This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi Everyone,
The 2005 Mountain Trail Trial Championship show was held last weekend here in Eugene at the Oregon Horse center. Some of you may remember the article that I wrote about this spectacular event last year. It is unlike anything you have ever seen before! The Oregon Horse Center is quite spectacular in itself, having about 4 acres all under one roof! There are 3 arenas and about 150 stalls - again - all under one roof! Makes it really nice since it rains so much here during the winter. You never have to go outside! The course designers outdid themselves AGAIN! Each year one thinks that it just couldn't get any grander, but it always does! When you see this course it is hard to believe that it is inside. They bring in tons of huge boulders, trees, etc. They literally bring the outdoors inside. They construct ditches, mountains to climb, ponds and streams to cross and this year they constructed a 25' waterfall for the horses to walk under! Their bridge is a real bridge about 50 feet long - not just plywood to walk over. They dig a trench that is about 3' deep and this year they added fog in the bottom of it. That was scary to many of the horses. This year they added a huge mural of snow capped mountains for a back drop. I plan to write an article for the Herald when we get photos back from the photographer, however, there was a reporter from Western Horseman here this year so watch for that article to appear. Don't know exactly which issue it will be in. I had suggested to the facility owner that he try to put something together for RFDTV and he said they were already working on that. Hopefully he can get that done because this event is unlike anything else in the entire country. I was not able to ride in it this year since we had just returned from a wedding out of town, but two Fjords represented us there, Thomas, owned by Sue Grantham from my barn and Hansel, owned by Pam Garza from Wilsonville, OR. They both did very well. We left before the final results were announced so don't know where they placed. This event grows bigger each year. This time there were over 200 competitors. I saw license plates from all over the Northwest from CA to MT. As word spreads, I'm sure it will continue to grow and grow. Mark your calendars. This event is held the middle of Nov. each year. Even if you are not able to ride in it, it is worth watching!! Of course, the more Fjords the better!! Gayle Ware Field of Dreams Eugene, OR www.fjordhorse.com
