ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Re: endurance-digest V1 #172

[endurance] Re: endurance-digest V1 #172

rsantana@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Fri, 20 Oct 95 10:39:44 +0900

//--- forwarded letter -------------------------------------------------------
> ------------------------------

> Then the ride began. We did the first fifteen miles in 47 minutes. I went
> 25ish miles when Stashu, who was galloping flat out, smacked into the far
> of a "wash." I thought I knew what a wash was, but they don't look the same
> in Kansas. I would have sworn it was agood sized irrigation ditch. Neither
> of us saw until we were airborne. From what others have told me, Stashu
> went down with his head between his legs then slid along his left side
> while I did two somersaults over his head. I remember seeing his foot
> ALMOST clear the top of the bank. Then I was on the ground thanking my
> higher power that I was alive. (I broke my clavicle in two places and I am
> plenty sore but alive.)
> Joy Mahler (VA) was also on the ground, curled up in a fetal position.
> I sent Steve on with Stashu to get help. After everyone left we started
> hoofing our way out. Maggy Price came by. She had briefly been in the lead
> (in the wrong direction) when her horse bolted after receiving a leg
> splitting kick. Blood was running over his hoof.
> A couple of local competitors came by and warned us about the bull in the
> pasture, but we just didn't care at that point. EMT Brett Myers (crewing
> for Heather Hoyns, who ponied Joy's horse)and a guy from the sheriff's
> posse came to the rescue in a 4X4 before the bull finished what was left of
> us off. Joy ended up with many bruises and the next day decided she
> probably had broken her thumb. Lucy and I had tea at the local hospital. A
> few minutes after we got back, armed with sling and pain killers, to check
> on Stashu, Steve and Hawk trailered in. At 42 miles Hawk got a muscle
> cramp. They trotted him out for the walking wounded and by then he was
> fine. (Thank Goodness). I heard several other people got hurt running into
> barbed wire and I wanted to send my sympathy to Debby LaBerge who had a
> nasty accident in the dark. She was still in the hospital when we left, and
> I heard she was suffering from broken ribs. It is awful.
> For ride results I know that Nina Warren won, Chrissy Unser second, Cindy
> Simcox and Heather Hoyns were top ten. I was in a bit of a fog so I only
> caught results of people from the East. Sorry this is incomplete.
>
> I am still walking around thinking we are all lucky to be alive and I am
> grateful to only be in a sling for a mere ten weeks.. That, too will pass
> ;). --
> Peace,
> Dinah
> - --
> Peace,
> Dinah
>
Dinah,
It sounds like you had a very bad day. But how are the horses? Too many times I see these
stories about horrible accidents and no mention is made of the poor horse that was involved in
the accident (against his will so to speak). I think this is where some "animal rights"
activists get their notions that we endurance riders "abuse our animals." If we make the effort
to show our concern for the animals then the issue of abuse becomes moot. Please let us know
how the horses came out of this!

Ray Santana
UC Davis Medical Center
Network Operations
rtsantana@ucdavis.edu