1999 Pony Express Ride <story~long>

[DreamWeaver <karen@chaton.gardnerville.nv.us>]

This ride began with a little different beginning (and ending) than most 
multiday rides do (for most people).  Most normal people would be content 
to just go ride 250 miles in 5 days.  But not me.  Nope, I had this crazy 
idea that since I couldn't possibly miss the NASTR ride, in Palomino Valley 
(north of Reno) that I would just sorta do it on the way to the XP. No 
problem, right?  (and most don't end up in the ER, though I know I'm only 
one of four from this ride who did end up there)

The NASTR ride had a good turnout.  It was well attended and the club did a 
great job of putting on the ride this year.  It was a fairly warm day and I 
wasn't used to the heat.  I rode Weaver and he seemed to handle it quite 
well, in spite of still having a heavy winter coat.  We had a good ride, 
finishing in 3rd place.  I let him rest a couple of hours then hauled both 
horses to Nikki's place in Fallon where we were to stay the night on our 
way to Fort Schellbourne and the XP ride.  Nikki helped place my boyz in a 
nice big corral, hauled water in for them and we got them fed and taken 
care of.  I was just realizing how sick I was from the heat of the day and 
by the time we got to the restaurant I was...well....let's just say it 
wasn't pretty and I'm not sure if Nikki will want to be seen in public with 
me again <i was soooo embarrassed>. What a way to start out a long trip.

Was up and on our way early the next morning.  Feeling a lot better, 
managed to keep breakfast down and headed off towards the other end of the 
state of Nevada.  I had not realized how many mountain passes there were to 
haul over.  Nevada is anything but flat.  I normally have a 400+ mile range 
with my truck but on this day that was not the case.  I arrived in Ely and 
promptly put 34.4 gallons of diesel into my 34 gallon tank <sigh of 
relief>.  Drove the remaining 35 miles or so to the ridecamp location and 
pulled in.  Immediately saw Jim Mitchell who saved me a spot.....right next 
to the showers (yes, we had HOT showers every day!) and water - THANX 
JIM!!! :-)))  It had taken us about 6 1/2 hours to get here from the time 
we left Fallon, including gassing up, stopping for the horses, etc.  There 
are fairgrounds and rest stops along the way that are great places to stop 
and give the horses a break, turn them out, stay the night if you need to.

Got all set up, relaxed.  Had a wonderful shade tree to sit in and shoot 
the bull.  Lots of riders, camp filled quickly.  Everybody was in a good 
mood.  I asked about checking in.  Just got laughed at.  Well, what about 
getting a vet card. Again, got laughed at.  Okay.  Well, we do at least 
have a ride meeting sometime, right?  Well yeah, probably.  <g>  No need 
for numbers either, everybody there knows you by name.....yep that's right 
--- all 93 riders on the first day.  :)

We did vet in sometime that evening.  I decided to ride Rocky on M-W-F and 
Weaver on Tue-Th.  Becky Glazer had me all but talked into riding Rocky all 
5 days, but I didn't change --- came close though!  I have Rocky entered in 
Tevis and really want to keep his weight up and felt that 5 days might be 
just a tad bit much.  Plus I hauled that other brown horse all that way, 
had to git him rid some too, right?

Day 1 was the Indian Creek 50.  (I saved all my maps or else I would not 
have remembered squat!).  I had met up with Linda Cowles the day before and 
somehow or other I ended up riding with her and Brenda (?) out on the trail 
a couple of miles from the start.  Rocky and Gavelin seemed to get along 
well together, so we stayed together off and on during the days that I rode 
the grey beastie.  We had a great time gabbing going down the trail, and I 
think Barney (vet) teased us a couple of times about whether or not we were 
'talking enough'.  Sure made the time go by fast, and we were having so 
much fun!

