Ridecamp: [RC] My Tevis experience

Hi all,
As a first time Tevis/100 mile rider, I thought I would share my experience 
with you.  I went to Tevis with several goals in mind:

Goal #1 - pass pre-ride vet it (long story, different horse, won't go 
there!)  Dana and I walked our horses down shortly after vet in started.  
There was already a line, but it went quickly.  Jasmine's scores were all 
A's, the vet was surprised to learn she is 21 (22 in Sept.) and attempting 
her first 100 - but he pronounced her fit and fine and wished us luck.  I 
was happy about that.  A small spot of hystrionics when Jasmine discovered 
Arriba was not in view.  But the vet crew were patient in letting Jasmine do 
laps around me in the corner until Riba showed up.  (Dana had her hands 
full, too - such silly girls.)

Goal #2 - survive ride start.  We were at the start line 5 min. before they 
starting taking #'s.  Most of the horses were mannerly, and we proceeded up 
the trail to the "yellow" area.  We were so far to the right that Riba was 
half way in a bush, but as more and more riders came onto the trail, it 
became packed.  Most understood when told they couldn't move any further 
forward and started filling up behind us.  Then along came Mr. Richardson, 
et al.  When told the trail was packed he said, "Bull S___, there's plenty 
of room in the center."  We could hear his progress all the way up the line. 
 Horses that were once calmly waiting for the ride to start were now 
agitated and antsy.  Riders were justifiably upset.  Being a Tevis BIG NAME 
shouldn't allow someone to be rude and jerky.  (Kudos to Richardson's horse 
- the true star of the day!)  While you definitedly couldn't be asleep at 
the wheel for the start, it wasn't as awful as I had heard it was.  The 
shirt thing is definitely a good idea.

Goal #3 - Go over Cougar Rock if there was not a line and it didn't seem too 
scary.  When Dana asked me if I was ready for CR, I looked up the trail and 
saw this little, itty-bitty thing.  We watched one man go over, two or three 
went around, and we decided to go for it.  If your horse has any experience 
at scrambling over rock, it's no bid whoop.  I'm sure my picture will be 
dorky because they always are.  But at least I have proof I went over the 
imfamous CR!

Goal #4 - Face the dreaded canyons and make it to Foresthill.  
Unfortunately, we made it past Devils Thumb to Deadwood and Jasmine 
developed a cramp in the muscle just above her hock on the right side.  Our 
ride was over.  (I know the web page says we were pulled at Dusty Corners, 
but it is incorrect - not that it really matters.)

Of Course, our Goal #5 was to finish, and that didn't happen.  Dana pulled 
at Foresthill because she was just too sick to go on.
I experience nausea also; and, after analizing the ride, we think the heavy 
work load in altitude we are not used to did us both in.  The heat didn't 
seem any worst than at home.

Will I attempt Tevis again?  Probably not.  Taking into account my own 
limitations, the age of my horses, the difficulty of the trail and the 
inherent risks - I don't want that buckle that bad. We gave it our best 
shot.

I have to thank friends and family for their help and support.  And I had 
the best crew on the earth:  my daughter Jennifer who was at my beck and 
call and "mothered" me when I was feeling icky; and Mel Sherman and Patty 
Scott who treated Jasmine like a queen before, during, and after the ride 
and taught me so much about caring for a horse trying to do 100 miles.

I am extremely proud of Jasmine.  Her metabolic scores were B and above all 
the way, she did her job well by eating and drinking and carrying me along 
safely.  She is healthy and happy, asserting herself as "queen of the hop" 
in our barn.  She will do some more rides, maybe have another baby, and live 
out her life well-loved and well-cared for.

Thanks to all the great volunteers - they were awesome!  And good luck to 
those of you who decide to take on this challenge in the future.

Lonnie


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