Norco Riverdance Ride

[Roberta Jo Lieberman <woik@home.com>]

Imagine...galloping full-out through a dark tunnel of bamboo at dawn,
crouching over your horse's neck to keep from losing your head, praying
that you won't crash...

Well, okay, so I trotted -- but I have it on good authority that the
front-runners were on "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride." Sixty-eight horses started
the Norco Riverdance Ride's third running, and as the young ride came of
age this year, 60 finished (and something like 42 of 43 finished the
LD). 

This Southern California ride features unique topography and local
support. The bamboo (technically called arundo donax) is not only very
cool looking, but its shady thatch keeps horses and riders shaded in the
afternoon. There are also be many river crossings and a jaunt along a
sand bar, with the highlight being the much-discussed water hole.
 
Three weeks ago, I came to the sandy riverbed near the Hidden Valley
Wildlife Preserve to pre-ride this trail, and preview (pre-soak?) the
water hole. But...we never made it that far. The new part of the trail
had just been cut, and there was a bit of a detour that took us through
some terrain that showed evidence of, how can I put this, homeless
folks. Sleeping bags, fishing poles, stuff all over the trail. And lots
and lots of black coaxial cable. We came to a place in the bamboo that
required cutting, and my mare got herself into some stinging nettles. We
decided to turn and get out of there...back in the clearing, April spun
round and round, trying to escape the burning pain from the nettles, and
managed to get the cable wrapped around her little ankles--and mine!
When I looked down and saw this state of affairs....well, it wasn't a
pretty sight. Kathy got me quieted down, I got April quieted down, I
pulled my pocket knife out of the saddle pack and Kathy extricated us
from the mess. April had a few minor pastern marks from the cable, but
seemed otherwise unscathed. Later I discovered that the backs of my
knees were very sore. We remounted and retraced our steps back to the
campground, and I pledged I was never coming back! 

Well, three days before the ride, I decided to "just do it." Staying
away out of fear, real or imagined, wouldn't have done either one of us
any good...I'd have to face those fears somewhere else down the line. So
I let it go, and faxed my entry to Lynne.
The result was one of the most fun, light-hearted rides in memory. Rode
with new friends -- Kori, Yvette, Jackie. And the water hole was a
blast! (Thanks to the fellow who took the plunge first -- it helped to
see someone else do it first.) April, being a little gal, was on her
tippy-toes in the water but loving every minute of it.

Lynne, and her deputy-assistants, Julie and Ken, and trailmaster Pat,
and scores of mounted (and unmounted) volunteers (I call them
voice-activated trail markers...you're riding along and suddenly a voice
comes out the bamboo--"Turn right!") did a superb job every step of the
way. Lynne was truly in her element...part stand-up comic, part child of
technology...and 100% first-rate ride manager. Great food, great awards,
great Riverdance music...(good girl, you've learned to delegate! :))

Our speedy stablemates, Kathy & Dan, finished 4th; April and I trundled
along about mid-pack, and still made Top Five IAHA. That was a complete
surprise, and a great ending to a great day. Thanks, Lynne! 
And Barb--your brownies at the third vet check were pure ambrosia.
Bobbie & April