1987 European Championshiop - USA Gold -Trail Blazer -Chef D'Equipe Report - Lee Wittle

by Lee Wittle, 1987

"To Finish Is To Win", has been the motto of all endurance riders throughout the years and brought to the USA Endurance Team, the Gold Medals and the title Champions of Europe.

August 1, the European Continental Open Championships were held in Marloffstein, Germany. The USA entered 4 riders, all as team members, and won the Gold Medal in team competition. The team consisted of Sun Walt/Mike Marino (9th), BayMar/Tom Sites (16th), Miss Lexa/Viki Varley (NF), Cher Habu/Jeannie Waldron (8th). The experience of some of the horses and riders was limited, but these horses were solid finishers. Also, there were no "bullets". A very good group for team competition.

Historically, there has only been 1 International Ride in which 3 teams finished 3 horses. The scoring for team results is the time of the 1st 3 horses ahead of all teams finishing less than 3. It was determined prior to the ride that the team would ride conservatively, concentrating on completition rather than placing.

The race began at 5 AM with a mass start in darkness and for the first 88 Km, the pace was the same for all USA ridrs at 8.3 mph. The lead horses were about 1 hour ahead, leading team horses about 45 minutes ahead. At this point in team competition, Great Britian held a 67 minute lead, France 55 minutes, Spain was about 11 and Belguim was 90 minutes behind.

The reflection in thought of a past event can never fully encompass the full spectacle of the actual extravanganza.

Reliving a moment of time like the recent European Championship in Marloffstein, West Germany, is something hard to explain unless you can imagine the biggest grin and good time of your life, and you wake up the next day and the grin's still there.

Dancing on the tables at the Bavarian Beer Fest in Marloffstein will rate as one of the all time adventures of my life. It was like a cemented face of laughter was implanted into my persona. This was a good time. I mean, they played trombones with their toes!

For the first time International or National FEI competitor who hasn't gone thru the travail of getting a FEI passport, becoming an International Amateur, getting the proper innoculations, blood tests, Coggins test within 30 days, making sure you were a member of the proper organizations ( AERC and AHSA) all at a frantic express mail pace, the rest was a piece of cake. My friends- the cake, as well as the air was very, very good.

Hearing your National Anthem played for- of all reasons!- the fact you were a consistant mediocre finisher who adhered to the credo "to finish is to win", was and is a most humbling experience i will never forget.

Jet lag lugged us into their rainy camp on a lazy Sunday afternoon before the next Saturday's
ride. Immediately, we were met with courtesy and helpful assistance from Florian Smithaus, and his Father, Hans. Experienced of the Trail, they led us to the barn and fields to show us the facilities available for the horses, who were to arrive the next day. We were the vanguard- Larry, Michael and myself.
by Lee Wittle, 1987

"To Finish Is To Win", has been the motto of all endurance riders throughout the years and brought to the USA Endurance Team, the Gold Medals and the title Champions of Europe.

August 1, the European Continental Open Championships were held in Marloffstein, Germany. The USA entered 4 riders, all as team members, and won the Gold Medal in team competition. The team consisted of Sun Walt/Mike Marino (9th), BayMar/Tom Sites (16th), Miss Lexa/Viki Varley (NF), Cher Habu/Jeannie Waldron (8th). The experience of some of the horses and riders was limited, but these horses were solid finishers. Also, there were no "bullets". A very good group for team competition.

Historically, there has only been 1 International Ride in which 3 teams finished 3 horses. The scoring for team results is the time of the 1st 3 horses ahead of all teams finishing less than 3. It was determined prior to the ride that the team would ride conservatively, concentrating on completition rather than placing.

The race began at 5 AM with a mass start in darkness and for the first 88 Km, the pace was the same for all USA ridrs at 8.3 mph. The lead horses were about 1 hour ahead, leading team horses about 45 minutes ahead. At this point in team competition, Great Britian held a 67 minute lead, France 55 minutes, Spain was about 11 and Belguim was 90 minutes behind.

Also by this point Miss Lexa had developed some stomach irregularities and slowed down. Tom Sites decided to slow his pace as well. Mike and Jeannie continued at their present pace and rode with Val Long and Jane McGuiness of Great Britian.

Coming into this 88Km stop, France, Great Britian, Spain, and USA had 4 Team Riders in competition. Leaving the stop, France and Belguim had 3, Spain had 1, Great Britian and USA had 4.

