Squeak, squeak, squeak. Some of you slid your mileage in just before the deadline tackled you to the ground—you know who you are 
.
I’d planned to download the data Tuesday morning, but life tossed in a plot twist when a close high school friend needed a helping hand. So instead of downloading the data on the 16th, I got it on the 17th—which means you can all send Betty a thank-you card for the extra day of mercy! A few of you still missed the deadline, but I do understand that life gets crowded—leadership duties, work demands, other priorities… or perhaps an unexpected herd of reindeer at the gate? (Sorry Sophia McKee, I simply could not resist.)
We’re so happy to welcome our newest Youth participant, Hannah Armstrong! You’re already a quarter of the way toward the completion award (logging 100 miles by year’s end). What a wonderful start!
I was so excited to see several of you really hit your stride in May, with Teresa Dixon, Rachael Gibson, Bonnie Girod, Brianna Girod, AJ Haddenham, Holly Haddenham, Kendal Ingraham, and Jenna Sullivan-Richter all posting their highest mileage month of 2026 so far. What a great reminder of the momentum you’re building—and I can’t wait to see where it takes you in June!
I was so delighted to see these mother-daughter teams racking up the miles together! Bonnie and Brianna Girod have a combined total of 1,024.9 miles, Marlene and Katie Poe have reached 1,520.5 miles together, and the mother-daughter-in-law team of Teresa and Katie Dixon have a total of 1,501.9 miles. It’s such a joy to see these shared accomplishments!
On the oops front, I need everyone to make sure I have you in the correct Weight Class category. While I was at Mount Adams a couple of weeks ago, Guy Cheek mentioned that he had moved up to Weight Class 3. (New heavier saddle? Extra snacks? I’m not here to judge.) But if you change Weight Class, you need to notify Sue Summers before your first competitive event of the ride season so you can be placed in the right category for the year’s point system. Since I download data before the start of the ride season, I don’t always catch those changes—so if your Weight Class was changed and you already told Sue Summers, please let me know too, so my records don’t inadvertently wander off into the wilderness. Thanks!
In April and May, several of you accumulated miles from afar. The Cheeks headed to Canada, visiting High River, Bertha Lake Falls, Radium Hot Springs, and Cranbrook, while the Haddenhams hiked part of the TransCanada Trail on their own two feet! Teresa Dixon enjoyed an outing to the symphony, and Rachael Gibson shared tales from work that included plenty of exciting walks in the warehouse. Jill Brewster also mentioned a trip to Miami and the Bahamas for swimming and scuba diving—which certainly sound like memorable miles!
I loved reading about magical rides, some that were storybook magical, some that didn’t quite reach that level:
- Sandy Cheek mentioned an enchanting ride with Nicole Mayfield out at Ancient Lakes and then later in the month joined Katie Poe for her first 50-miler, which is always fantastic—seeing someone reach a cherished goal.
- Neighborhood rides at Rachael Gibson’s featured kids, husband, minis, Cadillac-levelheaded equines, big-girl panties, and the first solo rides on a green one—a full buffet of bravery. Rachael also got in some bonus cardio by free-lounging the horses while catching them for the farrier, which sounds less magical and more like an unplanned fitness class.
- AJ Haddenham got back in the saddle for more challenging rides, including jumping—with the occasional human lawn dart dismount thrown in for dramatic effect. Thankfully, the magic returned out at Rustlers Gulch on a trail ride.
- Teresa Dixon rode a portion of the John Wayne Pioneer Wagon & Riders cross-state ride, which sounds like a very fun way to rack up those miles!
And for giving me a grin, a laugh, or at least an appreciative head shake, the following posts deserve a nod of thanks for their entertainment value:
- Kendal Ingraham—Stationary biking while watching early 2000s sitcoms.
- Beth Meenaghan—Trail ride. What happened to May? Apparently, a little travel, a little life, and maybe a few activities that slipped right past the record book. But June brings forth another opportunity!
- Wendy Friedrich and her ranch chore submissions sounded less like chores and more like training for the Ranch Olympics. Barn Re-set Day included, bucking hay, shoveling manure, spreading 15 wheelbarrows of local mill shavings, putting up temporary electric fencing, moving 40-pound feed bags, building a round pen, and hauling sand. Honestly, I got tired just reading it.
Next due date – JULY 15 – for June miles and smiles.
And always remember—even the smallest step forward is still movement toward a brighter future—as long as you aren’t a human lawn dart!