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[RC] Arabian Nights - Steph TeeterWell, this was a tougher ride, a tougher day than 2005. Much hotter, and the trail was a little more difficult. Still fast winning time (9 hours - an hour slower than last year) - but a lot of pulls, over 50% of starters, both lameness and metabolic. The heat really makes a difference. The trail was somewhat rockier than last year, but not that much different. I think when it's really hot everything takes on different proportions. I also think a lot of folks figured it would be an easy ride, and went out pretty fast, maybe faster then the day could support. I pulled at 37 miles, sore footed horse. Jeziret's first lameness pull (except for the rocky mountain ride 6 weeks ago where we lost a shoe and had to walk in 12 miles - maybe a connection there...). Metabolically he was really good - probably the best shape he's been in. Such is life... such is our sport! Danielle's winning and BC horse, Flash Flame, was incredible. She moves like a deer - looks like a deer - and Sunday morning was still light and springy. Very impressive. All of the top ten horses showing for BC looked good actually - the vet scores were all high, and quite close. With almost 60 starters, over 40 FEI starts, and 30+ WEG nominees - a very competitive field, this was as close to a championship level test as it comes. And after observing the quality of the horses that finished up front, I'm thinking we're looking good for the 2006 WEG. We're all still in recovery mode, but will try to get some more photos and comments out later this week. Steph =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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