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First off, I would like to thank Jim Holland and
Flynn for traveling with me at the beginning when my horse was a FREAK!
Once she figured it out things were great for the rest of the day. I would
also like to thank Anna Grizell for her company back to camp, as we had ridden
alone for the majority of the day.
Although Pigeon Mountain is where I do 90% of my
training, I was really dreading this ride, knowing full-well that a 25 mile ride
up there was difficult, let alone a 50 miler. I had started the ride two
years ago and Paanache ended up pulling a tendon on the first loop. Last
year I did the 25 miler, my first ride back after having my baby, and 25 miles
was all I wanted.
I was also nervous about Longstreets because I was
there camping by myself for the first time, without Dave to coach me as to what
all needed to be done to prepare for the ride/vet checks/etc. I knew that
he would have our 15 month old son up on the mountain at the vet checks and was
doubtful that I would have much help from him as a crew. I
pre-made most all of my electrolytes but one dose, and just ran on faith that
somehow I would manage.
Things went super smooth for me. My mare was
wonderful, the trail was beautiful (difficult, but beautiful), the weather was
perfect, and everything was right with the world. This was only our 6th
50, but for the first time I actually enjoyed myself. I feel renewed and
excited about not only training up on Pigeon Mountain, but also about endurance
as a hobby.
I was very proud that we completed, and in my
opinion, completed well, finishing 19th! WOW! I just can't imagine
ever doing any better or being more satisfied with a ride. A ride like
that makes me realize that I truly don't care if I ever top 10 or get BC as long
as I enjoy my riding like I did at this ride.
Thank you ride vets, thank you Allen Padgett for
going to bat for the horse trails up there, thank you Chattanooga Arabian Horse
Club, and to all of the participation by volunteers and each rider there.
(Coming to you from Cloud 9.)
Beth Bennett
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