Fw: Dubai - whew!

["Steph Teeter" <step@fsr.com>]

I sent this post after the ride, but it didn't go 
through. Maybe this time. It's all history at
this point, and

----------
> From: Steph Teeter <step@fsr.com>
> To: ridecamp@endurnce.net
> Subject: Dubai - whew!
> Date: Friday, December 11, 1998 11:26 AM
> 
> Well... first off, many thanks to Lara and others for
> posting the updates! I am just now getting online, 
> and really enjoyed the messages.
> 
> You all know just about as much as I do at this point.
> There were problems with the results tracking software
> that began early in the afternoon, so they eventually
> went to a manual tracking. Periodic announcements
> were made regarding pulls and early placement of the
> front runners, but since I was unable to be at the
> gates, and didn't have time to take notes, even that
> information was lost to me. We will have to wait until
> the final results are released and published. 
> 
> Here's a few details..
> 
> The UAE team was a sight to behold! Their crewing area
> was a flurry of activity and high spirits. The love and
> admiration for Sheihk Mohammed is incredible. We all
> felt terribly dissappointed when he was pulled. The UAE
> went on to finish 4 riders in the top ten, although they
> did not have a team placement.
> 
> The US team finished silver, team riders to complete were
> Wendy Merendini (6th place), Darla Westlake and Shirley
> Delsart. Ona Lawrence and RC were pulled - RC was
> lame at the trot-out after the 4th loop. He was sound
> again after a short while, and they think his problem
> was a ball of sand under his padded shoe. 
> 
> The New Zealand team finished first - what a great surprise
> to all! But I can't tell you anything about the individual 
> riders. All of my notes and the list of riders and teams 
> are locked in Leo's car, he's at the barn, I'm at the 
> Hotel. Plus the Endurance Net and SmartVision websites 
> are being blocked for now (censured) so I can't get names 
> and numbers from the starters list.
> 

This is not current: The Australians actually won the
Bronze.

> And the Belgian team won the Bronze!!! We still can't
> believe it. They rode as a team, very conservatively, as
> planned. They walked all of the soft sand, and cantered
> whenever the footing allowed. They maintained a pretty
> good steady pace even during the heat of the day. Their
> horses were getting stronger all day, and the cantered
> most of the last loop last loop (12 km). Riders were allowed
> to have a vehicle escort since it was so dark, and the
> last 12 km was on a good road so they were able to 
> move as fast as the horses were able. Needless to say the
> team is thrilled. When we vetted out at the final check,
> and were told of our team placing the nearby buildings
> shook with hoops and hollers!
> 
> The race to the finish between Valerie Kanavy and Fausto
> Fierucci was spectacular! I was unable to be at the actual
> finish line, but there was a gigantic television screen (the
> size of the old drive-in movie screens) that broadcast the
> finish to everybody in the crewing area. The two gray
> horses came into sight, both galloping quite close together, and
> then Jedi went into turbo - it was really amazing, he just
> burst ahead, Valerie was urging him on with everything
> she had. Awesome.
> 
> More details... I really wish I had more to tell you. The closing
> ceremony is tonight, so all of the results should be published
> by then. The BC judging was suppose to be at 10:00 this morning,
> but (this is what I have heard) some of the horses were stuck
> out in the desert - either at the vet holding area, or on the van
> I'm not sure. At any rate, it has been moved to noon. I've
> borrowed some money (my wallet is still in Leo's car) so will
> take a taxi out to the stable. And should learn more then. 
> 
> I rode home last night in the horse van - after a 2 hour wait
> at the vet hospital/holding area on the course where the 
> horses were evaluated, blood samples, etc. I loaded on
> with several of the Jordanian team (who I believe finished
> 4th overall). The first 1 hour was over very bumpy, sandy,
> road and the horses were incredibly frightned - the van
> rattled and shook over the washboard area. I was holding
> Leo's horse and another Belgian horse, Greece, who was
> wild with fear ... very tense. Once we got to pavement, 
> and the horses were able to relax somewhat, I
> got a knock on the stall door, and there's Potato Richardson!
> He invited me and the other Jordanian up front for the
> remaining 1 1/2 hour drive. Much nicer than being in
> back with the horses -and of course Potato had lots of
> good stories to tell! We finally arrived back at Ghantoot
> at 3AM. 
> 
> So, gotta run and catch a taxi - and hopefully hook up with
> Leo and get my stuff! I promise to write more later. I was
> unable to log on last night when I returned to the hotel.
> Again - many thanks to the great on-site reporting by Lara
> and the rest.
> 
> Steph
>