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[RC] Joining Paul for Mongolian Crow - haulnoatsPaul: I will also be prepared to eat my words and share some crow with you if indeed the Mongol Derby proves that those of us who were opposed were wrong. Ridecamp: Below is the latest update off of the MONGOL DEBY ADVENTURIST Website. Even though the front riders are "streaking through the course much faster than expected", the Adventurists website says that out of the 350 horses used so far, only ONE horse had failed to pulse down to 64. Damn! I AM impressed. Only 1 out of 350 horses didn't pulse to 64?! No lameness issues were mentioned nor metabolic issues and the front runners are still going a lot faster than expected. If this is true, then it sure beats hell out of other AERC rides.If you were to choose any random "AERC ride results" from several rides till you have 350 horses participating and not have even one lamenes, then geeze these riders are putting us to shame.
"After five gruelling days on the steppe the 23 riders left in the Mongol Derby, the world's longest, toughest horse race, are making splendid progress. Two riders, Charles van Wyck, 28, of South Africa, and Shiravsamboo Galbadrakh, 28, of Mongolia are streaking ahead of the field and are on course to complete the near 1000 kilometre course by Saturday. The rest of the field are spread in their wake, with three riders, David Coddington, Jock Munro and Carina Oliver taking the adventure at a leisurely pace at the rear of the field. There is a two-week limit for the Derby but the riders are set to complete the course much faster than anticipated despite the long hours in the saddle, harsh elements and rough terrain. Unfortunately, two riders capitulated on the second day and had to retire from proceedings. Tolo Mestres of Spain took a fall and was rushed to UB by Prometheus medical for a back X ray. Although not seriously injured, he is sadly unable to carry on, much to his dismay. Martin Asplund of Sweden also had to retire on the second day after a fall left him with concussion. The six mobile veterinary teams, made up of teams of Mongolian, British, New Zealand and South African vets, have been doing a sterling job checking every single horse in and out of each Morin Urtuu (horse station). They have been extremely impressed with the fitness of the horses and only one out of the 350 horses used so far has come in with a heart rate exceeding the permitted 64. They have also been kept busy treating an array of local goats, cattle and horses. Last night 10 of the riders met at Urtuu 11, the half way point, for an impromptu half way party, with much singing of Mongolian folk songs and merriment ensuing. Dave Murray of New Zealand admitted to feeling 'depressed' at the thought of the looming finish, so much was he enjoying it. This was soon after he had performed the Haka, in his tights, to the assembled crowd. Katy Willings and Will Kemble-Clarkson also entertained everyone with rousing songs. No doubt more celebrations shall follow at the finish line.The Mongol Derby is taking place across the wild open steppe of Mongolia ? the perfect location for this incredible adventure, but also rather tricky for more regular updates from the field. As soon as we have more from the riders we will post another update." There were 15 horses that died at the Mongolian Naadam Festival Race back in July that were just "swept under the rug" and not mentioned in the general media. (but reported on first hand, from U.S. visitors to the festival who are in the endurance distance riding world.) The world wasn't watching THAT ride and reporting like on this one, so I am hoping that the vet reports are really as good as the Adventurists say. Sure each horse is only going 25 miles or so, but we all know that you can even kill a horse going so few miles if ridden too hard. Granted, this report IS coming from the Adventurists own website, but I haven't been able to find any conflicting reports from Longriders Guild or Horse & Hound. I was another person who was opposed to this ride and I am following it so far with my fingers crossed and my best thoughts going out to the horses AND the riders.I hope that there is some unbiased media watching this event so we get a full picture of how all these horses did. If they ARE doing so well, and indeed all of the horses come out healthy and sound, I will be one of those who will be joining Paul for some crow eating. I will also be biteing my lip in the future whenever I read about all the people loosing sleep and worrying themselves silly about nutrition, suppliments, silenium levels, shoeing, training, the necessity of newbie mentoring, correct saddle fit, worming regimines, prefered breed genetics, experience and conditioning debates that are always bantered about before. Being a relative newby myself, I have read and read every endurance & conditioning book I could find, asked questions out the wazoo, watched the pros, read the contents of feed bags, have had my dirt, and hay analyzed. I've paid buukuu bucks for special shoeing, bought 3 different heart rate monitors have spent much time doing fartleckts and conditioning. I guess I have taken this conditioning thing waaay too far and am WAAAY excited to think that I really dont NEED to spend 3/4 of my income on nutrition suppliments, beetpulp, or EZ boots and equiflex shoes anymore. Not really!, What I need to do is start importing Mongolian horse semen!
Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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