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[RC] Special congrats to Biltmore 100 Rookies - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: Mary Kornwolf mkornwolf@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== Can you believe Tuu Muchh (owned by Tom & Rita Swift) and rider Amanda Stewart were BOTH doing their 1st 100? They ended up 6th place at a VERY tough ride. Tuu Muchh wasn't even the horse originally planned for Amanda to ride...she showed wisdom beyond her miles when she pulled off the pace of the other 2 Swifts' horses early in the ride. I had decided to pull Shiloh at the 3rd VC (he'd lost both front shoes on the 2nd and 3rd loops and extended EZ boot usage had made him quite ouchy), but totally enjoyed being on the ground & able to trot out horses for tired riders. I'll never forget the firey look in Tuu Muchh's eyes while I was trotting him out for the vets late in the ride - he's got what it takes for this sport! If anyone out there knows Amy Johnson, she gets credit for seeing the promise of this off-the-track race Arab when she offered him to the Swifts to buy a few years back. I got to ride him at his first LD and confirmed his potential. Two other horses/riders that impressed me were Karen Isaacs/ Jeb and Mike Bostic/Cougar. Jeb pulled Shiloh along on the 3rd loop and I can speak firsthand, this horse books down the trail like nothing you've ever seen and climbs mountains like they're not there. Mike's speeded up a good bit since his first 100 - no more turtles for Mike! My condolences to all the fine horses and riders who didn't make it, especially late-ride pulls. After having the whole afternoon to chill at the trailer, Shiloh was perky and trotted sound before loading to go home 10 pm Sat night - what a relief to not have been caught in the hail storm and to trailer in the cool of night. We'll be at the OD, which if anything could be hotter than Biltmore, and hopefully I'll show more sense and go SLOW for a change. Ciao from Mary in 90 degree VA ============================================================ Personally, I shouldn't give a s--- where the other people on the course are, and if I find myself starting to concern myself over this, I remind myself that this is the first step on the road to overriding my horse and tell myself to "knock it off!" :) ~ Kat Swigart ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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