Thursday, January 01, 1998
The Groom's Lament - Mike Walder
The term "underprivileged classes" has been well-defined and usually conjures up the image of persons living under conditions of extreme hardship in squalid poverty. There is however a small but significant sub-specie of the underprivileged class , the Groomus Enduricandum downtrodennicus , member of which , while they may give the outward impression of belonging to the privileged strata of society , are seriously underprivileged in other ways. The plight of this unfortunate and pitiful band has been widely ignored by those self-styled "champions of the underdogs" , the liberal press. This is either because the reporting of our wretched existence would not sell enough newspapers , or , taking the kindlier view , the liberal journalists are genuinely unaware of the abuses and hardships we endure , not only at the hands of the riders whom we loyally and unselfishly serve , but also from their horses. I speak of the latter from bitter experience. I am one of the many grooms whose right arm is a foot longer than the left after having been yanked out of its socket more times than I care to remember by hyped-up>horses ,who get more nervous during the ride than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I also , along with others of my breed ,have toes like seal flippers- the result of countless horses dancing a "vastrap" (square-dance) on my feet. The horses I can forgive. They are after all God`s "dumb creatures" (Although I am not so sure at times!!) I feel less forgiving towards the riders since the Lord supposedly endowed them with a higher level of intelligence( again I doubt this at times!) But , maybe I should be more forgiving. A mental patient cannot help being mad and many endurance riders are of course raving schizophrenics. At home , the loved ones we groom for are kind, thoughtful , caring persons. Before and after a ride , however , they undergo a complete personality change and adopt the temperament of a scorpion with a serious "babbelas"(hangover) to the extent that Hitler and Attila the Hun seem like kindly old uncles by comparison. Those loving gestures we receive in the home environment from these very same people are replaced by savage cuts with the crop and well directed kicks when one is bending over a water bucket. (This is why many of us have bucket-shaped heads) My wife , for example , has perfected a karate type kick-back. Mercifully she doesn`t wear spurs otherwise I would now be the oldest boy soprano in the Western Transvaal. Similarly , the kindly words we hear at home are replaced by the most hideous abuse snarled through foam-flecked lips in the most fearful language which has been known on some endurance rides to cause whole fields of lucerne(alfalfa) to wither and die. Among the more unreasonable comments we have to endure are: "You`re towing too fast"(You are actually doing 60 kmph) "Why are we grooming so far from the toilet?" (Because your riders starting time was late and all the places near the loo were taken when you reached the checkpoint) "He won`t drink this water. Why didn`t you bring a contained full from the showground?" (Because the horse didn`t tell you before the ride that he didn`t like the water at MNR....se plaas)(Mister....`s farm) "Why didn`t you dry out the numnah I used on the first leg?" (Because it has been raining all day and silly me I clean forgot to load a generator and tumble drier in the bakkie(van)) "How did it go?"(After a vet check) " He was eliminated - pulse too high/interfering" - "You fool!! You should have sponged him down more/told me to use brushing boots./taken him to a different vet!!" "Go ahead to..... and throw water on the horse as I ride past" (This is the time when one employs a little-known technique known as the Grooms` Revenge - you "accidently" throw water, preferably dirty, over the rider instead.) "There is no paper in the toilet. Why didn`t you bring some?"(By this time I`m normally several Castle`s(beer) downwind - we grooms have to aneasthetise ourselves - and am tempted to tell her to use a empty beer can and her imagination!) Of course none of these reasons are acceptable to the rider - the groom is always in the wrong. Indeed , the tasks of we unsung heroes has , I believe, a higher risk profile than riding shotgun for Eugene Terreblanche through Soweto! Therefore , Brother and Sister Grooms , the time has come to rise up and fight this oppression. We must rally together and form a Grooms Union.Our Coat Of Arms should depict a groom with buckets standing on top of a pile of manure with a rider half buried in the pile. The Latin inscription underneath should read "Nil Illegitemi Carborundum" (Don`t let the b....s grind you down). IF you riders are now deeply offended , worry not!!!! It`s all tongue in cheek. The real reason we groom for you is because we love you and our horses. We are deeply proud of your courage, fortitude and achievements. A few days feeling the rough edge of your tongue during the season is therefore a small price to pay for the privilege of serving you and your horses in this noble sport.
Brazilian Endurance Clinic - Darolyn Butler
Hi everyone, Darolyn Butler here in Brazil on a borrowed e mail address of my friend Sylvia Vaccari. Sylvia & I met a little over a year ago during the Endurance Competition of the World Nature Games in Parana, Brazil. She visited me this summer and rode DB Razzmatazz 50 Miles at the Old Dominion, & then she started working with the University of the Horse in Sorocaba, Brazil, to have me down for a clinic.
I arrived last Thursday in Sao Paulo and was met by Sylvia and the Dean of the University, Aluisio Marins. After a short, but very scenic drive to Sorocaba, we arrived at Sylvia`s beautiful home & small acreage which houses her 5 horses as well. I met the horses of course, then crashed for awhile to catch up on the jet lag. They are only 5 hours different, but..... coincidently, I had been on the same flight as my good friend, Brazilian, Dr. Marcello Grilo, (the team Vet for Chili for Dubai, I won`t even try to explain), & also co-hosting Day III of my six day clinic. Naturally we talked most of the night flight about the clinic, endurance training/conditioning & strategy for his team in Dubai.
Yes, I said SIX DAY clinic!! Boggled me at first, but then I assigned Marcello to one day for Vet stuff, & Sharon Saare one day for Saddle Stuff, & with slides, (taken all of 1 week to 1 day before departure), & my 15 year old video tape ;-), (lord, was my hair really that black & was I really that skinny???), Its pretty doggone easy to fill several days watching & chatting about Endurance.
At the end of Saturday, Day I, we all took a short ride in the beautiful Brazilian countryside. We practiced sponging, (Angie.... U would have been proud!!!.... I`ve been a big fan of the hour glass synthetic sponge for a long time, but one has to have a bio-thane leash... now really. ) We practiced flying or emergency dismounts, & talked alot about tailing, but no one was brave enough to try. Including myself, as I was mounted on a 15.3 hand chestnut stallion that was ethel powered. He put up with the flying dismount, thought I shouldn`t push my luck after that.
I must admit, however, that I am a bit pre-occupied.... Thursday evening I was informed that my little ranch back in Texas is flooding, once again, in less than 4 weeks. Even worse, my daily reports are that the water is 2-3 feet higher than it was in October. My barn manager & friends watching my place are now ready to find a new friend, as they had to evacuate nearly 30 head of horses and all the vehicles & trailers on the place. Not to mention loading up over 100 bales of hay that were getting ready to drown. Lost over that last flood & they knew how I cried. Worst of all though, is it is two feet deep in Sky`s (barn manager`s apt.).
When I called Sunday A.M. the phones & the e mail were going out, so if anyone local reads this, Lynda C. vickie, etc. Please call my cell phone & report back to me at Sylvia`s e mail.
Back to the clinic, today, DAY II we covered conditioning & rider equipment. They are calling my fanny pack a Batman Pack & me McGuyver. Really, it only weighs a few pounds & yes you could probably perform some sort of surgery out of it. ;-))) If you want my formula, e mail me in a couple of weeks at darolyn@swbell.net, & I will pass it on.
At the end of the day we were scheduled to ride after I demonstrated loading a "non-loading" horses. Horse did & did not cooperate as he walked right on the first time with no problem. Should I quit while I`m ahead?? No.... not that smart....So I asked for something else, and boy did I get "Something Else"! A young anglo-arab that came bouncing out of the stable like a kite on a string. I took one look & said...."I think we will take this one to the round pen first." That was smart.... as I worked for almost two hours just gentling and building up his confidence in me. It`s always a little nerve wracking doing this work, even if you are alone.... you always have doubts if this method will really work "this time." I have had one miserable failure and the thought always haunts me.
Today was successful though, with a combination of skills learned from Linda Tellington-Jones, John Lyons, Pat Parelli, & Monty Roberts, (listed chronologically of course), & I suppose a little bit of DB thrown in, the colt was a different guy. Still has a few holes, and still not ready for the saddle, but at least manageable now. I asked my clinic attendees at the end of the work if they thought I should try to load him & risk loosing what I had attained thus far, or quit while he was happy & relaxed. Thank God they voted that we quit. Never under estimate the power of positive thinking.
Led him quietly to his stall, and then demonstrated to the stable hands how to catch him in the stall, as he had been almost impossible to catch, even in there. What a great way to end the day. We missed our scheduled ride, but I don`t think any of the students were too disappointed. They loved watching a bundle of nerves turn into a quiet and soft eye.
Tune in tomorrow for Day III. Miss home, but ride camp helps... put it up on Sylvia`s computer the 2nd day I was here.... so I`m keeping up with everyone back there. e ya later, Darolyn
Brazil Clinic Day III & IV
Dr. Marcello Grilo, the Team Vet for the Country of Chili, for Dubai, and a native Brazilian, was actually at the Universidad do Cavalo when I arrived Monday morning. Marcello is known for not only his tardiness, but sometimes his total absence. However, it is very easy to forgive him when you understand the schedule he keeps & how hard he works. He is more than a good samaritan in his effort to help every animal on any farm/ranch he is on. That includes the cats & dogs. So you can imagine how that always slows him down.
Anyway, Marcello was there, had arrived around 5:30 AM after driving all night. At least he had another Brazilian friend with him that was helping with the drive & his treatments. We got started on the Veterinarian Check details right away. We had made slides the week before at my place, with all details covered from the dismount into the ride check, checking with the timer, cool down, every little thing the vet checks, trot out, & what U do with the horse during the hold.
I had been blessed with a great translator the two days before, and of course didn`t need her while Marcello was there, but in actuality, I would have liked her to translate to me all that was going on. The students really hit it off with Marcello, and we had a great day of vet discussions. A wonderful lunch was again provided on the scenic and flowered veranda, and back to work with more slides and talking. We broke about 3:00 to not just do our daily ride, but to have a simulated Pre & Post Vet check. Marcello basically did a pre-purchase exam on each of the horses he was so thorough. Of course Brazilian riders, like us in the US, don`t like to hear that their horse is a grade 1 lame. But... what a good time to find out.. instead of competition.
We left on a 10 K (7-8 mile ride), one of the loaner horses (belonged to the Universidad), pulled a hamstring going up a little hill. Another pulled a shoe.... so we called for an EZ boot, (duh.... there was 8 of them setting on the demonstration table back in the meeting room), and we got to practice the previous day`s lesson of cutting down, and fitting an EZ Boot. Worked great of course, & we got back in just fine. The hamstrung horse was hauled in.
After arrival, we watched each others horses get the "Final Vet Ck". Marcello was incredibly instructive as he invited the students to help with the diagnosis. They picked up an eye for lameness pretty quick. We did that until dark.
Then one of the nearby students brought a couple of her horses in for diagnosis & between those two & a couple housed at the Universidad we were all there `til 12:30 AM. No wonder we start a little late sometime. Dinner wasn`t mentioned, but someone did divide two apples into many small pieces to stave off starvation. I grabbed a great Brazilian white choc. Bar, & who really gets hungry at that time of nite anyway. So... Sylvia & I drug ourselves home to an already sleeping house. (Thus no report)
Tuesday, Day IV, we went back to "Feeding the Endurance Horse". I had articles on Pro-Biotics, Beet Pulp & the great feeding one from Kathleen Crandell at Kentucky Equine Research. I had had them translated into Portuguese, so we read thru them slowly & answered questions with Sylvia being my translator, as Aluisio had left for the airport to pick up Sharon Saare. He was rushing back to make sure he made the section on "The Many Uses Of Bandanas", but alas he missed it. Will give him a private one tomorrow. He came in with Sharon, just as we finished lunch.
After lunch, (3:00ish, we are on Brazilian time after all), we decided it was time for the BARN. They wanted to see a continuation of the colt I had started on Sunday. I had only walked in his stall and petted him a bit on two different occasions on Monday. No more than 5 minutes each time, so, I too, was curious what he would retain. Led him quietly to the round pen & turned him loose and then left to gather my tools; a 60 foot rope, dressage whip, plastic grocery sack, & two water bottles. The folks gathered & we started working. He was pretty calm & I was just going thru the first lessons when I noticed the scab had come off an old wound. It was just up from the curb chain area, pretty nasty, & the flies were really attacking. I asked Aluisio for some fly ointment & U guessed it, he brings out a spray can. Well, I jumped ahead pretty quick & put a halter on him. Tried to start spraying and shushing far away, but this guy was trying to die.
You know, its really interesting how some things just direct themselves. I went ahead & attached the plastic bag to the dressage whip & spent the next 30-45 minutes sacking young stud out with that,... so much so in fact, that the eventual spraying of the medicine was EASY. Did some over the rump turn arounds, (via J.L & P.P.), some TTouch, (via LTJ), then put on the long rope, lunged for a moment.... practiced stopping and going obediently, then out to an open area to practice. Within about 30 seconds he had thrown himself as he spooked and bolted at a ditch. Oh well, I held his head up so it didn`t hit the ground.... then we had a pretty long, but successful session of crossing some nasty ditches, tangling and untangling around trees, and finally going up a concret ramp, (prep for trailer loading). He & I were both wet & mellow by this time. This is great training for Endurance horses,.... why don`t I ever do it to those guys that dump me on a regular basis.... ah the cobblers childred go barefoot! Finished off with a quiet bath, (his very first), he even let me wash his face.... Albanet won`t let me do that, neither will Marcus & neither will.... oh well,
Put him away on a good note, then we all saddled up & went for a two hour ride. Once again, the country side is just awesome. Today we rode thru a gated subdivision that had a "blow U away" jumping farm. Probably at least 200-300 acres of jumps, pastures, fancy barns, & of course an indoor jumping arena. Wow!!!
Had the students do a forced trot for a mile or so, then jump off & try to take their horse`s pulse... Not a great success. One guy had just purchased 5 Heart Monitors, so I just don`t think he thought it was necessary. They lost interest in that pretty quick. They did show a little more when we returned to the ranch during bath time. We`ll have to practice that some more. And most did do a flying dismount and hand trotted in to the barn area. (Big Success!)
Sharon had caught a quick rest while we were gone, & since it was still early, (not midnight), we decided to let her start her slide show. That lasted about 20 minutes.... then the Pizza arrived, & with that the beer, & with that the evening was over. Got home by 11:00 tonite.... not bad.
Tomorrow we`ll continue with Sharon`s show, maybe fit some saddles, then do a 20 mile (round trip) ride to one of the students farms, (where we are supposed to have lunch.) then back for the conclusion of Sharon`s lecture.
One of the students is trying to entice Sharon & I to come to Rio de Janerio to do some fittings there. Go ahead... twist my arm. ;-)))
Brazilian Clinic Day V
Day 5 started with a continuation of slides from Sharon Saare`s "Back Lecture". For those of you who have never seen it, you may get an opportunity at the convention this year. Believe me, every time I hear it, I vow to be more careful of horse selection with the back in mind. Then of course saddle fit as well. The Brasilians were absolutely mismerized. None of them had really ever considered the problems of the down hill horse or the mutton withered horse.
We broke around 11:00 to mount our horses & go across the lush country to the most gorgeous competition stable I have ever been in. & Yes... endurance riders ride in the rain here too.... we were drenched by the time we arrived. One of the students manages this mainly jumping & 3 day eventing stable & invited us to include a tour & lunch at her operation in our cross country ride for the day. It was a mind blower. It had an open air inside jumping arena flanked by about 40 stalls on the sides. The wash rack & tack room was at one end and a dining area at the other. This was just outside a glassed lab room, and a trophy room that was not only posh, but absolutely fool of trophys, (both floors.) And, of course, original oils lined the walls.
During lunch, about 20 different horses were paraded in front of us, from an absolutely gorgeous Anglo/Arab that I would like to bring home, to 2, 3 year old & one 7 day old baby. They had imported semen in from the AngloArab French horses and of course my eye was for what would make a good endurance prospect, but Sharon and I agreed that the event favorite and the endurance favorite are pretty close. Sylvania, our hostess, and one of the students, showed us her 5 yr old endurance prospect and she really made my mouth water. A big flea bitten grey mare that was perfectly balanced. After a gourmet lunch, we took a full tour of the facility. Saw the outside liberty jumping ring, miles of well keeped paddocks, a hay & equipment barn that looked almost like a house. Sylvania apologized for it being dirty, just as I was saying to myself, can`t believe this is the floor of the barn.... there was about 10 strands of hay on the floor. ;-) Labor is cheap here and everything is kept emaculant. I`ve made lots of promises to myself when I get home.... however, my labor is the only one that is cheap it seems.
Returned to the Universidad, but not without loosing another shoe, this time it was Sharon`s horse & Aluisio did the honors of putting on the EZ boot. He got an A... had to coach him a bit. Started slides again at 6:00 and this time we were joined by Sat/Sun`s Race Manager. Yes!!!! This site has a 70 k (50 mile race) on Sat. & a 30 k on Sunday. I may have a horse for both days so I`m really looking forward to actually getting to compete while I`m here. He was quite impressed with what Sharon had to say as well, and is hauling 3 or 4 horses out tomorrow to have Sharon fit them. The other students can`t wait to fit the trees on their own horses.
We finished the evening off in a neighboring town at an exquisite German Restaurant who`s specialty was Veal Parmigian, (which is my all time favorite), and now guys, don`t flame me for bathroom talk,.... but, I swear this is true, ask Sharon, The inside of the toilet bowls had flowers painted on them to match the tile work on the walls. I know, enough, enough..... see you tomorrow. Darolyn Butler
Day VI Hi, Sharon Saare here....Day six of the Brazilian endurance clinic. After a couple of days of talking about saddle fitting and the consequences of back conformation...it was time to take a serious look at the horses. We had a good ride yesterday...and a preliminary look at backs led me to believe I only needed to have brought about 4 trees with me. Sure enough, as Darolyn and I fitted these horses...we were seeing all A`s, B,s C,s and SSS. Some really above average horses in this bunch...that would lead me to believe they will in time, make their mark anywhere they go. Just an observation from 30 years of World traveling and looking at horses, (of course) everywhere...climate sure seems to influence conformation.
Horses I`ve seen in tropical and semi tropical countries, as a general rule, tend toward a more narrow type. My guess is it is a mechanism to keep cool....and, of course, for endurance horses, it sure works to their advantage. Its not by accident that many of the top endurance horses on the scene today are a B body type. ...and of course the other three sizes are in that narrow catagory.
Today, we also fitted a couple of 3 day horses...and they also were fairly narrow on the spine line. One lovely gelding was an Anglo Arab owned by our Host, Aluisio Marins. A very special horse in my book.
At the Farm we visited yesterday the Anglo Arab was the predominent cross...and quite a successful one. All of those horses were high front end horses...no downhill backs in this bunch. Joy. Joy.
After the fittings, Darolyn concluded the Clinic with a Super Video called "Symmetry in Motion" with Doris Halstead & Carrie Cameron. This was the last video Darolyn/aka Horseman Video Showcase produced, and perhaps, (to me at least... one of the most valuable.) It deals with freeing up muscle and bone...both for horses and people. As one who has had an old car accident back injury to put up with for 16 years, I could really relate to the benefits of "jarring loose:". I would strongly recommend this tape for anyone in the same boat!!
Our Brazilian Clinic Attendees were most appreciative of the enlightenment us two ol`campaigners could impart. You know, we all started this sport at Zero...and I can only think back to the good people who helped us along the way....now perhaps it is our turn to do the same. They are truly hungry for Endurance education and make wonderful students.
