ridecamp@endurance.net: Fall XP - 5-day results, Ride & Tie history, and the Orlov

Fall XP - 5-day results, Ride & Tie history, and the Orlov

Stephanie Teeter (step@fsr.com)
Sun, 7 Sep 1997 15:48:07 -0700

Hi group -

I just got back last night from the Fall XP. Had a great time,
though the weather was a little unsettled - lots of rain and
thunderstorms. Fortunately the soil in this country drains
really fast (as in flash floods at lower elevations!) so the
footing was generally perfect for the horses - never really
got muddy - plus it was nice and cool during the days for
the horses.

The country we rode through is gorgeous! Camp was
3 miles from the border of Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park,
the heart of red-rock country in Southern Utah. We
rode on ATV trails, single track trail through red cliffs,
roads and meadows. Great riding. We were supposed
to move camp on the last day, and ride the rim of
Zion Nat'l Park, but the Park Service vetoed it because
of all the rain - didn't want the trail torn up.

Around 30-40 horses started each day, plus a crazy
Ride & Tie team! Steve Shaw and George Hall made
Ride & Tie history by doing the entire 250 mile course
with their horse Cougar's Clown (they gave Clown one
day off on Wednesday and rode Fire Mt. Cinder). Really
an amazing accomplishment.

Here are the 5-day results:
Norma Birch Mey Szaboom 25:06
Alexandria Luck VP Golden Musk 28:43
Nicole Luck VP Ima Rose Grey 28:44
Jim Deardorff Zee 29:09
Carol Andrews Thundering Heart 31:33
Phylis Bartholomew Merab Aushwebe 32:59
Cheri Briscoe MMF Faramir 41:14
Michell Rousch Newt 41:35
Elise Geske Bey Shado 42:36
Judy Etheridge Shiko's Tamar 42:36
Patricia Verheul Razada 47:08
Trilby Pederson M Ben Farwiz 47:08

Overall BC was Phylis Bartholomew's horse, Merab Aushwebe.

Steve Shaw, George Hall, Cougar's Clown and Fire Mt. Cinder
finished the 250 mile course in 35:15 !!

Monday - first and BC was Beverly Gray and AA Bravo
Tuesday - first was Beverly Gray and Bravo, BC was
Dave Rabe and WW Dirty Dancer
Wednesday -
Thursday - first and BC was Don Skinner and 'J.R.'
Friday - first was Dave Rabe, I can't remember the BC

We had a great week. I rode my half Orlov, Nature's Kruschev
the first three days - by the end of Wednesday he was starting
to feel off of the right front - trotted fine for completion, but I decided
not to go out again on him. He's had a great year and it's time
for a few months off. He did 985 miles this year - completed
2 5-day rides, the Tevis, got 2 Best Conditions, took my husband
on his first endurance ride :) - really a fine horse. I feel fortunate
to have him.

I rode our new horse, a registered Orlov Trotter, on Friday. What
a gas!! We just got him this summer. He was imported from
Russia in '89 along with two other Orlovs by Doris Ganton. She
does combined driving and invested in these horses so that
she could compete internationally. She was quite successful
with them. She had been trying to sell one of the 3 horses for
the past few years as an endurance prospect - she's retired
from Int'l competitiong - but was asking far too much money.
Finally this year she contacted me through Lari Shea. I saw
the horse, fell in love - and the price was right! He's really
an amazing animal - 16 hh, built a lot like an Arab - lean
muscled but very big boned - he really looks exotic. And
can he trot!! He's very hot and aggressive and loves the
work. At 13 yrs he won't have a long endurance career, but
he's sound and has a good foundation (he even raced for 2
years at the Hippodrome in Moscow) and I can't wait
to get him fit so I can let him go. I held him back most
of the day on Friday because he's really not fit enough
to race - but we still finished 4th. It's been a long time since
I've ridden a horse with this much drive and ability. He's
going to be fun! My husband rode him Monday and
Wednesday (much slower) and he (John) was totally
exhausted from holding him in. He gladly handed me
the reins on Friday!

I'm totally hooked on the 5-day rides - a very enjoyable
experience. The intensity and comraderie are wonderful.
Many new friends are made.

I don't know how many years Dave Nichols has been
doing this ride (I think his first XP ride was Missouri
to Sacramento in 1979) but he really has the system
down. Glitches and mishaps are taken in stride - and
his good humour makes it a fun time for all. He has a
sharp eye for the horses - and he and his wonderful
wife Ann, know every horse and rider by name.

A good time!

Steph Teeter

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