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Please Reply to: Susan Horne esteme@xxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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I, too, was at the Big Horn this year. It was my 4th adventure up and down this 
incredibly beautiful trail. I rode and completed it the first three times on Tu 
Desireous (Desi), my little chestnut mare, the first time with a dear friend 
Marsha Barney, the second time alone and without crew, and the third time with 
Jocelyn Stott, a first-time Big Horn rider. And this year I rode with my 
husband Dan on his first Big Horn (the Big Horn is the only ride I?ve done 
where the 50?s and 100?s start together) on two of our home-bred geldings for 
the first 50 miles. How special it was to see it through his eyes!

Dan is new to endurance riding and has heard my stories of the Adelaide Trail, 
Boulder Basin, Shag Nasty Trail, and the meadows filled with wild flowers, and 
now that he has experienced them from Asi?s back, he believes them. He kept 
saying, "Look at that!", and "I had no idea!" over and over! After Dan and Asi 
completed their 50 mile ride, our wonderful crew person Judi Page took over 
Asi?s care and got him back to camp. Kavod and I continued on to complete the 
last 50 miles, and Dan took over the crewing responsibilities, adding that next 
year he plans to ride the Big Horn as his first 100 mile ride.

Kavod and I rode the last 50 miles with Janet Fredrickson and Joe Long, as Dan 
crewed for me and for them when they were missing crew. We all shared the 
beauty of the high mountain meadows, the deep canyons, and the final stretch of 
desert terrain together, experiencing the thrill of finishing on horses that 
looked great and who had exhibited so much heart, spirit, and strength. The 
only whining Kavod did the entire day was when we reached the last 6 miles, and 
there was nothing to eat on the trail. For three miles I coaxed and prodded him 
on as his nose swept the ground searching for anything to eat. I assured him 
camp was close. When we reached the point to which we had pre-ridden the trail, 
he smelled home and took off. My only problem was getting back on him after I 
opened and closed the final gate, as he did laps around me. As we finished I 
told Kavod he?d earned his buckle. He said, "Where?s my food?"

I can?t say enough about the people who work so hard to make this ride happen. 
They face challenges from the terrain, the weather, the cattle and elk who love 
to eat trail markers, and the small pool of volunteers, and do it all with a 
smile and enduring good humor. 80-year-old Tom Van Gelder still marks trail on 
foot, and his son motorcycles in from Iowa to help him. Jeanette Tolman is the 
ride manager, and also finds time to bake the best pies around and make sure 
all of us are well-fed the night before and the morning after. Trail master 
Cindy Collins and her husband Keith gave us beautifully marked trail and a 
detailed trail description that helped everyone. As anyone who reads Ridecamp 
knows, Cindy is also the chief cheerleader for the Big Horn! And where else can 
you have fresh caught trout as a snack at a vet check, compliments of Vet Mel 
Fillerup? As we went to Dirty Annie?s in the town of Shell and to the Sugar 
Shack in Greybull, the local residents asked us about ourselves, why we came, 
and where we came from, and then wished us well on the ride.

I have done many 100?s, but none have the allure of the Big Horn. Some might 
say it is because I?m from Colorado, and I have a prejudice for my Mountain 
Region. That may well play a part, but the pull to return again and again comes 
from the challenge of riding your horse thoughtfully and well on that 100 mile 
loop through the Big Horn Mountains, the possibility (and twice the reality!) 
of seeing one or more bull moose, the warmth and friendliness of the people who 
put this on, the opportunity to share the trail with endurance riders from 
across the country, and somehow feeling I am riding endurance in its original 
state. All 100 mile rides have their individual character, all have their 
special challenges that make them unique, and all have their proponents. I have 
enjoyed many of them across this country and hope to ride and enjoy many more 
of them in the future.

But, quite simply, the Big Horn 100 owns my heart. Thanks to all of you who put 
on this incredible ride.

Susan Horne
Franktown, CO


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