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Had to work all day Saturday at my dog grooming
shop, but ran home at 6PM and loaded Music for the trip to
Canada. I had all my papers in order and the trailer packed just in case I
could get away. The Canadian (OCTRA/AERC) rides are quite often on
Sunday, and usually start at 9AM! Many Canadians don't get there until the
morning!
Being only two hours from Niagara Falls, I have
ridden in Ontario many, many times, and have the border crossing down pat.
They have streamlined the process and I don't even have to get out of the truck
now. BTW, in 20 years of crossing the border with horses, I have only had
a customs officer actually look at my horse once- then just glance
in.
Music likes his new trailer and rode with his head
all the way out the drop down door. People in cars at the toll booths
loved him, and he hammed it up! We arrived at the Dufferin
Forest at 11PM to a very quite ride camp.
I was up at dawn and trailers began rolling
in. It was growing very hot, and by the 9 AM start it was in the
80s. With the dew burning off, the humidity was stifling. I had
choosen to ride in my Corbette Husar, as Music is FAT from the spring grass, and
I think it fits him better than our regular saddle, but the start was hairy as
Music did his regular buck and hop routine when I held him back off the front
runners. The english saddle was harder to sit than my western type.
It takes him 20 miles or so to settle in and I don't dare let him start too fast
for fear he will be out of control. All these years and miles haven't
changed his attitude too much.
IT WAS HOT! The vet made the holds 45
mins, one hour, and 45 mins to allow for cooling. I had no crew but two
whole ice chests filled with cubes as well as two four foot ice cell packs and
two ice boots. I used it all in the first two checks.
Music is 15.1, but solid as a rock- very heavy
muscled and stocky for a purebred- even without the spring grass. He is
also almost black. NOT good in the heat. This was the hottest ride I had
ever had him on. We worked hard to keep cool. Many riders pulled due
to the heat, even though their horses were ok.
I felt like I was riding very slowly, but ended up
7th- thanks to Patti Stedman who helped me crew for the last check and at the
finish. I think out of about 40 riders, only 12 or so finished the 50
miles - though I think some dropped down to the 25 before the start, because of
the heat.
The day was tough - even though the terrain
was fairly easy, the weather made it hard. The last 12 mile leg was painfully slow and I rode carefully as there was
no natural water and I was concerned there would not be water left at the tubs,
but there was- even though it was bath tub warm.
I am extremely happy to report that NOT ONE horse
was treated. There were no "Ricky Racers" (I really don't like that term)
and none of the "crazy uncaring riders" that people on ridecamp are always
complaining of. In fact, I see very little of that attitude- had to throw
that in - if you didn't go to rides and just read ridecamp, you would think that
there were a lot of these riders, that is not my experience, and this ride added
to that.
I was alone at this ride and I can't even tell you
how many people offered to help, or offered me food or drink, or asked if I had
drank. It was endurance at it's finest. The field included
the national heavywt champion, members of the Canada east team,
and many riders with many many years and miles, as well as
beginners. The young girl who finished ahead of me was on
her first 50. I had to laugh when she caught me at the last water
trough and I chose to stand there a little longer and she trotted
off. She was thrilled to have passed me, and I was thilled that
she was happy. Sixth or seventh - it was all the same to
me.
I fell asleep at about 8:30 PM and woke at 3AM and
headed home in the cooler darkness. It was a great experience and made me
happy and proud to be an endurance rider.
Laura Hayes AERC#
2741
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