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Re: [RC] Nervous or Crazy(Tevis start) - Jonni----- Original Message ----- From: "Dyane Smith" > But, Barbara, truthfully isn't the scariest part of Tevis, the start? Dyane (who has never done Tevis, envies the Cougar Rock photos, but thinks there has to be a way to get one without actually starting Tevis)<<< Well, imagine from 200, to 250 horses, all taking off at once...hehehe Actually, the past few years at least, they have had 3 groups. Those who want to push for up front, be competitive etc., in the first group. They all gather on the big wide dirt road up further than the rest. Then those who are middle of the pack riders, who expect to ride not really fast, but not dilly dally along. The gather on the road, back behind that first group. Then, the 3rd group are those who ride just to finish. The gather back further behind that 2nd group. Within those groups, riders kind of place themselves where they feel is the best for them. I was lucky that as we stood and waited, all the horses around me, and my own horse, were really, really calm. We just stood there, and watched the moon setting, knowing it would be coming up again for us in some 18 hours. It is actually very peaceful, as everyone is deep in their own thoughts. Then, at 5:15AM, all groups start down the trail. You have a very wide dirt road for a bit, then a jeep road, then single track. Some immediate downhill. I quickly observe what horses around me might be trouble,and acting bad, and get away from them. You better be ready to trot out, as it does not take long before everyone is moving along. Lots of dust, but if you just let your horse get in that steady trot, and be aware of those horses around you, it was really not that bad in my opinion. I'm sure those who have ridden it more, might have different views of the start, and maybe I have just been lucky. And yes Dyane, you can ride to Cougar Rock, have a friend take a camera, and take a photo of you going up it. But I bet it won't have the same meaning to you as it would if you entered the actual ride. <wink> Jonni =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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