Life Lessons from Ridecamp: The Difference a Pair of Gloves Makes
Fall brings the end of the competitive riding season, and one of the last rides held each year is the Jersey Devil Competitive Trail Ride. It's held at a club in the pine barrens and cranberry bogs, usually around Halloween, and it's always a good time because the New Jersey Trail Ride Association is a great group of people who prioritize hospitality. In 2012, I went down to this ride with my friend Megan, and we rode for two days, 25 miles each day. Of course, 2012 was also the year of Superstorm Sandy. I slept on a bunk bed in the clubhouse and was glad to be indoors and warm as the rain, hail, and wind came through. We rode out the first day in that weather too. I had the rump rug on John, and off we went. It was brutal, and to this day, it's the most miserable I've ever been on a horse. At some point on the first loop, Megan gave me her gloves, and it made a huge difference and is probably the reason I was able to finish the ride. Warming up my hands somehow resto