Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Good morning Ridecampers;

This morning when I went out to the mailbox there was an envelope from the 
Washoe Valley Ride. To my surprise they had not only returned my precious 
vetcard, but with it came a results list for both days, and a nice postcard 
from the company who made my top ten champagne glass.

I did not write earlier about this ride. In doing so, I missed an 
opportunity to let all of you know what a great job Connie and all her 
Nevada All State Trail Riders do putting this on. If you have not been to 
this ride, I encourage you to do so. It is a wonderfully run ride, with a 
well thought out trail, and tons of support.

My personal story about the ride has mostly to do with what I learned about 
my horse. He amazed me for how tough he is, frustrated me because he wanted 
to go too fast, and spooked me to the ground at 45 miles. Even after waiting 
for me to get back on, he carried me to a 10th place finish..with 95% A's on 
his vet card.

Those of you who have brought along a great horse in this sport will 
understand the overwhelming sense of awe when you realize just how special a 
horse you have found. One thing I want to convey here is to really pay 
attention to the changes in a young horse as you bring it along.

A year ago, I sensed that something was not quite right with this horse. So, 
I slowed down, quit worrying about getting him to a ride and headed down a 
path of discovery. This path led to chiropractic adjustments, a treeless 
saddle, and then holding off all summer on competing because my instincts 
told me to let him mature and grow strong now that he was traveling 
balanced.

It payed off. We rode long and slow all summer on the Tevis trail. In 
October we did a tough 50 and rode middle of the pack. Then we did a 2-day 
100. The record will show he went fast those days (11th and 4th). It did not 
feel like it. We started out after the front runners and passed most of them 
up on the hills and in the vet checks. He was steady and strong with 
unbelivable recoveries.

We didn't have much rain this year, so the choice between skiing and riding 
was easy. He kept going over the winter and did another 2-day 100 in Feb. We 
rode mid pack both days..just wanted to finish.

When Washoe came, he was loaded for bear. I could feel it the moment I got 
on him. He was under control, but more forward than I had ever felt him. I 
rode him away from the start, and headed up the hill behind at least 75% of 
the riders. He climbed that hill like it was not there. He stayed in a trot, 
but a power trot it was.

One by one we passed riders. He came in at criteria at each vet check, we 
left on time, and to my absolute amazement, we were in top ten at the 35 
mile water stop. I had no idea we had left the last vet check in 17th place. 
We left the water stop in 8th place and stayed there until he spooked at 
something along the only fence on the ride..Matt Mederos was kind enough to 
help me back on (even though I am sure he had doubts he should have) as we 
watched the 9th and 10th place riders go by..(they asked if I was ok..not to 
worry).

We cruised through the 46 mile vet check (I had a funny looking huge lump of 
ice tucked inside my tights to ice my right hip) and then went out for the 
last loop of 4 miles along the lake. The three of us who were 8-10th place 
agreed to walk the deep sand and not try to compete against each other as 
there was no one close behind us-(Thank you Tom Christofk for suggesting we 
do so). When we emerged from the sand dunes onto the road, it was an easy 
canter into the finish.

So, folks, listen to your horse, seek out advice, listen to the advice, seek 
out more advice, listen again...the list goes on. I have learned more about 
this sport and bringing a young horse along in the last 12 months than I can 
even tell you. And I feel sometimes like I know nothing!

This last weekend we rode from Robinson Flat to Foresthill on the Tevis 
trail. Our chiropractor (he takes care of us both) was behind us for part of 
the way, and said he looks good. He said he is amazed at how many times he 
is behind a horse he knows needs help.

Ranelle Rubin and MMF Felarof (aka Fellow)

Tevis bound...

R.Rubin Consulting
Independent Dynamite Representative
raneller@xxxxxxx
888-815-1126 toll fre
916-663-4140 office
916-718-2427 cellular
916-848-3662 fax



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