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I had sent an entry for my
gelding, Desco Music for the 100 and had been anticipating it all winter and
spring - In fact as I ran on the treadmill at the Health Club all winter, I had
visualized crossing the finish line at the Old Dominion. (I am
bearing my soul here, don't laugh too hard!!)
As endurance riding tends
to be, it was just not going to happen- Music was off slightly at the Snake
Hill two weeks before and was more than happy to stay home in his
field. My husband was scheduled to be the 13th vet and so we packed up and
drove the 8 hours from Western NY to Virginia. I was crabby about not
riding, but offered to be a vet secretary.
Arriving at Front Royal in time
for the 10:30 AM Vet meeting, I was amazed at how many people were already there
at the 4-H Center. I was getting even crabbier while sitting through the
vet meeting and recorders meeting. Riders were walking by with horses and
I was VERY jealous. Since I don't sit in one spot very well, I kept
slipping away from the meeting and walking around, just taking it all
in.
In a particular fit of feeling
sorry for myself, I borrowed a pen and sheet of paper from the ride office and
hung up a sign. It said "Will ride for food - 50 or 100, contact Laura
Hayes" I later crossed out the food and wrote "Fun" I was getting
crabbier by the minute having to stand in the sun and vet in horses - I wanted
to just grab one and run!!
Several excited people who were
tired of listening to me whine, announced that there was a woman looking for
"the girl who wanted to ride" - come to find out, it was Tracy Reynolds,
who I had ridden with several times. It seems her babysitter had backed
out at the last minute and she had her infant son, Ryan in tow. She
offered me the babysitting job or riding her mare Rhana in the 50. I
really had to think about that one (NOT) and finally (after a wicked 4
seconds) chose the mare!
I vetted Ray in (she wanted to
run me over in the trot out....a good sign??) I rode her for about 40 minutes,
adjusting stirrups and getting the feel for her. It was odd to put her
back in her paddock and walk away for the night, knowing all I had to do was to
get on in the morning - I am so used to the feeding and grooming and worrying
that goes on overnight - instead I slept well and deep.
The day was perfect - moderate
temps, beautiful sunshine and low humidity. There were almost 100 riders
in the 50 and the start was brisk and crowded. We started up the blacktop
in front of the 4-H Center and I am certain I held my breath in fear until we
got to the gravel road and better footing. Ray was very good and we settled in
an trotted briskly toward McCoy's Ford and the Susquehanna River. The
majority of that trail is downhill and wide and we booked along in fine fashion,
chatting with Jim Holland and many others as we trotted.
The river was quite low this
year and barely got my feet wet. Ray drank well and breezed through the
vet check. I waved hi and bye to my husband who was awash in 50 milers vetting
through. At some point at a check, I noticed that the OF saddle Tracy had given
me to use was made for old friend Jeannie Blackburn! I thought of you,
Jeannie!!
I won't bore you with the
details of my ride, we trotted, cantered, communed and enjoyed every minute of
this glorious day. I navigated one long long climb with old friend and
13,000 mile rider, Pat Olivia and enjoyed the banter. Ray the mare and I
passed each vet check in fine form and continued on as happy as can be. It
was wonderful to be alive, on top of a horse and at the OD. The rocks were
wicked, the forest smelled like honeysuckle, pine and mock orange, I ran
too much and my legs are killing me, and we saw a rattle snake on top of the
mountain (I was off running, no less!).
We finished 23rd and fit to
continue. I went out to the 80 mile vet check to relieve my husband's
recorder and saw all 20 of the remaining 100 milers. I was the backup
shoer at that check, but no one needed anything, and we closed the check three
hours before cut off time as all the horses had gone through and on their way up
Sherman's Gap. They looked great.
Jeff Crandall won the 50, but
that is all I know! I forgot to ask this morning who won the 100!!!
(sorry!)
John Crandall and the OD crew put on a wonderful
class act and a good time was had by all.
BTW- "Will Ride for Food- 50 or
100"
Laura
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