Wednesday October 15 2008
Well, looks like the first rain we've had in quite a while wants to fall on the 100 mile National Championship Thursday. We had near record highs here in the Southeast today but the front that's bringing the rain is dropping the temperatures drastically so we're dropping from upper 80's to 67 for the high Thursday...and the darned 50's have made out like bandits...clear and highs in the 60's on Sat. Shame they can't switch it considering the 100's have so much farther to go.
I've been told this trail can be pretty treacherous in rain. I've done the 50 there and I recall it having steep ups and down along the ridges that fascinated me because there weren't any rocks. Hills without rocks are a mystery to me. I can see that it could get pretty interesting going down those when they're good and wet. Let's pray for just scattered showers to knock the dust down and bring in the cooler temps!
Angie
Well we're here in Henryville Indiana and the excitement is building. The weather is BEAUTIFUL, the fall colors are really getting pretty and everything looks perfect. Keep praying to hold off that rain tomorrow!
Camped next to Louis Burton and all the Oklahoma bunch, got folks from Vermont to Florida, Texas, all over out here and the horses look primed and ready to go. It's very warm today but a nice breeze so with a little shade things are perfect. Vet in is just getting started so I'm heading down to try and get some photos for you guys.
More soon,
Angie
Finally back from the ride meeting and of course had to chat my way back to the trailer. Anybody who knows me knows that can take a while.
Only gossip so far is that Cici Butler-Stasiuk is stuck in the airport in Houston, TX and may not make it in by start time. Darolyn has another rider along, Korolula Voigts of Namibia Africa who is willing to ride but am assuming would be in the non NC division.
Ride starts at 7AM EST Thursday.
First loop is 19 miles and comes back to camp. 40 min. hold
Loop 2: 16.5 Away Check 40 min. hold
Loop 3: 15.5 Away Check 60 min. hold
Loop 4: 13.5 Camp 40 min. hold
Loop 5: 15.5 Camp 40 min. hold
Loop 6: 10 Camp 30 min. hold
Loop 7 10 Camp Finish
Most notable trail info to most was that on loop 4 there is logging going on. They managed to convince the workers not to bring trucks in and out but they will be skidding logs down the trail, lifting them with a large machine and cutting off the ends to stack them on the truck. Could make for some very interesting riding on a hot Arab horse. ļ It got a bit confusing, but I believe they also said loop 3 was TOUGH, so hopefully that will take enough edge off of the horses to make them relieved to have a chance to walk past huge, screaming, metal grinding, clanging horse eaters.
Loop 5 was supposed to be the "fast" loop, an "easy" out and back that they can make good time on.
The last loop 10 miles will be repeated twice and though it has some hills sounded not so bad.
The big question will be the rain, how much and when?
Little notes: 3 vets will confer on any questionable lameness pulls.
Nice to hear ALL riders will be required to weigh in with the exception of Featherweights who can¡¦t possibly be underweight and juniors who have no weight requirement.
BC judging will be 9 AM Friday morning with all vets participating in the grading.
45 starters in the 100 AERC
65 total starters (50 and 100) in the AHA division.
Link for Daniel Boone Distance Riders page has been revised:
http://www.dbdr.info/NC%20Home.htm
Angie