Ridecamp: [RC] Jerez - pacing trail

 Phase 1 is 40.4 k (approx 24 (approx 24
> mi). Phase 2 is 37.9 k (22.5), 

I'm going to try to visualize this trail as if I was competing so anybody
who can help me do it...chip in some advice. When they hit the 46.5 mile
mark they'll have had 30 min. worth of hold time up to that point, so
knock out at least 10 for the vet check, probably 15 and you had 15 min.
to eat...and resaddle!  I guess if the people at the "P" stops have mash
etc. maybe the horse will grab more bites, but I know my horse wouldn't
grab grass at a real racing pace if others are continueing on.  The
people at the hospitality stations in Vermont were amazing.  That could
definately make a difference especially if there are a lot of them.

>>phase 3 is 24 k (14 mi) , 

Is this just a tougher more remote section of trail?  Just curious as to
why there are two shorter loops (this 14 and a 12) and wonder if it has
to do with terrain.  If the hills slow them down, that's when my horse
would be more capable of scavenging along at speed.  If it slowed him
down some, he'd come in and really scarf down some food.  So now he's
arriving after 60.5 miles, he's had 1 hour of holds up to this point
including vet checks (and no I don't believe anybody's going to let you
carry food through the vet check at this level) and resaddling.  He's got
40 min. to eat...hopefully 30 after the check.  Take a little out for
ret-tacking...probaby closer to 20-25.

phase 4 is > 38.5 k (23 mi), 

83.5 mile mark, another 40 min. hold so, 20-25 to eat.  I can't imagine
the riders having any time for anything except cleaning up tack, running
to the John, and climbing back on.

>>>and phase 5 is 19.3 k (12 mi). Hold times (unnofficial as  yet) are
30, 30, 40, 40. 

finish...looks like 97.3 miles

I'm glad they meant 4 vet gates *during* the ride and weren't counting
the finish.  I notice they're not doing the "4 miles out to weed out the
lame ones" thing.  I'm sort of undecided how I feel about that one (they
did it at Vermont & do it at OD)  I didn't think much of it , but I
wasn't in danger of racing in either.  Definately affected racing towards
the end when you split the teamed up horses by pulse recoveries.  My
first reaction is to be against it.

>From what I read on USA-East sounded like it was not going to be a flat
course...that they'd thrown in some pretty formidable obstacles &
footing.  Anybody who can give us some commentary to visualize what it
would be like to compete on the trail I'd love to hear it.

Angie

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