Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Too bad WSTF doesn’t give an entry (non-transferrable, rider’s choice of year) to riders who give up their finish in cases like this, not just every case of helping another rider, since some riders really don’t need help. 

In the case of Roger, at the spot where he went over, there is no way that anyone without rescue equipment could help him. It was not safe for the other riders to stop with their horses and it’s impossible to turn around there, the trail is waaay too narrow to even think about that. Any attempt to turn around or stop on the trail could have lead to further injuries and disaster, not only to themselves, but everyone riding behind them and having to stop. I believe they did the right thing in keeping the trail clear and trying to get him help ASAP, regardless of the extent of his injuries. I don’t know if that is why they turned his horse loose, but might have been. One of the riders had been leading his horse, then dropped it. Later riders further behind asked where the horse was, and was told it had been let go, so one of them went back (not too far) to retrieve it & take it to Francisco’s. Not knowing at what point they decided to let the horse go, I can say I would never attempt to pony a horse on that cliff trail as ponied horses often tend to ride up too close which could cause kicking or other risky behavior, or ride to the side, which would put them in more danger of going over.

Just my opinion of that section of trail, which I have ridden too many times for comfort in full daylight when the danger is even more clearly visable. 

Kathy  

Dawn gave up her Tevis finish, to stay with Mari, and try to help her and

her horse. She traveled out from Texas to do Tevis (almost 2000 miles), and

I know was as prepared as one could be. She said her horse Bear was feeling

great, and doing well. But, as she told me, what was she going to do, say to

Mari "Dang, that sucks, see you later" ??  I know I could not leave a rider

who had gone off the trail alone for the next person to help. Not sure how

those riders heard Roger yelling for help right after he went over the edge

chose to not go back to at least check on him, and see how bad it was, and

decide if they could help, and then continue on to the next spot with ride

officials. But, that is just me I guess.

Jonni