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[RC] My Biltmore - Ridecamp GuestPlease Reply to: Angie McGhee Rides2far@xxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ========================================== Well, I'm going to try to give a quick review while I can. I'm on jury duty and taking lunch break at the public library and I'm the only one here profusely tapping. :-P The Biltmore was great. Best weather EVER. Low 70's, low humidity, and a cool breeze. I rode Jody Buttram's mare Aries and wow, what a CADILLAC. It was her first 100 and my first in several years but we both felt great all day. We were on back there so didn't see any of the drama up front. I guess my story is my awe for the hard luck folks who toughed it out. There were two and they definately earned the right to say they're tough...even if I'm not so sure about the "smart" part. >eg< First, Kara Drisbow who was riding the 50 when her horse fell with her. Kara's foot went through the stirrup and her horse, Jamey jumped up and took off running through the woods dragging Kara face down. (boy do I love my cages). Thank God Kara's paddock boot and half chap came off (the boot was still zipped) and freed her. She had a dislocated shoulder and a black eye, bruised up. So... what did she do? Got taped up, put the arm in a sling and COMPLETED the 50! I knew she was crazy but this brought it to a new level. Way to go Kara! I took photos of her which I'll post to John. I think she & Joni deserve their faces flashed across RC. Next, 10 yr. old Joni Buttram. Like I said, I was riding one of Joni's mom, Jody's horses. The three of us were going to do the 100 together. Friday evening Joni started throwing up. She was really excited about the idea that she was going to try to win her second IAHA National Junior Championship trophy. I figured it was just nerves and she'd be OK. Turned out she threw up all night and had diarhea...typical stomach virus. She and her mom did not get one wink of sleep but at 5:30 AM they both got on their horses ready to start. I would not have bet a nickel against $100 that she could have ridden 25 miles but that child rode 100. She never cried, she never whined. She was very quiet and drank water or Gatorade but never kept a bite down all day. She slept at every vet check. I rode behind her all day and she stayed dead center on her horse. The only thing she said was either "Lovey needs to eat" or "Isn't it time to give the electrlytes". Here I am forgetting them and she's remembering to look out for her horse. Joni is third generation endurance rider and I do believe their line breeds true. Heading out on the last loop at 85 miles her mom asked her if she wanted to go to the trailer or did she think she could trot the rest of the way. She was soo tired but she said, "Would I get the trophy?" and her mom said, "No, if you go to bed you don't get it" so she said, "I can trot". Whew. And would you believe the IAHA people forgot to send that trophy??? I wish whoever was in charge of filling that order could have seen that kid heading out at midnight to ride another 15 miles in the dark because she wanted it so bad. We finished around 2:30 AM and I can vouch that Joni can not only ride centered while dosing, she can also ride a *big* shy while dosing when her horse sees a donkey in the dark. Like I said, I had a wonderful ride. If there's anybody out there so rich that they don't feel like risking their neck and their knees they should offer Jody a mint for Aries. My knees were totally unaffected by 100 miles. She was so smooth I mostly took it in the ankles...and flew along after dark never missing a lick. I'm totally unused to a horse that starts rationally and can canter along relaxed without getting racey. That was just toooo fun. They did change the trail a little this year which knocked out some of my favorite parts at the end when we used to ride along the river, but we got "lucky" and missed a turn at about 11 PM and ended up on a hill looking directly at the "big house" all lit up in the dark. It's the only time I've ever thought getting off trail was a good thing. That view was priceless. Angie =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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