Now..... schools out, two race days coming up.... to the Pizzeria tonite!!!! (Oh... if your interested in video, contact Darolyn at darolyn@swbell.net or phone 1 800 228 8768 Sharon`s is 303 678 5968. We`ll be back in the USA Nov. 24th. Sharon & Darolyn
I arrived last Thursday in Sao Paulo and was met by Sylvia and the Dean of the University, Aluisio Marins. After a short, but very scenic drive to Sorocaba, we arrived at Sylvia`s beautiful home & small acreage which houses her 5 horses as well. I met the horses of course, then crashed for awhile to catch up on the jet lag. They are only 5 hours different, but..... coincidently, I had been on the same flight as my good friend, Brazilian, Dr. Marcello Grilo, (the team Vet for Chili for Dubai, I won`t even try to explain), & also co-hosting Day III of my six day clinic. Naturally we talked most of the night flight about the clinic, endurance training/conditioning & strategy for his team in Dubai.
Yes, I said SIX DAY clinic!! Boggled me at first, but then I assigned Marcello to one day for Vet stuff, & Sharon Saare one day for Saddle Stuff, & with slides, (taken all of 1 week to 1 day before departure), & my 15 year old video tape ;-), (lord, was my hair really that black & was I really that skinny???), Its pretty doggone easy to fill several days watching & chatting about Endurance.
At the end of Saturday, Day I, we all took a short ride in the beautiful Brazilian countryside. We practiced sponging, (Angie.... U would have been proud!!!.... I`ve been a big fan of the hour glass synthetic sponge for a long time, but one has to have a bio-thane leash... now really. ) We practiced flying or emergency dismounts, & talked alot about tailing, but no one was brave enough to try. Including myself, as I was mounted on a 15.3 hand chestnut stallion that was ethel powered. He put up with the flying dismount, thought I shouldn`t push my luck after that.
I must admit, however, that I am a bit pre-occupied.... Thursday evening I was informed that my little ranch back in Texas is flooding, once again, in less than 4 weeks. Even worse, my daily reports are that the water is 2-3 feet higher than it was in October. My barn manager & friends watching my place are now ready to find a new friend, as they had to evacuate nearly 30 head of horses and all the vehicles & trailers on the place. Not to mention loading up over 100 bales of hay that were getting ready to drown. Lost over that last flood & they knew how I cried. Worst of all though, is it is two feet deep in Sky`s (barn manager`s apt.).
When I called Sunday A.M. the phones & the e mail were going out, so if anyone local reads this, Lynda C. vickie, etc. Please call my cell phone & report back to me at Sylvia`s e mail.
Back to the clinic, today, DAY II we covered conditioning & rider equipment. They are calling my fanny pack a Batman Pack & me McGuyver. Really, it only weighs a few pounds & yes you could probably perform some sort of surgery out of it. ;-))) If you want my formula, e mail me in a couple of weeks at darolyn@swbell.net, & I will pass it on.
At the end of the day we were scheduled to ride after I demonstrated loading a "non-loading" horses. Horse did & did not cooperate as he walked right on the first time with no problem. Should I quit while I`m ahead?? No.... not that smart....So I asked for something else, and boy did I get "Something Else"! A young anglo-arab that came bouncing out of the stable like a kite on a string. I took one look & said...."I think we will take this one to the round pen first." That was smart.... as I worked for almost two hours just gentling and building up his confidence in me. It`s always a little nerve wracking doing this work, even if you are alone.... you always have doubts if this method will really work "this time." I have had one miserable failure and the thought always haunts me.
Today was successful though, with a combination of skills learned from Linda Tellington-Jones, John Lyons, Pat Parelli, & Monty Roberts, (listed chronologically of course), & I suppose a little bit of DB thrown in, the colt was a different guy. Still has a few holes, and still not ready for the saddle, but at least manageable now. I asked my clinic attendees at the end of the work if they thought I should try to load him & risk loosing what I had attained thus far, or quit while he was happy & relaxed. Thank God they voted that we quit. Never under estimate the power of positive thinking.
Led him quietly to his stall, and then demonstrated to the stable hands how to catch him in the stall, as he had been almost impossible to catch, even in there. What a great way to end the day. We missed our scheduled ride, but I don`t think any of the students were too disappointed. They loved watching a bundle of nerves turn into a quiet and soft eye.
Tune in tomorrow for Day III. Miss home, but ride camp helps... put it up on Sylvia`s computer the 2nd day I was here.... so I`m keeping up with everyone back there. e ya later, Darolyn
Brazil Clinic Day III & IV
Dr. Marcello Grilo, the Team Vet for the Country of Chili, for Dubai, and a native Brazilian, was actually at the Universidad do Cavalo when I arrived Monday morning. Marcello is known for not only his tardiness, but sometimes his total absence. However, it is very easy to forgive him when you understand the schedule he keeps & how hard he works. He is more than a good samaritan in his effort to help every animal on any farm/ranch he is on. That includes the cats & dogs. So you can imagine how that always slows him down.
Anyway, Marcello was there, had arrived around 5:30 AM after driving all night. At least he had another Brazilian friend with him that was helping with the drive & his treatments. We got started on the Veterinarian Check details right away. We had made slides the week before at my place, with all details covered from the dismount into the ride check, checking with the timer, cool down, every little thing the vet checks, trot out, & what U do with the horse during the hold.
I had been blessed with a great translator the two days before, and of course didn`t need her while Marcello was there, but in actuality, I would have liked her to translate to me all that was going on. The students really hit it off with Marcello, and we had a great day of vet discussions. A wonderful lunch was again provided on the scenic and flowered veranda, and back to work with more slides and talking. We broke about 3:00 to not just do our daily ride, but to have a simulated Pre & Post Vet check. Marcello basically did a pre-purchase exam on each of the horses he was so thorough. Of course Brazilian riders, like us in the US, don`t like to hear that their horse is a grade 1 lame. But... what a good time to find out.. instead of competition.
We left on a 10 K (7-8 mile ride), one of the loaner horses (belonged to the Universidad), pulled a hamstring going up a little hill. Another pulled a shoe.... so we called for an EZ boot, (duh.... there was 8 of them setting on the demonstration table back in the meeting room), and we got to practice the previous day`s lesson of cutting down, and fitting an EZ Boot. Worked great of course, & we got back in just fine. The hamstrung horse was hauled in.
After arrival, we watched each others horses get the "Final Vet Ck". Marcello was incredibly instructive as he invited the students to help with the diagnosis. They picked up an eye for lameness pretty quick. We did that until dark.
Then one of the nearby students brought a couple of her horses in for diagnosis & between those two & a couple housed at the Universidad we were all there `til 12:30 AM. No wonder we start a little late sometime. Dinner wasn`t mentioned, but someone did divide two apples into many small pieces to stave off starvation. I grabbed a great Brazilian white choc. Bar, & who really gets hungry at that time of nite anyway. So... Sylvia & I drug ourselves home to an already sleeping house. (Thus no report)
Tuesday, Day IV, we went back to "Feeding the Endurance Horse". I had articles on Pro-Biotics, Beet Pulp & the great feeding one from Kathleen Crandell at Kentucky Equine Research. I had had them translated into Portuguese, so we read thru them slowly & answered questions with Sylvia being my translator, as Aluisio had left for the airport to pick up Sharon Saare. He was rushing back to make sure he made the section on "The Many Uses Of Bandanas", but alas he missed it. Will give him a private one tomorrow. He came in with Sharon, just as we finished lunch.
After lunch, (3:00ish, we are on Brazilian time after all), we decided it was time for the BARN. They wanted to see a continuation of the colt I had started on Sunday. I had only walked in his stall and petted him a bit on two different occasions on Monday. No more than 5 minutes each time, so, I too, was curious what he would retain. Led him quietly to the round pen & turned him loose and then left to gather my tools; a 60 foot rope, dressage whip, plastic grocery sack, & two water bottles. The folks gathered & we started working. He was pretty calm & I was just going thru the first lessons when I noticed the scab had come off an old wound. It was just up from the curb chain area, pretty nasty, & the flies were really attacking. I asked Aluisio for some fly ointment & U guessed it, he brings out a spray can. Well, I jumped ahead pretty quick & put a halter on him. Tried to start spraying and shushing far away, but this guy was trying to die.
You know, its really interesting how some things just direct themselves. I went ahead & attached the plastic bag to the dressage whip & spent the next 30-45 minutes sacking young stud out with that,... so much so in fact, that the eventual spraying of the medicine was EASY. Did some over the rump turn arounds, (via J.L & P.P.), some TTouch, (via LTJ), then put on the long rope, lunged for a moment.... practiced stopping and going obediently, then out to an open area to practice. Within about 30 seconds he had thrown himself as he spooked and bolted at a ditch. Oh well, I held his head up so it didn`t hit the ground.... then we had a pretty long, but successful session of crossing some nasty ditches, tangling and untangling around trees, and finally going up a concret ramp, (prep for trailer loading). He & I were both wet & mellow by this time. This is great training for Endurance horses,.... why don`t I ever do it to those guys that dump me on a regular basis.... ah the cobblers childred go barefoot! Finished off with a quiet bath, (his very first), he even let me wash his face.... Albanet won`t let me do that, neither will Marcus & neither will.... oh well,
Put him away on a good note, then we all saddled up & went for a two hour ride. Once again, the country side is just awesome. Today we rode thru a gated subdivision that had a "blow U away" jumping farm. Probably at least 200-300 acres of jumps, pastures, fancy barns, & of course an indoor jumping arena. Wow!!!
Had the students do a forced trot for a mile or so, then jump off & try to take their horse`s pulse... Not a great success. One guy had just purchased 5 Heart Monitors, so I just don`t think he thought it was necessary. They lost interest in that pretty quick. They did show a little more when we returned to the ranch during bath time. We`ll have to practice that some more. And most did do a flying dismount and hand trotted in to the barn area. (Big Success!)
Sharon had caught a quick rest while we were gone, & since it was still early, (not midnight), we decided to let her start her slide show. That lasted about 20 minutes.... then the Pizza arrived, & with that the beer, & with that the evening was over. Got home by 11:00 tonite.... not bad.
Tomorrow we`ll continue with Sharon`s show, maybe fit some saddles, then do a 20 mile (round trip) ride to one of the students farms, (where we are supposed to have lunch.) then back for the conclusion of Sharon`s lecture.
One of the students is trying to entice Sharon & I to come to Rio de Janerio to do some fittings there. Go ahead... twist my arm. ;-)))
Brazilian Clinic Day V
Day 5 started with a continuation of slides from Sharon Saare`s "Back Lecture". For those of you who have never seen it, you may get an opportunity at the convention this year. Believe me, every time I hear it, I vow to be more careful of horse selection with the back in mind. Then of course saddle fit as well. The Brasilians were absolutely mismerized. None of them had really ever considered the problems of the down hill horse or the mutton withered horse.
We broke around 11:00 to mount our horses & go across the lush country to the most gorgeous competition stable I have ever been in. & Yes... endurance riders ride in the rain here too.... we were drenched by the time we arrived. One of the students manages this mainly jumping & 3 day eventing stable & invited us to include a tour & lunch at her operation in our cross country ride for the day. It was a mind blower. It had an open air inside jumping arena flanked by about 40 stalls on the sides. The wash rack & tack room was at one end and a dining area at the other. This was just outside a glassed lab room, and a trophy room that was not only posh, but absolutely fool of trophys, (both floors.) And, of course, original oils lined the walls.
During lunch, about 20 different horses were paraded in front of us, from an absolutely gorgeous Anglo/Arab that I would like to bring home, to 2, 3 year old & one 7 day old baby. They had imported semen in from the AngloArab French horses and of course my eye was for what would make a good endurance prospect, but Sharon and I agreed that the event favorite and the endurance favorite are pretty close. Sylvania, our hostess, and one of the students, showed us her 5 yr old endurance prospect and she really made my mouth water. A big flea bitten grey mare that was perfectly balanced. After a gourmet lunch, we took a full tour of the facility. Saw the outside liberty jumping ring, miles of well keeped paddocks, a hay & equipment barn that looked almost like a house. Sylvania apologized for it being dirty, just as I was saying to myself, can`t believe this is the floor of the barn.... there was about 10 strands of hay on the floor. ;-) Labor is cheap here and everything is kept emaculant. I`ve made lots of promises to myself when I get home.... however, my labor is the only one that is cheap it seems.
Returned to the Universidad, but not without loosing another shoe, this time it was Sharon`s horse & Aluisio did the honors of putting on the EZ boot. He got an A... had to coach him a bit. Started slides again at 6:00 and this time we were joined by Sat/Sun`s Race Manager. Yes!!!! This site has a 70 k (50 mile race) on Sat. & a 30 k on Sunday. I may have a horse for both days so I`m really looking forward to actually getting to compete while I`m here. He was quite impressed with what Sharon had to say as well, and is hauling 3 or 4 horses out tomorrow to have Sharon fit them. The other students can`t wait to fit the trees on their own horses.
We finished the evening off in a neighboring town at an exquisite German Restaurant who`s specialty was Veal Parmigian, (which is my all time favorite), and now guys, don`t flame me for bathroom talk,.... but, I swear this is true, ask Sharon, The inside of the toilet bowls had flowers painted on them to match the tile work on the walls. I know, enough, enough..... see you tomorrow. Darolyn Butler
Day VI Hi, Sharon Saare here....Day six of the Brazilian endurance clinic. After a couple of days of talking about saddle fitting and the consequences of back conformation...it was time to take a serious look at the horses. We had a good ride yesterday...and a preliminary look at backs led me to believe I only needed to have brought about 4 trees with me. Sure enough, as Darolyn and I fitted these horses...we were seeing all A`s, B,s C,s and SSS. Some really above average horses in this bunch...that would lead me to believe they will in time, make their mark anywhere they go. Just an observation from 30 years of World traveling and looking at horses, (of course) everywhere...climate sure seems to influence conformation.
Horses I`ve seen in tropical and semi tropical countries, as a general rule, tend toward a more narrow type. My guess is it is a mechanism to keep cool....and, of course, for endurance horses, it sure works to their advantage. Its not by accident that many of the top endurance horses on the scene today are a B body type. ...and of course the other three sizes are in that narrow catagory.
Today, we also fitted a couple of 3 day horses...and they also were fairly narrow on the spine line. One lovely gelding was an Anglo Arab owned by our Host, Aluisio Marins. A very special horse in my book.
At the Farm we visited yesterday the Anglo Arab was the predominent cross...and quite a successful one. All of those horses were high front end horses...no downhill backs in this bunch. Joy. Joy.
After the fittings, Darolyn concluded the Clinic with a Super Video called "Symmetry in Motion" with Doris Halstead & Carrie Cameron. This was the last video Darolyn/aka Horseman Video Showcase produced, and perhaps, (to me at least... one of the most valuable.) It deals with freeing up muscle and bone...both for horses and people. As one who has had an old car accident back injury to put up with for 16 years, I could really relate to the benefits of "jarring loose:". I would strongly recommend this tape for anyone in the same boat!!
Our Brazilian Clinic Attendees were most appreciative of the enlightenment us two ol`campaigners could impart. You know, we all started this sport at Zero...and I can only think back to the good people who helped us along the way....now perhaps it is our turn to do the same. They are truly hungry for Endurance education and make wonderful students.
Now..... schools out, two race days coming up.... to the Pizzeria tonite!!!! (Oh... if your interested in video, contact Darolyn at darolyn@swbell.net or phone 1 800 228 8768 Sharon`s is 303 678 5968. We`ll be back in the USA Nov. 24th. Sharon & Darolyn
Lost Wagon Train - A `Meek` Interlude - Heidi Smith DVM
Ahhhh, home again after a week in the desert! Must say, managing a multi-day (especially after an interlude--I last did Lost Wagon Train in 1995) is an experience all its own. Fun as it was, the shower and clean sheets sure feel good! As with every other ride we put on, this one had its very special moments, and although it is always a relief when it`s over, we brought home our own special memories. Just thought I`d take the time to share a few of them with you ridecampers before I crash for the night....
For those of you who don`t know the history of the Stephen Meek Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail, in brief, it is the story of a group who arrived at Fort Boise and who decided to follow a man named Stephen Meek on what was supposed to be a short-cut and easier route from Vale, Oregon, to The Dalles. Mr. Meek had been as far as the hills overlooking what is now Burns, but was basing the rest of his short-cut on hearsay from other mountain men. The experiences of the folks who followed Meek prove the fact that one can`t always believe hearsay! These hardy souls left Vale around the first of September, 1845, which was one of the worst drought years ever in Oregon. They proceeded up the Malheur River, through bone-jarring (and wagon-breaking) rocks, and finally got to easier going, but the trade-off was a lack of water. Without going through their trials and tribulations in detail, suffice it to say that they had a horrible time, spent two weeks on Wagontire Mountain near some small springs which they dared not leave until scouts found water ahead while the forage for their livestock ran out, had members of their party die, had several more become seriously ill, and had some pretty gruesome experiences getting wagons through areas that one still marvels at how they could manage to do so. The survivors of the party arrived in The Dalles approximately three weeks later than others who had left Vale at the same time and taken the regular route over the Blue Mountains; in addition, they were ill, starving, and pretty well battered from their ordeal in the desert. Our current Lost Wagon Train ride traverses roughly the middle third of their trail from Vale to The Dalles; we start in Burns and end in Alfalfa, near Bend.
This year, we were blessed with the most beautiful fall weather imaginable--we anticipate cold nights in the desert in October with ice on the water buckets (which is why we don`t start until 8 every morning, after the sun comes up!) but indeed the sun DID come up this year, and we had pleasant, warm, sunny days for the entire ride. Can`t ask for better than that! We haul a few miles out of Burns for our actual start, and it always gives me goosebumps to see a group of horses stringing out against the sunrise, embarking on a five- day adventure.
We had some unique experiences this year. On Sunday, one of our riders arrived from Montana to meet a babysitter for her 9-month-old daughter, but the babysitter did not show up! I have always maintained that a ride manager must be a jack of all trades, but arranging last-minute babysitting (let alone how this story turns out) was a new one. My husband Paul agreed to babysit, as he was driving out to do a water set and then tending the vet check, but somehow we missed communicating the fact that he was not going to the start but was heading straight out to deliver water. Hence, as I was walking down the line of trailers while folks saddled up, I encountered mother, baby, and stroller, wondering where Paul was! There was nothing to do but to pack baby Xena, car seat, stroller, diaper bag and all, into my already overflowing Subaru. She and I waved the riders through some of the early gates, and then headed out for a day of adventure together. Of course, Paul was long gone from town with his load of water, and since the drive to the vet check on day 1 is very long, I headed for the next camp and the finish line, baby and all. I was supposed to mark the last bit into the finish line, as the land owner had suggested a change--I was battling darkness and time when I came through to mark the trail, and figured I could deal with the finish on ride day. That is how Xena and I came to be bouncing through a rock field that looked like petrified watermelons about half a mile from camp. Things were simply going too well, so something had to happen. (That is one of the Ride Manager`s Corrollaries to Murphy`s Law, I think.) Sure enough, I ripped a sidewall on a rock. No sweat, out comes the jack, the spare, etc. About then Xena decided to fuss, so I wiped the grime off my hands and fixed her a bottle, which she slurped down while I changed the tire. Other than the fact that one of the lug nuts was stripped and the jack jammed on the way down, it was a routine tire change. (Remember the jack for later reference! For the moment, I simply drove the car off of it.) I probably didn`t manage another 200 yards, uphill into the sun so I wasn`t seeing the boulders clearly, when WHAM! I am stranded on a huge rock! The driver door was pinned up against a huge sagebrush. So--what does a ride manager who is babysitting someone`s nine- month-old infant and who has horses on course and a way into camp yet to mark do in a circumstance like that?? Simple! Sort of. One crawls out the car window, puts all of one`s marking and finish line "stuff" (along with diaper bag, etc.) in the baggage basket of the stroller, installs the baby, and begins the slow and painful process of negotiating the stroller backward over boulders and sagebrush! Can sure say that they designed strollers for city gals. I don`t have kids, but have baby-tended plenty with my nephews and nieces, and am MUCH more familiar with baby backpacks--MUCH better suited to the country woman`s life style! Well, it was a long and tedious trek, but Xena, bless her heart, having just finished her bottle, dropped off to sleep and snored through the entire trip. Heck, she slept through a ride that you`d pay money for at the fair! Needless to say, I then hiked out and marked the OLD way into the finish which was MUCH better, while a grandfather who was one of the drivers entertained Xena for awhile. And of course, all`s well that ends well--Xena was fine, the riders had their route, and when we got a break later in the day, a bunch of us went out and lifted the car off of the offending rock and I drove it back to camp. Xena watched me vet horses all afternoon from her stroller, making appropriate comments about some of them, until her mom came in to claim her. I DID warn Xena`s mother that she had better watch out for signs that Xena might grow up to be a ride manager or a ride vet! Heaven forbid! At any rate, we started 35 horses out in Burns, and 32 received completions at Wagontire.
