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Re: [RC] [RC] ? LA Gumbo ride - RDCARRIE

In a message dated 3/2/2005 3:26:14 PM Eastern Standard Time, Tracey Smith 
<tracey.smith@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:


I rode a CTR last year on the exact same trails where the Louisiana Gumbo 
endurance ride is held and could not believe anyone would want to do the 
trails at a faster speed as you'd need to for endurance! ?It was my younger 
mare's first CTR and several times we had "holes" as you mention open up under 
us...suddenly I'd just feel her rear or front end sink...can't imagine what 
kind of wreck I could have had if we'd been going faster!!!

The terrain was gorgeous (I love E. Texas and Louisiana...anywhere with piney 
woods) but you really had to be on the lookout. ?Riders would shout out "hole 
on the right" or "hole on the left" when they could...but sometimes they 
opened up under you....with no warning.


We did the Gumbo ride this year (just the 25, as hubby and I were riding new 
horses).  My horse hit one hole, but no major incident.  We were pretty much 
able to see them all in time to avoid them.  There were 4 of us riding 
together, and the lead person had the responsibility of calling out where a 
hole was, and everyone would pass it back along the line.  We even cantered the 
last 5 or 6 miles of the ride as we were running up against the clock after 
stopping to help a 55 miler whose horse bolted with her - she came off and 
broke her wrist. :(  The trails definitely kept one on one's toes, but we had a 
blast, and will definitely be back next year - hopefully doing the 55.  :)  The 
forest was so pretty, having recently had a controlled burn done and the new 
green grass just starting to sprout.

If you like the Piney Woods, but don't like holes, come on over to Huntsville 
at the end of April and do our ride (Coontrail Caper).  Piney woods, sandy 
soil, nice trails, and no holes!  :)

Dawn Carrie

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