At 127 Km. the horses were spread over a greater time distance. The lead rider was 90 minutes ahead. The lead team riders were only 17 minutes ahead of Mike and Jeannie but were up to 3 hours apart. Arriving at this stop the team positions were unchanged, but several horses did not leave. The Team for Great Britian left w/ a 74 minute lead, Belguim was 90 minutes behind USA. Already the "Motto" was begininning to show itself, France Spain, Sweden, Austria, and Germany were down to 2 team competitors.

At this stop USA lost Miss Lexa. She had barely passed her pulse parameter of 64, at the 30 minute point of a 60 minute hold. The Veterinarians were however using the '
"Rigdeway Trot" for data gathering purposes and Miss Lexa elevated to 68 and Viki decided to pull and avoid any possible damage to Lexa in the upcoming mountains and unaccessible trail.

Arriving at 144Km., the team standings were unchanged. This was a Gate/10 minute hold. USA came through clean although spread over 83 minutes. Great Britian lost a second team member, leaving only USA and Belguim with 3 team members. Could we keep all 3 til Sunday morning?

At the finish line, Gaston Mercier/Mao (8) of France won the Individual Gold with a riding time of 12 hours, 12 minutes. Liz Finney/Show Girl (14)of Great Britian won the Individual Silver with a riding time of 12 hours 14 minutes. And in a race for the Bronze, Bernhard Dorsiepen/Drago (18) of Germany beat Denis Pesci/Krempolis (10) of France by 36 seconds in a riding time of 12 hours 17 minutes.

Thruout the entire stay in Marloffstein we were accorded warm, friendly, open hospitality. We saw old friends and met many new ones. It would be nice to go back again.

As with all International FEI Endurance events, the final Vet Check is the morning after. We took care to rest the horses without allowing them to stiffen up. The early morning came with all horses being walked vigorously by crews and riders alike. As we watched all the horses, it became obvious they were in great shape. No doubt the soft footing contributed to the lack of lameness, although the mud had been a concern for muscle pulls. However, all the horses looked better than most had in Rome.

The examinations were done in the horses stall with the veterinarians coming to the horses. This worked very well and avoided a lot of standing arround for everyone. The Trot Out was held outside the barn, in a very orderly and terse fashion. If any additional horses were to be pulled, this would be the time.

The horses were trotted in order of finish. On the cobblestones surrounding the stable they were walked up to the 12 Veterinarian
Judges and presented. They were then jogged down and back about 40 yards each way. The stable lined one side, riders, crew and spectators lined the other side.

One by one the horses passed. They really looked great. One horse was voted on. It did not unanimously pass all the judges. The vote was 10 pass, 2 pull. The USA finished 8,9 and 16. As these horses approached the trot out the thought that was on my mind and I'm sure the minds of many others, "Will all the American horses pass, and the Team Standings remain unchanged?" Will the Champions of Europe not be European?

Sun Walt and Cher Habu passed unaimously. More horses were trotted. Another vote, 8 pass, 4 pull. Now it was time for BayMar. As Larry commented, "I've felt pressure before, but this is unbelievable!" BayMar was jogged.

A little swing to the gate but he "looked good enough to go on". It was not a unanimious pass, so a vote had to be taken. First Judge, No , Second Judge "Can we see him trot again? Head Vet, Not allowed, all horses are judged in the exact same manner. Make your decisions on what you saw."

Begin the vote again. No, No, Yes, Yes, No, Yes, No-At this point my thought was "Gees, I've lost count, what is the vote?."

Seven pass, five pull. BayMar passed.

Throughout the ride each rider had a crew. Jeannie Waldron had her friend Sue Riggs and her husband Robin who also served as Team Veterinarian. Mike Marino had friends Melody Booth-Coull and Paul Ronio. Jeff Benjamin who was touring Europe joined his crew also. Viki had her husband Marky and her sister Athele Evans who came in from Hong Kong to help. Tom Sites had his son Michael and friend Larry Lewis from Kansas whom he'd known from the Great American Horse Race

We were also greatly helped by Mike Robinson and Jeff Cunduff both stationed in Germany with the Army who formed one crew. Mike has returned from Germany four times to compete in the Old Dominion Run. Curtis Hyatt, an American living in Germany and three of his friends, Ellen Reindl, Elke Leinsinger, and Peter Baunann formed 2 other crews. With the help of everyone, Mike Marino's comment, "We were covered like a blanket", was certainly true.

