[RC] nick warhol- tevis 2002 story 5 of 5 - Ridecamp Guest
nick warhol nickw@xxxxxxxxx
I did learn one thing, though. Don?t ever get pulled at Francisco?s. No trailers. I got paired up with a woman who was also pulled, we had to lead our lame horses ?just a little way? up the hill to a waiting trailer. Yeah, right, as in up and out of the canyon! She was supposed to follow me, so we started out on foot, up the climb towards White Oak Flat. I wasn?t paying enough attention, I guess, after a long climb uphill I looked back in the dark- she?s not there. Okay, I wait. Nothing. Now What? We are not on the course, it?s 2 am, I can?t just leave her out there. I turn around and head back down. I get back to the trail, but can?t go back up to the check, since it is single track with horses coming down. Another mile or more all the way around to the front of the check, back in again. The woman is nowhere in site. Oh well- I get a new walking partner, who turns out to be Jamie Fend, daughter of Gary and Laura. She is as depressed as I am, since her horse is lame also. Jamie had to pull herself here last year because she was so sick. This year she is feeling great, and wouldn?t you know, after 88 miles, her horse is lame. We trudged back up that hill, climbing almost all the way to the top of the canyon before we got to the trailer. We got a lift to the very top and had to change trailers once more for the ride to the fairgrounds. By now it was 4:30 am, we were all quite sleepy. I arrived at the fairgrounds with Holly and my tack, not knowing which stall was mine, or where my truck or crew was. I found a very cheerful lady at the barn who told me where my stall was located. I walked over, hoping that Judy and Jackie had set up the stall with water and food, ?cause I didn?t know where anything was. I round the corner and see my cart in front of the stall- great! I enter the stall and find Judy there, asleep on the big, fresh pile of shavings. Awwww. That was really cute. There was food, water, mash, everything all set. What a crew. Thanks, sweetie. I do owe you one now. I woke her up, then after some condolences, she sent me to the camper for some sleep while she wrapped Holly?s legs and put her to bed.
I woke up about 8 am and went for breakfast and to walk Holly. The horse was still sore, but looked much better than the last night. We watched the end of the BC judging for a while. It was fun to talk to everyone and find out who had made it. Quenby had timed out at Michigan bluff by five minutes, bummer. Lots of friends completed: Nancy Elliot, 18th! Way to go. Bob Spoor, 24th. The incredible Barbara White, 26th buckle, top twenty, I think. Gloria and the amazing Redman finished their first 100! Great job, Gloria and Redman. Gary Fend and his new horse Smokey made it in as well. Melissa Ribley, Connie Creech, Karen Bottiani, Brenda Benkly, Jim and Jamie Mitchell, lots more all made it through. Congratulations to all who did finish. I?ll just have to go at it again next year, and the next, and the next. I am, however, getting tired of being pulled. I know it is part of the game, and that even the best can have problems in this ride. I still think the Tevis is best described by the big vet Mitch Benson: this ride is 30% rider, 30% horse, and 40% luck. I agree, but that luck percentage might be creeping higher.
Nick Warhol
Hayward, Ca.
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