PanAm part 1

["Roberta Harms" <equiphile@hotmail.com>]

  Well, it has been over a week now since the big ride inCanada.  Nobody 
else has written anything from the riders' viewpoint on this.  I guess none 
of us are very literary, but it was a big happening and some of you may be 
interested and get interested in endurance riding at this level.  I will try 
to go through this thing again.  I'm not as good as Angie or others who 
write about their adventures on rides, but here goes.
  I'll start with the Opening ceremonies which for some (like me) were very 
exciting in that heart pounding way.  Imagine about 120 horses who have been 
fed and trained to go 100miles at the top level.  Next, add cramming them 
all into a very small area side by side and head to tail, with applause, 
bagpipes, and flapping banners!!! Fun!! you might say.  My horse, who does 
not stand still, EVER, was the first to lose it.  The first applause and he 
spun and knocked down my pit crew and clipped her with his foot.  Peggy got 
up and continued to march in with us.  I clearly remember a guy with a 
camera sitting on the ground and desperately tried to avoid injuring him--I 
did succeed there.  My team members tried putting me inside, outside  and 
nothing calmed him.  After walking (HA!) around the arena area once to our 
designated spot to stand during the ceremony, I asked to excuse myself.  
Peggy took Sha-Win back to the trailer and stayed with him while I stayed on 
the ground for the rest.  Most horses did great, a few did not.  Then....the 
Ojibway dancers from the Spirit Sands came in for a demonstration.  The 
entire group of front horses exploded, every which way.  I was glad to have 
my horse at the trailer, I can tell you!  The dancers cut their performance 
short.  They did give wonderful performance that evening that was enjoyed by 
all.
  The vet check in went smoothly  for everyone, I think.  All the horses and 
all the alternates that came with us vetted in sound on the Central Time 
Zone.  Now came the hard part for the Team vets and the Chef'd'equip.  They 
had to choose the 4 horses who would ride for the team.  I wouldn't have 
wanted that job!!  Choose wrong and you were stupid, right and you were a 
genius!  Our team was composed of Jan Wortington and Melissa Crain both very 
experienced FEI riders. Gail Zeck and myself were the other two riders.  
Gail has a good experienced horse and so do I, just not the FEI experience.
  I'll continue with ride itself in part two.
Roberta Harms



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