The Awards Ceremony went well, with the USA receiving their Gold Medals, Top Ten Finishers receiving trophies and the Team receiving the German Sterling Silver Plate. The ceremonies were followed by another great party of Bavarian keg beer, song and dance, dancing on the tables, singing German songs with all the riders intermingling.

1. Gaston Mercier France 20.22.54
2. Liz Finney Great Britain 20.24.53
3. Bernhard Dornsiepen Germany 20.27.16
4. Denis Pesce France 20.27.52
5. Magali Chambaud France 20.58.08
6. Dieter Hannes Germany 22.22.07
7. Val Long Great Britian 22.25.37
8. Jeannie Waldron USA 22.25.47
9. Mike Marino USA 22.25.48
10. Paul Bencze Switzerland 22.46.03
11. Joan Allen Great Britian 23.48.08
12. Idalina Graca Portugal 23.48.08
13. Pablo Amando las Heras Spain 00.07.45
14. Leon Feraille Belguim 00.39.06
15. Regine Middeldorf Germany 00.55.41
16. Tom Sites USA 01.28.33
17. Klemens Petersilka Austria 02.57.50
18. Tove Johansson Sweden 02.59.33
19. Jean Luc Marchal Belgium 03.01.15
20.Corinna Wahring Germany 03.01.15
21. Louise Hermelin Sweden 03.01.42
22. Michele Luxen Belgium 04.55.36

Individual Medals

Gold Gaston Mercier France
Silver Liz Finney Great Britian
Bronze Bernard Dornsiepen Germany

Team Medals

Gold USA Champions of Europe
Silver Belgium European Champions
Bronze France

1987 European Championship -Reflections of Marloffstein - Tom Sites

by Tom Sites, 1987

The reflection in thought of a past event can never fully encompass the full spectacle of the actual extravanganza.

Reliving a moment of time like the recent European Championship in Marloffstein, West Germany, is something hard to explain unless you can imagine the biggest grin and good time of your life, and you wake up the next day and the grin's still there.

Dancing on the tables at the Bavarian Beer Fest in Marloffstein will rate as one of the all time adventures of my life. It was like a cemented face of laughter was implanted into my persona. This was a good time. I mean, they played trombones with their toes!

For the first time International or National FEI competitor who hasn't gone thru the travail of getting a FEI passport, becoming an International Amateur, getting the proper innoculations, blood tests, Coggins test within 30 days, making sure you were a member of the proper organizations ( AERC and AHSA) all at a frantic express mail pace, the rest was a piece of cake. My friends- the cake, as well as the air was very, very good.

Hearing your National Anthem played for- of all reasons!- the fact you were a consistant mediocre finisher who adhered to the credo "to finish is to win", was and is a most humbling experience i will never forget.

Jet lag lugged us into their rainy camp on a lazy Sunday afternoon before the next Saturday's
ride. Immediately, we were met with courtesy and helpful assistance from Florian Smithaus, and his Father, Hans. Experienced of the Trail, they led us to the barn and fields to show us the facilities available for the horses, who were to arrive the next day. We were the vanguard- Larry, Michael and myself.

We were met by these tireless heroes who are owed congratulations and adulation for putting on a World Class Ride.

Florian Smithaus: a distance rider himself, always wanting to please and make things right.

Hans Smithaus: Flo's Dad- he was involved in all the behind the scenes, as well as front line duties of over-riding importance.

Jurger Hoepffner: the trail master, a most precise planner and attibutable asset,

Jane Hoonan: ran the command tent with multi-lingual fare that prevented obstacles to develop and confused all as to her nationality with her precision and usage of language.

Herman 'The German' Stricker: not only got us dancing on the tables but winding in and out of this slinky interpolation of fun and good times.

Anna Rosa Grim: the ride secretary. No matter where you go, the ride secreatry's job is unheralded and over-worked. She was a good one.

The weather was perfect for a race with cool temperatures, no humidity and a light mist falling. It was horse blanket weather, while at home the States were basking in 100 degree heat. We would have been able to cope with the heat better than the Europeans. The advantage was theirs.

The course was muddy over most of the route, Record rainfall had been falling for months. We knew we had to watch our step, as it was sloppy and slick at times. There was no rocks to speak of, but tree roots and muck were treacherous enough of an obstacle to warrant close attention to the trail at all times.

