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I've done 3 25's with Elly, and they were all torture.
She's very competitive and wanted to move out with all the other horses.
I spent those first 75 miles basically holding her back!
At the start of the 50, I was having severe second thoughts...wondering
if maybe I should get her under control at a 25 before attempting a 50, but heck,
I'd just spent $85 bucks, so we went for it.
I was with Karen Chaton and Rocky for the first loop (21 miles).
Both horses were doing great...although we're thinking about
having their transmissions checked. Rocky was loping along,
keeping up with Elly's trot, then when Karen would make him trot,
Elly would start loping--they kept doing that for such a long time
that we were in hysterics. Finally, though, they got it down and
started moving out at a trot. This ride was different for Elly and I.
We let the horses trot out for the first 30 minutes or so, both
passing and being passed by other horses. I think because
Elly had a buddy, she did much better. At one point, we even
stopped to let them rest in the shade while other horses went past,
they both stood there very patiently! I was so proud!!
Then (oh, no!), Rocky got pulled at the first vet check.
The vet took a look at an old cut on his front foot that had broken
loose on the rocks and started bleeding again. He pulled Rocky
without even seeing him trot out--that horse was sounder than a dollar!
Boy was she upset and so was I. I still had 30 miles to go and now
I'd lost my pacer!! Actually, I think that was the best thing for us.
We started out for the second loop (23 miles) and Elly was upset.
Calling to Rocky, spooking at everything, then she settled down.
I let her pick the pace for a lot of that section--trotting when she wanted
and letting her slow to a walk. I don't have a heart monitor yet, so I didn't
know if she was really tired, or just wondering where the end was
("I'm sure we've gone more than 25 miles mom--time to stop?").
That second loop took us about an hour longer than the first, but it included several
water stops. In fact, about 8 miles into it, I knew Elly was getting hot, even
though I was squirting her with my water bottle, so I promised her that when
we found water, she could stand in it for as long as she wanted. Who says
horses don't understand english??? When we came to that first watering hole,
she barrelled around this man (who got really pissed) and stood in the water and
just sighed. I couldn't have kept her out if it for anything. I apologized profusely
to the other rider, who eventually accepted it, when he saw how hot Elly was.
Also, his horse was just standing there too--so I didn't disrupt his drinking!
At the last check, Elly vetted in and we were told we could leave for the last 6
miles immediately. Instead, I let her eat and drink for about 20 minutes before
taking off. She made that last loop just fine and we trotted into camp to a
cheering few--talk about chills. It was great having Karen's husband, Dave, and Otis
(Pat's husband -- Pat top 10'd this ride!) there to welcome me!
I have to give credit to Karen Chaton and Alexandra North. Both of whom
were great helps with lots of advice about what to do to get Elly's attention
and encouragement to do the 50. Without them, I may not have even tried!
Thanks, you guys!!
I took Elly out yesterday for a walk and let her do some grazing.
She felt so good that she'd take a bite of grass and then run circles
around me! It was great to finish with both of us in good shape!! I can't wait for the next one now!!
Dorothy & Elly (my awsome 50 mile horse!)
Taylorsville, CA
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