To the North Island for Nationals

April 8 2007

We were headed to the New Zealand Endurance National Championships with David and Sandie and 4 horses. It was quite the epic journey - 24+ hours - to our destination on the North Island, leaving Holly Farm near Christchurch around 9 PM, and just making it to the ferry by 7 AM; landing on the North Island a few hours later, and driving north from Wellington.

We stopped for a rest break - for humans and horses and Raven - in a little park in Paekakariki on the Kapiti Coast. We set up the fences and unloaded the horses for a few hours' rest, and the Raven and I had to go see the beach and touch the Tasman Sea before passing out in the back seat of the truck for a couple of hours.

Our destination was Rangiwahia, a tiny town in the foothills of the Ruahine Range; and while pretty much all the horses and humans were here for serious endurance riding, the Raven was here to make more friends. He met his first pig - and who would not have fallen love with Julia!

The Raven was also happy to see his friends Trevor and Picksy again - they finished 9th in the 100 km race.