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Katja and I were up by 5:am, feeding the ponies, making the coffee..last
minute stuff. We waited until the end of the pack, not completely on
purpose, and were one of the last to leave. Both horses were feeling
great but we kept them walking, Mystery compremised my prancing and
bowing his head. At the bottom of the first steep hill a woman joined
us on her husband's gelding for his and her first 50, politely asking if
she can join us. Of course, since we are new to the sport as well, we
would not turn her away. Unfortunately, she didn't have good control of
her horse and allowed him to bump into us several times, yet he would
not pass and stay ahead. This created more tension in our guys, as
their tolerance level (and ours) were being tested, wanting to run but
not being allowed, having a strange horse bump into them from behind.
We finally sent her way ahead of us and held back our mounts, insisting
they gives us their minds before we would allow them full flight. Up
this hill we allowed a controlled trot and quickly passed Donna, whoses
horse had galloped the full length up. During this first 13 mile loop
we quickly caught up with other horses and kept positions at the end of
a 10 horse line. We (the horses and us) dealt with this very friendly
woman behind us, and I feel a lot of energy was used up in this manner.
At the bottom of the hill, before we are to turn around and walk 1 mile
straight up to the vet check, we are in line and she lets her horse
nudge Mystery's behind. Those who know me know I've worked very hard
the last 2 years to train him he cannot kick and must tolerate other
horses. One kick from him and I knew I would be back to square one like
I was 3 years ago when he would kick out at strange horses. Mystery
picked up his hind leg, turned his face to look at the other horse, and
gave him a "new york look"! At this point I lost my temper a little, I
told her to back off, I had warned her, blah, blah, blah...she turned
the horse around and headed up the hill. I've taught Mystery not to
ride on someone's butt...why can't others do the same? It is not that
hard....
We walked up the hill and the P&R person couldn't find his pulse
(normal!). We finally vetted in at 38. First there was one line,(that
I saw!) then two and all the people we had passed were thru and finished
before we knew what hit us! Learning, learning, learning....don't yack
so much in line! :-) Tammy and her Kaila were there and it was a
pleasure to see them, but we were really at the end of the pack now!
Second loop, we were sure to be on our own. At the bottom of the hill
we let the boys pick up the pace. Jihan was eating up trail and Mystery
was doing great keeping up. This is a winding, single track trail
around the lake, going up and down stream canyons, switchbacks. Nowhere
could they set into a straight trot and keep the same speed. We got
passed several times by people who would then slow down...go
figure...what is that about? We finally got a little aggressive and
passed those people, then wanted to just stay ahead of them. At the
stream both horses drank well and played around, we had a full 5 minutes
before 8 horses showed up....one of the pass and slow down people didn't
even stop but just had to be in front again. Come on! We are the end
of the pack, who cares if you are 5th from last or 6th from last, let
the horse drink! I found this to be just a little irritating (can you
tell?).
We go off again and soon, because our horses have a nice steady trot
(lots of conditioning and training together), we pass that rider again
and everyone spreads out a bit. About 3 miles from the hour hold I feel
something is not right. No head bobbing, just a stiffness. I'm trying
my best to feel if he is off but his ears are forward (where's Jihan?)
and then back (I hear that polish arab behind me!) and I cannot tell.
We get to the 1/2mile before the check, it is pavement, so I get off and
trot him down the pavement 20 feet or so and no head bobbing, not off at
all. Our pulse is down again immediately (48...criteria was 64), so he
drinks, gets sponged, saddle off, eats a little. Jihad is looking great
too, Mystery looks tired.
I figured I'd vet in now, while he is warm. Next time I may wait and
let him eat, rest, drink more. I wonder what most people do...get it
over with or give the horse more time and risk standing in line and not
vetting in time? He trots out...head bobbing, lame on the left, no
question, we are out. No swelling, maybe just hit a rock. Lots of
twists and turns on that trail, stops and goes, worries and prancing.
I'm not surprised. Why oh why didn't I put easyboots on him? Katja
and Jihad went on to finish. Jason and Eilidh Grant...well....thats
another story but she not only finished first but got best condition!!
And that was a race to the end with Lari Shea. Congrads to you again
Eilidh (she's the one who won and BC'd the Virginia City 100 race too).
She just turned 16 so happy birthday to her too!
Sonoma 50 is considered "easy" because it isn't quite 50 miles, but the
terrain is not easy at all. I think a smaller horse would be at an
advantage in this type of terrain, because of the twists and turns.
Management put on a great ride. It was professionally done, everyone
was very friendly, food was great. I may be back next year, hopfully
will ride smarter. I think we need to go more towards the middle of the
pack so there is no rush not to be dead last. I think easyboots over
the shoes for this terrain would be helpful (or pads), just for those
few hidden rocks. I need to stay aware in vet lines too.
It was good seeing familiar faces..hello Jessica, and Tammy and daughter
Kaila
completed successfully too..job WELL DONE! BTW Tammy, how old is Kaila?
Congrads to Jazon, Eilidh, and Katja for a job well done!
Kimberly (&Mystery the Morab....."wow, my new home's all pasture!
Yippeeeee!")
Black Mountain, CA ....just down the road from Pt.Reyes....
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