The course was like a trip through Germanian lore. Towns and countrysides passed in blur of a surreal scape. Farming techniqies passed down thru the ages made the land utilized to the maximum. They showed their respect for the land by that most obvious of man's presence- litter - there was none.

I was convinced I was going to finish this ride and rode a frantic first part and slowed down for the longest hills I have ever seen, which was the second part. Death would have had to manifest itself to have stopped me from finishing.

At 1:28 AM , we did. It was exilirating, for we knew we were the first to finish a three member team. All we had to do was trot out the next day. We did what we came to do.

The race itself was intense. High drama unfolding throughout the day. I am convinced we had the best organization and direction of energy of all the people there. We or our horses weren't, to my impression, any more superior to other horses or riders. We had a game plan and followed it and had the best Crews I could ever imagine assembled.

We were ecstatic. The Germans were stunned. At 50 miles, Herman said the Germans were falling out like popcorn. They finished a 2 member team. It is always the host country's opportunity to win. They didn't.

The Italians were unattended en masse. Something about rules. They didn't show up.

France won the Individual Gold, but only finished a 2 member team.

Great Britian- the one I'd have picked to win team gold- only finished a 2 member team.

The Spanis blew out- finished 1 0f 5. But watch out-they have a most competitive spirit. They'll do better next time.

Iran showed up and rode a little bit.

Belgium- what a story for the team silver. They started only 3 riders and finished 3. At 4:50 am when their last rider completed, tears of joy and pride were abundant and freely flowing. I was glad for them.

Austria sent a team and smoked long cigars and did OK.

Portugal sent the highest stepper from the table top dancing party, Idalina Graca, to ride a fine sire to the tune. "I had to eat her dust." A small story- at the Fest, bravado had taken hold of me and i told her the next day, "She would eat my dust." She, never hearing this before before was amused at American slang and countered it with, "Was I who would eat her dust." Well, I ate HER dust and was glad it rained a lot so there was more mud than dust.

The Swiss and the Swedes were there as well bringing good horsemen from all of Europe. They are most serious at this sport.

France, Great Britian and Germany all had the capabilities to outshine the USA, but whether it was riding strategies or just bad luck on their part, we got the team gold and they will have to reflect upon what went wrong. Next time it may not be the same outcome, as they are all good horsemen and tough competitors.

Lee Wittle: Chef D'Equipe. Precise, knowledgeable and a joy to ride under his direction. His goal to finish all riders and provide team orientation were given his best.

Robin Waldron: Team Veterinarian. There when questions needed to be answered and medical strategies needed to be discussed and analyzed.

Jeff Benjamin: Farriar, his expertise gave us feelings of confidence that our wheels would keep turning.

# 40 Mike Marino riding Sun Walt, a District Attorney freshly elected who came to ride and did.

# 41 Tom Sites riding BayMar. I was glad my son could share the joy.

#42 Viki Varley riding Miss Lexa. Unfortunately didn't finish but gave it a real good shot.

#43 Jeannie Waldron rode Brombe or Cher Habu as the Europeans know her. She gave us our credibility.

The Crew Members

Melody Booth-Coull: She has paid her dues as a rider and crew member. We were fortunate to have her along.

Paul Rodino knew his German and got us out of some binds.

Larry Lewis another distance rider from Kansas we were fortunate to have. I, the most because he helped me. Thanks Larry, I'll never forget your enthusiam and support.

Michael Sites had the experience of a lifetime. I was glad to share it with you, Michael.

Athale Evans: Vikis sister came from Hong Kong to assist half a world away..

Mark Varley: Always a cheer and joy to be arround. Ready to assist at all times.

Sue Riggs had a heart w/out limits and a spirit w/out bounds.

Curtis Hyatt showed up to help because he is an American living in Germany. He knew the trail and brought friends.

The turquoise finger and silver handed lady-Thanks for the coffee and all your help and encouragement. Your hands are a work of art.

Mike Robertson and friend- We knew we were all right when the Special Forces showed up. The USA was represented very well. It was not just us 4 riders. We had good support and dang good support. THANKS!!!

And where does Matthew Mackay-Smith fit in? He was on the veterinary control and sharing his wide area of expertise w/ other cultures. The President of AERC had to be impartial but we all knew where his allegiance lay.

Last year in Rome at the World Championships, even tho we came in 1, 2, and 14 with a BC, we only got the Team Silver. This year there were 8, 9, and 16 place finishers for the Team Gold. There can't be any better example ever of a team win.

