4-5 years ago I was riding the Castle Rock 50. There is a section
of trail on the second loop of the 50 where you go down an almost
verticle hill that is very long that is shale rock. It sounds
like you are walking across glass as the rocks break. I always get off
and lead my horse down this section. Well as I was transcending down
this section, I look back up the hill and there came Becky and Rio -
finishing their last loop of the 70 mile ride. They were trotting down
this hill like they were on the best footing around. They were
perfectly balanced, and they whizzed by me with a smile on their face.
I couldn't believe it. A few minutes latere, another horse and rider
came up behind them trying to catch up. That horse got a very bad gash
on its pastern in the process. The rider was pulled at the next stop.
So - what may be a treachorous downhill to one team, may be a walk in
the park to the best skilled teams. I think like everything else -
walk before you run, and always ride your own ride.
Stacy Berger and Porter
Gilroy, CA