My first OD

["guest@endurance.net" <guest@endurance.net>]

Mary Kornwolf vgea@erols.com
First Some Background: In which reading about the Old Dominion inspires me to try endurance
	In 1985, I sadly parted with my first horse, an aged TB gelding, and headed off to college. 
It would be more than 10 years before my career gave me the time and money to buy my own horse, 
a dream that had deepened rather than faded with time. On a cold day in February 1995, I drove out 
to look at a 1/2 Arab, 1/2 Quarter Horse listed in our local "Trading Post." I knew I wanted a horse 
suitable for the "distance riding" I'd recently read about in those encyclopedic-type horse books. They'd 
always mention the Old Dominion 100 Mile Endurance Ride as one of the oldest and most difficult rides 
in the relatively new sport of endurance riding, and I'd think, "WOW, it must be an AMAZING experience 
to complete that ride." 
	From the first time I saw Shiloh, a sweet-faced chestnut with a white blaze, I knew he was "the 
one." I never even looked at any other horses. I live in town and although he's boarded nearly 30 miles 
away, I never miss an opportunity to go out and ride - sometimes 3 or 4 times a week. Shiloh continued 
to grow (eventually reaching 15.3, over a hand taller than when I bought him) and became used to the 
many hazards of the trail -- water crossings, bridges, fleeing deer, big white semi trucks, you name it! My 
horse is nothing if not versatile - he's gone to horse shows, fox hunting, team penning and absolutely loves 
being in parades - but my main goal remained endurance. After competing in limited distance rides through
NATRC for several years, I joined AERC last year, completing our first 50 in April 1999 at No Frills.

In which kind-hearted strangers become good friends and teach me many important things:
	I owe an amazing debt of gratitude to Hans and Sheri Devouassoux, who I met at an OD training 
ride in March of 1999 and who generously shared their knowledge and nice big Sundowner with me over 
the ensuing months. They increased my knowledge about so many topics, including shoeing, electrolytes, 
Pro-Bi, and use of massage to help the horse's movement. Hans and Sheri crewed for me at the freezing 
cold USA EAST Benefit Ride back in March when Shiloh completed his first 2-day 100 in a blistering 
pace of 8:36. Sheri and I tackled our first 1-day 100 at Biltmore 2000 on May 6, two of only three 
"rookies" that completed. With Sheri and Hans' support and advice, I approached my first "OD" with a 
great deal more confidence than I might have otherwise.

In which Shiloh experiences the miracle of massage and several other pre-ride events:
	Karen Zelinsky had sent out an e-mail offering her services to ODers, and boy am I glad I took 
her up on her offer. I had a feeling Shiloh would need this to prepare for the toughest challenge of his career. 
I was right! After setting up camp on Friday, I watched as Karen's fingers loosen tight areas on his neck, 
back and sides, triggering endorphins that put a look of bliss on his sweet face. Shiloh is rather a stiff mover, 
and I noticed a definite improvement in his way of going -- much more fluid and balanced -- that lasted right 
up through the last miles of the ride. Thank you Karen! Thanks also to Hans, who body-clipped my horse. 
	At the pre-ride briefing, I was awestruck by John Crandell's explanation that competing horses lose 
as much as 2 1/2 GALLONS of water on hot, humid rides. That's more than 30 gallons for a 100 miler! 
As darkness fell, my boyfriend Shannon drove in. This was his first time ever crewing at a ride - quite an 
initiation! I had time to go over some of the details of the Vet Check locations before we tried unsuccessfully 
to sleep (camp noises were only part of the problem). After maybe 2 hours total rest, I awoke without 
needing an alarm clock at 3:30 a.m. to feed and do final preparations for the biggest challenge of my life. 
I felt very calm and confident, although even at that early hour my t-shirt felt too hot!

