Horsing around

   When we are headed to South Florida in the winter, we may pause on the way at Alexander Springs near Ocala if the weather is encouraging. It can be cool in early January even in Central Florida. In which case we stop on our way north in March or early April. Alexander Springs is a very nice national forest campground that features a spring-fed lake that empties into a river. The lake attracts families all year because the spring is constantly renewing it with water that does not vary in temperature: it feels warm in the winter and cool in summer compared to the ambient air temperature. The river is popular with canoeists and hayakers.
   There are wading birds along the shore: herons, egrets, gallinules and maybe a stray limpet. Ospreys dive to snatch an occasional fish. There are gators, too. A lady at the campground said they will leave you alone if you leave them something in the tip jar.
   Every winter there are horse trials just a few miles down the road. There are dressage, show jumping and cross-country events for different skill levels. Sometimes the rider is more highly skilled than the horse that is being put through his paces. Sometimes the other way around. We find it pleasant to sit in the Florida sunshine to watch the show jumping and dressage.
   It is more interesting still to walk out onto the cross-country course to watch contestants pass at a gallop. Each horse and rider races the clock and tries to avoid penalty points for missing a jump or balking altogether at making the jump. It takes considerable athletic ability and courage on the part of both horse and rider to compete in cross country. One rider lost his seat and was dumped into one of the water jumps. The horse continued without him. Visitors on foot can go anywhere they choose as long as they don't interfere with the race. And they aren't overly concerned about getting run over.
   It is also nice to walk through the stables to meet the horses and chat with riders. Though the trials are quite elegant, the owners tend to be personable and the atmosphere is quite relaxed.