Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Okay, so I decided I'd just write one letter to tell about Doimas' exploits at Color Country. In brief we entered all three days and completed same.  I'm very excited and proud of the BEASTIE.

Of course, I loaded up the trailer and suburban and brought everything imaginable for Doimas.  Things for me was a different story.  I did manage to bring the essentials, like clothes, sleeping bag, air mattress, etc.; but the food dept was a bit lax. I lived on graham crackers, peanut butter and granola bars for five days.  Not that I minded so much, it was could for the old waistline.  Thanks go out to Sabrina and Lynn for feeding me dinner Friday night. Lasagna.  And it was goooooood!

We did the caravan trip from I-17 & Carefree with Sabrina, Lynn and Kristin. Up thru Flagstaff and over the mountains past Jacob Lake. Beautiful scenery....even snow plastered against the trees.  

The first day Sabrina, Lynn & I rode out and completed the two loops with no problems. Doimas was a bit of a pain, but what else is new. He gets very excited when he spies horses ahead of us or people pass us.  Thinks we need to catch up and PASS. NOW!  And won't take no for an answer, so we fight alot.

Second day, Doimas was worse. We got to the cow tanks just after leaving base camp. A woman was having a problem with her horse and was lunging it in circles when we approached. Lynn was coming up alongside Doimas' right on Patch. Doimas swung fast with the butt toward her horse, Patch bolted forward and Sabrina's guy, Hilander, broke in two.  I swear, we could have entered them in a rodeo. Sabrina hung in there for several bucks, but Hilander wasn't giving up til he unloaded her.  I mean, that boy was BUCKING!  Fortunately, Sabrina missed the barbed wire fence by about a foot and only her glove caught the barbs as she landed.

We got everyone situated and headed out.  Doimas was horrible.  Fighting with me and trying to take off to catch the horses ahead. And everytime someone passed, he got worse. We came back to Base for the vet check and Sabrina & Lynn decided to wait an extra 20 minutes and give Doimas time to go it alone. Can't blame 'em for that.  Hilander was definately feeding off Doimas and needed to get back to reality with his buddy, Patch.

Doimas & I started out alone. He kept swinging his head around and screaming for his "friends"; and I told him he was such a jerk nobody wanted to ride with him.  We did really well until Bruce Weary and his group caught us. I missed the turn and they took the lead. Of course, Doimas went ballistic. And, of course, it was just as we entered an area that was narrow and extremely rocky. Doimas was in a frenzy, trying to catch up with Bruce's group, and running sideways over the rocks which nearly gave me a heart attack.  Don't know how he missed tearing a hoof off in amongst the rocks, but we somehow survived, even though he kept trying to gallop to catch up.  I managed to keep him at a trot, be it sideways, and when we eventually came to a clearing, we could see Bruce and company watering at the first water tank.  I made knucklehead wait until they were finished before heading down the hill.  We met a cow at the tank and it didn't care that Doimas was pinning his ears and continued drinking. I was so involved watching Doimas and the cow, that when I looked up, Weary and company had disappeared. 

Now, I knew there were no ribbons (or very few) from the meeting the night before. The cows had eaten them. We were to follow a cow trail and go somewhere???  That's me with directions.  So we wandered across the open field, looking for tracks. I found the trail, lost it, found it, lost it....you get the idea. Finally, figured we were screwing up somewhere and followed the dirt road a ways. Now I knew were were off the trail, so I figured we should climb a hill and get our bearings. Hah!  Me?  Bearings?  Climbed one hill only to find a taller hill blocking our view. To make a long story short, we headed down this one road and eventually came to the top of a hill overlooking a beautiful lake.  Hmmmm.  Lake?  Now, I knew we weren't supposed to be anywhere near a lake. I'm getting a bit frustrated now and Doimas is tired of turning around, going one way, then turning around again.  He is not very appreciative of my sense of direction.

