The Riders

We had a beautiful day here today. The rain had gone, the wind had not yet risen, the sky was blue and cloudless and the sun bright and warm. A lovely day for being out and about on horseback and getting in some riding along the Taylor River tracks.
I met up with these riders at the end of my dog walk. They had experienced a challenging time getting their horses across the Omaka Airfield Ford. The river is running high after all the rain over the last two days. The ford has been washed out yet again. From the Airfield side of the river the crossing looks fairly innocuous. The road slopes down gently to the concrete pad of the ford. However on the true right bank it is a different matter. The force of the water has gouged out a lot of shingle and created a deep swift running section of water to cross. Of course one would not know that until too late. I understand one of the riders came off her horse and was swept along in the river. She was soaking wet but so lucky to be uninjured...
I loved their horses but then I adore all horses. I particularly fell for the big grey part Clydesdale. 17 hands high, he is huge and his name is Prince. A very princely beast indeed.