After a 10 hour haul down, (me, my non-horsey SO - his first ever ride,
dog, and Embers), we arrive later than I like - about 3:30. So was feeling
a little bit hurried to get set up, checked and vetted in and everything
together for the checks. We had an away check so I was busy explaining to
Steve the procedure and what to be sure he brought back and forth,
etc...Meanwhile, the horses were all nutso - it was freezing cold with a
strong wind - vet-in was exciting to say the least.
Base camp was at the, oh crud I forget their names, Linehan's maybe??,
private residence. Farm might be a better term. Beautiful 3 board fencing,
pastures, barn, **showers** with *hot* water, plenty of water for people
and horses, etc....Chile and cornbread Friday nite, brkfst Sat and dinner
Sat. nite - talk about hospitality! This was a large ride - something like
75 or 80 25 milers and 38 50 milers started.
Made my first mistake early in the morning when I opted for my warmer,
fleece gloves over my riding gloves - riding gloves are called that for a
reason folks and that reason is -grip-! Embers is always a bit, ummm,
strong, the first leg and I ended up having to wrap the reins around my
hands (cardinal sin I know) to keep them from slipping thru and us doing 17
miles in record time. After about 10 miles we agreed to a truce and all was
well.
The trail was flat, flat, flat. Did I mention the trail was flat? I think
the total elevation gain was 10 feet - maybe. Comprised of sandy, dirt
roads, some woods trails, some road shoulder, and some pasture - whatever
they could do to get the mileage. Great footing with only a couple of muddy
spots on the first leg. Weather was the pits - cold and windy but the going
on the trail was good. Lots of pine trees everywhere you looked. Passed
various wildlife - turkeys, pigs, donkeys, and buffalo.
Came into the first check, Embers didn't eat or drink which is par for the
course for him, went thru fine, _changed gloves_, waited out my hold and
took off again. Caught up with another rider I knew and paced with her for
the 8 mile leg back to camp which was great since Embers can be a slug on
his own. Went thru the check fine and Embers ate and drank the entire hold
time as well as getting to roll - he has to roll when he gets sweaty or
he's liable to try it with me on him. By now Steve (SO) had gotten the
hang of the procedure and all was going smoothly.
Took off again with same rider for third leg (17 miles) - much nicer to do
it with someone as the trail, tho nice and *extremely* well marked, would
have been boring alone. We were in about 7th or 8th place at this point due
to quick recoveries and a couple of pulls.
Come into last check and my current partner gets pulled :-<< There was
something strange about this trail - I had been beside her for 25 miles now
and the horse had not taken a lame step. I even commented on how even and
springy his gate was and then BLAM! lame in camp. Apparently the vet at the
first check had seen something but let her go - it was barely evident at
the second check and then very obvious at the third check.
I understand that happened to several other folks during the day - sound
(or appearing that way) on the trail but as soon as the horses went for
their trot out - lame. Maybe it was the sandy footing??? The sand was not
deep pulling sand but sand nonetheless. Not everyone it happened to was
riding fast either. Very, very strange indeed....
By now we had moved up to 4th with only 8 miles to go. I was thrilled to
say the least - remember Embers had just done a 50 last weekend with my mom
so I had no expectations for this ride. He was eating and drinking in camp
like a pro -vetting thru with all A's and drinking at the troughs on the
trail. It was a good day, to say the least. Steve had figured out that
standing around at an endurance ride with a stethoscope around your neck
was not a safe thing to do :->> When I saw him again he had put it under
his jacket so riders wouldn't confuse him with the ride workers <g>.
Rode out of the last check with another rider who wanted to go about the
same pace - again I was very thankful for a partner. I told her if she
wanted 4th she could have it - I wasn't racing - tho the finish was set up
perfect for a race - at the end of a long, wide, grassy, lane. She said, no
- she wasn't racing either, lost a completion to that recently - how about
if we went across nice and easy in a tie? Sounded good to me.The next rider
was five minutes behind us so we knew we couldn't dawdle but saw no reason
to push either of the horses either. Made for a nice last loop - and yes,
she was a talker <VBG>.
That's how we finished - tied for 4th place!!!! Time of 4H 31min. I
couldn't believe it! That's a long way for some of the 9 - 10 hour 50's
I've done (remember my first ride report? dead last?) - talk about seeing
both ends of the spectrum.
Go in for 10 minute CRI and completion, all is well - go clean up for BC.
My riding partner comes in and BLAM! lame - again, she (the horse <g>) was
not off on the trail. She went off to soak the foot and massage, etc...not
sure what the cause was but wanting to get her completion so trying it all.
Fortunately after working on her mare for the hour, she got the completion
and stood for BC.
We stood for BC - vet said he looked great. I didn't really think any more
about BC - I mean I had already done more than I ever dreamed and was a
very happy camper with our time, his condition, etc...Sub five hour 50s
were not even in my grasp as far as I was concerned - I mean those were the
kind of times the big guys in the EN rode :->>
The BBQ dinner was great, and then it came time to call top ten and then BC
for the 50s. Well, 8 riders stood and as they started calling it out from
8th to BC I began to worry. Maybe they had lost my sheet? Maybe there was
something I didn't see that totally knocked me out of contention because my
name wasn't being called. I began to wonder what was going on. They went up
thru 3rd, 2nd, and then -they called my name-!
*Embers had won Best Condition!!!!! * After I picked my mouth up off the
floor and Samm pushed me out of my chair, I went up to pick up a beautiful
baset with wine, cheese, bread, and pecans in it. To say I was thrilled and
elated is a _serious understatement_. I've always been in awe of BC winners
- to me that is what the the sport is about - being able to bring the horse
thru in good shape. I'm not sure who was more proud - me or Samm :->
The rest of the awards dinner was a blast - maybe Samm or some of the
others will write more since this already so long but it involved flying
sponges, curry combs, curb chains, and other useful items :->
What a nice way to end the season. Now to rest for a while and get ready
for next season!
Tina - anxiously awaiting March....
Embers and Tony - not so anxiously awaiting March....
hickst@nichols.com