And the start was wonderful! The front runners had gone out ahead of us, Bev and I rode out with Norbert and Jane, thinking we'd ride with them for a while - their pacing plan matched ours and it might be good for the horses to have the company. We set out at a nice strong trot (I kept waiting for Ikabal to break into a hand gallop, but she was perfect!). She had one little gallop-in-place fit at the end of the long straight track coming out of the venue, but otherwise she was strong, pulling, but obviously in 'work mode' - I'm used to strong and pulling, this is ok.

The 2km track from the starting gate was lined with spectators, people there for the big event (their King was riding!) and for the weekend carnival. It felt pretty cool to be cheered by the throngs... made me sit a little straighter in the saddle - but I couldn't take my hands off the reins to wave!

We turned off the track, along the side of an access road then crossed the highway toward the beach. Police and patrol cars were guarding the highway crossings, people everywhere - families, waving children. Fun!

The horses settled into the work - trotting and cantering - the track is perfect. Hard packed sand, soft dirt, still moist from the recent rain. But no rain today - and there would be no rain all night - what a blessing! I didn't have time to feel like a tourist on this loop - 25 kilometers - we did it in a little under 2 hours, 13 kmh pace (about 8 mph) - it was what we were told to do with these horses, and felt right. Ikbal pulsed right down - very fast recovery! Bev was a little behind us in recovery, and her horse trotted out lame at the vetgate! Such a bummer - he had started to stumble a little coming into the venue, and we could both see that he was developing a front lameness as we came in. :(((((

Ikbal was good to go, so we went back to the crewing area and chalet - a 50 minute hold - plenty of time to eat and rest. The mare didn't drink at all out on the track and was a bit dehydrated for the vets - but she ate and drank well at the hold. There was a bunch of local cuisine food at the chalet, but mostly I was thirsty, and longing for some simple food (cookies, crackers, yoghurt) and coffee! The next loop would be 30 km (19 miles) - and might be slower - and I was feeling the lack of sleep. And getting rubs and bruises on my legs! The fleece seat was disintegrating - the rigging poking through at the back of my thighs. The leathers were still short - and narrow - and bruising my shins. Ahh... could be a long 19 miles!! But this is endurance...

I left for the 2nd loop alone, Ikbal was willing but obviously missed her companions! She's a very nice horse though - plenty attentive to my cues, and plenty of spirit. The Aussies caught up with me a mile out and I rode with them for a few miles, but their pace was faster than I wanted at that point so I held back. and began the LONG LONELY LOOP. We only saw a couple other riders for the next 3 hours - at a water point, and once along the trail.

There were lots of steward checkpoints, and water points every 5 km, so I never felt totally lost. But it was very very dark, and I was really feeling exhausted (simply not enough sleep) and a little loopy. The mare was doing well alone, but she had some spooks in her, and almost dumped me when a couple guys on scooters came towards us on one section of very dark track. She ducked and spun when the lights and noise got close, I hung on by my foot and managed to stay on - but my headlamp was bouncing all over while I tried to get back in the saddle - scaring her even more. She felt drunk when I finally got her straightened up and the motorbikes stopped. I think the lights can be very disorienting to these horses - I know it feels that way to me too. But its impossible to do this ride w/o a headlamp - it's the only way to see the trail markers which are reflective colored signs. They can't put out glow sticks or flashers because the local kids come out and grab them right after they're put out :) But, we got going again, disaster averted, and on we went.

Along the deep dark trails, canals, jungle noises, splashes and glowing eyes. Past old tobacco drying sheds, ghostly gray and shadowing in the night. Past the old cemetery (speaking of ghosts...). Around the old quarry. Just me and Ikbal! It was spooky at times for both of us. And VERY DARK. But she was game. I was getting some serious pains and rubs, that helped keep me awake too! I kept trying to slip the stirrup leathers farther forward (they were just looped over the tree and kept gravitating back) - and lengthened them one more notch - which helped - but nothing could help the rubbing from the rough edges of the saddle with the holes in the sheepskin seat! And the mare is a pretty rough ride - strong, big strides - lots of work.

It was a LONG LONELY 3 hours... I was wondering if I could stay awake and keep riding another 7 hours or so. We turned into the 2km venue straight-away, lights ahead and ... what was that? music!?? As we got closer I saw the outdoor theater and stage and a rock 'n roll band playing! Big crowds of dancing people, loud music - perfect for waking me up. Amazing.

And as I was going in a few riders were coming out - the front runners coming out on the next loop, at a strong gallop - their headlamps VERY bright. Ikbal was still forward and willing, but her hind end was starting to feel irregular. It was subtle and not consistent, but I could feel something coming on. She pulsed down quickly again, but at the first trot out she was slightly uneven in the hind quarters. Other parameters were good - she had been drinking a lot on the trail. We did a re-trot for the other vets and it was more pronounced. That's it. The RTES vet told me she had always been somewhat weak in the hind quarters - they had rested her for a long time, and tried to strengthen her back, and she seemed good... but, ah well. She is very talented mare, incredible recoveries and spirit. I bet she was something in her prime!

So that was it for my ride! I was feeling totally exhausted (what a weenie...) and pretty sore and beat up so I wasn't totally disappointed to be done, but still - it would have been nice to finish! I changed my clothes back at the chalet, got some food and drink, more coffee. Bev and I hung out at the venue some, then went out on the track with Ramlan to cheer Tuanku along. We went to an all night outdoor restaurant for coffee... and then back to the hotel finally around 4am for a total crash. Until 7:30 and then time to get up and cleaned up and go to the prize presentation. Another very nice affair - catered breakfast, music, lovely awards. Whew... what a thing~

Steph

(the end!)
Thanks to our driver Wan Nazir for some great photos! and thanks Amin and Sumsudin, liason and driver supreme.

And Thank You to Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and the Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable and Che Mat Din, amazing organizer,

and Thank You Terengganu!!