"To finish is to win" can never be said any clearer.

I was honored beyond any expectations I ever comprehended to be a part of this team. It will always be one of my greatest honors in all of life to be associated with such a group of people who came back to America as the Champions of Europe.

Thanks Lee, Jeannie, Mike, Viki, Robin and all the support we received from the CREW. We couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you.

tom sites

My First 100 - Laura Yost

by Laura Yost

I have been reading the discussions about the number of people attempting 100 milers and thought I would share my experience with my first 100 miler. First off, I will start by saying if I can do it anyone can. I have 4 kids 3,5,7,and 10 years old. My husband is not a horse person (until just recently, yeh! he got tired of being left behind on the weekend of my rides) and our schedules only permit 1 official ride a month. We have been away to undergrad, med school, and then residency for 11 years. When we moved home my father-in-law had been riding endurance and just asked if I would help him condition one of his horses when his wife was unable, "of course"!! I said. I had missed not riding while in school and having babies. I had the chance to ride a 25 miler with my in-laws... I was still nursing my youngest so when I left him I still needed to pump. This made for a interesting two days, me in the backc seat of the car pumping while they were arguing over directions. The horse I was riding had already been ridden in some rides so he was savy to what was going on around him, it was me who needed to learn everything. I had a great ride and was hooked.

I rode in a few more 25's until I had saved up enough money for my own horse. I still cont. to ride in 25's because I needed that time to feel comfortable with how everything flowed and worked. My goal soon became a 50 miler for my second season. I rode 3-4 times a week in our mountains,I would sneak out at 5am before anyone was awake and then try to get in the house to make breakfast before kids woke up. I tried not to ever put any stress on my husband. He was busy starting up his own practice and I knew he really did not understand the addiction and amazing feeling of floating up and down the mountains as the sun comes out to greet you.

My next season I did 50's and loved them. My horse was well and for my 3rd season I had a goal of finally attemping a 100. No one in my family that rides was prepared or simply had the desire yet to ride 100 miles. The ride I picked out was the Arabian nights ride and I was extremely nervous. I would be riding by myself, some of my family volunteered to crew for me. (I have never had a crew before!!) My husband, at this point had his own horse and would try a 50 while I rode the 100, the kids were left with my mom who was just hoping I would come back alive!!

The ride would have both FEI and AERC riders and I soon learned how many top riders were there to really compete for the top slots. At the dinner before ride meeting I was looking around and noticing all of these great riders and I turned to my husband and said do you know who they are?.. or who that is?... and then told him I thought I just needed to go back to the truck and vomit.. I was so nervous!! He just laughed and said "no I do not know who any of these people are and your FINE, you are here to ride your own ride, just chill out!! I felt completely out of my element, I mean what was I doing here riding with these great, amazing riders... I was just there to finish and hopfully not get pulled and have wasted my families time for coming up to help me!!

I was set that I just wanted to finish alive and most important with a healthy horse. I did not care how long it took me or how bad it hurt, I needed this... I needed to prove to myself that Noble and I could do this. Everyone told me that I would need someone to ride with and that it is very mental for the horse as well.

I was set that I would not let my guy waste his energy in the first half so I really held him back,( he loves to go and be in front) SO needless to say the first 40 miles were me holding Noble back so that we would have enough energy to finish, we took walking breaks, we stopped to drink, I was like a very protective mother, I did not want anything to go wrong and hurt Noble in anyway. Everything went very smooth, I forced my self to eat and drink and my guy did the same. I cannot express what it feels like to ride in the middle of the desert with nothing except stars and your best friend for company and security. We finished with all A's in about 17 hours. Yes sometimes it was uncomfortable, yes the rattle snake in the sagebrush at 11 pm was a eye opener, and I was tired, BUT I have never done anything so much fun as this in my life!! It was worth every ache, and every second of mental fatigue I had experienced. I proved to myself that I could do this, I worked hard for this, and my horse proved he was everything I already knew he was.... Wonderful, loyal, and beautiful.

I learned a lot about my abilites, my endurance and would and will do it again as many times as I can!!

Two more things I learned, I need to let my guy move out at a comfortable pace while it is cool in the morning, I really held him back because I worried he would wear out (not the case, my hand and back were very tired!!) and not all horses need a buddy at the end, some do some do not, my guy was just fine and actually did better on his own at his own speed. I am a mother of busy kids, a wife of a busy husband, I work part time,but if I can do it anyone can!! It was the best time of my life and I tell you what... Crewing looked much harder than what I got to do!

