By Tami Rougeau
May 15 2026
Team Red Adventure #5 2026 Part 1
It has been a very busy last few weeks but finally getting a few quiet moments to put together the story for Adventure 5 – Canyon Rims 2026.
On Wednesday morning we did a leisurely pack up and got ready to head to the ride. Since it was only a short 3–4-hour drive and it was predicted to be windy, we were in no rush. We so enjoyed our time with Julie, but we knew we would be seeing her again at the ride in a few days. We headed out to blue skies and sunshine. After a quick stop by Annie and Dave’s place we were on our way to camp.
When we arrived, there were just a couple of trailers already there and we were met by Cory and Mickey. All smiles and welcomes from this hard-working management family. I just love the energy of their ride camps. I quickly set up camp using the trailer as the wind block for the girl’s coral. It really was windy and the sand was ever present. The girls did not seem to mind as much as the humans did. Even with the wind it is still nice to be in camp and settled with a full day of rest before the ride begins. It also gives time to visit and catch up with friends. Not on Wednesday though. That evening we sheltered in place in the trailer; the girls tucked up to the trailer and happily enjoyed their hay. It made for a delightful early evening for us all.
Thursday the wind abated, clear blue skies were the theme and perfect low 60’s temps. The day was spent preparing everything we would need for the next three days. This means preparing all of the lunch and dinner meals for both horses, making sure hay bags were all set, mixing up electrolytes and packing a crew bag for the middle day when we get to have an away check. The girls got a good grooming as well. It was a fun and productive day. More trailers arriving and people setting up and seeing old friends setting up for the great weekend ahead. The girls thoroughly relaxed to the point of taking turns napping in the warm sun and soft sand.
Before we knew it, it was time for the ride meeting. Mickey and her gang do an over-the-top job of organizing all of the days and distances. Maps were handed out and trails described. Then it was time for bed. The sun was not setting until after 8pm, still which is so nice. We were all set for the next day with no set plans to pair up with anyone in particular. The focus this year for Penelope was to master higher paces. She has been adapting to this really well with her 7-8 mph trot smoothing out. I was so happy with her performance at Cuyama I figured we would just continue and she could do a little more solo time.
Pen was totally easy going out in the morning just behind the hot shoes and moved out nicely without any drama. We settled into a nice pace and quickly paired up with Suzie Jones from New Mexico. Suzie has been at this sport for a long time and is a wealth of knowledge and experience. Our red mares paired up nicely enjoying each other’s company. Penelope does not challenge for taking lead. She will take the lead willingly but if the other horse wants it, she is happy to oblige. The first loop went by quickly enjoying some of the most breathtaking views, riding along the rims and down in the canyons. The footing could not have been more perfect. We had learned about slick rock last year at Moab. Penelope remembered and navigated it all like a pro. There was plenty of green grass and she made a point not to miss any of it.
We enjoyed a nice hour break and headed out for loop 2. More spectacular views, excellent footing and so many good stories. This day just few by. Of course, there had to be some red horse shenanigans when both mares decided that grey tumble weeds were the scariest things around. Seriously, how many tumble weeds have you seen? It became quite the game for them both challenging both our riding skills and sense of humor. We cruised in nicely midafternoon and the mares looked great. Suzie’s plan had been to ride days 1 and 3 but the forecast for Sunday was not looking good. She decided to maybe just do the 30 on day 2.
On Friday Julie arrived with her friend Scarlett who would be doing the 50 the next day while Julie did the 30. We decided that we would try starting out and see how the day went. Scarlett is relatively new and looking for the balance between family and horses. She is doing it really well from what I can tell. We had a great time with the mares pacing nicely together. We made it to the out vet check trotting in. Out of curiosity I took Pen to the pulse taker quickly after getting a drink just to see where she was at. Already down and dropping. This big mare is amazing. We spent the hour chatting and taking care of the horses. Then we were off for the last loop. These rides with so much beauty make the day pass by far too quickly. We enjoyed our day sharing stories and talking about life. What a great day ending far too soon midafternoon. We got our team finish photo and celebrated the day. We spent some time visiting our Colorado friends then ride meeting and off to bed at another decent hour. Penelope looked like she had not done anything.
Stay tuned for Day 3!
Team Red Adventure 5 – Part 2
Sunday had been a question mark for us all week due to the predicted wet weather. Throughout Saturday the prediction improved and when I got up things looked pretty good, so I decided to give it a go. After riding Moab last year in the rain, I had no desire to do it again. Mickey was there, all smiles and good vibes, so off we went a little behind the small pack of riders. We eventually caught up to Adrienne Dymesich from Wisconsin. We met last year when we stayed at her place on our way home from Michigan. What a treat to share the trail and catch up.
