Ridecamp: Re: [RC] NC results

Unlike OD, which is rocky in places, the NCR is much more "technical".
There are many more "opportunities" for the horse to take a mis-step,
tumble, or pull something. Rocks sticking up in single track, stumps,
roots, small bogs, tight turns, and short twisting climbs. IMHO, the OD
is STEEPER and has greater climbs, but it doesn't come at you ALL the
time like the NCR did. The only time you can relax is on the roads. It
wears you down quickly when you go fast.  As you become more tired, you
help your horse less, your riding skills deteriorate, compounding the
problem. 

The 50's are going typically going faster than the 100's, thus more
chance for a mis-step. Seems that more people pushed the envelope here. 
IMHO, there were more pulls at the finish than you would expect, (only 8
miles from vet check 3) because riders didn't adjust to the weather
conditions once it started raining. (The 100 had better weather) That
3rd vet check was added this year...because based on last year's
experience, the horses needed it.  Good call!

Jim, Sun of Dimanche, and Mahada Magic

> Sandy Bolinger wrote:
> 
> Curious as to why there were so many more pulls for lameness on the 50
> than on the 100..and that is taking into account the higher number of
> entries.  By 48 miles on the 100 there were 6 pulls for lameness...on
> the 50 by the finish (50 miles) there were 22 pules for lameness.
> There were 29 entries on the 100 and 85 on the 50.Also looked up some
> ride results for the old dominion...which seems like it might be a
> comparable ride as far as footing goes (I'm sure I will be corrected
> if I am wrong!!) Also considerably lower pull rate for lameness.


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