ridecamp@endurance.net: Paradise Cup (story and results)

Paradise Cup (story and results)

Betsy O'Shea (betsy@micoks.net)
Thu, 23 Oct 1997 09:52:17 -0600

Well, about the only part of me that is not sore or swollen today are my
fingers so I thought I'd type a report about the wonderful ride Bob and
Robin Kurtz put on yesterday at the Smithville Lake trails, just Northeast
of Kansas City Missouri. Although it was an Endurance ride, there were quite
a few NATRC folks there as riders and helpers, since our Region 6 rides are
done for the year. Our own Lucy Hirsch DVM was assisting the vets. The
weather was ideal and the trails perfect, in footing, marking, clearing,
variety and beauty. In addition to regular marking, Robin puts a distinctive
ribbon on turns and it is on the side of the side of the trail in the
direction that the turn goes. This makes for nice smooth turns, particularly
if you are trotting. There were about 15 people who rode the 50 mile and a
very large group riding the 25 mile. Only one person didn't complete. Robin
had put out a lot of nifty stuff on the trail to give us a laugh the one I
liked best was a sign that said "goose", and a little ways farther down the
trail was the next sign that said "chicken" and the last sign that said
"duck" and it was just before a large tree that had fallen across the trail
and you needed to duck. Glo and I completed our first 50 mile ride in about
11 hours 30 min. I was thrilled as this has been our goal for several years
and we finally did it! I was several hours behind everyone else but I had
planned to ride it in 12 hours, so the pot luck and awards were going on
when I came in. Everyone stood and cheered when I came in; it was just
thrilling and brought tears to my eyes. We won the turtle award which was a
ceramic turtle that had holes and you can play it like a musical instrument.
Robin told the crowd that was to keep me occupied for the 14 hours I was out
on the trail. :>)). We also won the best dressed award. That was a shocker,
so for the fashion conscious on the list, I will describe how we looked. My
horse is a red chestnut and I rode him in a biothane vosel that was bright
blue with yellow trim. I had a brand new saddle (which is why I am so sore)
and it is in several shades of brown which matched the light rust saddle pad
and my dark rust chaps. My jacket was bright blue that matched the bridle.
The award was a great sponge in a holder, with line and snap that Robin had
made. The completion awards were colorful t-shirts that Robin had designed
herself which had a horse with dark glasses, sitting in a chaise lounge, on
a tropical island the writing "just kicking back" THE PARADISE CUP. Glo
came through the ride in wonderful condition, with A- over all, and was very
alert with good attitude. Both judges complimented me on taking such good
care of my horse and I was most proud of that - which I learned how to do in
CTR. The camp site was in one of Robin's pastures, the vet checks in her
arena, there were several watering tanks, as well as the water on the truck
and campfires and singing both nights. We toasted marshmellows and I was
treated to my first schmorz (spelling). It was a wonderful weekend sharing
good times with my horse and a lot of fun people. The hard work the Kurtz's
put in on the ride was appreciated by everyone.The next ride to report will
be the MODTRA ride, which is a halloween costume ride. I don't think I can
outdo Becki Jackson as Amelia Earhardt but I am busy thinking and sewing.

Will only give you all the 50's and top 10 of the 25's---had 8 first time
riders!! with one pull that left 33 25's!

1.Patti Crawford/Sassy-6:10
2.Marybelle Cooper/SM Gata Smoke+--BC
3.Justin Cooper/SS Smokey Haze+/
4.Ginger Beason/ Whistle
5.Nancy Metz/SS True Grit
6.George Nixson/Abby
7.Stacy Crews/CC Pharrlap
8.Karren Beason/ S.N.Blaze
9.Denise Livesay/Sharo
10.Jason Matthews/TF Wisraff
11.John Matthews/TF Nariadni
12.Lem Beason/Boondoggle
13.Monte Mitts/ Racer
14. Betsy O'Shea/ Afterglow

25's--they were placed by BC score
1. Kathleen Prescott/Jazzy/ 3:04/ BC
2. Debbi Trimble/Lazaras
3. Evelyn Betz/ Contessa
4. Danielle Levengood/ Shadow
5. Kelly Lynch/Foxie Big Girl
6. Winnie Cutter/ Princess
7. Marni Nelson/Bint Marlee Anne
8. Judy Ryan/Zane Grey Dan D
9 .Peggy McGinnis/Markie
10.Mary Koefod/ Saffron

Betsy O'Shea and Afterglow
Paola, Kansas

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