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George McGovern

(11,648 posts)
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 12:06 AM 17 hrs ago

Friday Horses - Laurie's Obstacle Course - Conclusion The High Bridge

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.
__________________________________________________________________________
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!
__________________________________________________________________________
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.

__________________________________________________________________________
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.

__________________________________________________________________________
The High Bridge Finished.

Maddie and builder tested it out.



__________________________________________________________________________
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.

__________________________________________________________________________
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.




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


Now the Bridge was complete.


__________________________________________________________________________
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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canetoad

(20,686 posts)
1. I thought this would be a parody
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 12:12 AM
17 hrs ago

Going by the first "architectural drawing".

But how cool is this? What a fine idea, carried out to become a reality. Kudos.

Deuxcents

(26,546 posts)
2. Laurie dreamed it and then built it. Fantastic! Now, she's building a barn..and they say women are the weaker sex 😤
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 12:31 AM
17 hrs ago

George McGovern

(11,648 posts)
4. Sadly they do, Deuxcents -- but what the heck do they know?? Laurie smiled wide at your reply! Thank You!
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 02:25 AM
15 hrs ago

MIButterfly

(2,593 posts)
7. "If you build it, they will come."
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 05:28 PM
29 min ago

I am so impressed. She dreamed it and she made it happen! What a wonderful story, George McGovern. I know I don't have to tell you this, but you are a lucky man. You married an amazing woman!

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