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[RC] Hillsdale Classic: New ride: - Douglas M GiffordHi! I guess I am feeling a little chatty so will write of this ride. I am usually a lurker and have been looking over about 250 e mails pertaining to horse deaths on this list. I will keep my observations on that to myself. This was a hilly and (to some semi tough) tough ride. I was privileged in the past to ride these trails on some CTR's that our local (MOTDRA) organization has put on. I knew it would be hilly and rocky for 15 miles and that at least 10 miles were fairly good going so I decided to take Casper on a 25 mile LD (training ride). Our goals were many. 1. Work on getting the horse to relax on trail and have energy left at the end of the ride. 2. Work on getting him to drink and eat well. 3. Work on my own equitation while riding as well as take care of him at vet checks. 4. Complete Notice I did not say WIN Before the ride I met Mary Kofod and we discussed riding together. She is bringing along a young colt that needs manners. She had brought a friend along to ride with but there was questions about Mary's other horse Saffron making the whole mileage due to scratches. Well we started together about mid pack about 8:00 am and continued to attack the hilly portion of the trail. There was a few close turns with knee knockers and sun in your face that definitely get your attention. The last 5 miles of the first loop I could tell it was getting to my horse so I backed off of the pace a little. As soon as Casper could feel (smell camp) we took off again. We came into the vet check and I could tell that Casper wanted a good roll. He was not going to take NO for an answer and would probably not come completely down until he could do so. I asked if we could go to the trailer and untack. I was allowed to do so. Upon getting his saddle off Casper rolled ( boy mom I was itchy ) and then I presented for pulse and vet check. He had an A- overall and we were released to continue after a 45 minute hold. When timing out for the second loop I discovered that Mary was waiting (even though she had pulsed down quicker) because her other horse Saffron had been pulled. The colt needed help getting out of camp. We were able to ride together for the 10 mile loop and it was great fun! Our horses had a kick butt good time on the relatively flat loop. They drank really well at a water tank supplied by management. We offered that water a second time (having to go a little off trail) after picking up a token and heading back to camp for the final vet check. When we got there we pulled saddles and called for time. We finished at 12:50 Of course Casper had to roll again! Dang Mom I am always itchy! Our ride time 4:05. We presented and finished with A- on scores and had a 52-48 CRI . I slowly took him to the trailer letting him eat grass on the way. Casper was ravenously hungry. After being tied up I observed him take a 15 minute nap and then proceed to chow down on his hay and feed. I would have to say my goals were met. Mary and I finished 13th and 14th out of 36 LD riders. (of which 7 were pulled) We had 19 50 milers of which 2 were pulled (one for a puncture wound?might have been one of the 25s not sure) I would like to thank Laura Marshall for putting on this ride! The weather was great! The volunteers were great. The pulse people were great! The ride was well marked! Come join us for some beautiful scenery! Pat in Kansas =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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