[RC] My OD...sometimes the bear gets you Part 2 - Laura Hayes
After speaking with Lynn Gilbert who won the OD
riding Calvary a few years ago, and showing her my check list, I was very
confident that I had it covered- food for the horse, food for me, a few
emergency times, and a few comfort items. I had the fishing vest with the
pockets, the front pack, the cantle pack, the water bottles, the ASPIRIN, the
toilet paper....all the important things!
Even though the weather was brutally hot and muggy,
and I had gotten a sunburn the day before, I was mentally prepared to deal with
it, and physically ready with the items that would help me - mainly a sponge,
sunscreen, and plenty of water to drink. I had a plan to meter out my food
during the day, and to feed myself on the trail where we were
forced to walk, and to take specific care of ET in the checks when she would
have a chance to eat and relax.
I am sure I was more ready than I have ever been,
both physically on ETs part, and mentally on mine.
We started out in last place. The start of
the OD is down a paved road and with ETs usual 'airs above the ground'
antics at the start and my fear of slipping on the pavement, I hand walked
out of camp and down the road. As I went by, Art King did mention to
me that it was ok to ride, and my husband commented that I should keep all six
of our feet on the down side! I mounted up and took off when there were no
more horses in sight.
ET was more mannerly and quiet than she had ever been at a ride start
and that immediately had me worried! But when she grabbed at the carrot I
offered, I knew she felt ok, and off we started up the first mountain. She
was great!!!! I was so pleased with her attitude and felt sure we were on
the course to success. We crossed the Shenandoah without mishap--she loves
to roll in water and I was worried about staying up over a 1/4 mile of the
stuff, but she was great and forged ahead steadily. The mountains were
waking up and the low pockets of mist, the birds in the trees, the incredible
view from the second climb and along the ridge, had me in the perfect frame of
mind. ET went along in a workman-like fashion and we gained on and passed
two 100 milers before the 20 mile mark.
A few miles before the long decent into the first check, which
was at 20 something miles, while wearing wild rhodedenran flowers in our
helmet and bridle, a group of the 75 milers raced past me on some rocks and ET
pranced and fussed, stumbling some. From there is was a very rocky
downhill and then smoother into the first stop for the 100 milers. I got
off when we got to the road and ran the last mile into the check confident that
we were in great shape and would be able to remain at a consistent pace over the
mountains to come.
Laura Hayes Vine Cliff Farms Brocton,
NY AERC# 2741
