Magic and I went on a trail ride with BRBCHA. We rode from Pruitt upstream. It was a workday for trail maintenance but not heavy work. Magic has become very good on these trail rides. He loads very good if the trailer height is 14″ or less. I can tie him to the trailer and go to the bathroom. When we first went on rides he would get nervous at times but experience has solved all his jitters. I can stay behind to do some work on the trail while the main group rides ahead without having a fidgety horse. Underneath all the calmness is a horse willing to go forward when asked. Magic is a very good horse. We rode about 14 miles in 50 degree weather with high winds. The winds on the Buffalo are not as severe as here on Pinnacle Mountain.
I did a bad thing. Ted Spears was riding beside me as we rode along a gravel road headed back to the trail after lunch at Cedar Grove picnic area. He asked me if I had ever let Magic run. I said no and certainly not on a gravel road. He said “Come on John”, spurred his horse and took off. I had not been in this situation in 50 years but it all came back quick. Magic and I were off! Ted passed some riders on the left and I went on the right. Magic was under control as a horse veered away from Ted into our path. We got past them with no injury and caught Ted in about two strides. It was fun to see the wind knock his hat off as we passed. It was soon clear that we won and I pulled Magic up with no trouble. Horse racing in this situation was a bad thing. It is dangerous to the horses and very inconsiderate of the other riders and their safety. I did apologize and promised never to do it again. Magic was very well behaved during the whole thing. I am very lucky that he suffered no injury. I hope to resist any such temptation in the future.