It was a beautifully managed by Diane Potts and hosted by Robby Doll on his
very pretty farm. Robby was Diane's right hand man through all of the
organization and had those pretty trails looking great! They were expertly
marked, I might add! You'd have had to be a dummy (and I'm direction
illiterate) to get lost on this one!
For first timers, whether a very first 25 or moving a horse up to a first 50,
it was an excellent choice. No big surprises, nicely rolling hills (no
steeps) through gorgeous Kentucky Arabian horse country. Friendly and
helpful volunteers were placed at strategic places along the trail to make
sure everyone was doing "o.k." We bypassed one breathtakingly beautiful
horse farm after another, including Lasma International on the private trail
system that runs through L'esprit, a development, designed as a horse owners
community.
As the sun began to peak over the horizon early Saturday morning, riders were
awaken to the blare of a bugle revelery! And, both the 25's and the 50's
were treated to the strains of the theme to Chariots of Fire softly blaring
through the chilly morning air upon their start. The finish line concert
included the Theme from Rocky!!!!!
Diane kept a huge pot full of hot coffee available throughout the day to
break the chill, with pastries in the AM. The local 4-H kids provided a nice
menu for the riders throughout most of the day.
Finally, I have to say that Diane rounded up the most tireless group of
volunteers I could ever imagine. These folks spent the day doing their jobs
in what most would consider great weather for horses and riders (sunny and
40's) but pretty chilly for doing P&R, times and vetting.
Good work, Diane and Robby... and thanks!
To all of you out there in the endurance community..... next year "y'all
come... 'ya hear!? You'll be glad you did!
Susan Swope
Kentucky