Gauteng Multi-Distance Endurance Ride, South Africa

["Steph Teeter" <steph@endurance.net>]

Here's a ride story from South Africa:

-----Original Message-----
From: Kristene Smuts [mailto:Ksmuts@sarcc.co.za]
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 9:52 PM
To: step@fsr.com
Subject: Article for your page


Gauteng Multi Distance Endurance Ride – 13-15 October

On the weekend of 13 – 15 October, four Gauteng endurance clubs hosted the
new Gauteng Multi Distance Endurance Ride which was held in “The Cradle of
Humankind” at the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, Krugersdorp.

The four clubs involved were Premier, Rand, Randfontein and Weermag
Perdesport.  Each had their own duties to perform and without the dedication
of all those involved, this ride would not have been the success it was.  It
is hoped that this ride will become one of the best endurance rides in the
world!

On Thursday morning the 12th, the course designers were notified that due to
the storm the night before, the low-water bridge which was on the 160km and
110km route, was under water.  Johannie Geldenhuys, who was part of the
course design team, had to hastily work out an alternate route should it
rain again before the ride on Saturday morning.  Well, it didn’t rain again
so there was relief all around – not least from the riders!

Riders and their entourage started arriving on Thursday afternoon and the
grounds slowly filled up with the general festive air that goes with “Hi!
Glad to see you again, how have you been?” being shouted across the camping
ground.  Old friends re-united for a chin-wag about the one subject
everybody has in common – horses.  Genuine interest was expressed about the
progress of horses since the last time everybody was together; the new horse
that was there for his first ride; the horse that had an inexplicable
lameness during the season.

During Friday the air started becoming tense as the longer distance riders
fretted over their horses, their tack, their grooms – “Did you remember the
sponges?”, “Where are my chaps!?”, “Where did you put the spare numnah?”.
Eventually it was time to present to the vets which seemed to calm the
nerves somewhat as this was a familiar routine that people could hold onto.

The course discussion took place at 9pm when the riders found out what lay
in store for them.  As it was the first time this course was being
presented, nobody, except for the course designers, knew what the terrain
was like.  Places where it was hard going was emphasised and an
uncomfortable silence fell over the audience.  An even more uncomfortable
atmosphere prevailed when it was mentioned that all riders would have to
pass the lion enclosure!  However, the mood lifted when it became clear that
all distances were based on the “clover leaf”, meaning that you start and
finish at one point.  Grooms let out a collective sigh of relief when they
realised that they could stay in camp and wait for their riders and not have
to travel to designated points along the route.

The weather played along with a bright, full moon seeing the 160km and 110km
riders off at 1am the next morning for the first leg of 40kms which was
marked out by fluorescent arrows and glow sticks.  The shorter distances –
80, 60 and 30kms – were set off at 5 minute intervals from 5:30.  Horses
were coming and going all through the morning with grooms nervously checking
their watches and keeping an eye on the road for sight of their riders.
Some grooms, notably the newbies, were caught napping when their riders
arrived well ahead of their previously discussed time.

By lunch time the shorter distance riders had arrived back at base camp.
During the course of the afternoon, the longer distance riders started
arriving, clearly relieved that they could finally relax.  Some riders were
visibly at the end of their tether, but surprisingly there were individuals
who looked as if they had just come from the beauty parlour – undoubtedly
the veterans!

Many people departed during the afternoon and the camp site looked like an
old lady with some teeth missing – only the stalwarts remained (maybe
because they couldn’t do much else!).  Party plans for Saturday evening were
discussed among friends but by 8pm very few people were around and silence
fell over the site – a clear case of egos writing cheques that their bodies
definitely couldn’t cash!

On Sunday morning, those who remained were treated to a champagne breakfast
where the certificates and prizes were handed out.  Janita Doyer received
Best Condition award and she also won the 160km first prize.  Only one of
the three international riders completed the course, but she had a slightly
unfair advantage as she regularly competes in South Africa, whereas the
other two ladies, one from America and one from Britain, were unfamiliar
with our conditions – especially as we had a heat wave that weekend!

Some riders were noticeably unhappy with the course and the rules, but the
majority of people, including Janita, said that it was the best ride they
had ever been on.  A good testament to the organisers and not least to the
Nature Reserve.

Surprisingly, the horses were not overly spooked by the many antelope, rhino
and ostriches they encountered on the course.  There were reports of one or
two horses spooking badly at the lions, who had a grand time making sure the
horses and riders could see them pulling menacing faces on the other side of
the fence!

It was such an incredible privilege to be able to host this ride at the
Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve.  The co-operation we received from the
officials at the Reserve was overwhelming, especially as it came from people
who were “non-horsey” people.  The Spioenkop Disaster Management team were
falling over themselves with enthusiasm at being part of the organisation –
a good lesson to those actually involved with the sport who do not show the
same amount of enthusiasm for their own sport!

Special thanks need to go to our sponsors, property owners and benefactors :
Mr Leebman, Mark Reed, Rebecca Waddell, Willie Joubert, Nkwe Ngunis,
Blikkies Auret, Danielsrust Horse Trails, ABSA Private Bank, Conserv Tours,
Wondercave Kromdraai, Kromdraai Conservancy, Healthtech Laboratories,
TackOnline.co.za, Jozami Arabians, Randburg Motorlink, Rhino and Lion Nature
Reserve.

There were numerous people involved from an organising point of view as well
as the ground crew who were on duty for more than 24 hours – these are too
many to mention by name, but particular reference should be made to the
veterinary staff, the time-keepers, the weigh master, the grooms, the
gatekeepers – husbands, wives, children and domestic staff, opening and
closing gates and providing refreshments for the riders along the route from
the first rider to the last rider who came in at 11:40 on Saturday evening
and who still cleaned up all the bottles and other debris left along the
route!

Lastly, thanks should go to especially the riders, without whom there would
be no event to host.

What is always amazing is the dedication to the sport exhibited by those
volunteers who work hard for weeks before and after an event, spending their
own private money and time, sharing their knowledge, using talents and
contacts to make an event successful and who want no more than a thank you
from their fellow volunteers.  The success of this event was a true
reflection of this kind of dedication exhibited by those involved and I am
privileged and humbled to be in the company of those people.

For more information on endurance riding in South Africa, please go to the
ERASA web site www.erasa.co.za, or contact Kristene at ksmuts@sarcc.co.za

(c) Gauteng Multi Distance Endurance Ride

-----Original Message-----
From: Kristene Smuts [mailto:Ksmuts@sarcc.co.za]
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 9:52 PM
To: step@fsr.com
Subject: Article for your page


Greetings from South Africa

I would be grateful if you could publish the attached article in your
Articles and Stories page.

Thanking you
Kristene