DVE 2005 - Karen Chaton

Karen Chaton

We lucked out and were able to get down to the start of the ride
between a break in storms. The roads were clear and the weather was
nice on the way down and after we got to Valley Wells. When we got
there camp was still not very full and there were plenty of open
spots left. We pulled in towards the back and parked. I had let the
horses out once on the trip down and cleaned all of the mud off of
their feet. Now they had to finish drying out. It took me awhile to
scrape all the rest of the mud off of them. I was really looking
forward to the ride and excited that the weather was looking to be a
whole lot nicer than it was the year before.

I entered my young horse Zenos for the first day of the ride. He's 7
and has done a few rides this last year. We started out in the
morning riding with Dave Rabe, and a junior -- one of Kayla's cousins
named Patrick Freeman, he is 15 and this was his first multiday
ride. We had a nice start down the road with good footing, across
the highway and then up into the foothills. It wasn't long before we
heard people behind us yelling 'loose horse'. We turned and could
see a horse running loose towards us. Dave Rabe went over to try and
catch the horse, he had the reins and then the horse spun around and
got away from him. He got off when the horse stopped and almost had
it caught when it took off again. He got back on and took off after
the horse. Patrick was wondering what to do since his sponsor left
him and I told him don't worry we were both sponsoring him so you can
keep going with me and Dave will catch up with us after he catches
the loose horse, which he did.

The loop was really nice, we had lots of good footing mixed in with a
bit of rocks and some up and downs and dips, washes and trail mixed
with roads. I hadn't done a very good job of getting the cables
tight enough on Zenos' Epics, and by 11 miles I had to get off three
times to adjust them. He was good about it, and while frustrating at
the time it was good experience for him to have to learn to stop and
stand still while groups of horses trotted on by. Our first vetcheck
was at about 12 or 13 miles back in camp where we had a half an hour
hold. We vetted thru with no problems and went back over to the
Laksos' trailer (Patrick's grandparents) and spent our vetcheck there
letting the horses eat while I got Zenos' boots all straightened
out. We left Valley Wells and now were going point to point over to
Ballarat http://www.ghosttown.info/ca/ballarat/ and http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/apr/stories/ballarat.html where the
next vetcheck was, and then after that onto the finish at Indian
Wells. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, not too warm and not
cold. We were taking turns letting all of the horses lead or
follow. This was the first time on a ride that I had let Zenos lead,
and he definitely was comfortable being in the front, and also is
happy to be in the back (unlike Chief, lol).

The vetcheck at Ballarat was nice, we vetted thru and husband Dave
was there with stuff for myself and Patrick, as well as Dave Rabe and
Becky and Sue. Mike showed up on his m/c and we all hung out and let
the horses eat and had fun. We fed Patrick a pbj sandwich and gave
him a frapaccino which perked him up and pretty soon we were off to
do the next few miles into the finish. The horses were all doing
well and I was really pleased with Zenos' attitude, I had wanted to
ride him on this point to point day to see how he'd do going and
going away from where he started in the morning. He had never been
to Indian Ranch before, but he seemed very happy to keep going, love
having that kind of an attitude in a horse! We were trotting along
and all of a sudden I heard a little click sound and my foot was
hanging on one side -- my stirrup had fallen off!!! I stopped Z and
Patrick pointed out where my stirrup was back there on the ground,
lol. Got off and went back and got it, turned out the screws had
come undone and ooops, it came off! I was able to fix it and ride.

Indian Ranch is located in the Saline Valley, which gets its name in
part because they mined salt from there. Also, I found this on the
web: "Indians maintained a very successful ranch from the late
1800's up to about 1950 when a tragedy occured that led to the
abandonment of the property. The tragedy involved the murder of a 22
year old caretaker for a mining company by 13 and 15 year old members
of the ranch. The mining company had diverted the water flow that the
ranch depended on."

The next day came fairly fast, and before I knew it we were getting
ready to head out. I alternated my horses and rode Chief on this
day. Patrick was riding a different horse this time, Qwest (the same
horse Kayla finished 1st on the last day with) and Dave was riding
Lightning again. We rode back to Ballarat and had a trot by on the
way there and then headed up the big mountain. This is a really big
climb up, several thousand feet, and the footing is not the greatest
so it's a tough day on the horses, especially any horses that aren't
in condition. Luckily it wasn't freezing cold like in some
years. We took our time going up alternating walking with
trotting. The horses were drinking well as there was a lot of water.
Chief was trying to eat anything brown that he could find, but it was
pretty slim pickings thru there. We got up to the top and Sparrow's
son was there with water for us. The views were so incredible! for
the last two years on this ride we haven't been up to the very top,
only partway up, and last year not up at all so it was nice to get up
there again and get to look over Death Valley on such a beautiful day!

