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At the risk of offending his little brother, Mashallah
Mykal, who completed his first 25 miler at White River a couple of weeks ago, I
must devote some time to Malik's ride story and come back later to finish
Mykal's. (I swear it is half finished in my wordpad somewhere!).
:)
After a 6 week layoff due to an injury he sustained at
home while trying to show a gelding who is boss (from the other side of the
fence), I took Malik to Jay and Becke Grams Tin Cup Springs ride. I had
thought Malik would be out for the season and that is why Mykal started his
career so late in the year. However, after starting to ride Malik about 3
weeks ago, I realized he was at his peak in spite of his injury. Nelson
and I argued this point for awhile but after our team penning weekend and our
night ride...I just KNEW he could do this ride. Of course, Malik TOLD
me so in no uncertain terms. I had no fear. I had no doubts. I
had no illusions about doing anything other than completing and sort of
regretted that I had jokingly bragged at the Little Manistee ride that we would
come back this fall and win BC.
Well, we rode our ride...it all came together as it was
meant to be...early in the ride, we seemed to fall into sync with Shelley Dake
and Crucian and they were stuck with us. The pair just pace wonderfully
together.
We pulsed down in 1-2 minutes at every check, scored all
As with an A- here and there and at the first check, the vet noted he seemed a
little tight in his HQ. He ate voraciously but did not want to drink....of
course, I tank him up with so much sloppy beet pulp before and during a ride,
that he rarely has problems with hydration. He finally drank after the
half way point just before the third check. Drank like a fish in
fact! What a relief. :)
Our horses did lag a bit after the half way point but
picked up the pace as they neared the check and then really picked up the pace
more after the check. It never ceases to amaze me how they can get
stronger and faster as a ride progresses!
To make a long story short, we finished our ride in 5:18,
placing 5th overall, 2nd HW and won our first BC....I was extremely surprised
but terribly delighted. Dr. Steve was doubtful that I might win BC because
the first place horse had over an hour of time on me...well, Myra Fleming may be
fast but I am fat! :) Though I was a little nervous when I weighed
in about 10 pounds less than I did this spring at LMMR (and about 20 pounds less
than I was weighing in 2 years ago which isn't really a bad thing unless one has
a BC on the line). :) Anyway, the numbers don't lie and Malik
was 110% at the end of this ride. His vet score was 450 (lowest score a 7
on hydration). I have never seen him look and feel better and I am proud
as punch.
My daughter, Jennifer, unfortunately had a slight mishap
when Myra Fleming's saddle pad came out from under her saddle and spooked
Max.... Jenny was tossed into a tree and Max later developed a sore
shoulder...we surmise he may have bumped his shoulder into the tree also.
We're not sure. Jenny was running second at the time and I know it was a
hard decision for her to make but she loves her horse and ultimately does what
is best for him. It was too bad because Max wanted to go on...he would go
to the ends of the earth if she asked him to. However, there are other
rides and only one Max. I am proud of Jenny for doing the right
thing.
I am also immensely proud of and happy for my sister,
Mary, who attempted and succeeded in completing her first 50 mile ride on her 15
year old TWH mare, Dallas. She never dreamed she would do more than a 25
LD ride. They were tired but happy at the finish and I am soooooo pleased
for both of them. They worked hard for it and made a dream come
true. She is now plotting her next 50! :)
I must also say what a man Nelson is....Mary, Jenny and I
were NOT riding together. Nelson was everywhere trying to help ALL three
of us. God Bless Gene Dake for helping us out with water and slosh bottles
on the trail when Nelson couldn't be there. I couldn't have done it
without them both. People like Nelson and Gene are why I love this sport
so much...we may be competing with each other but we're also rooting for each
other along the way.
Once again, Becke and Jay put on a wonderful
ride....beautiful and well marked trails (though the dry season made it tougher
than the spring ride), nice camping area, great bonfire, good food, good
company....we had a great time as always.
Nelson and Jay (and Jim Yell, trail boss of the
Wolverine) are plotting to incorporate an endurance drive next year into
the schedule and I hope we manage to achieve it...that is one of Nelson's dreams
and he deserves to see it come to fruition. We had several people express
an interest in a local club so we'll see what happens. :)
I still have one or two rides in mind to finish out the
year but even if I didn't ride again this year, I feel so blessed to have
achieved what I feel is the best honor with my best horse. :)
Maggie
(P.S. BC was a beautiful hay bale bag embroidered
with the ride name and award on it... I love it. And no, I am NOT sleeping
in it though it has been suggested I should try to...it is big enough I might
fit in it!).
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