Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Please Reply to: Deb Ambrose mkkgs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Hello all,
  I'm happy to say I got a sunburn at the Sandhills 55 on Saturday.  Seems 
like all over this has been a tough winter; a couple of ice storms, one 
snowfall and plenty of cold wind and rain for us in North Carolina, Lippy and I 
didn't do as much as I would have liked since JD's ride in November.  But 
February was milder, and he was going pretty well, so we set out to try our 4th 
50-miler. OK, 55.
   Cold and clear at 6AM--off we went in a fluffy of jazzed up horses.  We 
tried to leave late with Cheryl and her beautiful mare Vanna, but a lot of 
folks had the same idea.  Wide open sandy roads to start, plenty of people 
going by in a canter.  Whee!  Eventually it thinned out a bit, and we were able 
to settle in a little more.  First loop was about 20 miles, really well marked, 
and water here and there.  We rode off and on with Mike and his Cougar, and 
tried to let folks pass to get in our own groove.  The footing had some deep 
spots, but was great overall.  By the time we got back to camp, I was wishing I 
had clipped him a little.
   40 minute hold, and off we go again.  This time with relaxed horses, doing 
our easy trot of about 7-9 mph.  It was great to feel Lippy settle in and be 
able to ride on a loose rein.  We took turns leading, and I'm happy to say we 
didn't have any real spooks the whole ride.  Every time I read someone's story 
of that "moment" when they feel bonded with their horse, I think, "When's that 
going to happen for us?"  We've been together 4 years, after 25 horseless 
years, and the spooking is finally starting to disappear.  I have to take my 
little moments when they come.  That stump he just keeps an ear on instead of 
squirting around.  The plastic bag that flutters and he holds his breath, then 
lets it out when I remember to let mine out.  "On by," I say as we go.
   Cheryl is one tough cookie.  Vanna saw a monster behind a stump just as we 
finished the second loop, and did a quick spin.  I sure would not have gotten 
up that quick and gotten back on!  Our husbands were watching from across the 
levy in camp, and were glad to see the riderless horse captured, remounted, and 
ridden into the check.  What a girl!  Bruise on her cheekbone, and that overall 
sore feeling we all know.  Through the check and back out!
   Neither horse was too enthused at 1pm and 70 degrees to walk past our own 
camps and back across the levy.  But a little coaxing, a half mile or so, and 
the rubberband holding them back breaks.  We're off!
   This loop is 16 miles, and there's plenty of sand left.  Those extra 5 
miles in this ride are big ones!  It's a humbling feeling to have a horse tell 
you he's tired, walk him a while and have him respond when you ask for a little 
more.  Some of this loop was twisty, turny, low branches, and logs to hop over 
that would have been fun if we all weren't so pooped.  So we made time where we 
could, and eased up when we needed.  Lippy peed a darker yellow than I'd seen 
before, and I was worried.  Next water barrel was empty.  Ouch.
   Turned a corner, and here stretched about 1/3 mile of deep sand in a fairly 
good climb.  Wow.  Up we went.  About half way up I offered him an apple slice, 
and he took it without stopping.  We got to the top, and he put his nose on my 
knee and looked me in the eye.  All I had left was a Clif Bar (carrot cake).  I 
gave him half, and he looked smug munching it.
  On to the finish, and I could feel his stride shorter than this morning. The 
sand had taken its toll.  I was happy to see the line, and my husband was 
waiting with at our area with a bucket of water and cold Gatorade.  At last!
   We went right to the vets, and he was good to go.  I could barely stay 
ahead of him, but I saw the good sight, the scribe writing, and the vet calling 
for the next person.  Whew!  It was hard work for us, and I was glad we came 
through, I think 48th out of 64 starters and I don't know how many finishers.
   I believe my husband Mark has accepted the fact that I ride conservatively. 
He's a competitive person, and it's tough for him to see all these people sail 
into camp well before me.  I'm grateful for his support, and hope he 
understands.
   Cheryl, thanks for your company and help!  I'll find your email for my 
yellow vest!
   Great ride.  Wish we were in shape for Sunday, but maybe next year.  Patsy 
Gowen and Liz Sine do a great job.

Deb Ambrose and Lippy, Ara-App 205 miles
Aberdeen, NC



===========================================================You don't have to be 
a 100-mile rider or a multi-day rider to be an
endurance rider, but if you want to experience the finest challenges our
sport has to offer, you need to do both of those.
~ Joe Long

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