Re: RC: Ft. Howes

["Truman Prevatt, PhD" <tprevatt@mindspring.com>]

Yes, Ft Howes was a great ride. I did the 50 and Kathy did the 25 since she didn't feel up to a 50 after the long drive from FL. She came in at the first check and looked pretty bad so she also had a paramedic assigned to keep an eye on her.

The FEI ride at Ft. Howes fit seamlessly into the ride. The FEI portion had absolutely no impact on any riders except the riders that choose to ride the FEI ride. It worked well. I think some of the local riders were a bit confused by the vet check layout, but that layout is exactly the what you would see if they came to ride in the SE region.  I think, after they got the hang, they liked it.

Truman

"guest@endurance.net" wrote:

> Jan Mutchler jmutchler@h2net.net
> We drove to Ft. Howes to attempt not only our first 100 miler but our first FEI ride as well.  Jan and Billl Stevens did an incredible job and the amount of time, effort and work they put into organizing this event certainly showed.  It was a wonderful experience, beautiful country, challenging trail and fun people.  I found the FEI experience to be a rewarding challenge.  I started at the first of the year to get my paperwork all done and organized.  I am obsessive-compulsive, a paperwork nerd, and I thoroughly enjoyed the paperwork challenge, which really, was not hard at all.  Later in the spring, the paperwork part was made easier due to the waiver of the passports, etc.  But, I had my stuff all together and had fun doing it.  The dress part was no big deal.  Only thing I did different was to buy a clean, white-sleeved linen shirt (I like them for sun protection.) and added stirrups with cages.  The FEI Stewards were a great group of people.  They were very clear, concise !
> and organized.  You knew what to do when, where.  Something on a personal note they did for me:  I was having a great deal of trouble with the heat after the second loop.  After I was recovered and out on the third loop, one of them went to my husband and said, "We just want you to know we are keeping an eye on your wife."  My husband asked why and they said, "We saw she wasn't looking too good after that second loop, and we just want you to know that if she needs help in any way, we will arrange for it.  We aren't here just for the horses, we are here for the riders, too."  I thought that was nice, thoughtful and considerate.  This whole experience was nothing but a positive experience for my husband and I.  I had to pull at 85 miles, but am tremendously proud of my horse and what we accomplished.  Not only will I be back to attempt another 100, but I would do another FEI in a second.
> Jan Mutchler
> Littleton, CO