Oakland Hills 50... Great Ride!

[Kathy Myers <magnumsmom@aol.com>]

Thanks to Gary and Laura Fend for putting on another top
notch ride!  I didn't notice the reroute because I had
thoughtfully left my map in camp.  :)  But we didn't
need it all day.  The trails were well marked, spotters
appeared to know the way, and we didn't get off course
at all.  There was plenty of water on the trails, and
the banquet was scrumptious as always.

Good news on the saddle front, I was riding Blue in his
brand new / non-returnable saddle I'd bought after he
had a sore back in March at the end of the SASO ride.
This was the real test... a 50.  The saddle did great
all day, no reaction on his back at all.  But when I
found out we'd done the entire first loop without
remembering to tighten the girth... and I hadn't
noticed!... I figured we had a good fit.  Who was it
that rode without any girth at all?  You wouldn't
think it possible, but we kinda did just that!  Cool.

We met Kimberly and Mystery on the trail... fortunately
AFTER they got rid of the bees.  Congratulations Kimberly
on yours and Mystery's first 50!  I know it's been a long
haul for you.

Marci Cunningham kindly looked us up in camp to give us
some great pictures of Blue in his younger days from Jan
Freed.  As I suspected, he's always been cute.  :)  I got
to meet her very nice mare Fire Mt. Torch.

Val Christenson did great with her little mare Breeze on
what looks to be their last 25 for the moment.  Hey Val,
time to step Breeze up to 50's.

Said hello in line to Mike Maul and Ken Cook... neither
of whom I saw after the start.  For that matter, we
didn't really see anyone after the start.  Except Nick
and Warpaint who, even after their grand adventure,
managed to pass us and finish well ahead of us anyways.
Judy, that Warpaint is awesome.

Thanks to Kathy Webster for sharing her luxurious rig.
And my new neighbors (litterally) Suzanne and Gary who
live right behind our new house.  Turned out they were
crewing for Donna Snyder-Smith's horses so there they
were at the lunch check.  Good thing endurance can be
a small world.

Jennifer and Goose were great trail company all day.
Except for the time when they and Blue pulled the
peer presure thing and I got out of that comfy saddle
to walk down the one big steep hill.  Blue and Goose
both looked terrific at the finish.  And I can't say
enough nice things about the vets.  Including Dr. Diana
Hassel... ie Ms. Eagle Eye... who us locals know can
spot any minor "off-ness" a mile out.  Oakland Hills
is definately a ride to put on your list of things
to do next year.  Thanks Gary and Laura!

:) - Kat Myers
in No. Cal. with Magnum the TB ex-racer (who stayed home)
and Mr Maajistic... cute little endurance horse



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