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[RC] Tevis... to finish is to win - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: Char Antuzzi Char.antuzzi@xxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== I in my heart have finished Tevis twice. Last year, I came in at 3:18am and I got my buckle. What a story I and Bobbie Pomroy can tell. Two gals riding for loved ones taken with cancer. I was thrilled beyond belief for both of us and our families. The year prior (2004) I won my entry to Tevis. It was at the AERC Convention that Julie drew my name out of a bucket. I was entered in Tevis a entry that I had won. I had a few months to prepare. I went into Tevis with a "what have I got to lose attitude". I said I'd get as far as I could. I go as far as Sir Galahad wanted to go. I wouldn't push him. I'd let he tell me when he'd had enough. I started that Tevis full of doupt. How on earth could I get through Tevis, with only a few months to prepare for such a ride. I rode that ride as conservative as I could, always keeping an eye on my wonderful horse. We rode vet check to vet check, mile to mile. Just seeing how far I could get down that trail. We crossed that finish line at 5:38am. We made it through all the heat, the cold, the dust, the start, the night and yes 100 miles of Tevis trail. I knew in my heart I was riding the clock to the limit. But my horse deserved to cross that finish line with respect. He went all day long with no complaints. There was no way I was going to ask him for more then what he gave. He carried me safe all day long, through darkness, on trail he'd never seen before. We finished 15 minuets past the cut off. We crossed the staging area finish line, tears in my eyes. In my heart we finished... we rode that 100 miles just a tad slower then we needed. Sometimes you learn more about yourself, your horse, your grit, your humor from the rides you don't finish rather then the ones you do finish. My "failure" to finish Tevis one year, is what brought me to getting my buckle, making new friends and learning more about myself and the great horse I ride last year. You can ride a 100 mile ride. All you need is the desire to get you across that finish line. Here is hoping to see you all out on Tevis this year. Char and Sir Galahad (Wait just a second, I've got to ride Tevis again!) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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