Yes the mileages on Osceola are accurate, as much as humanly
possible between NFS odometers, 4 x 4 odometers and checked
against known road miles, GPS, aerial survey maps, and some
scaled on the map due to downright inacessable---
Problem is some rides are short and folks happy to accept
that as a 50 miler.
But Saturday Florida weather was the real challenge: hot and
humid by noon with the longest loop to do last (go figure). At
least the potential crashes had already been weeded from the
competition, I guess.
As the official Osceola Turtle on FMR Seneca who at six is now
a a true Endurance horse with her first completion I can tell
how we did the 8:36--slow and easy, mostly a working trot with
ten second walks for recovery every fifteen minutes; only did
enough canter at the cool first lap on the road in the dark to
stretch those muscles out; by the time we knew the end was in
sight leaving out on last 20 mile loop at noon we hit a few
five minute canters to shape up the mare; Then the driest
section of the Forest came up and we knew it was probably six
miles to more puddles so had to settle with the trot again; the
whole day used my 75 HR trot on loop one as reference for when heat
was building up; When she hit 90's on the HRM dropped off into a
ten second walk; had to dump some of my 32 oz. of water
on her brain occasionally and was grateful the HR would drop back
to low 80's. But God was good to us and brought back some
overcast sky, and combined with some shade could maintain the
easy trot, by now more of a long jog;
The other thing I was watching closely was attitude: when she
would not eat some good Bahia along the trail I knew we were
at a low point (this is a greedy mare); So then I dosed her
with my trail elkes, after another good drink; She drank
anything we could find after the first loop. I mean the mare
takes care of business. (I have had some l,000 Medallion geldings
who were picky-picky)
In Fl usually if there is a grass growing it is safe to get in
water, for sure 99% if there is white sand; The Osceola has a
of water right now we did not have three weeks ago and
I gave thanks for it all day. I mean a four year drought
has taken a toll on our Forest, which is basically a swamp.
So when we hit the Tower West 3/4 miles from Finish I took
advantage of the water hose, and it was a deep, cold well for
FL. When she dropped to 54 on the HRM I knew we were in business
So after a nice little trot, walk warmdown to the line she gave me a nice
64 within minutes of unsaddling and some wash-down.
By the time the Vet got his hands on her she dropped to 50 and
gave him a 40 on the second count for CRI. Mike Porter is
such a sweet fellow he told me I did a fine job under adverse
conditions. But I could not have done it without a mare
who is ready to get serious her first year of Endurance (after
two years of retraining from her track work. I
am very proud of her accomplishment--The Osceola Turtle.
Since I was responsible for prizes though we gave our bucket of
goodies to the Second Turtle, including five pounds of Vita-
Flex Accel, a great supplement for Endurance.
We hope to see you in Florida for the 2003 Osceola, November
l, between Hunting seasons in the Management Area.
Jean Wonser
AERC 5352, headed towards 5,000, God be Willing;