Day 2 started off with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for rider Tom Dunn, who turned 73 that day. (Tom unfortunately was only able to complete three days, as his mare Cat Dancer found a rock with her name on it...) The day was fairly uneventful from a manager`s standpoint, with the high point being that there was no longer a hose bib on the well at Dustbowl at the GI Ranch. Again, the jack of all trades qualification for ride managers was called upon. With Rick Forrester providing an extra set of hands, we managed to splice a piece of plastic pipe to the water outlet pipe using a beer can, an obstetrical sleeve, and lots of duct tape. It leaked like a sieve, but the join held up just fine, and it delivered water out through the corral fence to our water tank. Mission accomplished! We fielded 25 horses on Day 2, with 24 completing. Did have to duck out and mark some of the early part of Day 3 the evening of Day 2--among other things, there is a combination lock on Day 3 which must be opened so the riders can get through, so had to open that. Got back to camp at a decent hour, though, and figured all was under control. Right?
Wrong! Along came Day 3. Riders set out from Dustbowl and across Buck Creek, I went out and opened gates on some of the cattle guards on the GI Ranch Road, and we sat around the vet check waiting. And waiting. FINALLY riders started coming in. Seems that one of the GI Ranch employees who had not gotten word that we were coming through had done his job, noticed the gate was not locked, and relocked it! The first batch of riders found a splice in the fence and made it through, but respliced it, not knowing if there were cows in that pasture. The second group was milling around in the same spot when Tracy Epping`s driver, who had gone up that way to hunt rabbits while waiting for Tracy, saw there was a dilemma and came down to help. He opened the splice and stayed there helping riders through until I got word and came back up to unlock the lock again, and helped mend the fence back the way it was.
Day 3 was also the Day of the Matador. One of the GI bulls took a dim view of the riders, and stood in the road in front of Ted and Joan Ruprecht, refusing to get out of the way. Ted, bless him, got off, picked up a rock, and headed for the bull. The bull stomped, snorted, and threw dirt. Ted threw the rock. The bull charged! Joan`s horse turned and bolted, unhorsing Joan, who played dead, and at that point, the bull was thoroughly confused by the outcome of his charge and stopped, thank goodness. Ted and Joan eventually got on and continued on their way, but later riders said the bull continued to challenge others.
Day 3 was also the day for the first of the Fish Creek motor home breakdowns. Donnie Scott was slated to ride Fish Creek`s spare horse Kramer, but sent Darlene Anderson out on him instead, while Donnie worked on the rig. Rick Forrester went back for the Fish Creek trailer, Donnie went for parts, and the motor home eventually rejoined the wagon train.... 29 horses started Day 3, and 28 finished. Camp after Day 3 is at the town of Hampton, which consists of a store/restaurant/gas station, and a couple of houses. Many riders and crew members (ride management included!) treated themselves to meals that were cooked somewhere other than campers, and the restaurant was kind enough to serve hot cider and hot chocolate during our ride briefing. Downright civilized, after camping literally in the middle of nowhere at Wagontire and the GI Ranch.
We had 16 horse-rider teams that made it through the first three days, but then the trail started to take its toll. Three of those 16 didn`t start Day 4, and one more didn`t finish Day 4, diminishing the 5-day possibles to 12. Three more made it through Day 4 but didn`t start Day 5. However, we did field 34 horses on day 4, and 29 completed. Day 4 is the easiest day of the ride, and also has some beautiful scenery as one goes out of Hampton and climbs up toward Hampton Butte. The ride ends just north of Brothers, and once again, civilization in the form of a store/restaurant/gas station was only a mile away. I had left the Day 5 marking to the last, and had two vets to cover day 4 so that I could go out and finish it up. The trail had to score its last-minute hit--wiped out another tire, and--remember the jack from Day 1??? NO amount of lubrication would make it turn, so I was left with the choices of spending the night on the trail and hoping for rescue (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!), walking out (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!) or making the ride manager choice and further trashing the tire as well as the wheel, driving back to civilization, and getting the marking done. Flagged down a passing motorist when I got to the highway, who kindly lent me a jack, and was back in business! Got back to camp a bit later than I had said I would, but still before dark, so all`s well that ends well, right? Bless Trilby and her driver, who thought I was getting a bit bedraggled, and insisted on feeding Paul and me, as well as Dr. Shauna Ault (who had her first experience judging BC and did great), before we had our ride meeting. Several riders commented all week about following my tire tracks and suggested that perhaps I should be making commercials for Subaru... (Donnie Scott got the boobie prize, prize yet to be determined, for most accurately guessing at what point on the Day 5 trail my tire went flat...)
Unfortunately the Day 5 trail requires a lot of water sets, so Paul and I hauled water into the wee hours of the morning, and got back to camp in Brothers at about 2:30 a.m. We were about half dead, but the end was in sight, so what the heck. Like the back of my favorite T-shirt (compiments of Lynne Glazer and the Norco Ride) says--YOU CAN REST WHEN YOU DIE. (Lynne, that has become my official ride manager T-shirt!)
The second Fish Creek motor home broke down on Day 5, but was towed to town and was fortunately repaired in time to join us at the finish. Dot Wiggins went back to Brothers and retrieved the second Fish Creek trailer.
And speaking of Dot--she rode Day 1 and couldn`t go on, but stuck with us all week, helping with timing and PR`s. Thanks, Dot, and thanks also to drivers Andrea Day and Tracy Zebella, who filled in for our missing timer, who was unable to come at the last minute due to family problems.
Day 5 saw 24 riders start on the last push to Bend, up over the ridge and down into civilization. 22 of them completed. Unfortunately, one of the pulls was one of our nine survivors, so we were down to 8 in the end. The Alfalfa Grange never looked so good, and the spagetti feed was wonderful! Thanks to Sharon Poling from Prineville who catered for us and kept the food coming until we were all full. We handed out mugs for each days` completions provided by Karen Chaton (thanks, Karen, and yes, Nikki, I DID remember to give Karen a bad time about making Dream Weaver do a multi-day after promising him that his season was over), and all those who made all 5 days on the same horse received autographed copies of the book TERRIBLE TRAIL: THE MEEK CUT-0FF 1845. In addition to awards for daily winners and daily BC`s, we also had nifty blankets for the overall fastest time and overall best condition. Stay tuned: complete results in a later post!
Thanks to all of you who came, and we sure hope to see you all back next year. We enjoyed it--hope you all did too.
Heidi Smith, DVM & hubby Paul (LWT right-hand man)--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)
For those of you who don`t know the history of the Stephen Meek Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail, in brief, it is the story of a group who arrived at Fort Boise and who decided to follow a man named Stephen Meek on what was supposed to be a short-cut and easier route from Vale, Oregon, to The Dalles. Mr. Meek had been as far as the hills overlooking what is now Burns, but was basing the rest of his short-cut on hearsay from other mountain men. The experiences of the folks who followed Meek prove the fact that one can`t always believe hearsay! These hardy souls left Vale around the first of September, 1845, which was one of the worst drought years ever in Oregon. They proceeded up the Malheur River, through bone-jarring (and wagon-breaking) rocks, and finally got to easier going, but the trade-off was a lack of water. Without going through their trials and tribulations in detail, suffice it to say that they had a horrible time, spent two weeks on Wagontire Mountain near some small springs which they dared not leave until scouts found water ahead while the forage for their livestock ran out, had members of their party die, had several more become seriously ill, and had some pretty gruesome experiences getting wagons through areas that one still marvels at how they could manage to do so. The survivors of the party arrived in The Dalles approximately three weeks later than others who had left Vale at the same time and taken the regular route over the Blue Mountains; in addition, they were ill, starving, and pretty well battered from their ordeal in the desert. Our current Lost Wagon Train ride traverses roughly the middle third of their trail from Vale to The Dalles; we start in Burns and end in Alfalfa, near Bend.
This year, we were blessed with the most beautiful fall weather imaginable--we anticipate cold nights in the desert in October with ice on the water buckets (which is why we don`t start until 8 every morning, after the sun comes up!) but indeed the sun DID come up this year, and we had pleasant, warm, sunny days for the entire ride. Can`t ask for better than that! We haul a few miles out of Burns for our actual start, and it always gives me goosebumps to see a group of horses stringing out against the sunrise, embarking on a five- day adventure.
We had some unique experiences this year. On Sunday, one of our riders arrived from Montana to meet a babysitter for her 9-month-old daughter, but the babysitter did not show up! I have always maintained that a ride manager must be a jack of all trades, but arranging last-minute babysitting (let alone how this story turns out) was a new one. My husband Paul agreed to babysit, as he was driving out to do a water set and then tending the vet check, but somehow we missed communicating the fact that he was not going to the start but was heading straight out to deliver water. Hence, as I was walking down the line of trailers while folks saddled up, I encountered mother, baby, and stroller, wondering where Paul was! There was nothing to do but to pack baby Xena, car seat, stroller, diaper bag and all, into my already overflowing Subaru. She and I waved the riders through some of the early gates, and then headed out for a day of adventure together. Of course, Paul was long gone from town with his load of water, and since the drive to the vet check on day 1 is very long, I headed for the next camp and the finish line, baby and all. I was supposed to mark the last bit into the finish line, as the land owner had suggested a change--I was battling darkness and time when I came through to mark the trail, and figured I could deal with the finish on ride day. That is how Xena and I came to be bouncing through a rock field that looked like petrified watermelons about half a mile from camp. Things were simply going too well, so something had to happen. (That is one of the Ride Manager`s Corrollaries to Murphy`s Law, I think.) Sure enough, I ripped a sidewall on a rock. No sweat, out comes the jack, the spare, etc. About then Xena decided to fuss, so I wiped the grime off my hands and fixed her a bottle, which she slurped down while I changed the tire. Other than the fact that one of the lug nuts was stripped and the jack jammed on the way down, it was a routine tire change. (Remember the jack for later reference! For the moment, I simply drove the car off of it.) I probably didn`t manage another 200 yards, uphill into the sun so I wasn`t seeing the boulders clearly, when WHAM! I am stranded on a huge rock! The driver door was pinned up against a huge sagebrush. So--what does a ride manager who is babysitting someone`s nine- month-old infant and who has horses on course and a way into camp yet to mark do in a circumstance like that?? Simple! Sort of. One crawls out the car window, puts all of one`s marking and finish line "stuff" (along with diaper bag, etc.) in the baggage basket of the stroller, installs the baby, and begins the slow and painful process of negotiating the stroller backward over boulders and sagebrush! Can sure say that they designed strollers for city gals. I don`t have kids, but have baby-tended plenty with my nephews and nieces, and am MUCH more familiar with baby backpacks--MUCH better suited to the country woman`s life style! Well, it was a long and tedious trek, but Xena, bless her heart, having just finished her bottle, dropped off to sleep and snored through the entire trip. Heck, she slept through a ride that you`d pay money for at the fair! Needless to say, I then hiked out and marked the OLD way into the finish which was MUCH better, while a grandfather who was one of the drivers entertained Xena for awhile. And of course, all`s well that ends well--Xena was fine, the riders had their route, and when we got a break later in the day, a bunch of us went out and lifted the car off of the offending rock and I drove it back to camp. Xena watched me vet horses all afternoon from her stroller, making appropriate comments about some of them, until her mom came in to claim her. I DID warn Xena`s mother that she had better watch out for signs that Xena might grow up to be a ride manager or a ride vet! Heaven forbid! At any rate, we started 35 horses out in Burns, and 32 received completions at Wagontire.
Day 2 started off with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for rider Tom Dunn, who turned 73 that day. (Tom unfortunately was only able to complete three days, as his mare Cat Dancer found a rock with her name on it...) The day was fairly uneventful from a manager`s standpoint, with the high point being that there was no longer a hose bib on the well at Dustbowl at the GI Ranch. Again, the jack of all trades qualification for ride managers was called upon. With Rick Forrester providing an extra set of hands, we managed to splice a piece of plastic pipe to the water outlet pipe using a beer can, an obstetrical sleeve, and lots of duct tape. It leaked like a sieve, but the join held up just fine, and it delivered water out through the corral fence to our water tank. Mission accomplished! We fielded 25 horses on Day 2, with 24 completing. Did have to duck out and mark some of the early part of Day 3 the evening of Day 2--among other things, there is a combination lock on Day 3 which must be opened so the riders can get through, so had to open that. Got back to camp at a decent hour, though, and figured all was under control. Right?
Wrong! Along came Day 3. Riders set out from Dustbowl and across Buck Creek, I went out and opened gates on some of the cattle guards on the GI Ranch Road, and we sat around the vet check waiting. And waiting. FINALLY riders started coming in. Seems that one of the GI Ranch employees who had not gotten word that we were coming through had done his job, noticed the gate was not locked, and relocked it! The first batch of riders found a splice in the fence and made it through, but respliced it, not knowing if there were cows in that pasture. The second group was milling around in the same spot when Tracy Epping`s driver, who had gone up that way to hunt rabbits while waiting for Tracy, saw there was a dilemma and came down to help. He opened the splice and stayed there helping riders through until I got word and came back up to unlock the lock again, and helped mend the fence back the way it was.
Day 3 was also the Day of the Matador. One of the GI bulls took a dim view of the riders, and stood in the road in front of Ted and Joan Ruprecht, refusing to get out of the way. Ted, bless him, got off, picked up a rock, and headed for the bull. The bull stomped, snorted, and threw dirt. Ted threw the rock. The bull charged! Joan`s horse turned and bolted, unhorsing Joan, who played dead, and at that point, the bull was thoroughly confused by the outcome of his charge and stopped, thank goodness. Ted and Joan eventually got on and continued on their way, but later riders said the bull continued to challenge others.
Day 3 was also the day for the first of the Fish Creek motor home breakdowns. Donnie Scott was slated to ride Fish Creek`s spare horse Kramer, but sent Darlene Anderson out on him instead, while Donnie worked on the rig. Rick Forrester went back for the Fish Creek trailer, Donnie went for parts, and the motor home eventually rejoined the wagon train.... 29 horses started Day 3, and 28 finished. Camp after Day 3 is at the town of Hampton, which consists of a store/restaurant/gas station, and a couple of houses. Many riders and crew members (ride management included!) treated themselves to meals that were cooked somewhere other than campers, and the restaurant was kind enough to serve hot cider and hot chocolate during our ride briefing. Downright civilized, after camping literally in the middle of nowhere at Wagontire and the GI Ranch.
We had 16 horse-rider teams that made it through the first three days, but then the trail started to take its toll. Three of those 16 didn`t start Day 4, and one more didn`t finish Day 4, diminishing the 5-day possibles to 12. Three more made it through Day 4 but didn`t start Day 5. However, we did field 34 horses on day 4, and 29 completed. Day 4 is the easiest day of the ride, and also has some beautiful scenery as one goes out of Hampton and climbs up toward Hampton Butte. The ride ends just north of Brothers, and once again, civilization in the form of a store/restaurant/gas station was only a mile away. I had left the Day 5 marking to the last, and had two vets to cover day 4 so that I could go out and finish it up. The trail had to score its last-minute hit--wiped out another tire, and--remember the jack from Day 1??? NO amount of lubrication would make it turn, so I was left with the choices of spending the night on the trail and hoping for rescue (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!), walking out (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!) or making the ride manager choice and further trashing the tire as well as the wheel, driving back to civilization, and getting the marking done. Flagged down a passing motorist when I got to the highway, who kindly lent me a jack, and was back in business! Got back to camp a bit later than I had said I would, but still before dark, so all`s well that ends well, right? Bless Trilby and her driver, who thought I was getting a bit bedraggled, and insisted on feeding Paul and me, as well as Dr. Shauna Ault (who had her first experience judging BC and did great), before we had our ride meeting. Several riders commented all week about following my tire tracks and suggested that perhaps I should be making commercials for Subaru... (Donnie Scott got the boobie prize, prize yet to be determined, for most accurately guessing at what point on the Day 5 trail my tire went flat...)
Unfortunately the Day 5 trail requires a lot of water sets, so Paul and I hauled water into the wee hours of the morning, and got back to camp in Brothers at about 2:30 a.m. We were about half dead, but the end was in sight, so what the heck. Like the back of my favorite T-shirt (compiments of Lynne Glazer and the Norco Ride) says--YOU CAN REST WHEN YOU DIE. (Lynne, that has become my official ride manager T-shirt!)
The second Fish Creek motor home broke down on Day 5, but was towed to town and was fortunately repaired in time to join us at the finish. Dot Wiggins went back to Brothers and retrieved the second Fish Creek trailer.
And speaking of Dot--she rode Day 1 and couldn`t go on, but stuck with us all week, helping with timing and PR`s. Thanks, Dot, and thanks also to drivers Andrea Day and Tracy Zebella, who filled in for our missing timer, who was unable to come at the last minute due to family problems.
Day 5 saw 24 riders start on the last push to Bend, up over the ridge and down into civilization. 22 of them completed. Unfortunately, one of the pulls was one of our nine survivors, so we were down to 8 in the end. The Alfalfa Grange never looked so good, and the spagetti feed was wonderful! Thanks to Sharon Poling from Prineville who catered for us and kept the food coming until we were all full. We handed out mugs for each days` completions provided by Karen Chaton (thanks, Karen, and yes, Nikki, I DID remember to give Karen a bad time about making Dream Weaver do a multi-day after promising him that his season was over), and all those who made all 5 days on the same horse received autographed copies of the book TERRIBLE TRAIL: THE MEEK CUT-0FF 1845. In addition to awards for daily winners and daily BC`s, we also had nifty blankets for the overall fastest time and overall best condition. Stay tuned: complete results in a later post!
Thanks to all of you who came, and we sure hope to see you all back next year. We enjoyed it--hope you all did too.
Heidi Smith, DVM & hubby Paul (LWT right-hand man)--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)
Lost Wagon Train - A `Meek` Interlude - Heidi Smith DVM
Ahhhh, home again after a week in the desert! Must say, managing a multi-day (especially after an interlude--I last did Lost Wagon Train in 1995) is an experience all its own. Fun as it was, the shower and clean sheets sure feel good! As with every other ride we put on, this one had its very special moments, and although it is always a relief when it`s over, we brought home our own special memories. Just thought I`d take the time to share a few of them with you ridecampers before I crash for the night....
