ridecamp@endurance.net: Gladstone USET Report

Gladstone USET Report

Roberta Lieberman (rlieberman@phillips.com)
Mon, 23 Jun 1997 18:41:28 -0500

Just returned from the Gladstone-USET 50 where three of us pit crewed
for Jeanne Waldron and TF Red Rambo. The day was staggeringly hot ---
had to be over 90 degrees with equal humidity. (It was the typical
northeast summer weather we were dreading the week before at the OD
that didn't come.) The veterinary team, including head vet Nancy
Elliot, Jerry Gillespie, Mitch Benson, etc., cautioned everyone about
the heat and added a "pulse and go" safety check at 45 miles.

Despite the staggering heat, this was a very exciting ride, and two
chestnut horses made it a race to the finish. At the end, Patty
Pizzo's Savaq was first to finish and Best Condition, narrowly
defeating Kim Orr riding a "USA" horse bred by Debi Gordon. There was
a gap to the next two finishers, a tie for third, with Lynn Goleman
and Wendy Mattingly riding in together. I don't have all of the top
ten, but Lana Wright was well-placed and Jeanne Waldron finished
eighth despite getting terribly lost (ending up back at base camp
twice during the second loop) and riding an extra 45 minutes, and Dave
Derecola and Fancy Farwa finished 10th.

The Top Ten finishers received their awards and did a group victory
gallop just before the Grand Prix jumping final and retirement
ceremony for Gem Twist at Gladstone. It was a very emotional moment
for the endurance community to see "our sport" take center stage along
with the Olympic disciplines of combined driving, dressage and
jumping. (Remarkably, none of the Arabs shied at the big jumps.) An
announcer, complete with British accent, even called the play by play
to the crowds as the horses finished. Running Bear and Animal Tacker
were part of the trade show, and it was neat to see our sport's
brightly colored tack alongside the more formal dressage and eventing
gear.

Many horses had to call a taxi at the first vet check on a very tricky
day on which pit crews really earned their keep. I have to admit that
this was *almost* as difficult than riding the OD 100!!! Rambo was
awesome throughout the ride and it was great fun to be part of his
team.

Steve Rojek, Valerie Kanavy and Sue Greenall all completed, riding
conservatively on young horses. Debi Gordon and CBS Redman (1st vet
check) and Linda Crandell and LR Forgeym (2nd vet check) both withdrew
with lameness. Danielle Kanavy and TK Firengold were also among those
pulled. All horses had to carry FEI weight of 165 lbs. There were
about 45 starters and about 10 pulled.

This ride is different because we are "on display" -- it's lots of fun
to participate. Just remember to bring a clean shirt with a collar!

Bobbie Lieberman

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