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[RC] Washoe Ride - D'Arcy Demianoff-ThompsonRanelle Rubin provided, my Granddaughter Raquel and I a great opportunity to experience a ride as a crew member. We were able to crew for Ranelle and her wonderful gelding,, Fellow this last weekend at the Washoe Ride - outside of Carson City, Nevada. We arrived Friday night and Ranelle and her sister, Tara, had dinner going. We ate got settled in. Went over the course, ride assessment, ride needs, time tables and gear expectations at the end of each loop pre and post vet check. Quite a different perspective as a crew member vs ride camp volunteer.
What I learned from Ranelle and Fellow most of all: Stay focused! Never deviate from the plan and make your rider sit down for 5 minutes to eat and drink SOMETHING!
Ranelle was most of the most tactical engineered rider that I have been able to work with to date in endurance. For that I am very thankful. If anyone, new starting into endurance, ever has the opportunity to pick Ranelle's brain at a ride DO IT! She has some awesome, down to earth, common sense, ride analysis one could ever hope to garner in a short period of time.
Ride Management SUPER AAA++++! All of the members involved were nothing short of class every step of the way. The vets were super. The volunteers were full of smiles. Everyone that I came across which seemed to be all 120+ riders (25 and 50 milers) at some point in time...never seemed bummed, disappointed, or aggravated. From Number One finisher on Saturday to the last place finish holder. all full of smiles. The rider that won an award (MANY AWARDS given out) for his first 50 mile was asked what he learned, "what pain is!" LOL! That was encouraging. Hahhahah.
Even though this ride had three loops all three with graduated climbs, rock, sand, what they referred to SOB's (yeap just as it implies) all but 4 finished the 50 miler. Dinner OMG - Tri Tip and Chicken! Not either or and there were SECONDS! And not one kind of cake but TWO different kinds. I was amazed.
On the way home I asked Raquel what she liked the most about Saturday. She said, "the people were all so nice!" She is anxious to get out there and get her first Jr. 50 miler in! Ranelle offered to sponsor her on her first 50...after the guy's comment on 'pain' I might just take her up on that. So, Ranelle, be careful what you wish for! :)
The only disappointing aspect of the ride - for Saturday - was the fact that only ONE Junior rider was present! It made me sad! How is the Junior Mentoring Program coming along? How many Juniors are members of AERC? Is anyone on Ride Camp signed up for the mentoring program? Is there anything that I can do to help facilitate the program? I am not experienced in sponsoring a ride - haven't done my own ride yet - but I would love to hook up riders with horses, sponsors, what ever it takes to get more Junior participation.
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