Events
Groups
Rider Directory
Market
RideCamp
Stuff
Before sharing the story of our ride, let me first say that the Parowan to
Brian Head (Utah) Ride was great. The Ride Manager Gwen Farmer did a
wonderful job and had a great support staff. Everyone had a good time and
alot of laughs--particularly at me. I will start by reminding that "he who
laughs last, laughs loudest".
My equally novice friend Tonda Jensen and I started our adventure to Parowan
(only our second 30 miler) on Friday--2 hours late! A tire on the trailer
decided to attract a nail overnight which I immediately interpreted as a bad
omen. The dark thunder clouds and ominous weather forecast did nothing to
dispell my concerns. Times like Friday afternoon make me question my sanity,
particularly when I'm loading my trusty 1250 pound 1/4 horse Thumper. (By
the way, I'm auditioning Thumper's replacement which is another great story
for another time). On second thought, maybe Thumper's performance this
weekend has something to do with his impending retirement!
After a somewhat dubious start, we raced TO Parowan. It is nice to have a
friend with a Powerstroke Ford Turbo and a big six horse 5th wheel trailer.
It gave me some sense of security to remember how safe you all said these
outfits were as we were flying down the Interstate. I did sheepishly remind
Tonda that her lawyer could not do much to help her if we were both sitting
in jail--besides, who would take care of our horses?
Everything went exactly as you experienced riders predicted on Ridecamp. We
had everything (including the kitchen sink) and couldn't find anything at
ride time--especially the list of what not to forget. We did not have a
crew. They quit after our first Endurance Ride (and you said husbands
couldn't quit).
Since we didn't arrive until late, we vetted in before the ride.
Interesting how everyone smiles as I walk Thumper to the vet. The Arabs are
prancing and excited; Thumper is still asleep. His resting pulse is one
beat above dead. The vet checked him over and gave him all A's--except
attitude and that was a B. (I read that part to Thumper hoping that the
insult would fire him up).
At start time, we were off with the leaders. Tonda's little Snowy River was
actually moving forward! This was a major accomplishment. When her husband
first brought him home 6 months ago (of course telling her that she had to
have an Arab for endurance), I asked if he planned on collecting on her
insurance. The farrier had to sedate the poor little thing just to get the
old shoes off of him. The Vets still won't do some of the tests on him--they
just write "KICKS"! Yesterday, Snowy River showed his true colors and won
the Gold Medal for the Utah Summer Games. Actually, he was not quite first
because you had to pay an extra entry fee to be part of the Utah Games and
the first place rider had not paid the fee. Who won? We never saw anyone
ahead of Tonda. What? Someone came in 45 minutes ahead on a WHAT? A giant
Mule! A Non Arab? Quite bluntly--the Mule kicked our Butts! And we never
even saw him!
Now, my dear sweet calm quarter horse has been hanging around your Arabs too
long. He stayed with Tonda to the fifteen mile vet check. The ladies at P
& R offered a curtesy check for the "lovely quarter horse" and were
astonished as they announced that he had the best P&R at that time. This vet
pointed out that he LIKED the 1/4 horse attitude! Thump immediately grazed
off--eating and drinking everything in sight. Afterall, he is a ranch horse
and these great mountain trails and aspen forests at 9000 feet are home to
him. Reins? My roping rein is fine around his neck. He is a 1/4 horse--he
is not going anywhere except to lunch.
Now we are headed down. Gee Thump, do we really have to keep up with Tonda
and Snowy River? Aren't you tired? I know you have the longest trot here but
we don't really have to do this--afterall, you're a 1/4 horse. Then we
reached a check point at the end of a very steep trail. I stopped to
adjust my Sport Saddle which has now climbed Thumper's neck. I pulled the
saddle and pad off just as the gentleman at the checkpoint scrapped a chair
on the ground and my sweet 1/4 horse spooked (wait that's an Arab thing!).
He then looked down the road in total disgust that we were so far behind.
As I grasped for the rein with warnings from my cowboy friends echoing in
my ears, Thump just trotted off and left me! My 1/4 horse would never LEAVE
me!
Word spread like wildfire (or at least radio fire) that a riderless AND
SADDLELESS horse was on the trail. As I was securing my saddle, Mike
Thornton trotted off the trail. I told him Thumper would stop for lunch and
asked him to tie Thump up as I would be hiking down shortly. Three and a
half long (and thank God downhill miles later), Mike had found Thumper and
was walking both our horses back. THANKS MIKE!
Now what? Can't quit--this is endurance--right? Bare back up the mountain to
the saddle and the check point and start again. By now I haven't seen
another horse for what seemed like hours. Thumper is pouting because all the
Arabs have gone and I figured we had to be the last team on the mountain.
We were past the 7 hour mark so there was no sense in pushing. We walked
and trotted and Thump just kept pushing me. Where did this spirit come
from? We don't need to do this Thump.
The finish line is in sight. A P&R volunteer yells to get him in--we are
WHAT? TOP TEN! HOW? Thump runs into P&R at a 42. His final vet check was
all A's--including ATTITUDE! I'm in shock. Out of 24 riders we are in 9th
place--and did an extra 7 miles (on foot).
As it turned out, the ride was very long (30 miles?) for everyone. Out of
24 starting riders, only 3 (the Mule, Tonda and Mike Thornton--at least I
didn't cost him a completion) made it in under 7 hours. It was a beautiful,
rugged and exciting ride--even from the ground. Well, Thump, shall we try
for 50 at Deer Springs?
Joane and Thumper the Wonderful 1/4 Horse with an Attitude!
Events
Groups
Rider Directory
Market
RideCamp
Stuff