[RC] Ride story of the 2002 Old Dominion - Flora Hillman
Melanie -
There is a ride story of the 50 mile
division of the 2002 Old Dominion archived at http://www.aurigafarm.8m.com/stories/July2002.html.
(This story, and the attending
photos, also appears in a new book called "A Community Of The
Horse - Partnerships" written by Bruce Smart of Upperville, Virginia, the former
Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade who is also a Thoroughbred
steeplechase owner and breeder. See http://www.aurigafarm.8m.com for
more info on this delightful book of people and their
horses.)
Don't let the horrid descriptions of the
rocks on the mountain trail scare you -- they are only on the climbs up and
over the Massanuttens. You relax and walk most of that portion of the
trail (riding or on foot alongside/behind your horse), and enjoy the
breathtaking scenery from 2000' up overlooking the glittering Shenandoah River
far below looping back and forth upon itself in a gorgeous valley
of deep green woods and open pastureland. Believe me -- in between
the ascent and descents of the Massanuttens you will find most of your time
spent cruising at a lively trot or a brisk canter along the cool, wooded valley
trails and gravel roads -- all sheer heaven to ride, while
you eagerly look forward to the thrill of crossing, and crossing again, the
wide, gentle waters of the massive Shenandoah River
The 2003 OD was cancelled due to dangerous
flooding of the Shenandoah River, so you won't find any stories from that
year. Perhaps, if you enjoy this tale, you'll have one of your own
for the 2004 OD. :-)
If you'd like a scanned copy of the
topographical map of Front Royal where the ride begins, and the Shenandoah
Valley and the Massanutten Mountains of George Washington National Forest
where most of the ride takes place, send me an e-mail and I'll pop it off
to you. :-)
