Valerie Kanavy was Trailmaster this year and changed part of the
trail in an effort to put in some soft footing mid-ride, perhaps
as a reward for getting through a climb (Heyburn's) that was
described by several riders as tougher than Sherman's Gap.
Nobody could say they weren't warned. At the pre-ride meeting,
Val really stressed that the new sections were deceptively tough.
She didn't know that close to 90 degree temps and over 90% humidity
would provide a knockout punch to 15 riders at Good's Landing
(V2,46mi.). Most were pulled there because they couldn't cool out
their horses and meet pulse parameters of 64 within 30 minutes.
Because of dificult access, no crews were allowed into the vet check.
This definitely hurt. A few of us drove over the mountain and gave
water to the first 13 riders a few miles from this check. Seven of
those were pulled there. Too fast for the heat and humidity?
Turned out that way for all but a few.
Matthew Mackay-Smith on Fred and Jeannie Waldron riding TF Red Rambo
came into Heishman's (V3,59mi.) together and stayed close the
rest of the way. They finished to the cheers of a large crowd at
about 11:45 PM. Unfortunately, Jeannie failed to complete as Rambo
didn't pass the soundness criteria at the finish. Matthew won
riding Cavalry and claimed later to have survived on fig newtons
and weak gatorade. Fred survived by munching the good grass at most
checks, seemingly oblivious to all around him.
Debbie and Stoney came into V3 and recovered immediately with a
60/56 CRI. Of course, the mid-afternoon deluge may have had
something to do with that. Having somehow left our rain gear
back at base camp, Beth Ann (our 10yr.old) and I were soaked
and miserable. Oh,well at least we had lots of company.
Cindy Simcox and her horse Christopher were moving strongly all
day. They would end up finishing 2nd and winning the Old Dominion
Trophy. This is presented to the top ten rider with the best
vet score at an examination and trot out on Sunday morning.
For us, the moment of truth came at Jones (V4,68mi.) The previous
stretch, which earlier in the day had been nicely bushogged fields,
had been turned boggy by the thunderstorm. Stoney recovered to 64
within 5 minutes, ate, pee'd and had all A's except for mucous
membranes. If the CRI had not been done here ( as it was at all
OD checks), he would have probably passed and gone on to Sherman's
Gap with no gas in the tank. His CRI was 64/68 and Jim Baldwin
asked that we come back later for a recheck before leaving.
20 minutes later, it was 64/72. This and a few other signs Jim
pointed out to us (flaring nostrils, red-brick colored gums near
the teeth) told us all we needed to know. He had given us all he
had. 45 minutes later as he was getting on the trailer back to camp,
he was down to 52 and looking brighter. Today, he was running
his Shetland pony buddy around the field. You can't feel bad when you
know that you're making the best decision for your horse.
We think most problems arose because this was the first real humid
weather we've had and the horses hadn't had a chance to train in it.
Perhaps others who were there have some additional or different ideas.
The rest of the top ten (and only) finishers deserve all the credit in
the world. They were (in approx.order) Kathy Downs,Meg Sleeper(finished
100 miler two weeks earlier on same horse),Judy Van Meter (Diamond
Riffizar),Mandy Brandell,Lori Hayworth (1st 100 mile ride),Carlos
Crespo and Betty Baird. Apologies to the one person I'm forgetting.
As always, the vet staff was awesome,this year headed by Don Kiefer.
We didn't finish,but in a sense we won,because before long we'll
be back to try again.
Pete LaBerge and (not necessarily the opinions of) Debbie and Stoney