Leg 1: Zooming to Fitchett's
	Those first 25 miles just flew by. When else could you make time, since even that early the air 
felt warm? I enjoyed being up with the leaders, however briefly, and was there when Wendy Mattingly and 
Jeff Crandell made sure a red bar gate was tied open to prevent later horses from accidentally going over 
a cattle grate. McCoy's felt like bath water, even at 6 a.m., and I paused briefly on the other side to pee 
and electrolyte. My horse, while being held by Roger Rittenhouse, peed too - a great start, as he was to 
demonstrate excellent "EDPP"ing all day long. Milford Gap was as long and steep as ever, and I fed carrots 
and a baggie of clover to Shiloh as I trudged alongside. On the ridge, we caught up to Jeff Crandell and 
Iron Mike, who I'd met during the 2000 No Frills Ride. Iron Mike was in his new saddle and looked fine 
from behind, so I was bummed to learn at VC1 that a shoulder problem meant an early pull for that team.

Leg 2: Fitchett's to Camp Roosevelt
	We were also able to make pretty good time on this loop. I can't see ribbons well when I've got 
my sunglasses on, but thankfully Lynn Gilbert and Adrienne Hewitt caught up to me as I was trying to figure 
out the directions at a turn. We chatted about many subjects along the slower portions, and Lynn pointed out 
the "corkscrew" trail at one end of the ridge that had been thankfully rerouted (I believe Adrienne helped 
built the new trail, which is a BIG improvement!) Lynn said Jeannie Waldron realized she had left her 
interference boots in back in camp, but she made up the lost time amazing fast, catching up to us near the 
end of this loop. I knew I was going to need to slow up after this loop. Although Shiloh's recoveries were 
going great (for him), I was the last of a group of riders out of the 2nd vet check. Although Lynn, Jeannie 
et. al, were long gone, I was able to catch up to Brenda Baird and Nancy Adams for one of the longest 
13.3 miles I've ever ridden - we got off and walked a good bit on that loop, and were finally able to speed 
up on the gravel road towards the end, coming into Hickory Lane.

Leg 3: Hickory Lane to Little Fort
	It was VERY hot at Hickory Lane, but Shiloh was eating like a champ and doing well. I had time to 
eat and change into dry sneakers and drink about a gallon of raspberry lemonade. Shannon was doing a 
great job so far - seemed to understand the sponging concept and I could hear him empathizing with my 
horse "you poor old thing, I know you're tired". He also agreed to meet me at Edinburg Gap, a good 
thing because that was definitely the hottest, hardest loop of the day. Knowing that Brenda and Nancy 
were veteran riders - this was Brenda's 7th OD - I decided to hang with them rather than press on and 
risk being alone with a sluggish, demoralized horse. Things worked out great! The horses all worked off 
each other, taking turns leading and we also took lots of time at water holes to sponge and sponge and 
sponge (horses' necks felt like radiators). We caught back up to Lynn and Adrienne after the rockiest section 
of the ATV trail, and the five of us bopped along past the occasional off-road vehicle, including an almost-
new Jeep Cherokee (nice way to mess up an expensive vehicle!) As we finally neared VC4, Brenda's rein
somehow became caught in her horse's front shoe, so firmly that she had to cut it free and walk in. Luckily, 
the shoe could be reclamped. Lynn and I both worked on improving our horses' gut sounds. I injected 
yogurt and Pro-bi, and then Lynn had a very nice lady Cindy and her husband use TTeam techniques, 
including a "belly lift", which yielded almost immediate results. 

Leg 4: Little Fort to Pickett Springs
	The five of us really hustled along this mostly flat section. In Mudhole Gap, we were delighted to get 
a great view of a big grey fox. This inspired the fox hunters in our group to reminisce about good hunts we'd
been on, although we agreed this was a closer look than we'd ever had on a real hunt! Adrienne's horse lost 
a shoe, luckily in an area with lots of grass so the others could munch. We arrived at Pickett Springs just as 
full darkness was settling in. Sadly, Adrienne's horse got held back and we had to continue without her. My
thoughts were on those 100 milers behind us, including my friend Sheri. I knew our group would be cutting 
it close to get through the remaining 21 miles of the ride before the 5 a.m. cutoff and hoped the rest of the 
riders would also be able to squeak through.  

