Riding to the Cordiano Winery - Primo Amore, by horse back is supreme equine therapy
if you manage to get there when they are open and serving. The winery is on Highland Valley Road about a mile and a half from the stable. Of course, riding horses on Highland Valley is out of the question. Even crossing the highway is a concern as cars, trucks and motorcycles drive quite fast. It is a narrow, winding road. In the past, the riding distance was shorter. It now takes a couple hours each way around John Peck's property.
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| Starvation Mountain from Eagles Crest Road |
My first visit was with Daniel was on a test ride. The plan was to organize a group and return some day soon for wine and pizza. That was several months ago. Fast forward to Diane's arrival at the stable and then the interest grew to make the ride again. Diane is an experienced and enthusiastic connoisseur of wine. She has had much experience wine tasting in the past. Last month, on a Monday, we made the trip only to find the winery was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. We were disappointed but determined to return soon. A week later we rode again on Delgado and Glory and were successful.
On the way, we pass by, and look up at Starvation Mountain. It's elevation is 2,103 feet. There are fabulous views in every direction and while some of the ride is slow due to being on asphalt, we take it easy and enjoy the scenery. On the initial ride with Daniel, we met Steve the geologist. His home is at a distance beyond Diane and Telma in the photo below.
Steve was very kind and told us that we could stop and water our horses at his barn. He has three of his own. One is a gaited mare of South American bloodlines. She is a real beauty. Steve mentioned to Daniel and I that he was planning to leave the following Wednesday for Catalina with his horses. They were going to spend five days riding and camping on the island. I thought that sounded so fun. I hope to be able to do something like that in the future.
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| Steve's mare Mocha. |
As we ride by Steve's property we enjoy a section of dirt road and then arrive at the top of another crest affording 180 degree views. Below is one photo that looks out towards where the Wild Animal Park is located on San Pasqual Road in Escondido.
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| Thunderheads at a distance over San Pasqual Valley. |
This is a steep little downhill stretch of asphalt that leads us down in to the avocado groves. We ride carefully. Our horses are barefoot and for this type of riding its a good thing. Horses with shoes would be challenged to keep their footing on a road this steep.
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| Delgado and I follow Diane and Glory through an avocado grove. |
Riding through the avocado groves is wonderful, especially on a hot day. The groves are shady and cool. You have to watch the occasional branches hanging down on the path. When I rode with Daniel, who rides at a fast pace, I was hit on the head by an avocado. That was painful!
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| Past Glory's ears you can see Highland Vally Road as a horizontal line below the horizon. |
On the day we rode to the winery and found it open for business, we were able to tie up the horses. One of the owners brought Delgado and Glory alfalfa hay and water. The horses drew much attention from the visitors and owners alike. Diane and I sat just above the horses on a balcony overlooking the valley.
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| Delgado standing patiently. |
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| Glory enjoying her alfalfa hay during our visit. |
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| Diane toasts to our successful arrival. |
The often strenuous, two hour ride is happily broken up by our time tasting wine and eating pizza. We met and enjoyed a conversation about horses with a couple at the next table.
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| Paso Peggy enjoying a glass. |
It seems that on that occasion, our pizza was slow to arrive. Of course that meant that we ran out of wine and in the end, drank more than I would have considering I was riding Delgado. However, we had an uneventful ride home and arrived safely back at Holly's Land Stable in good condition.
