Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Many Thanks

There are so many people that contributed to our first 100 mile
completion. I will try to remember everybody, but if I forget
somebody, please, please accept my apologies.

These are in no particular order, except the first one is paramount.

God blessed so much. First our accident back in July that broke my
left ankle and left thumb. I thought our chances were gone right
there. But God blessed and healed and I was able to be on a horse
again by September, albeit at a walk. God continued to bless and
things went right to allow us to make our attempt. God continued to be
there through it all. I was so worried and focused on the ride that
about 10 days before the ride, I had to just pray and give it to God.
I was holding it back and it was mine. But all things are God's and if
it wasn't God's will for me to do this ride or to not complete, then
so be it. Not my will, but His. Such peace when I let that go. And God
rewarded with success. Praise God.

Daniel, my husband. I could not have contemplated doing this without
him. He has been supportive (enabling?) of my entire endurance career
(addiction?) and he was all on board to assist me in the 100. It meant
he would have to put down the camera and crew for me, but he willingly
did it. We spent so much money to get the tack just right, the shoeing
just right and to get us there (not to mention the hefty entry fee).
He had to put up with my non-stop chatter about the ride and the plans
and the repeated instructions on how to do the trot-outs. I'm sure he
was relieved that we drove different vehicles to the ride. He got some
peace for a few hours! LOL. But seriously, I could not have and would
not have tried this without him. He is a wonderful husband and crew
and I thank him very much.

Angie Fura. She is a great endurance buddy. She was very supportive
and encouraging. Telling me that I could do this. Helping me plan my
ride strategy and my meals and encouraging me through my recovery. She
gave me the idea to keep Tanna fit by putting him in the round pen
twice a week, even when I was non-weight-bearing. So I hopped on my
trusty riding lawn mower and proceeded to round pen my horse. She also
did so many little encouraging emails and phone calls that I can't
even count. And Tanna was proudly wearing a small balance "charm" that
Angie made for his bridle. Thanks, Angie!

Amy Whelan. Lots of email support and encouraging me from the moment
she knew that the 100 was on Thursday and that I was interested in
trying it. Also, the small matter of managing the ride and all the
hosts of details. And keeping me upright during that last vet check
while Tanna was being vetted!

Roger Barrett. Definitely one of my mentors and a great endurance pal.
One of the most encouraging things he said to me 2 weeks before the
ride. I was expressing concern about riding balanced to avoid hurting
my horse over the course of 100 miles. He glanced at me and said, you
don't weigh enough to hurt your horse by being off-balance! That
really put to rest one of my fears. I did concentrate on my form
during the ride, but no longer worried about it. (Not to mention a
nice ego boost. ;-))

Eva de Paulis. Another one of my endurance pals and mentors. I can't
count the emails and conversations we've had about horses in general
and her unwavering faith that I could do this was very inspiring.

Debra and Ted LaComette. Thanks for the peanut m&ms. Thanks for being
there and giving me support. When I got sick in the vet check, Ted
miraculously appeared and the fact that Debra had to deal with similar
issues on her 100s made me think, I can do it, too! So thanks for
support you might not have known you gave.

All my other Middle TN endurance pals. I'm sure you all thought I was
crazy. Maybe I was, but thanks for the support and all the training
rides through the years. (Good grief, sounds like I'm dying or
retiring or something!!!)

Tamra Schoech. Tamra was such a great help! She was a good crew mentor
for Daniel and I know neither of us knew what to do when I got sick.
But Tamra was right there, knowing what to do and what to say. I don't
think it even entered her mind that I would quit, although it
certainly did mine. I'm glad I didn't have to. She and Daniel were
always right there as soon as Joe and I came off trail. Ready to help
and take care of horse and rider.

Joe Schoech. Thanks so much for the phone call just after my accident.
Thanks for the offer to go first in the dark and the encouragement
that I'd have company if I made it to Nationals. You have no idea how
much that meant to me and how motivating that was at a time when I
thought I'd blown my chance to ride the 100. I always enjoy our
endurance adventures together. Thank you for being there for this one.
I'm so happy to have been a part of Kit's first 100, as well. Tanna
and Kit get along well (when they're not scheming together!) and I
know Tanna was very happy to always have Kit for company and I was
happy to have your company.

Ride management, vets and the countless volunteers. None of it could
happen without all of you. I know many of you from other rides and was
thrilled to have so many people I know and respect at the ride pulling
for me and rooting for me.

And last, but not least, my Tanna. What a good horse he is! He's my
buddy and my constant companion in my endurance adventures. He never
said no. Never quit on me. Always ready to go out again and eager to
see what's down the trail. He unquestioningly and uncomplainingly
carried me up and down hills all day and most of the night. And came
out looking great. I'm in awe of his heart and athleticism and can't
wait to ride again. Of course, he gets a very well-deserved rest for
the next month. But I'm grateful to him for being my pal.

One final note: To the ones who bet against me and my horse, I'm happy
you lost! :-P

The End.

April
Nashville, TN
http://endurancerider.blogspot.com

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=