Off they go!
Frederick pack b***o racers are flying!
The inaugural Moyaux Pack B***o Race is the first race in recent history where every single donkey that participated was brand new to the sport! Can you imagine standing on that starting line? Thanks to Stephane Albi, you can experience the thrill of this once in a lifetime race. Viva la France! Congratulations to the Race Director and creator of France's Western Pack B***o Ass-ociation, Fleur Thomas!
1st Place- Joe Polonsky and 🫏 Jonquille
2nd Place- Stephane Albi and 🫏 Lasido
3rd Place- Roger Pedretti and 🫏 Stefan
Fantastic weekend of training! It was a back to back training weekend with 5 donkeys and people meeting up at 32 Gulch for a 5 mile out and back. We went through a swift creek and a good 50 foot section of foot sucking clay mud. Best news is that Fiddle is blowing my mind! He is doing so well and is one of the most consistent, easy to motivate, and FAST donkeys that I've ever run with. No kick, super sweet, and crosses water like it's nothing.
We had a renter come down from Denver to run with Dylan, and three new training partners join us for their first foray into running with b***os.
Then we packed up the next day and drove 3.5 hours to Naturita where we previewed and helped determine the most beautiful course for their race next weekend! Michelle joined from Durango, and Val and Heidi came from Montrose to run with their race buddies for next weekend's race! Fiddle ran in a pack for the first time and spooked when the bags slapped his sides. He took off like a lightening bolt and then returned with the same ferver. Nevermind that he nearly ran me over. This time we navigated through a river twice, did some real life cavalleti with down logs and cactus groves. Don't worry, that's not on the course (anymore). Dylan almost had to swim, but we found a section where the little guy would still be able to reach the bottom to cross.
More pictures next time, I promise! Handling a new donkey requires swift feet and two hands
We have two brothers that live up to their sibling rivalry like no other. They are both gelded, but are still working through old behaviors. You'll want volume way up for this! 🔊🔊🔊
Thank me later 😁
Georgetown and Idaho springs Race Report!
This was a weekend I won't soon forget. Team B***o OUT came and kicked ass! Luke started strategizing early by lowering the quality of everyone's shut eye by screeching all night long. Shrill and memorable by anyone within a mile radius. Unfortunately that also included me! He made up for it by towing his runner, Kat Geuss, to a 2nd place female finish! I should mention that Kat didn't need a tow since she flew up the hill! 13 OA out of 93 teams in Idaho Springs🤯
Addie also ran Idaho Springs, and after a last minute runner change-up, she was a lucky donkey and had the opportunity to run with Linda! She worked Linda hard and with a max heart rate of 201bpm, there was some praying on Linda's end. She more than made up for her slug trail she had last year at this same race. They finished on the heels of Charleston and Chelsea in 41/90 participants!
Charleston runs like a bouncing rabbit, flying through the course both days with his runner, Chelsea. She has been training since last fall with him and it shows! Chelsea has been super committed and finally had her first race in Georgetown where she made the finish line look like she had just started running. They finished 34/80 teams. Idaho springs was real teamwork as Addie and Charleston ran together to have another strong finish with finishing 40/93!
Figaro had his first race this weekend and it was a rollercoaster of emotions! He was very reactive while saddling up for Georgetown and I wasn't so sure I was going to come back with all my skin, as he nearly dragged me after hearing the sound of a zip tie. We did some pre-training on the roads and put on our #b***obrave pants at the starting line. The gun went off and he went into a perfect stride like he had been doing it his whole life. We've got so much more to learn and do this season, and he's the perfect fuzzy headed donk for the job of keeping me on my toes! ❤️
So proud of this boy! Figaro is more reactive than most donkeys. I've had several that you can put a pack on and they never look back. Not a care in the world.
Figaro has nearly pulled out our hitching post before I even got close to him with a saddle pad. It's taken 6 days of slow desensitizing and even today he had a tantrum after I touched a cinch with no pressure. We are getting there and looking forward to Georgetown and Idaho springs. Pm me for insider details on the stomp proof Teva's 😉
Perfect day for a romp on the mesa with Charleston, Ellis, and Figaro!
Great progress today with Chelsea and Charleston taking the lead and even separating from his brother! It takes a lot of relationship building for that trust to happen and Chelsea has been dedicated to working with Charleston and they both saw it click together today ❤️
Brenda is a new runner and joined us last week briefly after a mix up with directions, but was able to run with us this week. She took the lead rope and fit right in as Ellis told her about the donkeys ways. We are looking forward to the Clear Creek races!!
Figaro is settling in well with his new herd after breaking out of his separate temporary pen. The minis seem to be the most upset about his arrival and he's a big fan of the sandy roll spots 😍
Volume up for the world's worst Luke bray and t***s from a kicking mini 😂
When there's a naughty baby tantrum, but Aunt Addie says it's quite alright 🎶
The sounds of morning feeding 😍
**volume on**
Ever wonder if electric fencing is right for your donkey!
Check our our close call with losing our wild BLM donkey 😬
Shelter-We scored this beauty for a bargain! We will be replacing the broken/bent metal and dissasembling the old structure to rebuild it in the new sagebrush pasture! Soon, they will have a turnout connected to their drylot pasture for easier land management and excercise!