The trail was unexpectedly inspiring.  I truly had not expected to have 
such a nice trail.  This is definitely one of the nicest multiday trails I 
have ever ridden.  It was also a nice surprise to find that the ride was of 
moderate difficulty (*not* flat).  The entire trail was very well marked, 
the maps were done very well.....obviously ride management knows what they 
are doing (I better not say too much, we don't want Duck getting a big head 
or anything, right?) <vbg>.

The lunch stop was an oasis.  Beautiful thick green grass, with a creek 
flowing thru.  The volunteers had shade tents.  They had sandwiches for us, 
several choices to choose from, chips, drinks, water.....and even with that 
many horses, no vet lines.  You P&R'd, (gate into hold)  then came back a 
1/2 hour or more later to vet.  One hour hold.  The horses really enjoyed 
the green grass, and most everybody shares whatever else they brought - 
whether it be hay, mash, carrots, etc. with all their neighbors.  (because 
of course whatever it was somebody else brought that you didn't, it'll be 
what your horse wants, and vice versa).

Lunch each day was exactly 25 miles into the ride.  (just ask the Duck).

hehe

Rocky, having been allowed to go a little faster at his last ride, needed 
some serious brain re-adjustment therapy on this first day.  We did do it 
my way, much to his dismay.  I made him go at a slow, easy pace.  Finished 
somewhere in the middle of the pack.  Took most of the day, it was a very 
enjoyable day.

On the second day the map called it the "Fort Schellbourne XP 50".  We hit 
the Roostarama stage road, and went up and around El Capitan.  One could 
only imagine what it would have been like to actually ride a stagecoach on 
some of these trails.  Incredible.  The views, again, were fantastic.  I 
love riding in the mountains, and in a forest to boot---what fun.  Weaver 
had had a couple of days to recover from doing the NASTR 50 and he was 
feeling strong and solid.  I kept a close eye on his HR and recoveries, 
making sure he was up to the task of riding in the front of the pack. Even 
the front runners were running at a conservative pace so I had no problem 
keeping him up near the front.  There were five grey horses in front, and 
we were the first 'colored' horse :-).  (except of course for Ruby the mule 
who is definitely not grey!)

I had a blond moment and at the lunch stop, took my helmet off and it 
disappeared.  Ugh!!!  My out time came and I frantically looked for it 
everywhere.  It was nowhere to be found.  Yikes!!  I guess if I have to 
ride a horse without a helmet, my choice would be Weaver.  Well, so guess 
what he did? <bg>  We're cruising along down the trail, full speed 
trot....when out of nowhere......appears......(horse monster!)......a 
*water trough*. Eeeeeeeek!!! I had just gotten done telling Pat Murray that 
because I felt sooo naked without my helmet that my horse would probably 
spook. So guess what.....we came upon this trough around a tree, and Weaver 
did an instant 90 degree turn to the right. (several other riders' horses 
spooked here too)  I managed to stay on....barely.....trying to remember if 
this horse had ever spooked at a trough before (don't think so).  Murphy's 
law, eh? I did get the helmet back in the crew stuff that night....boy I 
feel uncomfortable without it!

After lunch Dave R's horse lost a shoe, so he and Bev slowed down a 
bit.  Two others went ahead as I didn't think Weaver needed to continue at 
that pace (esp. me without a helmet, I'm such a wimp). So I ended up in the 
middle group with a rider named Kristoff (sp?).  We rode together into the 
finish, and since I didn't want to race in I told him to go on ahead and we 
finished in 3rd and 4th place.  Even though we were that far up in the 
front, it was still around 2 (or ?) p.m. when we finished.

Taking care of two horses each day (for one person) is a lot of work. Each 
day I would finish, vet the horse.  Clean up horse, walk both horses. Play 
with the dog. Shower.  Eat (if I remembered).  Drink, sleep, get up and do 
it over again.  Still, even with all this effort we all put forth to 
participate in this wonderful sport, there is still always time to visit 
and talk to all of our existing and new friends.  The bar/restaurant served 
up bountiful meals each night.  They also had hot fudge sundaes, and as 
many riders discovered----since it was a _bar_.....alcohol was served <bg>. 
(btw, Linda Cowles makes very good margaritas!!)