For those of you who don`t know the history of the Stephen Meek Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail, in brief, it is the story of a group who arrived at Fort Boise and who decided to follow a man named Stephen Meek on what was supposed to be a short-cut and easier route from Vale, Oregon, to The Dalles. Mr. Meek had been as far as the hills overlooking what is now Burns, but was basing the rest of his short-cut on hearsay from other mountain men. The experiences of the folks who followed Meek prove the fact that one can`t always believe hearsay! These hardy souls left Vale around the first of September, 1845, which was one of the worst drought years ever in Oregon. They proceeded up the Malheur River, through bone-jarring (and wagon-breaking) rocks, and finally got to easier going, but the trade-off was a lack of water. Without going through their trials and tribulations in detail, suffice it to say that they had a horrible time, spent two weeks on Wagontire Mountain near some small springs which they dared not leave until scouts found water ahead while the forage for their livestock ran out, had members of their party die, had several more become seriously ill, and had some pretty gruesome experiences getting wagons through areas that one still marvels at how they could manage to do so. The survivors of the party arrived in The Dalles approximately three weeks later than others who had left Vale at the same time and taken the regular route over the Blue Mountains; in addition, they were ill, starving, and pretty well battered from their ordeal in the desert. Our current Lost Wagon Train ride traverses roughly the middle third of their trail from Vale to The Dalles; we start in Burns and end in Alfalfa, near Bend.
This year, we were blessed with the most beautiful fall weather imaginable--we anticipate cold nights in the desert in October with ice on the water buckets (which is why we don`t start until 8 every morning, after the sun comes up!) but indeed the sun DID come up this year, and we had pleasant, warm, sunny days for the entire ride. Can`t ask for better than that! We haul a few miles out of Burns for our actual start, and it always gives me goosebumps to see a group of horses stringing out against the sunrise, embarking on a five- day adventure.
We had some unique experiences this year. On Sunday, one of our riders arrived from Montana to meet a babysitter for her 9-month-old daughter, but the babysitter did not show up! I have always maintained that a ride manager must be a jack of all trades, but arranging last-minute babysitting (let alone how this story turns out) was a new one. My husband Paul agreed to babysit, as he was driving out to do a water set and then tending the vet check, but somehow we missed communicating the fact that he was not going to the start but was heading straight out to deliver water. Hence, as I was walking down the line of trailers while folks saddled up, I encountered mother, baby, and stroller, wondering where Paul was! There was nothing to do but to pack baby Xena, car seat, stroller, diaper bag and all, into my already overflowing Subaru. She and I waved the riders through some of the early gates, and then headed out for a day of adventure together. Of course, Paul was long gone from town with his load of water, and since the drive to the vet check on day 1 is very long, I headed for the next camp and the finish line, baby and all. I was supposed to mark the last bit into the finish line, as the land owner had suggested a change--I was battling darkness and time when I came through to mark the trail, and figured I could deal with the finish on ride day. That is how Xena and I came to be bouncing through a rock field that looked like petrified watermelons about half a mile from camp. Things were simply going too well, so something had to happen. (That is one of the Ride Manager`s Corrollaries to Murphy`s Law, I think.) Sure enough, I ripped a sidewall on a rock. No sweat, out comes the jack, the spare, etc. About then Xena decided to fuss, so I wiped the grime off my hands and fixed her a bottle, which she slurped down while I changed the tire. Other than the fact that one of the lug nuts was stripped and the jack jammed on the way down, it was a routine tire change. (Remember the jack for later reference! For the moment, I simply drove the car off of it.) I probably didn`t manage another 200 yards, uphill into the sun so I wasn`t seeing the boulders clearly, when WHAM! I am stranded on a huge rock! The driver door was pinned up against a huge sagebrush. So--what does a ride manager who is babysitting someone`s nine- month-old infant and who has horses on course and a way into camp yet to mark do in a circumstance like that?? Simple! Sort of. One crawls out the car window, puts all of one`s marking and finish line "stuff" (along with diaper bag, etc.) in the baggage basket of the stroller, installs the baby, and begins the slow and painful process of negotiating the stroller backward over boulders and sagebrush! Can sure say that they designed strollers for city gals. I don`t have kids, but have baby-tended plenty with my nephews and nieces, and am MUCH more familiar with baby backpacks--MUCH better suited to the country woman`s life style! Well, it was a long and tedious trek, but Xena, bless her heart, having just finished her bottle, dropped off to sleep and snored through the entire trip. Heck, she slept through a ride that you`d pay money for at the fair! Needless to say, I then hiked out and marked the OLD way into the finish which was MUCH better, while a grandfather who was one of the drivers entertained Xena for awhile. And of course, all`s well that ends well--Xena was fine, the riders had their route, and when we got a break later in the day, a bunch of us went out and lifted the car off of the offending rock and I drove it back to camp. Xena watched me vet horses all afternoon from her stroller, making appropriate comments about some of them, until her mom came in to claim her. I DID warn Xena`s mother that she had better watch out for signs that Xena might grow up to be a ride manager or a ride vet! Heaven forbid! At any rate, we started 35 horses out in Burns, and 32 received completions at Wagontire.
Day 2 started off with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for rider Tom Dunn, who turned 73 that day. (Tom unfortunately was only able to complete three days, as his mare Cat Dancer found a rock with her name on it...) The day was fairly uneventful from a manager`s standpoint, with the high point being that there was no longer a hose bib on the well at Dustbowl at the GI Ranch. Again, the jack of all trades qualification for ride managers was called upon. With Rick Forrester providing an extra set of hands, we managed to splice a piece of plastic pipe to the water outlet pipe using a beer can, an obstetrical sleeve, and lots of duct tape. It leaked like a sieve, but the join held up just fine, and it delivered water out through the corral fence to our water tank. Mission accomplished! We fielded 25 horses on Day 2, with 24 completing. Did have to duck out and mark some of the early part of Day 3 the evening of Day 2--among other things, there is a combination lock on Day 3 which must be opened so the riders can get through, so had to open that. Got back to camp at a decent hour, though, and figured all was under control. Right?
Wrong! Along came Day 3. Riders set out from Dustbowl and across Buck Creek, I went out and opened gates on some of the cattle guards on the GI Ranch Road, and we sat around the vet check waiting. And waiting. FINALLY riders started coming in. Seems that one of the GI Ranch employees who had not gotten word that we were coming through had done his job, noticed the gate was not locked, and relocked it! The first batch of riders found a splice in the fence and made it through, but respliced it, not knowing if there were cows in that pasture. The second group was milling around in the same spot when Tracy Epping`s driver, who had gone up that way to hunt rabbits while waiting for Tracy, saw there was a dilemma and came down to help. He opened the splice and stayed there helping riders through until I got word and came back up to unlock the lock again, and helped mend the fence back the way it was.
Day 3 was also the Day of the Matador. One of the GI bulls took a dim view of the riders, and stood in the road in front of Ted and Joan Ruprecht, refusing to get out of the way. Ted, bless him, got off, picked up a rock, and headed for the bull. The bull stomped, snorted, and threw dirt. Ted threw the rock. The bull charged! Joan`s horse turned and bolted, unhorsing Joan, who played dead, and at that point, the bull was thoroughly confused by the outcome of his charge and stopped, thank goodness. Ted and Joan eventually got on and continued on their way, but later riders said the bull continued to challenge others.
Day 3 was also the day for the first of the Fish Creek motor home breakdowns. Donnie Scott was slated to ride Fish Creek`s spare horse Kramer, but sent Darlene Anderson out on him instead, while Donnie worked on the rig. Rick Forrester went back for the Fish Creek trailer, Donnie went for parts, and the motor home eventually rejoined the wagon train.... 29 horses started Day 3, and 28 finished. Camp after Day 3 is at the town of Hampton, which consists of a store/restaurant/gas station, and a couple of houses. Many riders and crew members (ride management included!) treated themselves to meals that were cooked somewhere other than campers, and the restaurant was kind enough to serve hot cider and hot chocolate during our ride briefing. Downright civilized, after camping literally in the middle of nowhere at Wagontire and the GI Ranch.
We had 16 horse-rider teams that made it through the first three days, but then the trail started to take its toll. Three of those 16 didn`t start Day 4, and one more didn`t finish Day 4, diminishing the 5-day possibles to 12. Three more made it through Day 4 but didn`t start Day 5. However, we did field 34 horses on day 4, and 29 completed. Day 4 is the easiest day of the ride, and also has some beautiful scenery as one goes out of Hampton and climbs up toward Hampton Butte. The ride ends just north of Brothers, and once again, civilization in the form of a store/restaurant/gas station was only a mile away. I had left the Day 5 marking to the last, and had two vets to cover day 4 so that I could go out and finish it up. The trail had to score its last-minute hit--wiped out another tire, and--remember the jack from Day 1??? NO amount of lubrication would make it turn, so I was left with the choices of spending the night on the trail and hoping for rescue (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!), walking out (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!) or making the ride manager choice and further trashing the tire as well as the wheel, driving back to civilization, and getting the marking done. Flagged down a passing motorist when I got to the highway, who kindly lent me a jack, and was back in business! Got back to camp a bit later than I had said I would, but still before dark, so all`s well that ends well, right? Bless Trilby and her driver, who thought I was getting a bit bedraggled, and insisted on feeding Paul and me, as well as Dr. Shauna Ault (who had her first experience judging BC and did great), before we had our ride meeting. Several riders commented all week about following my tire tracks and suggested that perhaps I should be making commercials for Subaru... (Donnie Scott got the boobie prize, prize yet to be determined, for most accurately guessing at what point on the Day 5 trail my tire went flat...)
Unfortunately the Day 5 trail requires a lot of water sets, so Paul and I hauled water into the wee hours of the morning, and got back to camp in Brothers at about 2:30 a.m. We were about half dead, but the end was in sight, so what the heck. Like the back of my favorite T-shirt (compiments of Lynne Glazer and the Norco Ride) says--YOU CAN REST WHEN YOU DIE. (Lynne, that has become my official ride manager T-shirt!)
The second Fish Creek motor home broke down on Day 5, but was towed to town and was fortunately repaired in time to join us at the finish. Dot Wiggins went back to Brothers and retrieved the second Fish Creek trailer.
And speaking of Dot--she rode Day 1 and couldn`t go on, but stuck with us all week, helping with timing and PR`s. Thanks, Dot, and thanks also to drivers Andrea Day and Tracy Zebella, who filled in for our missing timer, who was unable to come at the last minute due to family problems.
Day 5 saw 24 riders start on the last push to Bend, up over the ridge and down into civilization. 22 of them completed. Unfortunately, one of the pulls was one of our nine survivors, so we were down to 8 in the end. The Alfalfa Grange never looked so good, and the spagetti feed was wonderful! Thanks to Sharon Poling from Prineville who catered for us and kept the food coming until we were all full. We handed out mugs for each days` completions provided by Karen Chaton (thanks, Karen, and yes, Nikki, I DID remember to give Karen a bad time about making Dream Weaver do a multi-day after promising him that his season was over), and all those who made all 5 days on the same horse received autographed copies of the book TERRIBLE TRAIL: THE MEEK CUT-0FF 1845. In addition to awards for daily winners and daily BC`s, we also had nifty blankets for the overall fastest time and overall best condition. Stay tuned: complete results in a later post!
Thanks to all of you who came, and we sure hope to see you all back next year. We enjoyed it--hope you all did too.
Heidi Smith, DVM & hubby Paul (LWT right-hand man)--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)
For those of you who don`t know the history of the Stephen Meek Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail, in brief, it is the story of a group who arrived at Fort Boise and who decided to follow a man named Stephen Meek on what was supposed to be a short-cut and easier route from Vale, Oregon, to The Dalles. Mr. Meek had been as far as the hills overlooking what is now Burns, but was basing the rest of his short-cut on hearsay from other mountain men. The experiences of the folks who followed Meek prove the fact that one can`t always believe hearsay! These hardy souls left Vale around the first of September, 1845, which was one of the worst drought years ever in Oregon. They proceeded up the Malheur River, through bone-jarring (and wagon-breaking) rocks, and finally got to easier going, but the trade-off was a lack of water. Without going through their trials and tribulations in detail, suffice it to say that they had a horrible time, spent two weeks on Wagontire Mountain near some small springs which they dared not leave until scouts found water ahead while the forage for their livestock ran out, had members of their party die, had several more become seriously ill, and had some pretty gruesome experiences getting wagons through areas that one still marvels at how they could manage to do so. The survivors of the party arrived in The Dalles approximately three weeks later than others who had left Vale at the same time and taken the regular route over the Blue Mountains; in addition, they were ill, starving, and pretty well battered from their ordeal in the desert. Our current Lost Wagon Train ride traverses roughly the middle third of their trail from Vale to The Dalles; we start in Burns and end in Alfalfa, near Bend.
This year, we were blessed with the most beautiful fall weather imaginable--we anticipate cold nights in the desert in October with ice on the water buckets (which is why we don`t start until 8 every morning, after the sun comes up!) but indeed the sun DID come up this year, and we had pleasant, warm, sunny days for the entire ride. Can`t ask for better than that! We haul a few miles out of Burns for our actual start, and it always gives me goosebumps to see a group of horses stringing out against the sunrise, embarking on a five- day adventure.
We had some unique experiences this year. On Sunday, one of our riders arrived from Montana to meet a babysitter for her 9-month-old daughter, but the babysitter did not show up! I have always maintained that a ride manager must be a jack of all trades, but arranging last-minute babysitting (let alone how this story turns out) was a new one. My husband Paul agreed to babysit, as he was driving out to do a water set and then tending the vet check, but somehow we missed communicating the fact that he was not going to the start but was heading straight out to deliver water. Hence, as I was walking down the line of trailers while folks saddled up, I encountered mother, baby, and stroller, wondering where Paul was! There was nothing to do but to pack baby Xena, car seat, stroller, diaper bag and all, into my already overflowing Subaru. She and I waved the riders through some of the early gates, and then headed out for a day of adventure together. Of course, Paul was long gone from town with his load of water, and since the drive to the vet check on day 1 is very long, I headed for the next camp and the finish line, baby and all. I was supposed to mark the last bit into the finish line, as the land owner had suggested a change--I was battling darkness and time when I came through to mark the trail, and figured I could deal with the finish on ride day. That is how Xena and I came to be bouncing through a rock field that looked like petrified watermelons about half a mile from camp. Things were simply going too well, so something had to happen. (That is one of the Ride Manager`s Corrollaries to Murphy`s Law, I think.) Sure enough, I ripped a sidewall on a rock. No sweat, out comes the jack, the spare, etc. About then Xena decided to fuss, so I wiped the grime off my hands and fixed her a bottle, which she slurped down while I changed the tire. Other than the fact that one of the lug nuts was stripped and the jack jammed on the way down, it was a routine tire change. (Remember the jack for later reference! For the moment, I simply drove the car off of it.) I probably didn`t manage another 200 yards, uphill into the sun so I wasn`t seeing the boulders clearly, when WHAM! I am stranded on a huge rock! The driver door was pinned up against a huge sagebrush. So--what does a ride manager who is babysitting someone`s nine- month-old infant and who has horses on course and a way into camp yet to mark do in a circumstance like that?? Simple! Sort of. One crawls out the car window, puts all of one`s marking and finish line "stuff" (along with diaper bag, etc.) in the baggage basket of the stroller, installs the baby, and begins the slow and painful process of negotiating the stroller backward over boulders and sagebrush! Can sure say that they designed strollers for city gals. I don`t have kids, but have baby-tended plenty with my nephews and nieces, and am MUCH more familiar with baby backpacks--MUCH better suited to the country woman`s life style! Well, it was a long and tedious trek, but Xena, bless her heart, having just finished her bottle, dropped off to sleep and snored through the entire trip. Heck, she slept through a ride that you`d pay money for at the fair! Needless to say, I then hiked out and marked the OLD way into the finish which was MUCH better, while a grandfather who was one of the drivers entertained Xena for awhile. And of course, all`s well that ends well--Xena was fine, the riders had their route, and when we got a break later in the day, a bunch of us went out and lifted the car off of the offending rock and I drove it back to camp. Xena watched me vet horses all afternoon from her stroller, making appropriate comments about some of them, until her mom came in to claim her. I DID warn Xena`s mother that she had better watch out for signs that Xena might grow up to be a ride manager or a ride vet! Heaven forbid! At any rate, we started 35 horses out in Burns, and 32 received completions at Wagontire.
Day 2 started off with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for rider Tom Dunn, who turned 73 that day. (Tom unfortunately was only able to complete three days, as his mare Cat Dancer found a rock with her name on it...) The day was fairly uneventful from a manager`s standpoint, with the high point being that there was no longer a hose bib on the well at Dustbowl at the GI Ranch. Again, the jack of all trades qualification for ride managers was called upon. With Rick Forrester providing an extra set of hands, we managed to splice a piece of plastic pipe to the water outlet pipe using a beer can, an obstetrical sleeve, and lots of duct tape. It leaked like a sieve, but the join held up just fine, and it delivered water out through the corral fence to our water tank. Mission accomplished! We fielded 25 horses on Day 2, with 24 completing. Did have to duck out and mark some of the early part of Day 3 the evening of Day 2--among other things, there is a combination lock on Day 3 which must be opened so the riders can get through, so had to open that. Got back to camp at a decent hour, though, and figured all was under control. Right?
Wrong! Along came Day 3. Riders set out from Dustbowl and across Buck Creek, I went out and opened gates on some of the cattle guards on the GI Ranch Road, and we sat around the vet check waiting. And waiting. FINALLY riders started coming in. Seems that one of the GI Ranch employees who had not gotten word that we were coming through had done his job, noticed the gate was not locked, and relocked it! The first batch of riders found a splice in the fence and made it through, but respliced it, not knowing if there were cows in that pasture. The second group was milling around in the same spot when Tracy Epping`s driver, who had gone up that way to hunt rabbits while waiting for Tracy, saw there was a dilemma and came down to help. He opened the splice and stayed there helping riders through until I got word and came back up to unlock the lock again, and helped mend the fence back the way it was.
Day 3 was also the Day of the Matador. One of the GI bulls took a dim view of the riders, and stood in the road in front of Ted and Joan Ruprecht, refusing to get out of the way. Ted, bless him, got off, picked up a rock, and headed for the bull. The bull stomped, snorted, and threw dirt. Ted threw the rock. The bull charged! Joan`s horse turned and bolted, unhorsing Joan, who played dead, and at that point, the bull was thoroughly confused by the outcome of his charge and stopped, thank goodness. Ted and Joan eventually got on and continued on their way, but later riders said the bull continued to challenge others.
Day 3 was also the day for the first of the Fish Creek motor home breakdowns. Donnie Scott was slated to ride Fish Creek`s spare horse Kramer, but sent Darlene Anderson out on him instead, while Donnie worked on the rig. Rick Forrester went back for the Fish Creek trailer, Donnie went for parts, and the motor home eventually rejoined the wagon train.... 29 horses started Day 3, and 28 finished. Camp after Day 3 is at the town of Hampton, which consists of a store/restaurant/gas station, and a couple of houses. Many riders and crew members (ride management included!) treated themselves to meals that were cooked somewhere other than campers, and the restaurant was kind enough to serve hot cider and hot chocolate during our ride briefing. Downright civilized, after camping literally in the middle of nowhere at Wagontire and the GI Ranch.
