Re: RC: RE: Fort Howes AERC/FEI 100

[DVeritas@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/13/01 11:20:33 AM Mountain Daylight Time, 
steph@endurance.net writes:


> 11. Frank Solano - HKA - 20:08


    I actually rode BTR Ranger, who completed his first 100.  It WAS a 
wonderful ride, plenty of water, good footing and the FEI sanctioning coupled 
with the AERC OPEN 100 did not seem to deter from the experience.
    In fact, in many ways, it helped with the smooth and efficient nature of 
the ride.  AND, although all the FEI riders had already finished, Harriet 
Aiken, Senior Member FEI Ground Jury and Robin Oscar, FEI Chief Steward and 
Jane Christy, FEI Secretary ALL were waiting for the AERC OPEN riders to 
finish, and all did.  Harriet remarked, "We wanted to be here when you got 
done...".  I appreciated that sentiment and the FEI folks could not have been 
more pleasant and focused on the welfare of ALL the horses and ALL the riders.
    The FEI representatives who were at Fort Howes changed most of my beliefs 
about how the AERC/FEI interface will eventually evolved.
    Jan and Bill Stevens are such quality human beings and tremendous ride 
managers, I know the FEI must have raised THEIR standards to match the 
Stevens' expectations for their ride :^)!
    I never felt as if the FEI participants were afforded ANY special 
treatment which the AERC OPEN riders weren't and IN FACT, I felt that the FEI 
folks were just as concerned for my horse's welfare and my safety during the 
ride as they were for the FEI riders.
    AND, ULTIMATELY, ALL THE 100 MILER HORSES RODE THE SAME 100 MILES, DRANK 
FROM THE THE SAME TWENTY-SEVEN WATER TANKS (ALWAYS KEPT FILLED) AND 
"SUFFERED" THE BEAUTY OF FORT HOWES AND OTTER CREEK together.
    The Veteranarian staff, which Ray Randall headed, were tuned in and alert 
to all the horses and their conditions up until even I finished.
    The overall endurance evolution seemed to be a "group" effort to safely 
get horses and riders through the miles on the 100.
    No special attire was required for the FEI riders other than, an approved 
helmet, a shirt with a collar and shoes with heels.  No whips or spurs were 
allowed, either (for FEI riders.)
    I saw FEI riders actually using the port-a-potties!  :^).
    The "FEI RIDERS" were actually the same hundred milers we all have ridden 
with before, and the FEI officials were from such exotic locales as Georgia 
and Iowa, USA. 
    THANKS FOR THE BREAST COLLAR USE, STEPH!!!
    JAN & BILL:  Thanks for everything and any luck finding my Zilco Breast 
Collar???
    'Til next year at Fort Howes (IAHA 50 and IAHA 100?)

    Frank Solano (whose broken and bloodied left big toe which occured 9 
miles into 
                          the 100 is well on the way to mending...)