I will let you know when the pins arrive.
We did our first 75 Miles this weekend and it was tough. There were
only 2 riders in this category and we started off at 7 o'clock. We planned
to ride together, but at the first vetgate it took the other guy 7 minutes
longer (I vetted within 2 minutes) to present his horse and we left the
gate in a slow trot, waiting for him to catch up. But he didn't. As my Akhal
Tekkiner is still quite young (7 years old) and has to learn to run his own
race I didn't want to slow him down too much. We kept on going and
went into the "polder" which was 10 kilometers of straight on, flat grass
surface with 3 times a turn to the left, but in the heat of a burning sun
(>30 C). My grooms did their atmost to keep the horse cool. We did an
easy canter most of this part of the track.
As we left the "polder" we hadn't seen the other guy and his arabian and
his groom was waiting for him to arrive, but this meant he still had to do
these 10 kilometers. I knew that this would mean also riding the last 60
kilometers on our own.
Arriving at the 50 Miles (80 kilometers) vetgate, we met again (he did get
off the track, missed a part (over 10 kilometers) and got at the vetgate
about 15 minutes earlier). He was allowed to continue but wouldn't be
placed first as he didn't follow the right track. He had to do additional
miles in the third part to make up only to get his qualification.
We took our time to refresh the horse and had him in the shadow a
couple of minutes to hose him off a bit before presenting him in the
burning sun to the vet. His pulse was, even after waiting a while in the
awfull hot sun, down to 48. The horse was fit to continue and we left for
the last 25 Miles.
These were awfull! It was sooooo warm and humid. Love over Gold
was willing to continue; trot, canter, his heartrate stayed at a nice low
level, but it was exhausting in this heat. Because of traffic my grooms
missed two meeting-points on the track, but caught up with us at the
Hilversum golfcourse where the "Heineken Open" was going on.
Busses, strange vehicles, an awfull crowd we had to go through. Back
in the forrest I took a short rest to give him a chance to urinate. The
colour was still OK, so we continued at a low speed trot.
In a part of a National Park we found a bull on our track. At first we
thought he would turn and run off, but he didn't! WE TURNED and found
another way, around the bull, back to the track. We kept on going. It
wouldn't cool down, not even a bit. The sand was hot and heavy (almost
like The Hague last year).
At the pulse examination I asked the vet to give him a complete check as I
thought Love was quite tired. Pulse was straight down at 60. It was
about 15 kilometers (10 Miles) to the finish line and he recommended to
keep the speed at the level we were doing and not rush. He admitted the
horse was getting tired, but was able to complete.
My collegue rider left the pulse examination a few moments after I
arrived. It had taken him quite a while before he could present the horse.
The last kilometers I wasn't sure whether the horse would pass the final
vetcheck as his trot did sound regular, but powerless.
Passing the finishline people applauded, but as somebody came to
congratulate, I told her to wait untill after the final vetcheck at 30 minutes
after arrival.
We passed the final inspection. The trot was regular, but less powerfull
than I am used to. The horse looked tired, but still OK. The vets discussed
what to do, pass or fail. They decided to let him pass, but I couldn't be
happy with the situation.
We ended up first, but I won't do this again; riding my horse in these
conditions! I didn't like the way the horse looked and as he is only 7 years
old I think we have to slow down for the rest of the season and not do
another 75 miiles on the first of October, but do another 45 Miles (70
kilometers) instead to make the horse feel comfortable again.
He is in the field now, only little stiff, but further looking fine. I think he has
a great recovery, but as I would like to do 100's with him in the future, I
have to give him time.
QUESTION: You US-people are more familiar with heat and humidity. Do
you train your horse also during the heat of the day or do you wait (just
like most of us here do) till the evening hours and sunset to train?
Desiree Hanen - Hot and sunny Netherlands
(Still... it takes Love over Gold & to finish is to win!)