Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

This ride was a great experience for me and my mare. We had never been 
to this ride and didn't know what to expect.

We were getting ready to head up Saturday to do the 25LD on Sunday. My 
heart sank as I watched the hood go up on my husband's truck. First the 
radiator hose then another trip to town for a thermostat and clamp. 
After a couple hours of tinkering under the hood and changing the oil we 
were good to go - yea! We missed the potluck (my daughters favorite 
part) but made it before sundown and setup camp. Nelson came over and 
took a little off my mare's hooves and we were ready for the morning 
ride. Thank you Nelson!

Woke up at 4:30 and could see my breath in the camper - brrrr! Got the 
heater going and it warmed up quickly before I woke everyone else up. My 
mare, Leah, was ready to go as soon as her saddle was on. We went over 
to the gate area to warm up and started wondering where everybody was. 
Apparently a few folks over slept and about half the field started at 6am.

A younger woman named Tara rode with us a while then we met up with 
Julie (don't remember her last name either - Jeanie can help me on that 
one) for the rest of the first loop. Both of these women were great to 
ride with and very knowledgeable about the trail and what to expect.

I recently found a training trail with a wooden bridge and am happy to 
say it paid off. We went over 3 or 4 bridges that day and my mare didn't 
balk at a one. Then came the creek. I have never had my mare into water 
that deep and she charged right in like a trooper. She even took a good 
drink! She didn't shy at the sponge being thrown over and over to cool 
her off like she has in the past.

Back into the vet check I pulsed down a few minutes before my new riding 
buddies and ended up headed off for the second loop alone. We went at a 
moderate pace but never met back up with anyone else. Leah finally 
started drinking good, each time we'd come out of the trail and she saw 
the truck she would start running for it! We ended up with one of our 
best times ever and Leah looked great at the finish!

I am so happy we were able to make it to this ride and will definitely 
go again. The trails were very well marked and everyone was happy to 
answer any questions I had. And, I got to stand for BC!!! That was very 
exciting for me. I've been in "turtle" mode for the last few seasons and 
have finally been able to take things to the next level. I'm hoping this 
will be the summer I get to do my first 50, if we can keep things going 
the way they are, I'm shooting for a 50 at Tin Cup in September.

Thanks to Pam, Jeanie and the rest of the ride management for putting on 
a ride that I will remember as one of the best!

Kari Hanes
Montalee Arabians
Holton, MI


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This weekend, many of you are at rides...25's, 50's or 100's.  You are the
lucky ones.  I know you did whatever you had to do to get to 'em.  I know
that each of you go to 'em with different so-called "goals" in mind...but I
also know that each of you cares for your horse and realize that "carrying
you" is the least of what he/she does for you.	LIFTING YOU is the true
effect. 
~  Ryder

ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/

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