Leg 5: Sherman's Gap (Pickett to McCoys)
	I'm so glad I'd trailered Shiloh up to train on the front side of Sherman's so he'd be familiar with it if 
we had to scale after dark. I offered to lead our group up the front, aided by an amazingly bright 3/4 moon. 
The last part of the ascent, which we got off and walked, seemed endless. There was a slight breeze at the 
top, although the temps were still hot. Lynn offered to lead down the never-ending rocky, twisting 2000 ft. 
drop to the Shenandoah Valley. I had a hard time keeping up with her and her nimble footed horse Chagall, 
and several times (when I heard scary animal movements just off the trail) asked her to wait up for a minute. 
After a much-needed stop at water tanks on the road to McCoys, it was nearly midnight as we trotted 
briskly through the flat, grassy paths and short stretch of woods into the next-to-last Vet Check. I was thrilled 
to not only my loyal crew, but also my friends and their crew. Tine and Michelle had successfully completed 
their first 50, the OD 50, earlier that day - Tine on John Proudman's Dancer and Michelle on her tough 
Quarter Horse Little Dallas, who despite a bad knee scrape at McCoy's that later required stitches, finished around 5:30 p.m. They said our bobbing glow sticks made us look like a bunch of space aliens as we 
emerged from the dark woods into bright lights.  Nancy and I were hustling across the Shenandoah for 
the second time when Shiloh fell in some kind of hole and dropped to his knees - may have even been the 
same hole Dallas "found" 12 hours earlier! Luckily, he was OK and we soon caught up to Brenda and Lynn. 

Liberty Hall to the FINISH!
Brenda cautioned us that in the past, horses had been pulled even at the finish (AUUGHHH!) and we 
arrived at Liberty Hall around 2 a.m. to learn that Joanne Sowa on Bob Walsh's Houdini had made it all 
that way only to have to drop out because of a cramp. This also meant there were only 5 horses in front of 
us and we'd all be Top 10 if we completed! So we took it really slow the last 4.8 miles, partly necessitated 
by the bad case of heaves that attacked poor Lynn and Nancy. I suggested we all ride abreast across the 
finish line, even though we knew Henry wouldn't give ties! God Bless the loyal souls waiting for us - 
Michelle walked Shi to the final trot out while I waited for my ride card, and I groggily jogged down in time 
to get our completion at about 3:30 a.m. Shiloh is one of the horses in the Va Tech study (can't wait to see 
the results!) and  when I weighed him, despite all the water and food he'd guzzled all day, he'd still dropped 
60 lb, from 1010 to 950. The veteran riders had assured me that other than a light blanket, hay and water, 
Shiloh would make out fine until daylight - and I awoke at 7:30 a.m. to find both him and Dallas looking 
much better than expected. I had time to take a nice COLD shower (very appropriate in that weather) and 
help pack up camp before eating like a pig at the brunch, checking out all Genie's great photos, and attending
the wonderful, emotional awards ceremony. As Wendy Mattingley accepted her award for first-to-finish 
(her 3rd this year!), someone joked that the last time she'd done the  OD 100 was 10 years ago and 
compared the ordeal to childbirth - Wendy said she thinks she'll stop at "two children". Many laughs also 
when Nancy's creative friends Debbie Bullis and Julie Bullock sang a song about her late-ride nausea as 
Nancy accepted her 2nd buckle (we heard Lynn decided to drive home while she could in case her much-
upset stomach returned). Great stories accompanied the other award presentations, including a well-deserved one to the Crandell family, and then Nancy had the wonderful shocker of receiving the Old Dominion Trophy.
Teddy Lancaster had a couple shirts made up that said "After you've OD's, everything else is downhill" - I told her to make more, cause I would have surely bought one! 

Some Final Comments
	This was one of the slowest OD rides ever, with the winner not arriving until nearly midnight, but a matter of pride among all of us was how well  the riders managed their horses. We heard that not one horse 
on either the 50 or the 100 required "extreme treatment" (i.e. IVs) and there were very few metabolic pulls.
The completion rate (13 out of 25 for the 100s and 45 out of 71 for the 50s) was amazingly good. As I look 
at my buckle, this accomplishment is still more like a dream than reality. After so many years of imagining 
how tough the ride would be, I still can't believe how much fun it was and how quickly me and my horse 
bounced back. So much of the credit must go to the wonderful riders who teamed up with me the last 50 miles. The experience was worth every drop of sweat, and while I'm not sure exactly when we'll try it again,  I know someday we will. I also vow to do my part on tossing rocks off those infamous trails!