About an hour or so into the ride the heavens opened and the rain started. It only lasted for about 20 minutes, just when we began to get soaked the rain stopped and the sun came out. We were dry and warm in no time. The horses navigated the trail expertly. Adrienne Dymesich rides a gated Morgan so at times our pace was a little different, but the girls always got back together. After a few misty rain events and some seriously over the top views that were enhanced with the rain we were back in camp for the hour hold.
Penelope did her job of consuming every bit of food and water then taking a nap. Since the rain had slowed us just a bit I was highly motivated to get out on time and set a solid pace. There were dark clouds around us but none that looked terribly threatening. Not long into the loop the biggest thunder clap I had ever heard exploded right over the top of us. Pen did not even flinch or break stride she just kept moving. Somehow we got out of camp without Adrienne, I figured she was ahead of us and doing the same thing. With the dark cloud and thunder over the top of us there was great motivation to get off the plateau. About that time a person stepped out from behind a tree and surprised both of us. It was Maya Lopez Grasse whom we had met previously at another ride. She was out for a run and was looking for lightning. I told her I had not seen any yet, only thunder and we all carried on. I am pretty sure she rode the day prior so total beast points for going on a long run the day after riding. Go Maya!
Just as the hail began to pelt us we headed down into the canyon. Pea size hail pelting off and feeling like little needles was less than pleasant but Pen handled it like a pro. When we got to the long section of slick rock I chose to dismount and walk, no sense taking a chance for either of us. When we were about halfway down the canyon a protected spot appeared and I tried to get Pen to shelter there for a few minutes to let it all pass. She was having none of that and insisted we press on. Thankfully it only lasted a short while longer. When we hit the main road Tegan and Ross were there in the truck checking on riders. They offered blankets, water etc but I said we were good. I guess they were really looking for Adrienne who left behind me for some reason. We continued on and low and behold Maya popped out of the trees again. We had a good laugh and she took a few pics of us then we were off to the lollipop. We ran into another rider who was just finishing that section, I think she was having an exciting ride. Pen cruised through and we were on the home stretch.
About a mile from camp the trail makes a sweeping left turn and heads straight to camp. At this point we were joined by 10 antelopes. We slowed down and Pen checked them out with a few of them darting away ahead of us. The rest of them stood and watched us. If we moved forward, they moved forward. If we stopped, they stopped. They would not leave! I yelled and Pen snorted and they just kept playing the mirror game. I was a little nervous to let Pen trot away for fear they would copycat that move and dart around us. So, for 40 minutes we slowly made our way to the curve with the antelope trilling at us and mimicking our every move. I thought we would never make that turn. As cool as it was to play with the antelope it was also frustrating because we were ready to be done with our little adventure. Adding 40 minutes of play time at the end seems a little over the top endurance.
We arrived in camp to Mickey Smith and her family with their warm smiles. Adrienne was there as well to my surprise. Apparently, her horse had a small interference spot that was nagging at them and they were not able to make good time with the hail and rain so they had turned back. Glad they were safe and still not out there. We got our photos together and went to see Cathy. She deemed Penelope in great shape and congratulated us on our three days. I really love our endurance vets who cheer us on, celebrate with us and help us take the best care we can of our beloved partners.
We got to the trailer and set to work taking care of Pen with lots of grooming, a Beemer session and leg wrapping while she enjoyed another wet mash and yummy alfalfa. At this point in the ride I love spending this time with my girls and reflecting on our weekend. Pen felt great, like she could just keep going. She has now mastered the long steady 7-8 mph trot, takes great care of herself, watches where her feet are going (most of the time unless there is food involved) and stays connected to me. What an amazing mare on an amazing and challenging trail. For this ride we used EasyCare Inc. Protective Hoofwear Easyshoe One with Vettec CS pour in on the front and Easyshoe Speed on the hind. These worked great on all of the slick rock. When we took the shoes off a few weeks later her feet looked great.
Awards that evening were really special with lots of stories and laughs. The group was of course smaller with many people leaving camp on Saturday. It was so much fun. I took a little time to chat with Mickey about the weekend and how she and her team were feeling. Watching this team work so seamlessly taking care of every little detail is wonderful. We are very much looking forward to the fall Moab Ride being held the 9-11th of October. Not only will there be three days of riding there will also be a 100-mile event. Choices, choices…. but that is a few adventures down the line. Time to head home so the next adventure can begin…
