Gator Run. Fantastic ride. I'm sorry, I don't have the
results. I know Debbi Foti won the first day 55 miler. I'm not sure
who got BC. I got pulled after 22 miles because of a runaway situation
with America (my fault) and another rider and horse who had a similar situation
going on; and it lasted, neck and neck, for an incredible length of time and
distance. Yes, for once, I was truly scared. I'm sure some of you
have had this happen. It was a first, for me at an endurance ride, during
the early part of a 22 mile first run, on a flat road to the away vet
check. Alongside a horse as crazy as yours, both of them out of control,
well….., turns out we had a tie way beyond a finish line. America hit
a speed I did not know he possessed. I don't want to see it ever
again!
I'm changing bits. I got one in the back of my tack room I used to
use on Dance Line. Poor America, I never did want to pull that thing out
again. But, alas, I choose life, and I plan on having a few more rides
under my belt before I let him kill me. I do remember telling God one
evening, that, if I had to go anytime soon, that might not be a bad way to do
it; but, hey, God, I was only thinking out loud.
Mike and Connie did such a fantastic job at this ride. I was in awe
of their abilities. Great turn out. First day over 65 riders, second
day, over 50, and third in the thirties. That's the 55 miler, and two
50's, I'm not sure about LD's but they had good numbers also. Ridecamp was
filled to capacity most of the time with rigs everywhere.
BRRRRRRRRRRRRR, was the temp on that third day. 20 degrees at the
start and it didn't improve all that much. Very cold for down here.
First day was chilly, but above freezing, second day was to die for weather
wise. My wife and I did get a completion on the third day. We adore
the T-Shirt, which is a picture of a horse biting on a Gator's tail. I've
never seen or even heard of that actually happening down here, in Gator
Land, but, hey, it looks cool.
Lot's of out of staters at the Gator. New York, Idaho
(yes, Idaho), Texas, so many people I had never met before. I finally
did meet Darolyn from Texas at the away vet check the first day. She told
me what I was doing right with America's feet and what might make it
better. She knows her stuff! I met several others at the away vet
check since I got to spend most of the morning and some of the early afternoon
there. Mike wasn't taking us "pullees" back till everyone had
vetted in and he and Nancy made sure they all left on their out
time. I, also, got to meet Laura Hays; she was the last rider to
leave. She and I compared notes as to which one of us could claim "most
scared" during the ride (she had fallen off by the photographer, I think).
Before we loaded Mike made sure everything was cleaned up. This gave
time for America and me to bond even more. He was not tired a bit.
He got pulled for lameness, left front, never could pin it down where, but,
my guess is a muscle. No swelling in the lower legs and feet looked
fine. He walked fine, but was off in the trot.
This is what I love about endurance. ONe day you're up, next day
you're down. It's such a challenge, which is why we do it. That and
our quest (some of us anyway) for lost youth.
