Two all-women teams competed in the Swanton Pacific Ride & Tie last
Saturday. They both did the 75 mile race, and probably considered
themselves in competition more against the terrain and their own capabilities
than against each other. Kat Swigart and Carol Ruprecht from the Pacific
South region placed first with an overall time of 14:44.
Second place team was our returning pair from the state of Virginia, Lani
Newcomb and Kathy Broaddus, both veterinarians. Their overall time was
17:09. Lani and Kathy have done the Swanton Pacific 100 as a R & T
several times. They do, for some perverted reason, keep coming back over
and over again. Of course, we love to see them here; they're such a fun
pair, always cheerful and upbeat.
There are no mandatory holds in Ride & Tie; however, the horses are
better cared for in an ultra Ride & Tie than in a regular shorter distance
one, and possibly even an endurance ride. Certainly the pace is slower in
an ultra R & T than endurance because of the runners' limitations. And
the two runners realize that without a well-fed and rested horse, they are
going nowhere. Every ultra-distance R & T we have sponsored has been
highly successful from the horses' standpoint. Even lameness is
comparatively rare.
The Swanton Pacific Ride & Tie continues to add an interesting
dimension to the entire event. Congrats to Kat and Carol, Lani and
Kathy!
Barbara McCrary Ride manager, Swanton Pacific 75/100 "The most
beautiful trail in the world"
