Steph's Story

2005 HH The Presidents Cup Abu Dhabi, UAE Steph's Story In this sport - the highs are so high, and the lows are so sad... And once we get hooked, there is no release. We just on keep trying. Almost two monthis in this amazing country ... the camels still amuse me to no end, I still love to see the sand cover the road in sheets when the wind blows, I still love the white robes and piercing eyes of the Arab men, the tiny hands, spicy perfume, and beautiful dark eyes of the Arab women. The crazy Pakistani taxi drivers and the musical accent of the Indian people that seem to keep the whole country running. I still can't hold still when I hear the Arab drums and music...

photo by Pamela Burton 1. The Fastest Endurance Horse in the World And I'm still amazed at the level of competition that the UAE has achieved - the performances obtained by applying the highest levels of training, to the best natural equine athletes. (more)	4. Ride Day - Happy Loop Back to the first hold, everybody looked great. 18 km/hr average - pretty fast - but it was cool and the horses recovered well, so seemed ok. There would be time to slow down later when it got hot. (more)
2. HH President's Cup - Organizing Committee John and I had the good fortune to be guests of the Organizing Committee this year. We were invited to provide internet coverage for the event... (more)	5. Ride Day. Longest Loop The Omega Men joined us on the 3rd loop. Mak rode with us (he's actually a marketing guy, helping Omega with marketing in the Middle East. (more)
3. Ride Day - Getting Started The race venue itself was well organized. Steady construction during the weeks before the race, details finished just in time - everything ready by morning. They had a nice press room set up with wireless Internet access. (more)	6. Ride Day - Tora Bora The next loop was Tora Bora - the famous hilly loop. It really is a tough one - sand, hills, and no air - especially down in the bottoms. The horses pretty much trudged through this loop. Trotting the flats and gentle inclines, walking the steep downhills. (more)
Video Clip 800kb Video Clip 700kb	7. Ride Day - Into the Dark So, loop 5 - 35 kilometers to go. Toady and Aliya left, looking a little puzzled about going back out without their buddy, but still forward and willing. Madiya jumped into the drivers seat, Grace in front, Juan and I in the back, and off we go. (more) Link to Steph's 2004 WEC Story