ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] MERA story

[endurance] MERA story

Samm C Bartee (bartesc@mail.auburn.edu)
Tue, 28 May 1996 08:39:47 -0500 (CDT)

The MERA Classic Challenge was very much that this year! With heat in
the upper 90's all weekend, and the humidity in the upper 90's as well,
the weather did not co-operate very well. Everyone had a blast though,
and the trails were very nice. There was plenty of shade on most of the
loops, and quite a bit of water for MS in the late spring. Ride
management did a great job of driving around and making sure that riders
and horses had plenty of water on the hot loops, and for the most part
everthing went well.
On Saturday, I was riding the 65 with my Jr. We wanted to ride
conservatively in case we were crazy enough to want to ride the next
day. My best friend Kathy was on the LD ride, and didn't drink
enough--got dehydrated and got very lost. So, she dehydrated even more.
Management was dispatched after my husband Lance convinced them that she
may ride slow, but not THAT slow!! She was fine after a rest and plenty
of water and bananas. Her horse Sir Jon was in great shape. He had been
eating plenty of grass as she was wandering around.
Revel and I finished in great shape, and my mare with the JR rider looked
awesome! I decided that as much as I want that medallion, my horse is #1
priorty, so we wisely opted to not ride day two. Too much heat and
humidity for two days of it.

Day two was the 100 miler, and several people opted to drop back and do
the lesser distances. Quite a few that were pre-entered did not show
because of heat. What a great day! It wasn't quite as hot as Sat, and
management started everyone off really early so that helped a bit too.
Kathy decided to brave the heat again, and against our wishes, she rode
on Sun. Since there was such a small group for LD, they rode together
for the whole thing. Finished withing 5 minutes of each other.
The 100's were paired up and had great crews with them, so they did much
better than was expected because of having such wonderful crew people.
It really does make a huge difference!!
Kathy did herself in by riding day two--big lesson learned--DO NOT let a
dehydrated rider go out. She finished ok, but the toll was too much, and
she wound up with heat exhaustion. A RN, two vets and several vet
students kept a close eye on her for several hours, and with bags of ice
and ice boots--Thanks Marilyn--we got her through it.
Too often, we pay lots of attention to the horses, but not to ourselves!
This is not good. Overall, the biggest concern for the weekend was
Kathy, and no horses needed treatments due to the rigors of the days or
the trails. It was a big sigh of relief when the last 100 milers came
off the trail looking like they had not been ridden at all!!!
If you are ever in shot of the rides put on at this campground--Witch
Dance I or II, or MERA Classic Challenge, go. They are wonderful. No
frills, no food, but entries are low--$5.00 over mileage ridden, and we
had t-shirts for completion. There was a hay ride for the kids at night,
and on cool nights there will be a big bonfire for the late nighters.
Plenty of water in camp for horses and people, and lots of hospitality!!
You are only 5 miles from Houston MS, and that is civilization.
Wal-Mart, fast food places, etc. The trails are nice--rolling but not
too steep, and there is water on the trail and plenty of crew access.
Management is very experienced and has been involved in this sport for
many many years, both riding and managing. Kids are especially welcomed,
and Jr riders are treated as people too. The motto for those rides is
"Fun for the entire family"!! So come on down--or up for you FL riders!
We would love to see you.

APPY TRAILS

SAMM C. BARTEE
Auburn, Al. SE Region
with
SIR REVEL--only 5 miles to 1000
MOONLIGHT JET--just getting started at 16