The climbing isn't over yet once we get to the top, we still had to
go up a little bit more, then down, then more up, and then down and
down and down. Dave Rabe did most of it on foot, and Patrick
alternated trying to be on foot and on his horse. He wasn't having
much luck with his horse behaving, poor kid was having to deal with a
horse that wanted to jig or trot, anything but walk. On the way down
we passed up the Ribley's -- Robert was helping Melissa walk, as her
horse had fallen with her and she was not looking too good. She made
it tho, and went on to finish the ride and I think all 4 days.

Chief was getting into his fast walk that he does, over 5 mph, so I
just stayed on knowing I can't really walk myself any faster than 4
or 4.4, especially over rocks. I kept looking back and making sure I
could still see Patrick, as he kept falling back farther and
farther. Dave was back there on foot too. We finally made it back
down into Ballarat for the vet check. I know my horse was starving
and was on a mission to get there! We went to the water, and then I
got Chief's pulse first, then Qwest got his. We went over to where
husband Dave was parked with John and they had all of our stuff for
us. Dave handed Patrick and I a pbj sandwich and frapaccinos and
whatever else we wanted. I had realized after a few minutes that
Dave Rabe hadn't come over and was still at the water, I asked why
was he still there and they said his horse hadn't come down
yet. Darn! He had led on foot the last 11 miles we'd gone, but his
horse was not having a good day and they pulled. Patrick and I both
perked up again for the last part and headed out back to the
finish. We had an hour hold here, and the horses had eaten the
entire time we were there. They really needed to eat and were quite
perky on the way in. We finished by dark, so we had a couple of
hours to spare anyway. I was still riding fairly conservatively, yet
still a little faster than usual because I am alternating horses. I
know that Chief could go considerably faster but the ride season is
just starting and I don't want to have him get too beat up going
faster than he needs to go on some of that crappy footing. There
were some horse that finished this day that looked worse than the
footing did this day, so going faster might get me done sooner but it
isn't always the best choice for the horse to do that, even if he can.

The third day was Zenos' turn again. He had been a good boy in camp
and had eaten well and rolled quite a bit in the soft white sandy
stuff there. We were moving camp this day, riding to Panamint
Springs, so I had everything packed up and led the horse off while
Dave left with the rig to go to the next camp before the start so he
would be gone before the horses started. I walked over to wait for
Patrick to be ready and Z reached thru their corral panels and pulled
a pan of feed over and helped himself. lol I think he's got the
makings to be a halfway decent endurance horse!! It was time to go,
so we started out. Dave Rabe was still packing his rig up so it
could be moved, and was riding his other horse Holy. We went ahead
knowing he would catch us and that he was better off starting out
alone on Holy who can be a handful.

The weather was still quite wonderful. I've been riding Zenos in a
s-hack and he does so well in it. I can't get over how calm and laid
back he is already. We take turns leading or following or going side
by side, and move out everywhere we can move out. A lot of times our
average speed drops below 5 mph, but we can't do a lot about that
because of the rocky footing. We only had one vetcheck this day,
about 31.5 miles into the ride. I had done a better job this day of
adjusting the cables on Z's boots, and only had to get off one time
all day to make an adjustment. We had a half an hour hold at the
check on this day. The horses ate the entire time and pretty soon we
were off again. Just as we were leaving, Dave Rabe made it into the
check with Holy dragging him in ;). We were able to pick up the pace
in the next few miles and did a fair amount of cantering. Again, it
was a point to point day and I was elated to see how much Z was
wanting to go, not knowing where he was going or caring that where
he'd come from was the opposite direction that we were
headed. Yay! We did zip along fairly fast the rest of the way in
and finished at 3 o'clock. I had time to give him a bath, which was
nice as I washed tons of that white fine sandy stuff out of his long
winter coat. Everytime he'd shake a cloud of white dust would come
off of him, so I was sure glad to have him clean. I just kept
changing his fleece blankets out under his other blanket until he was dry.

