Re: Tevis - Slower riders

["Sandy Bolinger" <bolinger@bigsky.net>]

that is so different then when Whitney and I rode the Tevis for the first
time...we went slow---just making the cut-off at a couple of checks...but
what most impressed us was the abundant amount of hay , bran and carrots
always available for the horses....Lots and Lots of horse food...One year
when Whitney was zooming along on the Tevis and didn't have a crew...seems
like she didn't have any trouble finding food for her horse - either
provided by the management or always graciously offered by other riders and
their crews...I wonder why this year things were so different???????????????

----- Original Message -----
From: <Trailrite@aol.com>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2000 2:33 PM
Subject: RC: Tevis - Slower riders


>     Since I have returned from this ride I have been going over with
myself
> as to why and what happened to us for not completing the Tevis.  This is a
> common thing that most of us do, I'm sure.
>     Hind sight is a 20/20 vision and as you step back into the event you
> start with the shoulda, woulda, coulda's.  I shoulda started out faster so
I
> coulda made it in time for having hay and bran at the vet checks.  But if
I
> started to fast then I woulda been there too early for hay because it
> wouldn't have gotten there yet.  But since I got at these vet checks after
> the first 50 riders then there was none.  Oh, I forgot there was some sort
of
> grass stuff that none of the horses ate but felt it was great to pee in.
>     Every vet check was the same, I know, I went to all of them, but did
not
> continue pass the Upper Quarry.  There was no hay, no bran, no carrots.
>     The other thing was, as I look back...my mare spun a shoe on the rear.
> It was hanging to the outside.  We came up to Pine Slab VC and we were
good
> to go.  Only I wanted to get this shoe replaced or pulled off without
taking
> half of the hoof with it.  No farrier!  I asked the officials they said
the
> farriers left to meet the front runners.  I was told no problem there will
be
> one at the Deadwood VC.  I was to continue on with this shoe sticking out.
>     We got to Deadwood and the same thing!  Sorry the farrier just left
for
> the front runners at Michigan Bluff VC.  At this point I would not
continue
> on.  There was a vet willing to pull the shoe and it took some time.  The
> lines were backing up now because of me and my problem.  After this I
pulled
> on an easyboot and off we went.  Oh, by the way, no hay, bran, carrots
again.
>  So off we went, got into Michigan Bluff and guess what...same thing!
Good
> to go but my mare's looking funny in the rear now, so off we went to
Forest
> Hill with visions of hay and farriers!
>     At Forest Hill my mare looked funny again but still was good to go.
> Yeah! caught up & FOUND the farrier. We got the shoe replace, looked for
> Alfalfa hay, all gone.  They said, "Sorry we are out, how about this
(pee'd
> on) grass stuff."  Looked over at the still in coming riders behind us and
> now they are not making the cutoff times. Hmm...
>     Went on to Francisco's VC same thing no hay, no bran, no carrots!
Passed
> this VC with my mare looking still funny in the rear but good to go.  Now
I'm
> thinking, OK might end up completing this ride with a new record of the
best
> non fed horse to do a 100 miler.
>     Well, I was wrong, all of this caught up with my sweet, strong, very
> experience mare "Ima Liberated Lady" of 4200 miles in 3 1/2 years.  I
mean,
> my husband just did the Californio 100 three weeks prior to the Tevis with
> his weight and topped 10!  But then she had food!
>     Anyway, without proper support in the rear the vet said she was stiff
and
> sore.  So we were pulled.  I wasn't very upset at the time and walked off.
> Things like this happen, I'm experienced I know this, but was hoping to
make
> the last 6 miles.  But, as I was waiting for the trailer to come and pick
us
> up I sat watching my mare eating and now we have good lighting.  She was
> starved!  I mean really starved!  Like I said we've done 100's and this is
> not my 1st Tevis, but this horse was behond hungry.  She was glassy eyed,
and
> bolting down, guess what?  That grass hay stuff, not caring if it was
water
> or pee in it.
>     Of course, this was my experience and there is no bottom line except,
> either they have to hire more farriers and buy more hay for 258 riders or
> limit the ride to 50 riders.  I paid $275 for my entry just like the front
> runners and I expect the same supplies & service as them.
>     Can you tell, I'm upset, I couldn't take the care of my horse as I
felt
> it needed.  Until this will be solved, I for one won't come back.
>
> Tammy Robinson
> Trail-Rite Ranch & Products
> 661/513-9269
>
>
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