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[RC] My Quilty experience! - Sue WalzHi All,http://www.tasquilty2005.org.au My Quilty experience is one that I'll always treasure.....in spite of the horrendous weather & my fall! Seriously, I met some of the icons of the sport over there. Ron & Val Males, Peter & Penny Toft, Bob Sample, Sue Parsons, Meg Wade & many others! It was great to be part of the Toft Team! Peter & Penny brought down 26 horses from Queensland & about 50 people. We were all issued uniforms & became a "sea of blue" where ever we went! Peter Toft rides Murdoch, an amazing Appaloosa 1/2 arab. They travel the world together & are racking up quite the incredible record! They won Quilty & Best Condition. They were 4th in Tevis 2 years ago, 4 minutes behind the winner! They were 12th over the line at the WEC in Dubai. The list goes on..... They will be a force to be reckoned with at Tevis this year now that they know the trail! On to the Quilty experience..... Tasmania hadn't had rain in 6 months. Quilty week was on & off rain. Then for the ride the skies opened up!!! The track went from safe, good footing to deep slippery mud. Add to that the fact that they start there 100's at midnight! And the sun doesn't rise in Tas until 7 am! For the first time in Quilty's 40 year history the ride was cut short for hazadous conditions. A completion was given for all that had not been pulled for as far as they got. I was riding a wonderful big arabian, Clyde, that the Toft's had loaned me. Clyde has a big floating trot & a rocking horse canter. A pleasure to ride for one who is used to gaited smooth! Our training rides went great through the week. I got used to posting again but questioned if I could do it for 100 miles. I figured his canter would save me when I tired! I didn't get a chance to get tired......26 K's into the 1st loop we were trotting down a slippery hill when my left foot slipped from the stirrup. Trying to find the best footing Clyde moved to the right, I moved to the left & we parted! I met the muddy trail with my face & broke my nose! The worst of it, though, was that I twisted my left ankle in a way that I could walk but not post!!! Rider #100, Renee Saxby Loyd dismounted to help me. Bless her! She walked with me until Clyde was brought back to me & I was mounted again. I quickly realised that posting wasn't an option anymore. Disappointed, I told Clyde we were walking in the rest of the way. He was a perfect gentleman about it all & took care of me. When we got into the base camp I did a rider option pull. Tony vetted Clyde through to straight A's, he would've gotten me through the 100 easily! I'm home & healing now & concentrating on getting Raven ready for Tevis. Yes, Raven seems to be better for the rest he's gotten & I'll be taking him to Tevis if all continues good. The Toft's will be there with 4 Australian horses & ride as a team! A force to be reckoned with! I'll just go for the completion again with Rave. ~Sue Walz & Raven Eugene, Oregon =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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