Sandy Terp and Mary Nelson deserve special thanks for taking on the
awesome task of recorders. Sandy's Mom did the food booth, Jeff & Bridget
Brickson did multiple tasks including timing and walking trail to adjust
some downed trail markers, Nancy Wombacher did P&R's along with a slew of
other folk, Greg Senseney scored. I was out on trail doing
water/gatorade/carrots with a
delightful teenager (Lynnette) so I'm not even sure who all was there.
But a BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!!
Nick Kohut, DVM did a splendid job as did our lay judge Patty Lambert.
We extended the ride time on a hunch that the predicted "cooler" day might
prove to be otherwise. We got the group off at 7:10 under humid, partly
cloudy skies. When I met the riders at 7 miles, the horses looked great
and I was thinking, "Maybe I didn't need to extend that time" (it's an
easy course)---but by 9:30 the full sun hit and it got hot very fast. At
the 3-to-go I was handing out gallons of water and gatorade and everyone
definitely looked a bit bedraggled.
We went through 1000 (yes, that's right) gallons of water at base camp!
Other than 2 pulls (rider option), everyone got through the ride in good
shape.
We had some glitches--a few riders (one a novice, the others intermittent
competitors) got lost, one fairly badly (but she came in within the time
limit and got a completion). There was a huge bunching at midway with
the vet/recorders unable to hasten riders from the P&R area to the trot
out ring. Dawdling was a major problem (heat related perhaps?).
One thing we had was more pizza than the state of Maine could consume in
one sitting! I mean, 14 BOXES more! I was tempted to hand out pizza as
awards but instead just offered it to our departing guests--only one box
made it to my fridge.
We still need to find a viable way to mark the Horse Park trails for
special events. All our trails are permanently marked and are used by
Hunter Paces, Point-to-points, events, pony Clubs, etc. Interestingly
enough it is only the CTR riders who have trouble making it around the
course-a fact that I am constantly reminded of by other users of the Park!
There is only so much you can do with 750 acres, criss-crossed with
trails, all marked for multiple use. The challenge on this course is to
keep "heads-up" and concentrate on finding the markers (almost all
visible from one marker to another).
I think everyone had a good time. Kevin and I are pooped. Someday I'll
detail just how much time and money goes into putting on a CTR/endurance
ride. I think it might prove to be an eye-opener!
Hope to be back out on trail in July! Looking to go to Denver Aug. 3-12,
do a little touring, visit my friend's ranch near Laramie. No horses, no
Odie, no cats....just me, Kevin and our cameras.
Diane @ Safe Haven