natural pond/lake 'f sorts out'n these parts. they've 'nly water when the moisture 'tis been good - no fish, but home to many when there's e'en a small 'mount. they 'lso help to re-charge the aquifer. here's some info'n such. i'd jest wondered if'n the same happened their'n australia :)
In November 2015, Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) held a Playa Recharge Summit with 14 scientists and researchers who study various aspects of the playa ecosystem to determine what was known about…
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Oct 19
A lot of the endurance horses are ridden with just a halter. Some have quite fancy hackamores if they need a bit more control. But it comes down to training really, doesn't it? There are still some that ride like sacks of potatoes and they vet out with sore backs or whatever.
Sorry but I don't understand 'playa'. Do you mean the water? That is a dam which would have been constructed by the farmer. I can't see anything else unusual (to me!) that I can explain. :)
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122162)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
27 Oct 19
Thank you for sharing these photos of the Blackwood Marathon.
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@averygirl72 (38848)
• Philippines
27 Oct 19
Nice to see those horses. Beautiful landscape
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@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Oct 19
You are so into equestrian. Do you guys ever ride yourselves?
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
27 Oct 19
I rode till I got married then once the boys left home and we moved to 5 acres, we had carriage horses ending up with a pair of ponies and doing competitive driving trials. I taught Vince to ride but he never really got into it which was fine. He was mostly a great groom but he wouldn't 'shovel sh*t' as he put it. lol Here we are in our heyday.
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