We had 16 horse-rider teams that made it through the first three days, but then the trail started to take its toll. Three of those 16 didn`t start Day 4, and one more didn`t finish Day 4, diminishing the 5-day possibles to 12. Three more made it through Day 4 but didn`t start Day 5. However, we did field 34 horses on day 4, and 29 completed. Day 4 is the easiest day of the ride, and also has some beautiful scenery as one goes out of Hampton and climbs up toward Hampton Butte. The ride ends just north of Brothers, and once again, civilization in the form of a store/restaurant/gas station was only a mile away. I had left the Day 5 marking to the last, and had two vets to cover day 4 so that I could go out and finish it up. The trail had to score its last-minute hit--wiped out another tire, and--remember the jack from Day 1??? NO amount of lubrication would make it turn, so I was left with the choices of spending the night on the trail and hoping for rescue (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!), walking out (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!) or making the ride manager choice and further trashing the tire as well as the wheel, driving back to civilization, and getting the marking done. Flagged down a passing motorist when I got to the highway, who kindly lent me a jack, and was back in business! Got back to camp a bit later than I had said I would, but still before dark, so all`s well that ends well, right? Bless Trilby and her driver, who thought I was getting a bit bedraggled, and insisted on feeding Paul and me, as well as Dr. Shauna Ault (who had her first experience judging BC and did great), before we had our ride meeting. Several riders commented all week about following my tire tracks and suggested that perhaps I should be making commercials for Subaru... (Donnie Scott got the boobie prize, prize yet to be determined, for most accurately guessing at what point on the Day 5 trail my tire went flat...)
Unfortunately the Day 5 trail requires a lot of water sets, so Paul and I hauled water into the wee hours of the morning, and got back to camp in Brothers at about 2:30 a.m. We were about half dead, but the end was in sight, so what the heck. Like the back of my favorite T-shirt (compiments of Lynne Glazer and the Norco Ride) says--YOU CAN REST WHEN YOU DIE. (Lynne, that has become my official ride manager T-shirt!)
The second Fish Creek motor home broke down on Day 5, but was towed to town and was fortunately repaired in time to join us at the finish. Dot Wiggins went back to Brothers and retrieved the second Fish Creek trailer.
And speaking of Dot--she rode Day 1 and couldn`t go on, but stuck with us all week, helping with timing and PR`s. Thanks, Dot, and thanks also to drivers Andrea Day and Tracy Zebella, who filled in for our missing timer, who was unable to come at the last minute due to family problems.
Day 5 saw 24 riders start on the last push to Bend, up over the ridge and down into civilization. 22 of them completed. Unfortunately, one of the pulls was one of our nine survivors, so we were down to 8 in the end. The Alfalfa Grange never looked so good, and the spagetti feed was wonderful! Thanks to Sharon Poling from Prineville who catered for us and kept the food coming until we were all full. We handed out mugs for each days` completions provided by Karen Chaton (thanks, Karen, and yes, Nikki, I DID remember to give Karen a bad time about making Dream Weaver do a multi-day after promising him that his season was over), and all those who made all 5 days on the same horse received autographed copies of the book TERRIBLE TRAIL: THE MEEK CUT-0FF 1845. In addition to awards for daily winners and daily BC`s, we also had nifty blankets for the overall fastest time and overall best condition. Stay tuned: complete results in a later post!
Thanks to all of you who came, and we sure hope to see you all back next year. We enjoyed it--hope you all did too.
Heidi Smith, DVM & hubby Paul (LWT right-hand man)--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)
Lost Wagon Train Multiday - Karen Chaton
Most endurance rides are certainly an adventure, and this one was no exception. We (myself & Pat) left for Burns, Oregon last Saturday morning from Nevada. We had no idea where we were going, other than to some fairgrounds in Burns. So off we went...crewless, driverless...but we did remember to each bring a horse, plenty of food, and about a bazillion other things that you might need to ride a horse 250 miles in 5 days. One other rider from Nevada was at the fairgrounds when we arrived, so we knew we were in the right place. The fairgrounds guy came around and said "it`s gonna get cold, probably 16 tonight". If only we knew that this was going to be the WARM night of the ride!! haha As it turned out, I think it only got to 20 that night (like you could tell the difference?). The horses got a day to rest before vetting in on Sunday evening. We got to meet Heidi the vet, and Tracy who came from Idaho after my plea to come drive our rig (and I bribed her too). As it turned out, lots of riders came without drivers so anybody there driving was kept really busy. On day one we trailered out about 7 miles to the start. 8 a.m. You might think that is late, but it`s not when it`s COLD!! Weaver was such a dork this day, that Pat called me Dr. Frankenstein for creating such a monster!! Ugh!! The first time all year (ever, in fact) that I rubbed hair off of his chin from the vosal holding him back. We finally got him settled down, and maintained a nice average 7-8 mph trot thru the day. Nothing too eventful happened on this day. Tho it was the first time I saw a vet check both sides of my horse (and every horse) for hydration. We had to vet our horse, then before leaving from our hour hold go trot by the vet again before we could leave. They did a great job of getting our crew bags to the checks and back to camp each day (yeah). The trail thru the majority of the ride was flat, with only slight rolling hills. There was some good footing, with lots of jeep roads, and also gravel roads and power line roads with crushed lava rock. We were going over some of the same route the Meek`s Lost Wagon train went over 150 years prior. I don`t remember much of the second day. We finished in the late afternoon, and Tracy had found a nice spot for our rig right near the water :). Or was that the third day? hmmmm (hey, don`t laugh, we were having to explain what parts/days of the trail we went over to Trilby at the awards!) Our awards were coffee cups with the name of each days ride on them. I do remember the third day most vividly. It HURT. We froze our butts off that night. I think somebody said it was 13 degrees. There was several inches of ice on the horses water. My soaked beet pulp was so solid I couldn`t get it out of the bucket. The propane canister we used for our heater INSIDE THE CAMPER had frost on it!! My sponge (dah) that I left sitting on my trailer fender (while wet, double dah) was not only frozen, but stuck to the trailer. Even better, my cinch was also cold wet, and frozen (good thing I have two!). I think we walked the first two hours this day, Pat and I...neither of us felt the urge to do anything else. We finally got going, and I believe this was our slowest day. Some lady had brought her ten month old infant with her to the ride (and no driver or babysitter) and expected ride management to take care of the kid while she rode. Well, this morning she left the kid a few feet from my horses corral sitting in his stroller from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.!!!!! I was out there with a down jacket on, gloves, ear muffs, etc., and still froze to the core - I can`t believe anybody would just leave a baby sitting out like that. brrrrrr I think that was the day Tracy was driving and looked in the back seat and found out she was the babysitter for the day! (and not just one, but for two!). I didn`t exactly tell her the full job description when I convinced her to come and move rigs. ;^) This night we were camped in a field of wheat, right behind a restaurant. (but you gotta watch the gas station attendants in Oregon - they are required by law to pump gas for you and don`t always look to see if your rig is diesel or gas) On the day we went thru the G.I. Ranch there was a little incident involving an Angus range bull. This should go on the `top ten list of stupidist all time things endurance riders have done`. Apparently there was a large pasture of bulls (something like 17 of them were in it). We were supposed to trot down the road, and thru a gate. Well, all fine and good, `cept one of the bulls thought otherwise. One of the riders got off his horse and picked up a rock (can you tell where this is going?). The bull stomped the ground and threatened to charge. The rider threw the rock at the bull. Pissed said bull off. Bull charged. The rock throwing riders wives horse spun around and took off. She fell on the ground, and in the commotion the bull stopped (luckily!). She was able to finish riding that day, and everybody else got thru there safely with slight detours thru a swampy marsh. I did take a picture of the bull for a souvenir. ;=0 Lesson learned: Stay on your horse, hang on tight, and never, ever throw a rock at a range bull! On the fourth day Pat took the day off. Turns out this was one of the nicest days. I started out the morning riding with Dave Rabe until the vet check. There was more water this day. A long gravel road leading into the vet check, which seemed to come awfully fast :)). After lunch I started out on my own, and within a few miles I had caught another rider who was slowing down since his horse had scratches. I stayed with him for awhile, which was a good thing. Did I mention the gates on this ride? LOTS of gates. Many, many, many....some were very difficult to close. And if they were locked, they were very difficult to open as well . Weaver just kept cruising along, in his 7-8 mph trot. He takes good care of himself and is really easy to manage. All I have to do is make sure his easy boots are on, and we`re off! I took them off each night to check his feet, and then in the morning would re-wrap the vetwrap and put them back on. We never lost a boot the entire 250 miles!! The last day seemed to come all too fast. All the aches and pains had seemed to subside. The horse never seemed to get stiff at all. I allowed him to eat whatever he wanted. I even brought some alfalfa for him, which I am sure, is what caused him to be such a geek the first day (he isn`t used to it). On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th days I gave him a tube of Pro-Burst each day at lunch as well. We were finally out of the high desert (Oregon desert is very much like Nevada desert), and riding thru trees and even some sand. In true Lost Wagon Train form, I think Heidi had a moment where she just couldn`t resist marking the entire 250 miles perfectly....so she marked one (just ONE!) arrow that looked like it could go either way. Well, almost everybody went the wrong way. We got there and followed the footprints, assuming that was the correct way. It wasn`t. I noticed right away that there were as many prints going backwards, so something must be wrong. We traced our steps back and found the wrong turn. I picked up some stuff from the trail and made a new arrow so that Trilby and others behind us would not also make the same mistake. I suppose we couldn`t do "The Lost Wagon Train" without getting lost at least once! Though we weren`t really lost, just temporarily misplaced. Whenever she had a chance, Heidi would fill us in on some of the history of the trail and tell us about the Lost Wagon Train. Those that completed all five days received a book "Terrible Trail: The Meek Cutoff, 1845". Had a chance to browse thru it a bit on the way home from Oregon today. This is one of the passages in the book that I thought interesting: "Sometimes for the distance of many miles the entire surface of the country was covered with a medium sized stone or boulder, just large enough to make it difficult to travel over them; the only way the teams behind could distinguish the route was by the bruised and broken boulders, occasioned by the wheels of the front wagons passing over them and the blood from the feet of our poor animals that suffered almost beyond endurance". August 27, 1845 Bad Road went 12 (miles) August 29, 1845 Very bad Road. broak 3 wagens this day 5 (miles) August 30, 1845 Rock all day pore grass more swaring then you ever heard 11 (miles) I also found it interesting that the wagon trains had to each pay a guide. So endurance riders aren`t the first group to pay money for such torture. I think endurance riders were all reincarnated from these early immigrants. Only eight horses completed all five days. Each day anywhere from 20-30-something horses started. It was tougher than it looked. Happy Trails, Karen in Gardnerville & Weaver, 2255 miles 5th place overall/5 days :)
Quicksilver Fall Classic 1998 - the Wet One - Nick Warhol
What if they had a ride that wasn`t any fun?
Well, maybe not much fun. That described the QS 50 this past weekend out at Grant Ranch. This ride is put on by the Quicksilver Endurance Riders in San Jose and is capably managed by Brian Reeves. He told everyone well in advance the ride would be rain or shine and true to his word, the ride did happen. In the rain. Driving out on Friday afternoon it rained, setting up Friday evening it rained (but not too bad), but Saturday morning it was coming down, with a nice cold wind thrown in just for fun. I asked Judy if she really wanted to go out there. "Yep," she replied. It would be her last ride of the season until Death Valley so she wanted to give it a go. Groan. I decided to go out and ride but with the firm decision that I would turn around the instant the surfaces got to slick or slippery for my horse. I`m not willing to risk an injury in the mud for any ride, and based on my experience at riding in a sloppy Garin Park, you can`t ride in the rain without falling all over the place, or your horse building up six inch mud balls on his hoofs. Much to my surprise the soil content at Grant Ranch cooperated. There were a few slippery downhills here and there but nothing really dangerous. It was just really, really wet.
There were about 75 people signed up with about 40 of them scared off by the rain. (smart people? We`ll see.) Endurowest`er Linda Cowles was there with two horses (!) She had transplanted Texan Mike maul ride Gavlin, she rode her Appy Cammie (doesn`t look anything like Warpaint) on the horse`s first 50 mile ride. Jack and Diane Enderle toughed it out and started in the soup. Val Weizer did double duty and not only rode Brian`s amazing horse Goofy, she rode drag and picked up wet ribbons. Mary Thompson-Moore was the ride secretary, Nancy Elliot worked as head wet, er, I mean head vet. And who can forget Maryben Stover out there in the rain, working ever-so-hard to make sure all the riders were treated to warmth, encouragement and hospitality.
The weekend actually belonged to who I think is probably the most amazing individual the endurance world has ever seen. The one and only Julie Suhr came to the ride with a lifetime total of 24,950 miles. That`s right, this ride would put her over the 25,000 mile mark. That`s just about the distance around the earth at the equator. She and her ever present husband Bob rode the ride in good spirits all day and finished 11th and 12th respectively. There are not enough congratulations to convey what everyone felt when she got her completion. Way to go, Julie. Everyone out there hopes they can do what you have done.
I started out in the rain in the dark in the wind fighting mud, water, puddles and wild pigs. Okay, so it wasn`t quite that bad. (but we did see three huge, I mean big, wild pigs) A few riders (myself included) made a wrong turn and ended up a little lost but turned around and found the trail. Just as I found the course Judy was going by on Warpaint. He`s easy to see at night. We rode together with the Appy being a total butt-head. He just has to go fast all the time. Not much fun for Judy, though. We rode along with Dennis and Joyce Souza from up north off and on, becoming increasingly soaked as the morning wore on. Rain gear, rain schmear- we got wet. At least the trails were not slippery. The first loop was 15 miles that seemed longer due to all the walking we did. Not to mention the fact you could not see much due to the clouds and fog. There were not a lot of horses yet most were sort of bunched up within a few minutes of each other. We rolled into the first check as wet as can be. Shatta was at 52, Warpaint took his normal few minutes to come down to Nancy`s pulse criteria of 60. I waited for Judy and together we went back out into the mire. Wait a minute! Together? What`s going on here? We rode an endurance ride together was in 1990, on our first ride. Wow. We have never had compatible horses due to age and such and Warpaint sort of needs to be ridden alone. She was working hard to keep the feisty critter at bay.
The second loop had a HUGE climb in it that seemed to go on forever since you could not see anything through the fog and clouds. Straight up, then down a long way back into camp. But not before we got to see Maryben out there in the rain, cheering us on! (I needed cheering) Lunch was a nice break while we covered the horses and retired to the camper. Did I ever say how much I LOVE my camper? Out of the soaking wet rain and cold, into the heated, warm, dry, soft camper where I made some hot soup. That really helped me change my mindset. It was a tough chore to drag ourselves back out there, but those two horses were doing this without complaint. I changed clothes (Why?) and headed back out with Judy on the longest loop of the day, the now infamous damn pink loop. It was okay up the long climb again but once up on top of the ridge it was really miserable. Pouring rain, severe winds blowing the rain sideways, fog, clouds, cold, then colder, riding with your eyes shut, soaking wet, soaked trails- not a lot of fun. It took a long time to get down from that horrible ridge back to camp for the third time. No hold this time, just P&R and go. I decided to leave before Judy since Shatta was down when we got there, so I headed out for a mile or so until I made another wrong turn. I went a mile or so the wrong way and figured out this was wrong when another rider came back facing me. Oh well- so we`ll do a 52 mile ride. Who should be there on the correct trail but Judy. I guess it was destiny for us to do the ride together after all. (or my stupidity for getting lost again) We rode on, still raining, on the last 8 or so mile loop. Warpaint seemed to be slowing down a bit so we took it real easy, not wanting to hurry in the sloppy terrain. The common trail was getting beat up and quite muddy in places, but still not too bad overall. We mostly walked up and down the MANY hills and took it easy trotting everything else. We reached the turn back point towards camp and what`s this, the rain is letting up a little! How can that be? We trotted back towards camp, actually reminding ourselves that we didn`t have to ride on this trail any more! We passes a guy at a water trough but other than that didn`t see many other people out there. Imagine my surprise when Brian told us we finished 6th and 7th! He said we made up time on the pink loop. Perhaps it was to get down off that ridge faster!
The poor horses were as dirty and muddy as I have ever seen them. What a performance. I was really pleased to see how Shatta looked at the BC judging. He got the second best vet score which really made my day. (sort of) Most riders were just happy it was over. Linda got pulled at vet 1 on Cammie but her boy Gavlin under Mike`s capable hands tied for second. I think there were only 2 or 3 pulls and most people who started the thing finished. The stupid thing was that after the ride ended the rain stopped. Why? Who knows. Life isn`t fair sometimes. The BBQ banquet was superb and really tasted good. The riders got lots of finishing goodies for completing the wettest San Jose ride in a while. Brian did a great job considering the conditions.
You know how when you are doing something miserable you say things like `that`s the last rain ride I`ll ever do?` Then when it`s over things get a little better? And two days later you start remembering how it really wasn`t that bad? And you might even consider riding the ride again? Even if it rains? Maybe.
Nick Warhol
Hayward, Ca.
Well, maybe not much fun. That described the QS 50 this past weekend out at Grant Ranch. This ride is put on by the Quicksilver Endurance Riders in San Jose and is capably managed by Brian Reeves. He told everyone well in advance the ride would be rain or shine and true to his word, the ride did happen. In the rain. Driving out on Friday afternoon it rained, setting up Friday evening it rained (but not too bad), but Saturday morning it was coming down, with a nice cold wind thrown in just for fun. I asked Judy if she really wanted to go out there. "Yep," she replied. It would be her last ride of the season until Death Valley so she wanted to give it a go. Groan. I decided to go out and ride but with the firm decision that I would turn around the instant the surfaces got to slick or slippery for my horse. I`m not willing to risk an injury in the mud for any ride, and based on my experience at riding in a sloppy Garin Park, you can`t ride in the rain without falling all over the place, or your horse building up six inch mud balls on his hoofs. Much to my surprise the soil content at Grant Ranch cooperated. There were a few slippery downhills here and there but nothing really dangerous. It was just really, really wet.
There were about 75 people signed up with about 40 of them scared off by the rain. (smart people? We`ll see.) Endurowest`er Linda Cowles was there with two horses (!) She had transplanted Texan Mike maul ride Gavlin, she rode her Appy Cammie (doesn`t look anything like Warpaint) on the horse`s first 50 mile ride. Jack and Diane Enderle toughed it out and started in the soup. Val Weizer did double duty and not only rode Brian`s amazing horse Goofy, she rode drag and picked up wet ribbons. Mary Thompson-Moore was the ride secretary, Nancy Elliot worked as head wet, er, I mean head vet. And who can forget Maryben Stover out there in the rain, working ever-so-hard to make sure all the riders were treated to warmth, encouragement and hospitality.
The weekend actually belonged to who I think is probably the most amazing individual the endurance world has ever seen. The one and only Julie Suhr came to the ride with a lifetime total of 24,950 miles. That`s right, this ride would put her over the 25,000 mile mark. That`s just about the distance around the earth at the equator. She and her ever present husband Bob rode the ride in good spirits all day and finished 11th and 12th respectively. There are not enough congratulations to convey what everyone felt when she got her completion. Way to go, Julie. Everyone out there hopes they can do what you have done.
