2008-09 Riding Blog - Week 1

by Teresa Campbell - October 21, 2008
(photos courtesy of Leelawan Kaewsawang)

It was a gray, rainy day in September when the Mount Holyoke equestrian team headed out to the Springfield College ropes course. The ropes course is an equestrian team tradition every fall for teammates to push their limits and to bond. The first test of fortitude, however, came with the 7:45 a.m. meeting time down at the barn. Everyone stumbled onto the bus half asleep, many with coffee in hand, and many ready to catch another 20 minute nap on the way to Springfield.

The day looked doubtful, with dark clouds overhead. We didn’t know if we would be able to do the outdoor activities. Luckily, after some indoor warm-up games to get us awake and moving, the skies cleared up, and we headed outside. We started with low ropes challenges, like climbing through the spider web, the trust walk and finding our way out of a rope maze blindfolded. Many of us felt duped by the maze activity. As it turned out, the only way out was to ask for help. While most of us gave in (many out of frustration), a few determined competitors hung in until the end, like our coach, C.J., who was one of the last ones out!

After lunch, we headed back outside to do something new for the equestrian team. This year, we were doing high ropes! Some of us started out on a climbing ladder, which was a little less scary than the other two high ropes elements (and we got to honk a horn at the top!). The other two elements involved climbing up to wires suspended about 30 feet in the air between trees and walking across them with no more to hold on to than another rope! It showed how much confidence we had in our wonderful Springfield belayers, because most of us were shaking in our boots. We had many daring and outstanding performances from our riders (sometimes accompanied by shrieking and interesting words). Many people pushed their limits and felt good for their accomplishments. The high ropes course really brought the team together, as everyone cheered on the people up in the trees while they worked together to defy gravity.

The day closed around the campfire, where we reviewed everyone’s names (which is no small feat with a team of 43) and ate tasty s’mores and marshmallows. We all felt great for surviving the ropes course and all of the viscous mosquitoes that were a menace! It was a long but exciting day and a great way to start off the 2008-09 season. Go Lyons!!!