[RC] American River 30/50/70 from a crew's viewpoint - Ranelle Rubin
AR went off pretty well this year. RM Paul Klentos did a great job of organizing the volunteers! He involved local 4H Equestrian groups so the kids got to experience our world as well.
He did an even better job at the ride meeting Friday night of going over last year's stats. He pointed out that there were very few pulls in the 30 mile distance, and there was an unusually high rate of pulls in the 50, with 80% of them at the 30 mile point (same trail). He pointed out that many of the 30 milers were riding non-Arabs, so those riders with fit Arabs should be doing even better..point was: SLOW DOWN. As a spectator, I feel folks did exactly that.
It is a tough ride this early in the season, with alot more technical trail than most are used to. Technical trail, as Melissa Ribley DVM pointed out so well, really takes alot out of a horse. It was nice to hear the two ladies we crewed for from out of the area appreciate the beauty of a trail we sometimes take for granted.
We were at all three vet checks, and saw only a few horses in any distress..none treated invasively, which made this "bleeding heart" happy. We ended up crewing for 4 horses, three who were together most of the day, and one who was much faster. We also ended up assisting many who's crew were AWOL. This is a ride where a crew is a very nice thing to have, especially to move your rig to Auburn. I would advise anyone to arrange that ahead of time if possible in the future. Being tired at the end of the day and looking for someone willing to do that when they are tired too is not exactly the best situation.
Kudos to all the finishers, and even to those who did not finish..ride on!
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. ~ John Wayne