The fourth day always seems to come by too fast. I hate when the
rides start and then seem to end just like that. I know Patrick was
having fun and excited about riding all 4 days, his first
multiday. He was back on the same horse he rode on days 1 and 3, and
Kayla was riding Qwest. She'd finished up in the front on the third
day and gotten BC on Gemmy :), and finished first on Qwest the last
day. We headed out down the road out of Panamint Springs and down
the road to begin our long climb up Darwin Grade. I had my New
Years' party hat on Chief. Patrick wasn't ready in time to get his
on. He'd also forgotten his elytes. Turns out he hadn't forgotten
them, he had just packed them on Kayla's saddle is all. hehe.

We walked and trotted up the hill and the horses were doing really
well. Chief can get really competitive with other horses, so Patrick
had to try to keep his horse back and was doing a lot better at
it. We went down, then thru the sandy canyon and then back up on the
semi paved old road to the town of
Darwin. http://members.aol.com/dierdorff/darwin/index.html (about
whether or not it gets windy there, this is on the site: Mojave
Desert residents really do not use a tire chain bolted to a phone
pole as a wind sock. They use a small boat anchor chained to a
boulder because phone poles can sometimes blow away.

We were nearly there when we came up a draw and were hit head on by a
gale force wind. Woohoo!!!! My helmet visor splatted against my
face and I couldn't see squat. We were now heading downhill, I
couldn't see anything and the horse was taking over, which is
probably a good thing. I just hung on and finally was able to regain
my composure and stop from laughing. Not that not being able to see
is funny, but after four days out there you get a little weird. The
horses were all excited and frisky, Chief was wanting to go full
tilt, and I had to work to get him slowed down thru the town of
Darwin. We made it to the end of town where the LD vetcheck is and
water. They told us that they were changing the trail and to follow
the arrows for the LD trail, after having the vets check our
horses. Dave said he wouldn't crew this day for me, as he hates
going up to the top of the mountain and sitting there in the blowing
wind, so John said he'd take my truck and go up. so of course, they
changed the vetcheck so that John and my truck got to drive up there
and back :P. Meanwhile Dave is trying not to laugh too hard....

The next part of the trail was super nice, the LD riders really get
all of the good sections of trail on this ride! We cruised along at
a nice trot for almost this entire next part. Then we looped back up
and over Darwin Grade. We got off to lead down and when we got back
on everything was soaking wet. I guess it had been raining, just
lightly enough to get stuff wet without us really noticing. We
weren't cold though, Dave was wearing shorts and a tank top (and ski
gloves, lol) and until I sat down on my wet saddle cover I was plenty
comfortable with just a windbreaker on. The clouds always make the
colors stand out so well.

With the trail change we were going back to Panamint to basecamp for
our vetcheck and hour hold. This trail change made this day a lot
easier than it normally would be. Patrick got his party hat attached
to his horses head at lunch, so both of our horses were in a party
mood for the last part of the trail. We headed out, we were riding
down alongside the highway for a few miles to a water spot, and then
back again. The storm was coming in and following us. We headed out
and as we went along we could see ahead how the wind was kicking up a
sandstorm ahead and we were riding right into it. Oh boy! My visor
was doing that slap me in the face thing again, so I yanked it
off. It's like driving a car with a hood up when it does that. It
was so windy we were leaning sideways to stay upright and sometimes
when a motorhome went by doing 65 mph, it would suck the wind around
us and blow us over. We were laughing though and having a great
time. Even with a little wind, I'd still rather be there riding than
to not be there riding :). Besides, it was still a hundred times
better than the weather was the entire time the year before, so I'll
take it without complaint! We got down to the water and then turned
and headed back. We saw a big beautiful rainbow across the valley,
and the clouds engulfing Panamint Springs up ahead of us, with all of
the colors in the desert it was a really beautiful scene.

Along the way we saw a tourist stop and get out of his car. His hat
blew off and he took off running after it. He ran and ran and ran,
and there was just no way he was going to catch that hat.

This ride was a lot of fun, as always. Jackie has a lot of
volunteers who help make the world go around, without them we
wouldn't get to do this, thanks to all!!! Turns out that getting
back home again was the biggest challenge of all, lol, tho we made it
home safe and sound, and hope everybody else did too. :) Here are
photos from myself and Sue
Benson: http://aerc.org/Photo_Gallery/DVE05/DEATHVALLEY2005.html

Karen

in NV