I started out in the rain in the dark in the wind fighting mud, water, puddles and wild pigs. Okay, so it wasn`t quite that bad. (but we did see three huge, I mean big, wild pigs) A few riders (myself included) made a wrong turn and ended up a little lost but turned around and found the trail. Just as I found the course Judy was going by on Warpaint. He`s easy to see at night. We rode together with the Appy being a total butt-head. He just has to go fast all the time. Not much fun for Judy, though. We rode along with Dennis and Joyce Souza from up north off and on, becoming increasingly soaked as the morning wore on. Rain gear, rain schmear- we got wet. At least the trails were not slippery. The first loop was 15 miles that seemed longer due to all the walking we did. Not to mention the fact you could not see much due to the clouds and fog. There were not a lot of horses yet most were sort of bunched up within a few minutes of each other. We rolled into the first check as wet as can be. Shatta was at 52, Warpaint took his normal few minutes to come down to Nancy`s pulse criteria of 60. I waited for Judy and together we went back out into the mire. Wait a minute! Together? What`s going on here? We rode an endurance ride together was in 1990, on our first ride. Wow. We have never had compatible horses due to age and such and Warpaint sort of needs to be ridden alone. She was working hard to keep the feisty critter at bay.
The second loop had a HUGE climb in it that seemed to go on forever since you could not see anything through the fog and clouds. Straight up, then down a long way back into camp. But not before we got to see Maryben out there in the rain, cheering us on! (I needed cheering) Lunch was a nice break while we covered the horses and retired to the camper. Did I ever say how much I LOVE my camper? Out of the soaking wet rain and cold, into the heated, warm, dry, soft camper where I made some hot soup. That really helped me change my mindset. It was a tough chore to drag ourselves back out there, but those two horses were doing this without complaint. I changed clothes (Why?) and headed back out with Judy on the longest loop of the day, the now infamous damn pink loop. It was okay up the long climb again but once up on top of the ridge it was really miserable. Pouring rain, severe winds blowing the rain sideways, fog, clouds, cold, then colder, riding with your eyes shut, soaking wet, soaked trails- not a lot of fun. It took a long time to get down from that horrible ridge back to camp for the third time. No hold this time, just P&R and go. I decided to leave before Judy since Shatta was down when we got there, so I headed out for a mile or so until I made another wrong turn. I went a mile or so the wrong way and figured out this was wrong when another rider came back facing me. Oh well- so we`ll do a 52 mile ride. Who should be there on the correct trail but Judy. I guess it was destiny for us to do the ride together after all. (or my stupidity for getting lost again) We rode on, still raining, on the last 8 or so mile loop. Warpaint seemed to be slowing down a bit so we took it real easy, not wanting to hurry in the sloppy terrain. The common trail was getting beat up and quite muddy in places, but still not too bad overall. We mostly walked up and down the MANY hills and took it easy trotting everything else. We reached the turn back point towards camp and what`s this, the rain is letting up a little! How can that be? We trotted back towards camp, actually reminding ourselves that we didn`t have to ride on this trail any more! We passes a guy at a water trough but other than that didn`t see many other people out there. Imagine my surprise when Brian told us we finished 6th and 7th! He said we made up time on the pink loop. Perhaps it was to get down off that ridge faster!
The poor horses were as dirty and muddy as I have ever seen them. What a performance. I was really pleased to see how Shatta looked at the BC judging. He got the second best vet score which really made my day. (sort of) Most riders were just happy it was over. Linda got pulled at vet 1 on Cammie but her boy Gavlin under Mike`s capable hands tied for second. I think there were only 2 or 3 pulls and most people who started the thing finished. The stupid thing was that after the ride ended the rain stopped. Why? Who knows. Life isn`t fair sometimes. The BBQ banquet was superb and really tasted good. The riders got lots of finishing goodies for completing the wettest San Jose ride in a while. Brian did a great job considering the conditions.
You know how when you are doing something miserable you say things like `that`s the last rain ride I`ll ever do?` Then when it`s over things get a little better? And two days later you start remembering how it really wasn`t that bad? And you might even consider riding the ride again? Even if it rains? Maybe.
Nick Warhol
Hayward, Ca.
Tina's First 100 - Tina Hicks
Okay guys here it is - all the gory details of my first 100....
I have gone thru the same evolution many others I imagine have - from not being able to fathom a 50, to moving up to 50s, then to fast 50s, then to thinking about 100s for a year then to finally doing one. Just like when I moved up to 50s, I kept thinking I shoulda done this sooner...So...there`s been this combo of envy/awe/pity for 100 milers for the last year or so as I worked my way up to actually checking off 100 miles on the entry form and sending it in.
Work has been so busy that the weeks leading up to the LR 100 left me no time to tizzy - for those that know me, that`s amazing :). The only extra item I had to have for this ride were glowsticks - just putting them in the trailer made me swallow hard :)
We arrived mid-afternoon Friday only to hear there was over a 2 hour wait to vet in so we got set up first. The camp is beautiful - right on a lake, in the trees, the weather was **perfect** - cool, no bugs, clear skies. Tony came off the trailer and immediately started eating and was very relaxed.
At vet-in we passed the first big moment - getting *three* digits for a ride number. We were now one of THEM - everyone looking at us would know we were gonna try the 100 - there was no hiding from it now. I had strangers coming over and wishing me good luck by the evening - as they left the trailer I`m sure they were muttering something about mentally impaired :)
The start was cool and in the dark - YIKES was all I could think - what`s gonna happen when I`m riding in the real dark tonite? Smack - smack - smack...Lesson #1 - when riding in the dark keep one arm up in branch defense position. The first 5 miles or so was a controlled start down a sandy/dirt road (the whole ride was that terrain). By the time we left the road daylight was slowly arriving. They say that doing a 100 is as much mental as anything and I believe it - from the beginning I knew were gonna be out there for a while and must have conveyed that to Tony cuz at about 30 miles he went into low gear for him - hitting about an 8 mph trot that he kept most of the day. That`s very odd for him - I`ve never done a real slow 50 on him and certainly never had him slow down that early in the ride - I swear he was in 100 miler mode as well.
First check went fine - to the pen to wait out our hold and off again. Early in the second loop he drank - I felt my whole body relax - it was gonna be a good day :). Again odd for him to drink that early....I was not od`ing him on elect. - for some reason he does not do well when I pump him full of elec. I think the elec. get ahead of his system and he can`t catch up - at least that`s my uneducated opinion. At any rate, he had some Friday nite and then 4 times during the day combined with probiotics - he maintained an A on guts all day which is a miracle for him.
Annnyyywwaayyy.....the first 50 miles were uneventful except I kept explaining to Tony that we were new at this and we had a long way to go and needed to go an even pace. My biggest fear was "using" him up over 60 or 70 miles and then having to drag him at a walk thru the last part of the ride. As it turned out, that was not the case at all but, hey, what did I know? :)
By the 65 mile point he was eating and drinking everything in sight and I was beginning to think we may actually do this thing. He went in his rope halter from 40 miles on - that`s pretty good for this horse - considering 3 years ago his only gait was a jig.
While he was getting stronger each check I was starting to feel the miles. From the 65 mile point on I let my mom take him thru the vet line - it was nice to be able to watch your horse trot too :).
When we went out for the 65-80 mile loop I know it would just be getting dark when we came back but the last few miles were open dirt road so no light equipment needed. As I was heading out at 5:30 or so there were several riders heading to the dinner - sigh... I was just getting going good :)
Most of the loop was uneventful until the last 5 or 6 miles. We were in the woods when Tony stopped dead - every muscle in his body alert - I couldn`t see the HRM but I`m sure it was off the chart as 2 *things* on 2 legs slowly melted from the pre-dusk woods onto the trail. I yelled to Catherine (other first timer I was riding with) What the H*&^ are those??? My eyes as well as Tony`s were big as saucers I`m sure. Meanwhile, the things just slowly and calmly walked across the trail and into the woods. Tony was frozen and I was wondering if I was gonna need some Depends for the rest of our night riding experience...Come to find out, those were _turkeys_.....Coulda fooled us, right Tony? Well that convinced Tony and I the woods were not where we wanted to be right then so we put it in overdrive and took off at a canter. Deer promptly bounded thru the woods - that DID it - we were outta there!!!! We came screeching into camp at about 100 mph talking about monsters and trolls and lions and tigers :))
All day his heart rate had been falling faster each time - true to form by the time I got him stopped and got off he dropped to 85 - by the time we got the in timer he was at 54 - incredible! Now I was started to get butterflies - I mean we were 20 miles out!! 20 little miles - we could do those in our sleep right??? (Little did I know we almost did ). Anyway, I ate left over dinner - which I had not qualms about wading thru the entire ride dinner crowd to retrieve and watched Tony go thru the check like he had been out for an afternoon stroll. He looked better now than he did at 50 miles if you can believe that. These animals truly are amazing.
For the last 20 miles I put on his easyboots as it was now *dark* and there were two sections of chunky gravel that I didn`t want to risk a bruise on - Tony bruises if you look at him wrong and I didn`t want to take any chances. Just putting on the glowsticks made me feel all grown up :)) How many times I`ve watched 100 milers put those on and thought - one day I`ll get to do that. All day and especially now folks going by the trailer wished me luck or offered sympathy....they were clean, well fed and going to bed and I was going back out for 20 more....
The last 20 miles was a 10 mile loop done twice - just like earlier in the day. Only now you could watch from camp across the lake and see the green dots heading out on their last leg - each time camp would erupt in catcalls, cheers, and clapping as another rider went around. I was not exception - my cheering squad came thru loud and clear - I called back and off we went.
Boy is it DARK out there - glowsticks schmo-sticks - I couldn`t see squat. Not only that but those darn bullfrogs jumping into the lake sound like a cannon being dropped in the water. Geez, this is stressful :) Actually, it was awesome - the night was clear, the only sound was the muffled foot fall of the easy boots on the sand or him stopping to eat bamboo.
Magmt had dropped red glowsticks in the middle of the road for us to follow - Tony looked at *each* one - *both* times around :) I met up again with Cathering midway thru this loop - her horse was a little tired so we stopped and let the guys eat and take a breather. That seemed to help so off we trotted/cantered - cantering broke the monotony of trotting and got us there a little quicker :). Finally to the beaver dam which meant only a couple of miles till the first 10 of the last 20 are done. In we come, stop by the water tank, he drinks and then Samm offers me some of Nina G`s famous tea - yum, yum :)
This is it - 90 miles down. I can`t believe it - Tony is easily trotting out of camp for the umpteenth time that day (ha ha to those whose horses are smart enough to realize they`ve already been on that trail once ) for our last 10.
100 miles almost down - if I weren`t so tired I`d be amazed...By now tho it`s 10:30 or so and I`m exhausted - I didn`t eat enough during the day and I can really tell it. We stop to let them graze and I almost fall over asleep in the saddle. I decide we have to get going or I might just curl up in the bamboo and snooze.
I ask Tony if he has any canter in him - of course he responds and off we go. Canter, canter, gallop, gallop - does anything compare to galloping the last 5 miles of a 100 in the dark just holding the end of the loop you`ve tied in the reins on a horse who feels *that* good, has his ears up and is willingly cruising?
I don`t think so.....
At any rate that`s how I came in - except we had to stop and take a gander at my mom huddled by the finish line in Tony`s wool cooler (Thanks, Mom!) - I`ve always said the day he stops looking at things is the day I get worried. I groan as I get out of the saddle and hobble to the camp behind Mom and horse. Tony is walking out, ears up like it`s no big deal....Again by the time we get to the vet he`s waayyy down. I go thru immediately as it`s getting cold and he`s wanting to stiffen a little. I came in 10th and decide to go ahead and stand - I knew my time was too far from the winner`s to have a chance at it but how cool to have a BC sheet from my very first 100!!!
Does anything compare to a vet telling you your horse looks awesome and will do very well in 100s as he trots two perfectly sound, even circles for the BC check? Not much in my book - except the cantering bit I mentioned earlier :)
Needless to say there`s tons more I could say but Angie might throw tomatoes at me - suffice it to say it was a great experience!
Long Leaf 100 bound....
PS - Catherine finished in fine shape about 30 minutes behind me so both first timers made it.
Tina & Tony - who still shies at 90 miles...
SE region
hickst@nichols.com
I have gone thru the same evolution many others I imagine have - from not being able to fathom a 50, to moving up to 50s, then to fast 50s, then to thinking about 100s for a year then to finally doing one. Just like when I moved up to 50s, I kept thinking I shoulda done this sooner...So...there`s been this combo of envy/awe/pity for 100 milers for the last year or so as I worked my way up to actually checking off 100 miles on the entry form and sending it in.
Work has been so busy that the weeks leading up to the LR 100 left me no time to tizzy - for those that know me, that`s amazing :). The only extra item I had to have for this ride were glowsticks - just putting them in the trailer made me swallow hard :)
We arrived mid-afternoon Friday only to hear there was over a 2 hour wait to vet in so we got set up first. The camp is beautiful - right on a lake, in the trees, the weather was **perfect** - cool, no bugs, clear skies. Tony came off the trailer and immediately started eating and was very relaxed.
At vet-in we passed the first big moment - getting *three* digits for a ride number. We were now one of THEM - everyone looking at us would know we were gonna try the 100 - there was no hiding from it now. I had strangers coming over and wishing me good luck by the evening - as they left the trailer I`m sure they were muttering something about mentally impaired :)
The start was cool and in the dark - YIKES was all I could think - what`s gonna happen when I`m riding in the real dark tonite? Smack - smack - smack...Lesson #1 - when riding in the dark keep one arm up in branch defense position. The first 5 miles or so was a controlled start down a sandy/dirt road (the whole ride was that terrain). By the time we left the road daylight was slowly arriving. They say that doing a 100 is as much mental as anything and I believe it - from the beginning I knew were gonna be out there for a while and must have conveyed that to Tony cuz at about 30 miles he went into low gear for him - hitting about an 8 mph trot that he kept most of the day. That`s very odd for him - I`ve never done a real slow 50 on him and certainly never had him slow down that early in the ride - I swear he was in 100 miler mode as well.
First check went fine - to the pen to wait out our hold and off again. Early in the second loop he drank - I felt my whole body relax - it was gonna be a good day :). Again odd for him to drink that early....I was not od`ing him on elect. - for some reason he does not do well when I pump him full of elec. I think the elec. get ahead of his system and he can`t catch up - at least that`s my uneducated opinion. At any rate, he had some Friday nite and then 4 times during the day combined with probiotics - he maintained an A on guts all day which is a miracle for him.
Annnyyywwaayyy.....the first 50 miles were uneventful except I kept explaining to Tony that we were new at this and we had a long way to go and needed to go an even pace. My biggest fear was "using" him up over 60 or 70 miles and then having to drag him at a walk thru the last part of the ride. As it turned out, that was not the case at all but, hey, what did I know? :)
By the 65 mile point he was eating and drinking everything in sight and I was beginning to think we may actually do this thing. He went in his rope halter from 40 miles on - that`s pretty good for this horse - considering 3 years ago his only gait was a jig.
While he was getting stronger each check I was starting to feel the miles. From the 65 mile point on I let my mom take him thru the vet line - it was nice to be able to watch your horse trot too :).
When we went out for the 65-80 mile loop I know it would just be getting dark when we came back but the last few miles were open dirt road so no light equipment needed. As I was heading out at 5:30 or so there were several riders heading to the dinner - sigh... I was just getting going good :)
Most of the loop was uneventful until the last 5 or 6 miles. We were in the woods when Tony stopped dead - every muscle in his body alert - I couldn`t see the HRM but I`m sure it was off the chart as 2 *things* on 2 legs slowly melted from the pre-dusk woods onto the trail. I yelled to Catherine (other first timer I was riding with) What the H*&^ are those??? My eyes as well as Tony`s were big as saucers I`m sure. Meanwhile, the things just slowly and calmly walked across the trail and into the woods. Tony was frozen and I was wondering if I was gonna need some Depends for the rest of our night riding experience...Come to find out, those were _turkeys_.....Coulda fooled us, right Tony? Well that convinced Tony and I the woods were not where we wanted to be right then so we put it in overdrive and took off at a canter. Deer promptly bounded thru the woods - that DID it - we were outta there!!!! We came screeching into camp at about 100 mph talking about monsters and trolls and lions and tigers :))
All day his heart rate had been falling faster each time - true to form by the time I got him stopped and got off he dropped to 85 - by the time we got the in timer he was at 54 - incredible! Now I was started to get butterflies - I mean we were 20 miles out!! 20 little miles - we could do those in our sleep right??? (Little did I know we almost did ). Anyway, I ate left over dinner - which I had not qualms about wading thru the entire ride dinner crowd to retrieve and watched Tony go thru the check like he had been out for an afternoon stroll. He looked better now than he did at 50 miles if you can believe that. These animals truly are amazing.
For the last 20 miles I put on his easyboots as it was now *dark* and there were two sections of chunky gravel that I didn`t want to risk a bruise on - Tony bruises if you look at him wrong and I didn`t want to take any chances. Just putting on the glowsticks made me feel all grown up :)) How many times I`ve watched 100 milers put those on and thought - one day I`ll get to do that. All day and especially now folks going by the trailer wished me luck or offered sympathy....they were clean, well fed and going to bed and I was going back out for 20 more....
The last 20 miles was a 10 mile loop done twice - just like earlier in the day. Only now you could watch from camp across the lake and see the green dots heading out on their last leg - each time camp would erupt in catcalls, cheers, and clapping as another rider went around. I was not exception - my cheering squad came thru loud and clear - I called back and off we went.
Boy is it DARK out there - glowsticks schmo-sticks - I couldn`t see squat. Not only that but those darn bullfrogs jumping into the lake sound like a cannon being dropped in the water. Geez, this is stressful :) Actually, it was awesome - the night was clear, the only sound was the muffled foot fall of the easy boots on the sand or him stopping to eat bamboo.
Magmt had dropped red glowsticks in the middle of the road for us to follow - Tony looked at *each* one - *both* times around :) I met up again with Cathering midway thru this loop - her horse was a little tired so we stopped and let the guys eat and take a breather. That seemed to help so off we trotted/cantered - cantering broke the monotony of trotting and got us there a little quicker :). Finally to the beaver dam which meant only a couple of miles till the first 10 of the last 20 are done. In we come, stop by the water tank, he drinks and then Samm offers me some of Nina G`s famous tea - yum, yum :)
This is it - 90 miles down. I can`t believe it - Tony is easily trotting out of camp for the umpteenth time that day (ha ha to those whose horses are smart enough to realize they`ve already been on that trail once ) for our last 10.
100 miles almost down - if I weren`t so tired I`d be amazed...By now tho it`s 10:30 or so and I`m exhausted - I didn`t eat enough during the day and I can really tell it. We stop to let them graze and I almost fall over asleep in the saddle. I decide we have to get going or I might just curl up in the bamboo and snooze.
I ask Tony if he has any canter in him - of course he responds and off we go. Canter, canter, gallop, gallop - does anything compare to galloping the last 5 miles of a 100 in the dark just holding the end of the loop you`ve tied in the reins on a horse who feels *that* good, has his ears up and is willingly cruising?
I don`t think so.....
At any rate that`s how I came in - except we had to stop and take a gander at my mom huddled by the finish line in Tony`s wool cooler (Thanks, Mom!) - I`ve always said the day he stops looking at things is the day I get worried. I groan as I get out of the saddle and hobble to the camp behind Mom and horse. Tony is walking out, ears up like it`s no big deal....Again by the time we get to the vet he`s waayyy down. I go thru immediately as it`s getting cold and he`s wanting to stiffen a little. I came in 10th and decide to go ahead and stand - I knew my time was too far from the winner`s to have a chance at it but how cool to have a BC sheet from my very first 100!!!
Does anything compare to a vet telling you your horse looks awesome and will do very well in 100s as he trots two perfectly sound, even circles for the BC check? Not much in my book - except the cantering bit I mentioned earlier :)
Needless to say there`s tons more I could say but Angie might throw tomatoes at me - suffice it to say it was a great experience!
Long Leaf 100 bound....
PS - Catherine finished in fine shape about 30 minutes behind me so both first timers made it.
