Friday Horses - Laurie's Obstacle Course - Conclusion - The High Bridge & 'Round The Farm [View all]

Last edited Fri Mar 13, 2026, 02:19 AM - Edit history (1)

At competition venues, Laurie and her mare Maddie had ridden across high bridges.
She decided to make her own, which would be the final obstacle on the trail course.
It took nearly two years to build.
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The plan.
She dug the main trench, superimposed a future bridge, posted the image
on Facebook and asked friends what they thought.

Response was overwhelmingly positive. Build it!
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Overview of the undertaking.
Laurie used her New Holland's bucket loader to dig and move dirt.

Poles and posts were attached to the bucket with a chain, to move and set in place.

She moved more dirt to fill in hillsides held in place by three Jersey Barriers.

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The process.
Trenches dug out.

Neighbors and friends donated truckloads of fill dirt.

Old telephone poles were set on tires filled with cement
to build the foundation.


Access paths were built up at each end of the structure.


Jersey Barriers held dirt and rocks in place.

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The High Bridge Finished.

Maddie and builder tested it out.



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The bridge was a success. As word spread, more riders made
appointments to ride the trail course and check out the latest obstacle.
One day two good friends rode on the bridge, during a personal
riding lesson with JoLinn Hoover. She's waving at the camera.

One rode across the bridge and the other under.

Then they crossed together. JoLinn gave another great lesson.

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A good many riders challenged their horses on the bridge.
Sometimes they walked the bridge first.

Others led their horses across before mounting up.


Riders found the high bridge to be just right for a horse and rider.



And safe — above and below.




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The Bridge was to be named after Laurie's late mare Kate.


Now the Bridge was complete.


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We operated the obstacle/trail for about ten years all told.
Riders at all skill levels learned, practiced and above all had fun.
About a year and a half ago we moved to our new farm.
Very good memories remain.
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Around The Farm ~ A long Overdue Look At Pete and Maddie.
A few days ago they were feeling rowdy.

Another day was rainy. Horsies stood inside their still-temporary "barn".
(Soon Laurie will have made provisions for them to move.)

It sometimes seems they get on each other's nerves.


But it never lasts.



Sometimes they stand together.

At times apart.

At one point in time Maddie yawned . . .

And yawned . . .

And . . .

After awhile Pete turned left to leave the shed.

Maddie followed.

Time to see if there was any hay left in the bin.

Today was dry. Windy. The kids moved around their corral.

They stood together.

Moved apart.

And came back together again. Best buds for life.

Thanks for stopping by! We'll see you next week.