Around the Mountain, Deming NM (long)

[Cheryl Newbanks <horsetrails@inficad.com>]

Hi Group!

Well I just got back from Dr. Barney Fleming, D.V.M.'s 2 day 60 mile ride. 
 I did the first day of the 60.  Before I get into how great my horse Blue 
did <vbg> I must tell you what a super job Barney and his wife Linda did 
for their first time as ride managers.  The thing I was impressed with was 
how Barney handled the vet checks.  First off we did not have to worry 
about carrying a vet card, instead when we checked in and P&R'd we gave our 
name, no butt numbers (YEAH, what a novel idea that we could use our own 
names!!!) and then we were issued a white card that the vet filled out and 
held on to.  Onto the next vc, same deal.  I really liked this because when 
D.I.M.R. sets in, (plus the fact that I have blonde moments on top of that) 
we don't have to worry about finding our card or keeping it dry.  The next 
thing that Barney improved on was the start time between the 60's and the 
30's was 2 hours apart, so no bottle necks and no waiting in line what so 
ever.  All in all this was a very organized ride.  Thanks Barney we riders 
really appreciated the effort! The trail was well marked and as usual the 
New Mexico people were a fun bunch of people to ride with.  Also, I don't 
know what it is but I seem to like the rides that Barney is Head Vet at the 
most anyway:} he does such a good job vetting and he is always willing to 
take the time to talk to you about your horse and give any advice needed. 
 Thanks Barney! The awards banquet was a blast too!  Since the N.M. people 
don't all pack up and leave before the dinner there is usually a good turn 
and fun to be had.  The awards were very nice and there was a raffle with 
lots of neat stuff to win also.  Everyone was enjoying themselves so much 
none of us seemed to notice that fact that we were all freezing to death 
with the wind gusting and temps dropping.

The first day of the 60 I believe 48 riders started at 6:30 am.  Blue was 
feeling pretty good, he seems to have gotten over his troubles with long 
trailer rides and stayed on his feed pretty much.  The weather was sunny 
and about 60* in the middle of the day so it was great riding weather.  I 
got to the first vc at 25 miles around 10:30 am and vetted through o.k. the 
rider I was riding with pulled so we had to go on to the next vc at 45 
miles alone.  This is where I wished I had NEVER DONE AN LD ON BLUE EVER 
because he thought he was done, I know he wasn't tired from the way he 
roared into the first vc but I could barely get him to go, sulk, sulk, 
sulk!!!  Thank goodness that about 10 miles out two riders caught up to me 
and he woke up and realized he was still competing:}  Into the 45 mile vc, 
his gut sounds were low c's but they hadn't dropped any lower then the 
first vc and he ate for the whole hour hold too, so they let me go and 
finish.  We completed in 9 hours on a flat course and Blue vetted out at 
the finish with higher scores then he had at the vet checks during the 
ride.  I think he is finally figuring things out, now if I can get him past 
the fact that we aren't done at 25 miles we'll be o.k.  We finished 
somewhere towards the back of the pack where I wanted to be and he 
recovered pretty darn good too.  He never stocked up this time and the 7 
hour ride home didn't seem to phase him either.

Things I learned, I think I'll start riding Blue in a bit to the first vc 
and then change back to his vosal after the vet check. This is due to the 
fact that from doing ld's he wants to pace himself faster then I want him 
to go on a 50+ ride.  I ended up hauling on the reins too much and wasn't 
capable of keeping him at a the 6 mph I wanted him to be at.  Next, I think 
I will start leaving after the pack so I can ride my own ride instead of 
getting sucked into the pack's ride. I am actually thinking on not doing 
anymore l.d.'s ever not even on Kodi and I'll just condition for 50's from 
now on and when we start competition again on Kodi do the 50's reallllllly 
slow.  I found that I didn't get as tired either and I think it was due to 
the fact that for the last 35 miles I had Blue at a nice consistent 6 mph 
and it was easier on both our bodies.  I ate and drank more on this ride 
too which may of been why I never hit a wall myself.

Guys and girls,  if you ever get a chance to do a New Mexico ride or one 
that Dr Barney Fleming is vetting or R.M.ing go for it, you won't be 
disappointed the scenery is beautiful and the people are really nice.  But 
the downfall is that now I want to move to New Mexico but John says no:{ 
  I guess it is important that one of us works a real job and his job is in 
Phx area, darn!!!!!!

Next year we are doing both days of Around the Mountain!


                                  Cheryl Newbanks
~~~           ~~ ^ ^        SW Region
~~~\      _ ~~/ /\ /        Buckeye, AZ
       (   ) __    ) ' '        horsetrails@inficad.com
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