Guess who’s not paying attention
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325105)
Rockingham, Australia
March 21, 2022 7:46pm CST
On the weekend we attended a horse endurance ride at Talbot in Western Australia. We took lots of photos over the two days and hopefully sell some on our website.
This was the first ride of the season and there were quite a few riders having their first attempt at endurance. Some of the more seasoned riders were bringing out young horses or were on new horses.
The photo shows a group of riders attending a pre-ride briefing. These riders will be riding 10 or 20 kilometres. Those riding 40 or 80 kilometres have already left the camp and are out on the track. Because the temperature was expected to be in the high 20Cs, the 80km riders left at 2.00 am.
One rider has brought her horse along. Many horses are like children. In a situation like this, they are better behaved if they have something to eat. The next ride is in a fortnight’s time.
16 people like this
15 responses
@rebelann (111043)
• El Paso, Texas
22 Mar 22
I can understand that about horses, puppies are like that too most of the time.
I always learn something new when you write a discussion, this time I finally looked up 'fortnight', I am surprised it means 2 weeks rather than 4 days .... I haven't a clue where I got that notion.
3 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
22 Mar 22
I always thought it meant 4 weeks, in other words a month.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325105)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Mar 22
Of all the terms that I thought were universal, I was staggered to find out that 'fortnight' is not one of them. It is such a common word here and I have known it forever. I've come across other Americans who didn't know the term so you are not on your own.
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86382)
• United States
22 Mar 22
This is lovely all the riders with their horses. I see the horse there eating something.
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86382)
• United States
22 Mar 22
@JudyEv Of course he wasn't ..gabbing away
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325105)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Mar 22
It was light about 6am. The riders have headlights on their helmets. This photo is untouched and taken at 6.04am. The rider has just done 40km. He will be vet checked, have an hour's rest then start his second leg of 40km. Do you think he looks a bit big for his horse? lol
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (155285)
• United States
22 Mar 22
How far do you normally have to travel to these endurance trials?
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169474)
• United States
22 Mar 22
Ha, I think we are all better behaved if we have something to eat!
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
22 Mar 22
that is so cute. If I was there I would probably want my horse by my side all the time also.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (61865)
• United States
22 Mar 22
I beg to differ. That horse is paying complete attention to the food!!! 
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79522)
• United States
22 Mar 22
I'm always intrigued by your posts about the endurance rides. That horse is probably saying to himself "boring" having to listen to the briefing
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325105)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Mar 22
The riders are all proud of their horses and take great care of them.
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
22 Mar 22
Is it under time pressure? What's the prize?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325105)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Mar 22
There are minimum times to protect the horses and the fastest isn't necessarily the winner. They have to get through the veterinary checks first. They might be awarded a horse rug or some horse feed or hay if they come in with the first 2 or 3.
