Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

The three of us stared out about 5 minutes after the start at 6:30 at
the back of the pack on a clear, cool, and very beautiful morning.  My
goal?   Get fifty miles!   Jackie's goal?  Get fifty miles!  These two
old geriatrics are a combined forty something years old and are getting
pretty creaky.  Sally's goal?  Finish, but she would see how the
youngster Phathom was with the two other feisty horses.  She was also
playing with her electrolyte program, at this ride she was using less.
The rule with Warpaint is I can ride with other horses, but I get to be
in front.  No, make that I HAVE to be in front.  It just does not work
any other way.  The trail starts out on a dirt road for a bit, then we
dive onto a nice sandy desert single track that rolls up and down a few
hills, after a mile or so we head up a long, uphill, sandy climb that we
walk up.   Warpaint wants to run, Zay is jigging, Sally is holding
Phathom back, since he can walk twice as fast as either of the old
coots.  It looked like a three ring circus of horse restraint.  It was a
twenty minute climb that ends up on top of a valley with spectacular
views.  The desert is so pretty, especially in this Red Rock area.  And
the smell, oh, the smell of that sagebrush!  I don't miss the cold of
the high desert, but I sure miss that smell.  The trail became soft
roads that were nice to trot on, so we happily obliged.  But what's
this, a change?  The last time this ride headed down the middle of this
long valley; this time we are hanging a left and staying on the roads.
Up and down, rolling hills, but still good footing with the occasional
rocky patch.  No pads required, this ride does not seem like it is in
the state of Nevada.   Virginia City 100, Washoe 100, Silver State:
rocks, rocks, rocks!  Not up here.   It was now about 45 minutes after
the start and Phathom was telling Sally he'd had enough and would like
to pass this stupid spotted horse in front of him, thank you.  We
stopped to adjust her saddle pad and then sent them on their way.  (Keep
in mind Sally started out last, and we were going really slow for the
first 45 minutes)  Now it was the aged beasts going it alone, Warpaint
setting the pace and Zayante trucking along behind, doing his best
impression of a steam train.  I don't notice the breathing noise so much
when I'm riding him, but when he's behind you, well, this is one horse
who will never, ever, sneak up on anyone!   We rode along with Ted
Ruprecht for a while on the rolling roads that finally dumped us down
back into the valley for a water stop.   Hang a left and trot down the
valley on a nice sandy trail on perfect footing.  A right turn on yet
another sandy trail takes us across the valley for a while, along a
fence that has these wooden jumps for eventing, or hunting, or some
crazy horse leaping activity that we declined to try on this day.  We
caught Becky Hackworth, who was riding drag for Juniors, and rode with
her on up into the first vet check at 19 miles. It was very well
organized, with lots of workers and vets. Tinker Hart and her mom Kay
were there keeping everyone in line and things flowing smoothly.  My old
buddy Jamie Kerr took a look at Warpaint  and ordered me back out on the
trail.  Judy was there with all the crewing goodies, Laura Fend was
there as well crewing for her hubby Gary, who was riding his horse
Smokey.  No, that's her horse Smokey, apparently Gary gave Laura Smokey.
But he was qualified, so he rode.  There had been a few pulls, but where
was Sally?  Left ten minutes ago?  Wow.  She sure put the smoke on us.  

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