Tina & Tony - who still shies at 90 miles...
SE region
hickst@nichols.com
Brazilian Endurance Clinic - continued.. - Darolyn Butler
Day VII
Bom dia Ya`ll,
Well the adventure continues. As mentioned before, there are to be two races held at the Universidad this weekend. Sat. is a 75 KM (approx. 45 miles) & Sunday a 35, (approx. 25 mi.). Our group had dinner with the ride manager last night & I was asking ride procedure particulars & found out, much to my surprise, (cause I thought they ran there rides very much like the US), that this group was disgusted with people riding too fast and had come up with some new criteria. Now, take a seat if you`re standing kids. Pulse 56 in 15 minutes at each vet check and the finish, or you are pulled. If you bust your check, say at 5 minutes into the 15, your penalty is the full 15 minutes. Had a great discussion with the RM on the pros & cons of this method, which I won`t go into, cause I can hear all your little heads spinning with the same arguments, but I think it will be an interesting race, (but how could it be --- of one has to recover to 56 in 15 minutes at the finish.) It should accomplish their desired slowing of riders though.... shouldn`t it???
Oh well, I can remember when the pulse first went below 72, then later recovery to 64 in 30 min. We always managed to make it a race somehow.... and my favorite saying once again applies.... as long as it is an equal playing field... the competition will be a competition.
Now for a description of the preparation here. For those of you who have been to the Race of Champions or an International Competition, imagine all the banners, signs, survey ribbon perimeters, stages, tents, etc. This ride is on par with a plain ole, vanilla, regional back yard ride, yet these Brazilians have their own style. It looks like the Rolex Jumping event at the Kentucky Horse Park. Sylvia took me to set up our crew area today & I`m not sure I put that much effort into building my house. :-) We staked it out, with metal stakes, nylon ropes & parking cones...., set up a tent, moved her wooden 4/2` tack box in, chairs, 6 30 gallon barrels,(to hold the water) 2 20 gallon tubs for the horses to drink out of, & misc. buckets & other stuff. Now mind you, this is just for Sylvia & I in the 75 KM on Sat. & 4 horses competing on Sunday.
Management has 20 100 gallon water tanks set up a short way from us to service all of the horses. They have commercial, (meaning professionally painted and color coordinated) signs for everything, including the "baby ride". You are going to love this.... a parent leads a toddler around on a 1 Km ride. The RM joked.... then the pulse of the father is taken for the winner.
I guess they have been seriously influenced by the eventing and jumping world with all the foo foo. I must admit, it does look nice, and even a foreigner knows where I`m going, (at least most of the time.)
Sharon & I got to survey the trail today as well. That was a neat experience as I assumed it would be pretty tame since we were going in a small truck. NOTTTTT!!! It was put in by motorcycle & there was at least one spot where we flat chickened out going down & two spots where I walked ahead on foot to make sure it was safe. Have I mentioned how pretty the country is!?!? BTW, they have professional Trail Putter Inners too. Honestly, a guy named Tattoooo, (no kin to the short one, this guy is a 6`4" blond Dutchman), is paid by different rides to go out & find the trail, (sometimes in partnership with a local rider), check the mileage, mark the trail, & supervise it, (making sure ribbons stay up) & fixing problems on ride day. As a past RM I would have hated somebody putting in trail for me, (I loved that part), but maintaining it at the end sounds like a great idea.
There trail marking is a lot like ours with just a few minor differences. Good & bad.... Good: They use a lot of colored signs with big black arrows. Long, big colored ribbons & spray painted circles and arrows in strategic spots. Bad: Ribbons are alternated on both sides instead of being primarily on one side, & sharp turns could be either marked a bit better or other way limed across.
Not really a bunch of difference, so hopefully I won`t get too lost tomorrow. The stallion I`m riding seems to be in pretty good shape, but he hasn`t had anything but little short rides this week on our training outs, & did not get ridden at all today or yesterday. hmmm.... As I said.... should be a very interesting day, hope there`s no mares near during that 56 requirement!!!!
I was really looking forward to riding with Sylvia on Saturday, however, as soon as we returned from the trail preview, Sylvia met us with the bad news that her horse was lame... this was particular bad as this was her #3 back up horse, (her son`s in fact), both #1 & #2 were lame when I got to Brazil. Evidently the horse had been turned out in a small paddock for exercise & probably got to running & bucking, (as they will) hit some concrete or loose dirt, fell & popped himself pretty good. He was grade 3/4 lame in the back left. Whole left hindquarter was swollen. They had already treated with banamine when we arrived, so we used the magboys awhile, & 45 min. later he had progress to a grade 2 at a walk... didn`t dare trot him. Told Sylvia that`s what we call Snake Bit in Texas.... don`t know if it translated or not. So now, I actually get another crew person, but I really feel bad, `cause nothing is worse than having a ride in your own backyard practically & having nothing to ride. She does have a gorgeous young stallion she will be riding on Sunday.
Will explain more about the horse`s prerequisites to run the longer distances in a day or two. Not real sure I understand it yet. Also met the owner of one of the ranches we are crossing. He is building a 33 room hotel overlooking this gorgeous valley. My brain is ticking.... anybody interested in taking a riding vacation down here next summer???? Bom dia Ya`ll, Well the adventure continues. As mentioned before, there are to be two races held at the Universidad this weekend. Sat. is a 75 KM (approx. 45 miles) & Sunday a 35, (approx. 25 mi.). Our group had dinner with the ride manager last night & I was asking ride procedure particulars & found out, much to my surprise, (cause I thought they ran there rides very much like the US), that this group was disgusted with people riding too fast and had come up with some new criteria. Now, take a seat if you`re standing kids. Pulse 56 in 15 minutes at each vet check and the finish, or you are pulled. If you bust your check, say at 5 minutes into the 15, your penalty is the full 15 minutes. Had a great discussion with the RM on the pros & cons of this method, which I won`t go into, cause I can hear all your little heads spinning with the same arguments, but I think it will be an interesting race, (but how could it be --- of one has to recover to 56 in 15 minutes at the finish.) It should accomplish their desired slowing of riders though.... shouldn`t it???
Oh well, I can remember when the pulse first went below 72, then later recovery to 64 in 30 min. We always managed to make it a race somehow.... and my favorite saying once again applies.... as long as it is an equal playing field... the competition will be a competition.
Now for a description of the preparation here. For those of you who have been to the Race of Champions or an International Competition, imagine all the banners, signs, survey ribbon perimeters, stages, tents, etc. This ride is on par with a plain ole, vanilla, regional back yard ride, yet these Brazilians have their own style. It looks like the Rolex Jumping event at the Kentucky Horse Park. Sylvia took me to set up our crew area today & I`m not sure I put that much effort into building my house. :-) We staked it out, with metal stakes, nylon ropes & parking cones...., set up a tent, moved her wooden 4/2` tack box in, chairs, 6 30 gallon barrels,(to hold the water) 2 20 gallon tubs for the horses to drink out of, & misc. buckets & other stuff. Now mind you, this is just for Sylvia & I in the 75 KM on Sat. & 4 horses competing on Sunday.
Management has 20 100 gallon water tanks set up a short way from us to service all of the horses. They have commercial, (meaning professionally painted and color coordinated) signs for everything, including the "baby ride". You are going to love this.... a parent leads a toddler around on a 1 Km ride. The RM joked.... then the pulse of the father is taken for the winner.
I guess they have been seriously influenced by the eventing and jumping world with all the foo foo. I must admit, it does look nice, and even a foreigner knows where I`m going, (at least most of the time.)
Sharon & I got to survey the trail today as well. That was a neat experience as I assumed it would be pretty tame since we were going in a small truck. NOTTTTT!!! It was put in by motorcycle & there was at least one spot where we flat chickened out going down & two spots where I walked ahead on foot to make sure it was safe. Have I mentioned how pretty the country is!?!? BTW, they have professional Trail Putter Inners too. Honestly, a guy named Tattoooo, (no kin to the short one, this guy is a 6`4" blond Dutchman), is paid by different rides to go out & find the trail, (sometimes in partnership with a local rider), check the mileage, mark the trail, & supervise it, (making sure ribbons stay up) & fixing problems on ride day. As a past RM I would have hated somebody putting in trail for me, (I loved that part), but maintaining it at the end sounds like a great idea.
There trail marking is a lot like ours with just a few minor differences. Good & bad.... Good: They use a lot of colored signs with big black arrows. Long, big colored ribbons & spray painted circles and arrows in strategic spots. Bad: Ribbons are alternated on both sides instead of being primarily on one side, & sharp turns could be either marked a bit better or other way limed across.
Not really a bunch of difference, so hopefully I won`t get too lost tomorrow. The stallion I`m riding seems to be in pretty good shape, but he hasn`t had anything but little short rides this week on our training outs, & did not get ridden at all today or yesterday. hmmm.... As I said.... should be a very interesting day, hope there`s no mares near during that 56 requirement!!!!
I was really looking forward to riding with Sylvia on Saturday, however, as soon as we returned from the trail preview, Sylvia met us with the bad news that her horse was lame... this was particular bad as this was her #3 back up horse, (her son`s in fact), both #1 & #2 were lame when I got to Brazil. Evidently the horse had been turned out in a small paddock for exercise & probably got to running & bucking, (as they will) hit some concrete or loose dirt, fell & popped himself pretty good. He was grade 3/4 lame in the back left. Whole left hindquarter was swollen. They had already treated with banamine when we arrived, so we used the magboys awhile, & 45 min. later he had progress to a grade 2 at a walk... didn`t dare trot him. Told Sylvia that`s what we call Snake Bit in Texas.... don`t know if it translated or not. So now, I actually get another crew person, but I really feel bad, `cause nothing is worse than having a ride in your own backyard practically & having nothing to ride. She does have a gorgeous young stallion she will be riding on Sunday.
Will explain more about the horse`s prerequisites to run the longer distances in a day or two. Not real sure I understand it yet. Also met the owner of one of the ranches we are crossing. He is building a 33 room hotel overlooking this gorgeous valley. My brain is ticking.... anybody interested in taking a riding vacation down here next summer????
Last highlight of the day was visiting a local bakery.... you can`t believe this place... had a little snack bar with Cappuccino choc d`oro that made you roll on the floor & rub your tummy. Bought all sorts of breads & bread rolls with meat & cheese and that was dinner. mmmmm Will have race news tomorrow... wish me luck!!
Chow!!!
Darolyn
Day XIII and IX
Race day at last!!!! Sylvia & I were up at the crack of dawn, made & packed sandwiches, (just like home), hopped in her rig & off to ride site. Found my big red boy waiting in the stall, needed to go to pre vet check but couldn`t brush him `cause all the brushes were still locked up in Tack Room. Kinda wiped him off with the rope, then off I went to the Vet. Got my vet card from management & a cute little sack containing the usual stuff, plus a number vest. Headed toward the vet check & had made the first stop when asked for my health papers.... duh!!!! Then here came Sylvia running with them. This hadn`t even crossed my mind.
He had a resting pulse in the high 30`s, I`m pretty impressed with this old campaigner!!! And not at all bad on the ground (or mounted) for a stallion. He & I only had a couple of chats the whole week. Now back to the stable, ahh... can get to brushes, AND my saddle now. Filled up water bottles, checked fanny pack, decided I wanted to use the running martingale, but no where in this well stocked tack room was one pair of loose guards. They were all built in to each of the English Bridles that were there.
With the polo & 3 day event influence, everything is Quite, Quite, proper.... got some real funny looks at my hornless Sharon Saare, & the stable hands, (your gonna love this), who help you tack and untack, aren`t real sure how to do it on a western saddle. Gave up on the keepers... (maybe he`ll be good.) Got my camera bag mounted on my fanny pack, yes... I intended to take pictures... carried same little camera up & down Tevis this year. Lets see.. extra film???? No... left it in my room at Sylvia`s, maybe 24 shots will last me. Ran to truck to take a vitamin before I took off, one fell out, looked and looked, could not find... oh well, poured another out & took it. (Remember this 4 later.)
Mounted, race started, amid as much whoopla, & music & announcers as any "Grand Event" you`ve ever been too. Actually teared up a bit.... even after 18,000 miles, those starts still get me! Now this AM when we arrived, the dressage arena had all been staked off, as Sylvia & I had done the day before. I wish I could show you pics. Just wouldn`t believe it. You thought we brought a lot of stuff in.... They have full size, metal feed troughs, horse chest high, so they don`t have to bend down. And (your gonna love this too), a water truck that keeps circling the crew area & filling up EVERYONE`S tubs & barrels. I just about fell over when I saw that at the 1st Vet check.
Well, back to the race.... we left in a very civilized manner, however, I was really glad I had ridden the area that previous week, & really glad I had reviewed the trail by wheels the day before. As I said, it was pretty well marked, but I had fearful visions of me being at a farm house, being very lost, & asking a Portuguese speaking person for help.
The pace was similar to a medium 50 or fast 100. We were averaging about 10-11 mph. I was occasionally riding with one lady who spoke a little English, but I really didn`t miss the chatting. The countryside here truly fascinates me. The rolling & forested hills, (they have to leave 20% of the natural Forest when they do their agricultural cutting), the small residential homes, then the palatial mansions and ranches parked right next to them. Old Volkswagens, weird farm trucks, & "pTown Cars", careening down the narrow roads. Yes, the cars go a little fast for my comfort, but my steed was steady & had less of a problem with them than I did. Not too far into the ride, I noted a pretty sharp achey pain in my right index finger. Hmmm... arthritus??? Did I hit it & bruise it... couldn`t think of a thing. Oh well.... who`s going to complain about a litle finger pain??? Long story short... at about 10 miles kinda rubbed my finger (thru the glove) to make it feel better. Heh... something in there... The Lost Vitamin!!! Another first... vitamins can cause injury!!!! Had one near fall about a mile out of 1st check, stumbled in an irragation ditch... almost went down... looks ok... carry on.
Slowed way back coming into the first check. My crew met me at the timer. For someone who didn`t even know if I would have a crew, I couldn`t believe it.... Sylvia, Aluisio, Migelle, 2 or 3 of the stable hands & occasionally Sharon Saare... (she split her time watching our booth... which they had so graciously offered for both of our wares.)
Now you know they have all this water, but they have the neatest little flower watering cans, you know, like Mary Mary Quite Contrary watered her flowers with. They really work great, you take off the sprinkler part & you get a great direct spurt of water. Gets the water exactly where you want it and yet conserves the water too. I`m going to bring some back or try to find some like these at home. Really liked them.
Made it into the check in about 5 minutes or so with a pulse of 45.. his CRI was 42/40, which BTW, they still call a Ridgeway Trot down here. Cooled a few more minutes & back on trail. Lost my sponge ... darn it. Actually, Sylvia`s sponge, (can you believe I didn`t bring my personal sponge down here?), faulty snap, and poor management. Oh... I know,,, just like I say at the clinic... I`ll take my extra banada & use it!
More pretty country & a neatly stacked woodpile that was at least a 1/4 of a mile long. Now that did upset Larma... couldn`t get too close to that. Day was heating up... slowed down a bit. Into the 2nd check. Same ritual, but he hung a bit longer than he did the 1st time. Not worried, we`d been around 23 miles... not too surprise, but his CRI warned me a bit... something was a bit off... 51 to 59. The vets didn`t seem to be too concerned, but backed off more the next loop. Had some Pro-Burst with me, forgot to give it to him... duh!!! So as soon as I entered check on 3rd loop I zapped him. Knowing it would only help back out on trail, not in check, (takes almost an hour two get in their system. The back off didn`t help... when I came in this time, he not only hung, he was fluctuating up and down. Out we went, really disappointed. I think he might have strained something, (like in the cajones area), when we almost fell, he was kinda drawn up there, And of course, after an hour, the pulse was down and steady, but too little too late. Curious, had the Pro Burst set in? I`m stil in the evaluation stage with that stuff.
Spent the rest of the afternoon watching the sights and visiting with old friends. Was delighted to see Enrique Garcia, (one of Brazil`s World Riders), he had lived and ridden with us about a month last Thanksgiving after finishing a course in Oklahoma. He is a young up and comer. It will be fun watching him. I was impressed with his riding in Texas... Brazil must have been too. Another attractive Brazian young lady whom I rode with at the Cosequine Challenge, and the wonderful funny Lika, (another Brazilian team member -- riding On A High in Dubai) that rhymes... was there as well. And several of the people & vets I had competed with in the World Nature Games a year ago. It was great to see them all.
More horses were now arriving for Sunday`s competition. Over 100 in fact. Now this double size dressage ring started really filling up. Pasqual , the RM, furnished me with Littigator, a low level campaigner, (explained shortly). There were some vet ins, but most wait until Sunday morning. Now folks.... we may be doing this all wrong up north. Here`s how it works here. You don`t haul your own horse, Your horse is picked up in a horse van & carted to the ride for you. You don`t stay in a tent, camper,....but the local hotel, or if close enough... drive in Sunday morning. Where... your horse has been fed, groomed and probably tacked by your own stable hand, One does have to take the horse thru the pre vet, but that`s pretty much it. At the end, same horse is lead away to be cared for and cleaned by someone other than yourself. I swear, it happened to me, today, in Brazil.
Now... I am telling the truth.. but don`t anyone dare flame me on this, because I know none of us would want it any other way than we have it now.... right? Right??
Now Sunday was Limited Distance, and as I told the Brazilians, I thought I came to teach, but I did learn as well. As I rode and began to understand their L.D. concept, it made a heck of a lot of sense. Now, don`t flame me here either... I can`t see ours ever changing this much.. but to describe it, would be like having a NATRC ride, without Horsemanship judging. The riders leave staggered, you are given a suggested MPH with correlating KM markers to make sure the rider is on target, there is still one vet check in the middle, (criteria 64), then at your completion, after you recover of course, in :30, you are judged as if for B.C. I found myself really riding agains the trail, (which you should always be anyway.) Strategizing to make time on the flat surfaces, so I could go slow on the ups and downs, and stop for water, etc. Then, arrange your time so you come in exactly at the appointed time. Now, like NATRC, one has to keep moving forward the last KM. The pace was not a slouch either. I had to keep moving pretty doggone steadily.
Now, here comes the zinger... Horse A, has to do 4 low level competitions (approx. 35 km), before he can do longer mileage, then 3 of level II, then 3 of level III, before one can do the equivalent of a 50 miler. Then a similar requirement of 50`s, 75`s, before you can do the equivalent to the 100 miler. Now this is well and good, really!!!, But, IMHO, this is one reason Brazil had only 3 qualified 100 milers to go to Dubai, (they leased the other 3 from USA), It just takes too doggone long to get there, and there just aren``t enough 100 milers around. They absolutely have the horses.... incredible horses & good riders. The 75 k, (45 miles), was won in about 4 hours, (with criteria of 56 at each ck. & the finish) and it wasn`t a cool day.
