ridecamp@endurance.net: My View of Pan Am...from Brasil in Bend!

My View of Pan Am...from Brasil in Bend!

EndrncRidr@aol.com
Fri, 19 Sep 1997 00:01:48 -0400 (EDT)

In a message dated 97-09-16 01:31:27 EDT, you write:

<< Brazil (who brought their
> own
> horses!!) >>

As a Proud and extremely happy crew member of the Brasilian Endurance Team I
would like to clarify this statement. The Brasilians were unable to bring
horses to the states for competition because of the quarantine regulations
and prohibitive cost issues. All of the horses ridden by the Brasilian team
were leased from U.S. owners. I made a few observations regarding this
practice in the past week.

#1. Dory Jackson sent her best horse, FT, for Brasilian rider, Leo, to ride.

#2. It is not always the case that an owner will send their best stock for a
race of this
caliber. Dory seems to be an exception. I sincerely hope this is not
always the
case.

#3. The Brasilians were the ABSOLUTE best to crew for. I loved every minute
and
would do it again in a heartbeat! Leo did everything we asked of him
regarding he
FT's ride. All the Brasilian riders showed the same respect for their
horses and
crews. It was an absolute joy to be associated with this outstanding
team of
riders and support crew. I was so happy to see Leo and FT complete
their
ride and subsequent completion exam that I was in tears crying my eyes
out
like a crazy person! It was fabulous to see the WHOLE Brasilian team
and
crew show up for the finish at 1:10 a.m. in the cold and drizzle.

I am extremely proud to have been a Brasilian for a week!!

I'd like to thank the Pacific South team for making us welcome in their camp
at Ogden before the Stevenson camp opened up. They fed us dinner AND
breakfast! What a great team of people!

It was cool to see the Brasilians beg Dory to shave fish on the team horse's
rumps. Anyone who knows Dory knows she never starts a race on FT without his
trademark fish for good luck. She is the captain of the Fish Creek Endurance
Team here in the Great Pacific Northwest.

I would also like to thank Dory Jackson for inviting me to be a part of this
whole Pan Am experience. My life is changed for it in a way I still cannot
describe. I have made some friends for life and learned from all that has
occurred.
Outstanding job to Mike Foss and Heidi Smith for pulling this year's ride
off! What a complete success!

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