 |
[RC] Thank You - SamanthaSandlerHi Everyone, I have been reading ridecamp for a long time, but I have never posted an e-mail. I feel compelled to today. There were so many awesome peaople that helped me out this weekend and I want to thank them as well as the people today who have posted messages about my ride. Thank you Mary Anne, Debbie, Tim, and Angie. I went through an incredible experience on saturday and sunday at the Carolina Moonlight 100 that I should share and I have a new respect for the dark and the humidity. It is completely different leaving camp at 7:00p.m. The horses did not expect it and we had a controlled start which made it seem (to my horse Zeke) like we were just trail riding the night before a ride. It was beautiful at first when the full moon came up and guided our way, but eventually the clouds and fog covered the moon (or maybe it was my fogged up contact lenses- also not used to working at night). I rode the second 50 by myself and had a low point at about 60 miles when Zeke was eating grass on the side of a highway at 4:00a.m. and I was falling asleep in the saddle (lucky his neck was so long (he was reaching for the grass) that I felt dizzy when I tried to rest my head down or I may have fallen asleep). After Zeke ate for awhile, his energy increased dramatically and it was as if he heard me thinking about quitting (I've never even considered it before), when he headed off at a nice big trot down the trail. After that, I knew we would be o.k. The humidity was unbelievable with sweat dropping off of us even at 4:00 a.m. and Zeke was panting much more than he usually would. But Zeke was eating well at the holds and he was willing to keep on trotting at a steady pace. The hardest aspect of the ride was having to go out over the same two loops three times each and going out six times in the same direction for the first three or five miles to get to the split between the loops. I had to convince Zeke that it really was necessary. I have completed many 100 mile races, but I have to say this one really was a true endurance test. I was crewless and so many wonderful people offered to help (while people were still awake). I don't know the names of all the people who helped me at the vet stops but I truly appreciate there help (Thank you Lyn if you are out there). I owe the most thanks to Zeke, my incredible horse. For any of you who don't know Zeke, he is truly an incredible animal with an amazing attitude and a spirit that would never quit. He is calm, cool, and collected and as stoic as an animal can be. He is a pleasure to ride and has a heart of gold. I also want to send congrats to those who competed at Tevis and I understand that Lana Wright if fine but I am praying for the safe return of her horse Nathan. Thanks for reading about my experience and for the support that people in ridecamp offer. I will try to provide helpful comments in the future when I can. Samantha Sandler =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|