UK Team Template

Four British riders met in Ridgecrest CA USA to represent Great Britain at the Twenty Mule Team AERC/FEI sanctioned endurance race. The Northern California contingent (Dom, Team Vet Paulo Fasano and crew Joel Guerrero) arrived safely at the ride site with three of the team horses to meet Emily coming from New Jersey via Los Angeles and Suzanne traveling up from Southern California. On site already scoping out the venue were Pauline and Len Beach, and Stevie Martin and Rosemary Attfield arriving by way of Los Angeles.

The desert air was crisp and cool and crackling with excitement. Horses were bedded down after the 9 hour trailer ride and our camp area gaily adorned with British Flags

Thursday evening culminated with a team dinner at a local restaurant where the event schedule was reviewed and the team had time to meet and mix.

Friday morning the “international” contingent (Sweden, Great Britain and Germany) pre-rode the trail, weighed in and all 100 mile GB horses vetted in sound with all “A”s. Unfortunately Suzanne’s mare Oleandra had cut her gaskin on the trip up and was unsound to start the 65 miles. With true team spirit she offered to crew for Emily in the 100.

The three “amigos” (L to R) Proud Legacy + 15 year old Arabian gelding 2225 competition miles, 9 one day 100 mile races completed; Paris 16 year old Arabian gelding 1875 competition miles 8 one day 100 miles completed, Marquis de Fad 10 year old Arabian gelding, 455 competition miles, one one-day 100 mile completion (FEI). © 2007 Murphy Equine CineArts

An early night and we were in the saddle at 5:30 am warming up the horses in the dark (and freezing 24 F or – 2C!) desert morning.

The predawn light is very special in the desert and the riders were treated to “Fire Mountain” as the sun rose.

The course has been the site for several USA team selection endeavors in the past and is one of the demonstration rides for the US team. It is also a course that entices riders to go too fast and not save enough petrol in the tank for the large mountain climbs (at 31 miles and after 65 and 80 miles). Thus we kept a steady pace riding to the heart monitors and GPS to maintain a set speed.

The first vet check passed calmly again all “A”s and rapid recovery times for all.

Passing the next two vet checks at 31 miles (horses pulsing in at the low 40’s and again all “A’s) and then again at 57 miles where the horses were allowed to eat a few minutes extra to maintain gut sounds for the trickiest vet check of them all – 65 miles and back in camp.

The 65 mile vet check has been the demise of many a rider as horses must be 100% metabolically to go out on the toughest mountainous part of the trail which is ridden largely in the dark. The beautiful full moon meant that we could make time if the horses passed well. The horses were expertly crewed in by Paulo, Suzanne and Joel, all horses passed the trot out and were 100% metabolically ready to negotiate the last phase of the ride. Riders and horses grabbed a much needed rest and food at this 60 minute hold and were ready to set off for the last 35 miles.

Many horses did not leave the vet check (pulled) and others had trouble motivating horses to leave. It’s a psychological burden for horse and rider to leave the camp alone.

The strategy of riding together as a team really paid off here as the horses moved out at a good pace up the long climb to 72 miles and then the roller coaster to the pit stop at 81 miles. The full moon had risen and was so bright the shadows of the horses and riders played over the white sand roads for an ethereal effect. Team GB passed many riders ahead of us during the day at 80 miles after allowing the horses to eat and drink.

We set off for the last long climb and down hill to the last check at 92 miles. The temperatures had plummeted by this time and keeping the horses warm for the return journey was important as one horse had been pulled on the trail 7 miles from the finish by the rider due to muscle stiffness from the cold.

The marvelous crew, ever patient, ever waiting had hot drinks and pie ready for the riders at the check and we headed home in the magical moonlight. Over the last crest of the hill to the finish the lights of Ridgecrest twinkled and beckoned the riders home. We crossed the finish line, weighed in and all horses completed the post ride vet in looking as if they could go another 100 miles.

This ride is characterized by heavy sand going, rocks (large and small) and some steep climbs. Trail changes this year made the footing better for a moderately difficulty trail. The attrition rate (50%) indicates a strategic approach to this deceptive trail was appropriate.