On with the party... trophies galore, divisions galore, fanfare music, and a professional announcer really did make this a ta-dahhhhh affair. They were sweet enough to give Sharon and I our own little trophys and a beautiful arrangement of locally grown violets, (in fact the Trailmaster`s livilhood, when not marking trail). I could go on, but I`ve probably blown out this ride camp already. Sorry so long. I`m leaving tomorrow and doubt if I will touch a computer for a week since, when I return to Texas, I`m going to play in my flood mess for a day or two and be off to another ride.... can you believe it? I`m sure you can, and best of all, my friend and host Sylvia is coming back with me for the ride. Hopefully some of you can meet one of the very nicest Brazilians of all. (No fair grading spelling, or grammer... ridden two rides in two days & its 1:30 AM)
I`ll keep you posted if we do an organized trip down here, as ground plans are being laid as I write. ;-)))
Darolyn
Bom dia Ya`ll,
Well the adventure continues. As mentioned before, there are to be two races held at the Universidad this weekend. Sat. is a 75 KM (approx. 45 miles) & Sunday a 35, (approx. 25 mi.). Our group had dinner with the ride manager last night & I was asking ride procedure particulars & found out, much to my surprise, (cause I thought they ran there rides very much like the US), that this group was disgusted with people riding too fast and had come up with some new criteria. Now, take a seat if you`re standing kids. Pulse 56 in 15 minutes at each vet check and the finish, or you are pulled. If you bust your check, say at 5 minutes into the 15, your penalty is the full 15 minutes. Had a great discussion with the RM on the pros & cons of this method, which I won`t go into, cause I can hear all your little heads spinning with the same arguments, but I think it will be an interesting race, (but how could it be --- of one has to recover to 56 in 15 minutes at the finish.) It should accomplish their desired slowing of riders though.... shouldn`t it???
Oh well, I can remember when the pulse first went below 72, then later recovery to 64 in 30 min. We always managed to make it a race somehow.... and my favorite saying once again applies.... as long as it is an equal playing field... the competition will be a competition.
Now for a description of the preparation here. For those of you who have been to the Race of Champions or an International Competition, imagine all the banners, signs, survey ribbon perimeters, stages, tents, etc. This ride is on par with a plain ole, vanilla, regional back yard ride, yet these Brazilians have their own style. It looks like the Rolex Jumping event at the Kentucky Horse Park. Sylvia took me to set up our crew area today & I`m not sure I put that much effort into building my house. :-) We staked it out, with metal stakes, nylon ropes & parking cones...., set up a tent, moved her wooden 4/2` tack box in, chairs, 6 30 gallon barrels,(to hold the water) 2 20 gallon tubs for the horses to drink out of, & misc. buckets & other stuff. Now mind you, this is just for Sylvia & I in the 75 KM on Sat. & 4 horses competing on Sunday.
Management has 20 100 gallon water tanks set up a short way from us to service all of the horses. They have commercial, (meaning professionally painted and color coordinated) signs for everything, including the "baby ride". You are going to love this.... a parent leads a toddler around on a 1 Km ride. The RM joked.... then the pulse of the father is taken for the winner.
I guess they have been seriously influenced by the eventing and jumping world with all the foo foo. I must admit, it does look nice, and even a foreigner knows where I`m going, (at least most of the time.)
Sharon & I got to survey the trail today as well. That was a neat experience as I assumed it would be pretty tame since we were going in a small truck. NOTTTTT!!! It was put in by motorcycle & there was at least one spot where we flat chickened out going down & two spots where I walked ahead on foot to make sure it was safe. Have I mentioned how pretty the country is!?!? BTW, they have professional Trail Putter Inners too. Honestly, a guy named Tattoooo, (no kin to the short one, this guy is a 6`4" blond Dutchman), is paid by different rides to go out & find the trail, (sometimes in partnership with a local rider), check the mileage, mark the trail, & supervise it, (making sure ribbons stay up) & fixing problems on ride day. As a past RM I would have hated somebody putting in trail for me, (I loved that part), but maintaining it at the end sounds like a great idea.
There trail marking is a lot like ours with just a few minor differences. Good & bad.... Good: They use a lot of colored signs with big black arrows. Long, big colored ribbons & spray painted circles and arrows in strategic spots. Bad: Ribbons are alternated on both sides instead of being primarily on one side, & sharp turns could be either marked a bit better or other way limed across.
Not really a bunch of difference, so hopefully I won`t get too lost tomorrow. The stallion I`m riding seems to be in pretty good shape, but he hasn`t had anything but little short rides this week on our training outs, & did not get ridden at all today or yesterday. hmmm.... As I said.... should be a very interesting day, hope there`s no mares near during that 56 requirement!!!!
I was really looking forward to riding with Sylvia on Saturday, however, as soon as we returned from the trail preview, Sylvia met us with the bad news that her horse was lame... this was particular bad as this was her #3 back up horse, (her son`s in fact), both #1 & #2 were lame when I got to Brazil. Evidently the horse had been turned out in a small paddock for exercise & probably got to running & bucking, (as they will) hit some concrete or loose dirt, fell & popped himself pretty good. He was grade 3/4 lame in the back left. Whole left hindquarter was swollen. They had already treated with banamine when we arrived, so we used the magboys awhile, & 45 min. later he had progress to a grade 2 at a walk... didn`t dare trot him. Told Sylvia that`s what we call Snake Bit in Texas.... don`t know if it translated or not. So now, I actually get another crew person, but I really feel bad, `cause nothing is worse than having a ride in your own backyard practically & having nothing to ride. She does have a gorgeous young stallion she will be riding on Sunday.
Will explain more about the horse`s prerequisites to run the longer distances in a day or two. Not real sure I understand it yet. Also met the owner of one of the ranches we are crossing. He is building a 33 room hotel overlooking this gorgeous valley. My brain is ticking.... anybody interested in taking a riding vacation down here next summer???? Bom dia Ya`ll, Well the adventure continues. As mentioned before, there are to be two races held at the Universidad this weekend. Sat. is a 75 KM (approx. 45 miles) & Sunday a 35, (approx. 25 mi.). Our group had dinner with the ride manager last night & I was asking ride procedure particulars & found out, much to my surprise, (cause I thought they ran there rides very much like the US), that this group was disgusted with people riding too fast and had come up with some new criteria. Now, take a seat if you`re standing kids. Pulse 56 in 15 minutes at each vet check and the finish, or you are pulled. If you bust your check, say at 5 minutes into the 15, your penalty is the full 15 minutes. Had a great discussion with the RM on the pros & cons of this method, which I won`t go into, cause I can hear all your little heads spinning with the same arguments, but I think it will be an interesting race, (but how could it be --- of one has to recover to 56 in 15 minutes at the finish.) It should accomplish their desired slowing of riders though.... shouldn`t it???
Oh well, I can remember when the pulse first went below 72, then later recovery to 64 in 30 min. We always managed to make it a race somehow.... and my favorite saying once again applies.... as long as it is an equal playing field... the competition will be a competition.
Now for a description of the preparation here. For those of you who have been to the Race of Champions or an International Competition, imagine all the banners, signs, survey ribbon perimeters, stages, tents, etc. This ride is on par with a plain ole, vanilla, regional back yard ride, yet these Brazilians have their own style. It looks like the Rolex Jumping event at the Kentucky Horse Park. Sylvia took me to set up our crew area today & I`m not sure I put that much effort into building my house. :-) We staked it out, with metal stakes, nylon ropes & parking cones...., set up a tent, moved her wooden 4/2` tack box in, chairs, 6 30 gallon barrels,(to hold the water) 2 20 gallon tubs for the horses to drink out of, & misc. buckets & other stuff. Now mind you, this is just for Sylvia & I in the 75 KM on Sat. & 4 horses competing on Sunday.
Management has 20 100 gallon water tanks set up a short way from us to service all of the horses. They have commercial, (meaning professionally painted and color coordinated) signs for everything, including the "baby ride". You are going to love this.... a parent leads a toddler around on a 1 Km ride. The RM joked.... then the pulse of the father is taken for the winner.
I guess they have been seriously influenced by the eventing and jumping world with all the foo foo. I must admit, it does look nice, and even a foreigner knows where I`m going, (at least most of the time.)
Sharon & I got to survey the trail today as well. That was a neat experience as I assumed it would be pretty tame since we were going in a small truck. NOTTTTT!!! It was put in by motorcycle & there was at least one spot where we flat chickened out going down & two spots where I walked ahead on foot to make sure it was safe. Have I mentioned how pretty the country is!?!? BTW, they have professional Trail Putter Inners too. Honestly, a guy named Tattoooo, (no kin to the short one, this guy is a 6`4" blond Dutchman), is paid by different rides to go out & find the trail, (sometimes in partnership with a local rider), check the mileage, mark the trail, & supervise it, (making sure ribbons stay up) & fixing problems on ride day. As a past RM I would have hated somebody putting in trail for me, (I loved that part), but maintaining it at the end sounds like a great idea.
There trail marking is a lot like ours with just a few minor differences. Good & bad.... Good: They use a lot of colored signs with big black arrows. Long, big colored ribbons & spray painted circles and arrows in strategic spots. Bad: Ribbons are alternated on both sides instead of being primarily on one side, & sharp turns could be either marked a bit better or other way limed across.
Not really a bunch of difference, so hopefully I won`t get too lost tomorrow. The stallion I`m riding seems to be in pretty good shape, but he hasn`t had anything but little short rides this week on our training outs, & did not get ridden at all today or yesterday. hmmm.... As I said.... should be a very interesting day, hope there`s no mares near during that 56 requirement!!!!
I was really looking forward to riding with Sylvia on Saturday, however, as soon as we returned from the trail preview, Sylvia met us with the bad news that her horse was lame... this was particular bad as this was her #3 back up horse, (her son`s in fact), both #1 & #2 were lame when I got to Brazil. Evidently the horse had been turned out in a small paddock for exercise & probably got to running & bucking, (as they will) hit some concrete or loose dirt, fell & popped himself pretty good. He was grade 3/4 lame in the back left. Whole left hindquarter was swollen. They had already treated with banamine when we arrived, so we used the magboys awhile, & 45 min. later he had progress to a grade 2 at a walk... didn`t dare trot him. Told Sylvia that`s what we call Snake Bit in Texas.... don`t know if it translated or not. So now, I actually get another crew person, but I really feel bad, `cause nothing is worse than having a ride in your own backyard practically & having nothing to ride. She does have a gorgeous young stallion she will be riding on Sunday.
Will explain more about the horse`s prerequisites to run the longer distances in a day or two. Not real sure I understand it yet. Also met the owner of one of the ranches we are crossing. He is building a 33 room hotel overlooking this gorgeous valley. My brain is ticking.... anybody interested in taking a riding vacation down here next summer????
Last highlight of the day was visiting a local bakery.... you can`t believe this place... had a little snack bar with Cappuccino choc d`oro that made you roll on the floor & rub your tummy. Bought all sorts of breads & bread rolls with meat & cheese and that was dinner. mmmmm Will have race news tomorrow... wish me luck!!
Chow!!!
Darolyn
Day XIII and IX
Race day at last!!!! Sylvia & I were up at the crack of dawn, made & packed sandwiches, (just like home), hopped in her rig & off to ride site. Found my big red boy waiting in the stall, needed to go to pre vet check but couldn`t brush him `cause all the brushes were still locked up in Tack Room. Kinda wiped him off with the rope, then off I went to the Vet. Got my vet card from management & a cute little sack containing the usual stuff, plus a number vest. Headed toward the vet check & had made the first stop when asked for my health papers.... duh!!!! Then here came Sylvia running with them. This hadn`t even crossed my mind.
He had a resting pulse in the high 30`s, I`m pretty impressed with this old campaigner!!! And not at all bad on the ground (or mounted) for a stallion. He & I only had a couple of chats the whole week. Now back to the stable, ahh... can get to brushes, AND my saddle now. Filled up water bottles, checked fanny pack, decided I wanted to use the running martingale, but no where in this well stocked tack room was one pair of loose guards. They were all built in to each of the English Bridles that were there.
With the polo & 3 day event influence, everything is Quite, Quite, proper.... got some real funny looks at my hornless Sharon Saare, & the stable hands, (your gonna love this), who help you tack and untack, aren`t real sure how to do it on a western saddle. Gave up on the keepers... (maybe he`ll be good.) Got my camera bag mounted on my fanny pack, yes... I intended to take pictures... carried same little camera up & down Tevis this year. Lets see.. extra film???? No... left it in my room at Sylvia`s, maybe 24 shots will last me. Ran to truck to take a vitamin before I took off, one fell out, looked and looked, could not find... oh well, poured another out & took it. (Remember this 4 later.)
Mounted, race started, amid as much whoopla, & music & announcers as any "Grand Event" you`ve ever been too. Actually teared up a bit.... even after 18,000 miles, those starts still get me! Now this AM when we arrived, the dressage arena had all been staked off, as Sylvia & I had done the day before. I wish I could show you pics. Just wouldn`t believe it. You thought we brought a lot of stuff in.... They have full size, metal feed troughs, horse chest high, so they don`t have to bend down. And (your gonna love this too), a water truck that keeps circling the crew area & filling up EVERYONE`S tubs & barrels. I just about fell over when I saw that at the 1st Vet check.
Well, back to the race.... we left in a very civilized manner, however, I was really glad I had ridden the area that previous week, & really glad I had reviewed the trail by wheels the day before. As I said, it was pretty well marked, but I had fearful visions of me being at a farm house, being very lost, & asking a Portuguese speaking person for help.
The pace was similar to a medium 50 or fast 100. We were averaging about 10-11 mph. I was occasionally riding with one lady who spoke a little English, but I really didn`t miss the chatting. The countryside here truly fascinates me. The rolling & forested hills, (they have to leave 20% of the natural Forest when they do their agricultural cutting), the small residential homes, then the palatial mansions and ranches parked right next to them. Old Volkswagens, weird farm trucks, & "pTown Cars", careening down the narrow roads. Yes, the cars go a little fast for my comfort, but my steed was steady & had less of a problem with them than I did. Not too far into the ride, I noted a pretty sharp achey pain in my right index finger. Hmmm... arthritus??? Did I hit it & bruise it... couldn`t think of a thing. Oh well.... who`s going to complain about a litle finger pain??? Long story short... at about 10 miles kinda rubbed my finger (thru the glove) to make it feel better. Heh... something in there... The Lost Vitamin!!! Another first... vitamins can cause injury!!!! Had one near fall about a mile out of 1st check, stumbled in an irragation ditch... almost went down... looks ok... carry on.
Slowed way back coming into the first check. My crew met me at the timer. For someone who didn`t even know if I would have a crew, I couldn`t believe it.... Sylvia, Aluisio, Migelle, 2 or 3 of the stable hands & occasionally Sharon Saare... (she split her time watching our booth... which they had so graciously offered for both of our wares.)
Now you know they have all this water, but they have the neatest little flower watering cans, you know, like Mary Mary Quite Contrary watered her flowers with. They really work great, you take off the sprinkler part & you get a great direct spurt of water. Gets the water exactly where you want it and yet conserves the water too. I`m going to bring some back or try to find some like these at home. Really liked them.
Made it into the check in about 5 minutes or so with a pulse of 45.. his CRI was 42/40, which BTW, they still call a Ridgeway Trot down here. Cooled a few more minutes & back on trail. Lost my sponge ... darn it. Actually, Sylvia`s sponge, (can you believe I didn`t bring my personal sponge down here?), faulty snap, and poor management. Oh... I know,,, just like I say at the clinic... I`ll take my extra banada & use it!
More pretty country & a neatly stacked woodpile that was at least a 1/4 of a mile long. Now that did upset Larma... couldn`t get too close to that. Day was heating up... slowed down a bit. Into the 2nd check. Same ritual, but he hung a bit longer than he did the 1st time. Not worried, we`d been around 23 miles... not too surprise, but his CRI warned me a bit... something was a bit off... 51 to 59. The vets didn`t seem to be too concerned, but backed off more the next loop. Had some Pro-Burst with me, forgot to give it to him... duh!!! So as soon as I entered check on 3rd loop I zapped him. Knowing it would only help back out on trail, not in check, (takes almost an hour two get in their system. The back off didn`t help... when I came in this time, he not only hung, he was fluctuating up and down. Out we went, really disappointed. I think he might have strained something, (like in the cajones area), when we almost fell, he was kinda drawn up there, And of course, after an hour, the pulse was down and steady, but too little too late. Curious, had the Pro Burst set in? I`m stil in the evaluation stage with that stuff.
Spent the rest of the afternoon watching the sights and visiting with old friends. Was delighted to see Enrique Garcia, (one of Brazil`s World Riders), he had lived and ridden with us about a month last Thanksgiving after finishing a course in Oklahoma. He is a young up and comer. It will be fun watching him. I was impressed with his riding in Texas... Brazil must have been too. Another attractive Brazian young lady whom I rode with at the Cosequine Challenge, and the wonderful funny Lika, (another Brazilian team member -- riding On A High in Dubai) that rhymes... was there as well. And several of the people & vets I had competed with in the World Nature Games a year ago. It was great to see them all.
More horses were now arriving for Sunday`s competition. Over 100 in fact. Now this double size dressage ring started really filling up. Pasqual , the RM, furnished me with Littigator, a low level campaigner, (explained shortly). There were some vet ins, but most wait until Sunday morning. Now folks.... we may be doing this all wrong up north. Here`s how it works here. You don`t haul your own horse, Your horse is picked up in a horse van & carted to the ride for you. You don`t stay in a tent, camper,....but the local hotel, or if close enough... drive in Sunday morning. Where... your horse has been fed, groomed and probably tacked by your own stable hand, One does have to take the horse thru the pre vet, but that`s pretty much it. At the end, same horse is lead away to be cared for and cleaned by someone other than yourself. I swear, it happened to me, today, in Brazil.
Now... I am telling the truth.. but don`t anyone dare flame me on this, because I know none of us would want it any other way than we have it now.... right? Right??
Now Sunday was Limited Distance, and as I told the Brazilians, I thought I came to teach, but I did learn as well. As I rode and began to understand their L.D. concept, it made a heck of a lot of sense. Now, don`t flame me here either... I can`t see ours ever changing this much.. but to describe it, would be like having a NATRC ride, without Horsemanship judging. The riders leave staggered, you are given a suggested MPH with correlating KM markers to make sure the rider is on target, there is still one vet check in the middle, (criteria 64), then at your completion, after you recover of course, in :30, you are judged as if for B.C. I found myself really riding agains the trail, (which you should always be anyway.) Strategizing to make time on the flat surfaces, so I could go slow on the ups and downs, and stop for water, etc. Then, arrange your time so you come in exactly at the appointed time. Now, like NATRC, one has to keep moving forward the last KM. The pace was not a slouch either. I had to keep moving pretty doggone steadily.
Now, here comes the zinger... Horse A, has to do 4 low level competitions (approx. 35 km), before he can do longer mileage, then 3 of level II, then 3 of level III, before one can do the equivalent of a 50 miler. Then a similar requirement of 50`s, 75`s, before you can do the equivalent to the 100 miler. Now this is well and good, really!!!, But, IMHO, this is one reason Brazil had only 3 qualified 100 milers to go to Dubai, (they leased the other 3 from USA), It just takes too doggone long to get there, and there just aren``t enough 100 milers around. They absolutely have the horses.... incredible horses & good riders. The 75 k, (45 miles), was won in about 4 hours, (with criteria of 56 at each ck. & the finish) and it wasn`t a cool day.
On with the party... trophies galore, divisions galore, fanfare music, and a professional announcer really did make this a ta-dahhhhh affair. They were sweet enough to give Sharon and I our own little trophys and a beautiful arrangement of locally grown violets, (in fact the Trailmaster`s livilhood, when not marking trail). I could go on, but I`ve probably blown out this ride camp already. Sorry so long. I`m leaving tomorrow and doubt if I will touch a computer for a week since, when I return to Texas, I`m going to play in my flood mess for a day or two and be off to another ride.... can you believe it? I`m sure you can, and best of all, my friend and host Sylvia is coming back with me for the ride. Hopefully some of you can meet one of the very nicest Brazilians of all. (No fair grading spelling, or grammer... ridden two rides in two days & its 1:30 AM)
I`ll keep you posted if we do an organized trip down here, as ground plans are being laid as I write. ;-)))
Darolyn
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