This year's turnout was large - especially for the 100 mile
course. This was the first 100 mile ride of the year for the
NW region and everyone was ready. I don't have any exact
numbers, but there were about 34 entries on the 100, and
about 50 (?) on the 50-mile ride.
This was a demonstration ride for many who nominated for the
Pacific North team. The entire selection committe was present
for interviews and observation. Hal Hall (selection committe
chairman), Terry Benedetti (selection committee) and Tony
Benedetti (PN team chef d'equit) made the 13+ hour trip from
California to be present. Terry and Tony rode the 100 mile
course and Hal was present at every hold - crewing and
cheerfully asking questions. Sue Griffin and Heidi Winger
were the other selection committee members present. Sue rode
the 50 and Heidi and her husband Mark were ride managers.
I was very impressed with the PN Team selection committee
in general - serious and open-minded about the process -
and willing to travel the distance to meet the nominees.
This was also a demonstration ride for some from the
Mountain Zone - Linda Voight was the selection committee
member present.
I'm a little vague on the results, but this is what I know:
The 100 was won by Clydea Hastie on Sukario HCC, 2nd and
BC was Pat Murray and Mojave. Both Clydea and Pat are
Mountain Zone team nominees. 3rd was DeWayne Brown, 4th
Marcia Smith (from CA), 5th and 6th Ona Lawrence (PN team
nominee) and Linda Johnson. 7, 8, and 9 were the Benedetti's
and their friend Carol. 10, 11 and 12 were Susie Morrill,
Terry Huff and Sandy Skinner (PN team nominees), 13th was
Carol Andrews, 14th was Dale Lawrence. I believe that 30
of the 34 entries completed.
I don't know much about the results of the 50 except that
Darla Westlake on MC RamsZ and Nathan Westlake on RT Muffin
won it in around 3 1/2 hours!! At least an hour faster than
the other riders.
My horse had his first pull at this ride - at 100 miles!
He developed a hitch in the left rear at 92 miles, so I
led him in the last 8 miles (uphill!!). 2 hours and 45
minutes later we made it to camp - cold and hungry - he
was no worse, but no better so we pulled. Bummer! The
world's most wonderful person, Arne Smith, crewed for me
and Carol - he was there at every hold with my truck, gear,
my 9 yr old son and his dog - cheerful and encouraging.
And about 1 1/2 miles from camp there he was with a blanket
for my horse - he had started walking when he heard we
were having problems. Thanks also to Susie Morrill for
lending me her rump rug. The temperature dropped severely
and it started raining before we made it to camp and
the rug was greatly appreciated!! I had tied my jacket over
my horse's rump to keep him from cramping any worse, and
I was sure glad to be able to wear it again!
It was pretty cold all day (good for the horses) but got
REALLY cold that night. Multiple blankets for the horses
and lots of worry. There was a chuckwagon breakfast and
awards ceremony the next morning. Very nice, despite
the snow showers! I heard some grumbling from the folks
from California ... so the weather's not perfect, hey, it
just makes us tougher!
Steph
(Eliza - for the July newsletter, I have a couple more for you - will
try to get them tonight or tomorrow - also I might be able to
get more specific results by then.)
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Stephanie Schroeder-Teeter
Rt. 1 Box 27A Princeton, ID 83857
First Step Research - "http://www.fsr.com/"
** new homepage location:**
Endurance Riders Home Page :
"http://www.fsr.com/National/endurance/"
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