We head back toward the water tank.  As we get to a crossroads where I can see the water tank far below, I see horsemen approaching the water.  Doimas and I take off at a lope down the hill(s) to the cowtank and attach ourselves to some 50 milers who were very good sports and got us on the right trail.  One woman had bells on her gray arab, but I never got their names.  I really appreciated all their help. Thank you for getting me on the right trail back to camp.  It seems Doimas and I were between the ribbons. Sometimes above them; sometimes below. 

The lake was pretty anyhow.

We completed the second day. Cruised in with Carla Richardson and had a wonderful time.

Third day I'm alone since Sabrina and Lynn left for home.  Doimas attaches himself to Wendy and friend while crossing the rocks on the first loop and we stay with them all the way back to the vet check.  I intentionally waited for them to leave ahead of us, deciding Doimas and I needed "quality time" alone.  He was very unhappy with the situation and screamed and fought me for over an hour, doing the yanking the head down, dancing sideways, running in place, you name it.  In the process of arguing with him, I managed to lose my sponge and collapsible water bucket. He is beating me up badly and I am reaching for my stirrups and wondering why they had been fine for two and a half days and now I keep straining for them. Have my legs gotten shorter?  Did I forget how to ride because I'm tired?  

Two 50 milers catch up with all my stuff and give me back the sponge and bucket. Thank you!!!!  Then the woman tells me I'm leaning to one side (yeah, I know - Doimas gets me all discomboobulated with his running sideways) and my stirrups are too long. When I tell her I shortened them prior to the ride, she explains the nylon/leather stretches with the heat and moisture. Duh!  Well, we all learn something new, right?  Since I have ziptied the stirrups in place, there's not much I can (or want) to do about them right now. The 50's part company at the next turn and I continue into base camp.

Okay.  So we are getting close.  Doimas has finally calmed down and is giving the trail his full attention and actually listening to me.  We are having a wonderful time and I am expounding to him what a good boy he is.....

Base Camp is in sight.  We are on a lovely, loamy dirt track.  Excellent footing.  The trail starts to wind downhill over rolling hills.  I let Doimas break into a smooth, easy canter, and we are enjoying ourselves.  Camp is now about 1/25th of a mile away.  

Screech!  Doimas does the slam on brakes, jump to the right.  I go sailing over his head and land in a perfect back landing on the earth before him.  Of course, he stands there all big eyed, looking down at me in amazement.  I couldn't help but laugh and say," You just had to do it, didn't you.  Just had to get one last shot in."

Apparently so.  I got back on and we trotted into camp. He pulsed down fast and we were done!!!!  yay!  We did 3 days with only a few minor mishaps.  I was so excited and proud of my boy.  

50 miles.  Here we come.  I've already registered for Mt. Carmel.  Figured that would be a good start for the 50's.  Do the first day, take one off and maybe (hopefully) do the third.  I'm excited.

So, there you have it.  Our exciting adventure at Color Country.  I got to meet several people I've spoken to on the internet and that in itself was great. Carla and Don and Kristin and Karen.  Several more that I can't remember right off the top of my head; and alot of people who were just plain "THERE" for me.  I appreciated everyone's help and advice.  Thank you, Marian, for a wonderful ride and Dr. Dave "the Duck" for being there and your excellent advice. Thanks to all the people who worked so hard to put on such a great ride.  You'll see me next year for sure.

Next time?  Shorten my stirrups. That's a given.  I've already ordered a new girth with elastic on the ends. Doimas was swollen and sore from me constantly tightening his girth the last day while he was running sideways.  Dr. Dave says I need to use all four boots next time. He's right.  So Doimer will be wearing 4 Epics instead of two.  Oh! Yeah!  And I think I'll bring food for ME.

And the part about my dismount?  Well, apparently I twisted something in my upper leg around the groin region, 'cause for the last three days I could barely walk.  But I'm getting better and will be good as new by Mt. Carmel.

cindy edwards
buckeye, az