New Riding Breeches

I am asked by many curious and interested people I meet…”where do you get those riding pants?” My reply, I make them! But I thought this story would be interesting to many of you as to how they are made or at least one way they get made.   I finally met Dee Odea in July of 2014  at the Mt Pleasant, Michigan Race Track after many years of correspondence. What follows is her story of how SHE met me. Dee gave me deer hide leather for a much needed new pair of riding pants that I sewed by hand.

This is from Dee Odea……

I read about you in my Black Canyon City, AZ newspaper the first time you rode Honor thru AZ (2007) and stayed in Crown King. I taught fourth grade and since geography was my favorite of the eight subjects I taught, a U.S. map went up on my bulletin board tracking where you came from and thus began a four year relationship with you. My class and I would anxiously await emails and pictures. We cheered for you and cried when you lost Honor. It was heartwarming reading your posts about how the people in Texas took care of you and then gave you Hart. We followed your heartbreak at loosing the puppy you picked up in New Mexico and called the Veterinary Clinic to see what money we could raise to help. Well they told my class that the bill was paid and asked if we wanted to talk to you since you were there. I had you on speaker, and you thanked my class repeatedly for concern. Then we found out that the puppy died, so we sent cards for you to a lady in Texas. But she brought you a big yellow envelope from my class while you were in Kansas. You responded with a beautiful thank you letter and postcards for my students. A few of my students still follow you. I also had a reporter the next year do an article about how my classes were still following your third or fourth long ride. You had just gotten Essie Pearl and was still with Hart I believe. I retired in 2012. I moved to Michigan to take care of my mother and had the mule skin hides from my former husband. They were just sitting in old bags waiting for the right person who was supposed to have them! I was thrilled to meet you for you are such a beautiful strong woman whom I have a lot of admiration for. My heroes are:#1. My mother . #2. Mother Teresa. #3. Bernice Ende. Lots more stories about my past parallel yours in a small way. I am a very strong, Midwest gal, who got her degree and had a dream of teaching in a little mountain school. I found it in Black Canyon City, Arizona. In 1986. Moved back home to Michigan 2013. Met you in July 2014, while my mother was still alive. I was able to share that joy with her.

The excitement of the ride has my blood racing this time of year. Yet as I told Nancy Haugan the other day when she was out to vet the horses, “It never fails each and every time I step back out it’s as if those 1000’s of miles behind me never existed. It’s as if I had never done any of it and I question, “can I do this again?” Three weeks into the journey I will be taken over with the exhilaration, the call of the horizon, the love of the ride.

The Canadian Geese are calling, and I reply to them…”I am coming, I am coming.

” I plan to ride out on the 13th of April.

Rain again today, can not complain we need it. Perhaps we’ll not have another fire season like we had last year.

I leave in less than 5 weeks- And until I leave I am making the most of my time with friends and Community.

More visitors from the east side of Montana.…
Bob and Naomi Rushdal took the train from Forsyth, Montana to Libby to visit their son. He brought them up for a visit. It was a fast and furious visit full of smiles and laughter. She brought news of my dear friend Berniece Higgenbotham from Forsyth now a young 94 year old. I met Berniece and her Uncle Bill Straw (now deceased) when I wintered in Bill’s little red barn north of town. I have many years and experiences traveling to reflect back on but THIS, living out in that wild landscape 4 miles from town, alone for 5 months was a highlight I will never forget, I just loved the time there.

From the past

ALL for now….
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“I leave next month,”

…..that is music to my ears!   I’m so glad I rode as far as I did last year because I met a host of folks that are now offering to help with the last stretch of the ride. I will get off to a good start. I know it’s only about 1000 miles but it may be one of the most difficult stretches I’ll ride on this 8000 mile adventure. Last week I spoke with Gary Bellinger from Chewelah, he’ll be helping facilitate my staging point – talks, horseshoes and boxes that must be shipped from Chewelah. He’s an avid horseman himself and a member of Back Country Horseman a group I will be speaking for on the 21st of April.(more info later).

I have two library talks scheduled when I arrive in Chewelah next month.

Last week:

I had guests from Canada! David and Hania  Nahachewsky came down to pick my long riding brain.  David and his two daughters,(one is a Vet and the other a Vet-tech.) have been following my rides for years. I have been visited by several individuals over the years seeking “how to do a long ride” advice. Sometimes they leave and I think, “I hope they never do the ride because the horses will be the ones that suffer.” But after spending two days with David I felt confident their ride will be successful and the ride done with care. They are attempting to ride with 5 horses from Manitoba to Vancouver, B.C. next year.                                                                                                                                

While the Nahachewsky’s were here they stayed at THEODORA”S HIDEAWAY a lovely vacation rental literally next door.

