Past Trips

2018 Finale FLX EquiTrek

On November 11, 2018 by Erika Eckstrom

The final ride of the 2018 peak season was a 33 mile loop to the Fingerlakes Mill Creek Cabins and back. 

Late in the fall season, we ended up having our trek on one of the coldest days of the fall possible. Temperatures were below freezing but what really chilled us were the bitter winds. Luckily our horses seemed unperturbed by the weather and kept us warm with extended trots and canters through the public lands.

We started our trek at home in the Painted Bar Stables where we crossed the Newell Farm and headed up Burnt Hill road to the horse-friendly portion of the Interloken trail. A quick lunch at the Backbone Horse Campground allowed us some time to warm up in the car we had put there the night before. From there we took the Backbone trail up to the Hector Grazing Association fields in the northern part of the national forest. The cows had already left the fields for the season giving us free rein to romp through the pastures until we could meander down to the Mill Creek Cabins for the evening. 

The horses overnighted at Mill Creek Cabins in temporary electric stalls we set up for them. These are the same stalls we use when we camp with our horses at endurance races. Because it was so dark we actually brought some solar charged night lights for them to make sure they could see the lines in the evening as well.

We returned home the next day with some variations in our route. We were happy to find a slightly warmer and much less windy day for us the second day.

For more photos see our shared Facebook album where we and our clients all uploaded photos from the adventure.

Characters of our FLX Finale Equitrek 

Kelsey Eliot and Smudge

Kelsey is one of our riders who does a number of the EquiTreks and EquiTravel trips with us. In 2019 she will be doing the Mongols, a 1,000km race across the Mongolian Steppes on semi-feral horses. Be sure to follow her adventure at Kelsey does the Derby

Kelsey’s Go Fund MeKelsey does the Derby on Facebook

Cowboy Daniel Salisbury and Stetson

Husband to the entirety of Painted Bar Stables, Dan and his beloved Appaloosas add a level of care and caution to our rides keeping everyone safe and coddled the entire trip. ❤️❤️

Rachel Greway and Gringo

Despite being 2 years out of the saddle Rachel held her own with an entire trek full of endurance race veterans. It was lovely to have Rachel back in our stables and riding Gringo, who she rode for many years when he was a mere baby.

Teresa Fico and Bonita

This tiny duo have been a fixture of 2018 at Painted Bar Stables. They have been guiding trails rides and prepping for endurance rides and treks. This hard year of work training this green 6 year old pony peaked in a 30 mile endurance race in NC and this ride was the capstone.

Randall Lam and Aspen

Randall is usually found on a variety of horses chasing after Teresa and Bonita. This time he chose the trustworthy Aspen and they were just a lovely duo holding up the rear for the most part… which means I never saw them the whole ride.

Fiona Chapon and Spock

Fiona and this Mule = ❤️

As Fiona literally froze her “I’ve been living in Australia” butt off, Spock just trotted down the road in his cute little jog looking ridiculously cute and trying to keep his Frenchcicle a bit warmer.

Me!

Despite a horse back at the stables giving me a black eye minutes before leaving I had a grand time. Sunglasses make photos possible for the next couple of weeks!

Though I hate to admit it life between some ears is better than others. 

This weekend I got to ride two of my favorite mounts: Hero and Poco

These horses couldn’t be more different and more similar at the same time but one thing they definitely both have is heart and work ethic.

Hero

JOLI’S HERO

As usual I have the worst timing for riding a red headed athletic thoroughbred because an all day ride in bitter cold with 25mph gusts is obviously perfect riding weather. Despite, he did wonderfully. He’s such an athletic hunk. Unfortunately in the last 2 miles he lost a shoe.

Poco

RAINBOWS POCO SPADE

This lady just came off lameness but was up to the task for filling in for Hero after he lost a shoe. Was lovely to have her back again for trips like these.

Mill Creek Cabins

Usually we do it on our own setting up tents and prepping food, but this time we let Finger Lakes Mill Creek Cabins take care of us. 

We got picnic baskets delivered to the Backbone Horse Camp do that we had for there waiting for us, a toasty cabin to come home to after a cold ride and hot breakfasts in the morning. 

Many thanks to Sara for the support and inviting our horses and Mary for the amazing food along the way.