Response from David and Hania: received March 9th

Good morning,
I just wanted to write a note to all who follow Bernice Ende and her 
amazing horses.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to spend time with Bernice while 
she was preparing for her next season of riding. We spoke for many 
hours about equipment, techniques, safety and philosophies of Long 
Riding.

My two daughters and I have been planning our first long ride for some 
time now. The two sessions with Bernice will help my daughters, myself 
and our horses stay safer and enjoy the trek even more. I couldn’t 
help but feel Bernice’s energy, strength and passion for the lifestyle 
that she has fallen in love with. More importantly, I felt that she 
was blunt and honest towards my idealistic thoughts of a long ride. 
Bernice brought experience and reality to many aspects of what we are 
going to attempt, but did not discouraged us in anyway. Thank you!!

I also have to mention that we stayed at the amazing “Hideaway” which 
is part of Theodora’s Garden operated by another great lady. Theodora 
Brennan, better known as Teddy, has her Masters Degree in herbalism, 
and is truly magical in her field. My wife spent much of her time 
walking, taking photographs of the area and learning about Teddy’s 
remarkable skills.

Thank you both for everything, 
David and Hania

I am pleased to welcome Theodora’s Hideaway to my Sponsorship list. IF EVER you come to Montana and would like to visit and or wish to pick my brain for long riding tips, you now have an affordable, lovely place to nestle into.

I do believe winter has given up. Snow recedes beneath trees, lawns are once again reappearing even song birds and daffodil buds have arrived. I suppose being sick made this winter seem particularly long. How quickly we forget once the sun’s warmth hits our faces. I am riding ever day now. The horses look like dirty woolly mammoths at this time of the year/ I look like one after I slide down from their backs in the afternoon.  I give them a break from packs and cinches and ride bareback all winter, besides it’s warmer.

This Monday I have a couple coming from Canada to pick my brains about long riding. David and Hania Nahachewsky will be staying over night at  THEODORA’S HIDEAWAY, Theodora’s Hideaway literally next door. We will cover as much as we can with the time that we have. Saddling and packing, how I use the equipment and preventative measures are of great interest to them as is feeding, shoeing, maintenance of equipment and safety. I will take photos and let you know how it goes. As I am asked  by many, “How do you do a long ride,” I am considering offering workshops and even taking out a rider or two for a week long training ride. We shall see how it goes. I do enjoy sharing the information and God knows I have enough experience! smiles

I am also, much to my surprise, delighted to be teaching a few ballet classes each week at Eureka’s Creative Arts Center. When I ended my career in 2003 I said,”I’ll never go back.” Now here I am and its simply a joy to be back in a dance studio again. I feel like I never left.  I will post a few BALLET photo’s next week. A contrast to all these horsey photos!!

Other than that I am still on my “health regime overhaul” and will be until I leave in April.  I’ll make a short trip (via airplane)the first week of April to New Mexico and visit sisters. When I return…it is pack up, shoe the horses and head out. Lets complete this 8000 mile odyssey I began 2 years ago!!

AND….

Dolly and John Foss sent this lovely collage last week. As the story goes….I rode by their home heading east, it was a late fall evening. I had “campsite” on my mind.  A large yard in back, a friendly dog and the look of a place that might just welcome a lady long rider with her two horses. I actually rode by but turned around, I am so glad I did. “Of course,” came the reply. I had dinner with Dolly and John, washed my clothes and took a shower. After breakfast the next day I said, “Well I might be coming back this way on my return, should I stop?” I did. It was colder, I needed a coat, John found one in his closet – they even made me wear a reflector vest as hunting season had begun. I had another set of parents when I rode out. We have stayed in touch. More friends, goodness my saddle bags are full of wonderful memories!!!

there is more….

I had not talked with Angela Bates in years so our phone call last week reached into the late hours. We have over the years always managed to stay in touch. Angela is Nicodemus’s local historian and responsible for putting this once thriving town on the the National Historic Registrar. She also has her hands full managing a restaurant in the town of now 25 I think she said. THIS is definitely worth a stop if you are in Kansas. Such a remarkable story of a people’s tenacious desire for freedom and the will to make it happen! Angela sent the video yesterday. I had to share it with all of you. The photos are from my visits to Nicodemus, one in 2008 and the other in 2010. Bravo Angela, Bravo.