Third day I was back on Rocky again.  So another slow day.  Still working 
on the brain readjustment lessons.  Coolie Basin.  At the lunch stop I 
realized that the chin chain had rubbed him raw <sigh>.  So I put desitin 
on it and decided to ride him with the halter the rest of the ride.  Gav 
and Rocky had been doing well together before lunch, but afterwards we 
slowed down the pace considerably and Rocky just became an absolute 
pill.  He was not happy, so eventually I had to leave and go ahead...and 
when I did Rocky became much, much better.  He was on a loose rein and 
finally listening.  Caught up with the Mitchell's and rode with them for 
awhile.  Their horses were all doing well, and both the juniors (Jamie and 
Alicia) have improved with their riding skills so much -- they looked so 
good trotting on the downhill.....wow.  Again finished somewhere in the 
middle.  Each day there were a few less riders.  Even with all these riders 
there were no vet lines at the ride - the entire time.  Isn't that great?

Fourth day came awfully fast.  McMaughan Canyon.  Horses all around were 
starting to get scratches.  My chestnut never has, and the grey only has 
when it's wet.  I figured that since they both live in Nevada that under 
normal circumstances they wouldn't.  But just the same I kept them really 
clean, and put desitin on Rocky's heels each day. (remembered to stop at 
wal-mart on the way and bought 2 tubes of the generic stuff)  Both horses 
had easyboots on their front feet the entire time, as did dozens of other 
horses.  There were some rocks, but I think that the boots mainly keep the 
horses from getting footsore over the course of 5 days.  This day I had 
some crew help. :)  Came into the lunch stop, told Weaver not to go 
anywhere as he dove into the fresh green grass and headed over to show Jim 
where my crew bag was (he had a nice spot set up by his truck complete with 
buckets of water, etc.).  So about the time I got as far away as I was 
gonna get...Weaver looks around...and zippidy...off he goes down the 
trail....he thought the race was still on and boy could he go faster 
without me along.  Luckily, Kristoff blocked his path so he turned around 
and came back. Barney says that horses are like children and one should not 
tell them that they can't do, cuz that will be exactly what they will 
do.  (see Sandy, he's NOT perfect!!)

Each day you have to vet your horse again before starting.  This day I 
trotted Weaver out and smacked (my hand) right into a parked truck.  Duck 
said he wanted to see if I'd mention that on the internet. <hehe>  (do any 
of you think he'd stop me from running into the truck though? huh????)

lol

So where am I.  Oh yeah, finishing up day 4.  This time there was a group 
of 5 of us that rode together in the front. Again, I was the only one on a 
colored horse.  Before we got to the finish line we arranged our finishing 
order (should I be giving away secrets like this?)  Pat is the one who 
arranged it, and that's how it was....well....was fine with me since they 
put me into 3rd place (why argue, huh?).  Bev was to go first since she was 
the only one on a five day horse, and Bravo did look really good...nice 
horse.  Dave Rabe was second (since he kept us from getting lost, remember 
I can't even trot my horse out), and then me, Kristoff and then Pat. Pat 
came in the front on another day or two and got B/C two days so I guess she 
was feeling generous.  :-)   At the very end the three of us went in 
together, Bev, Dave and I (me in the middle).  Weaver was in his rope 
halter, as usual, and headed towards camp (and Rocky).....I told him he 
better behave himself if he snuck past the other two we'd be in *big 
trouble*.  hehe  I managed to keep him a half a nose length back behind 
Dave, so we didn't screw up Pat's plans.

Then just like that, the last day of the ride was upon us.  Hard to believe 
how fast the time and the miles had gone before us....just melted away as 
if in a daze.....what a wonderful week.  (I didn't mention anything about 
bugs did I, because there sure weren't any bugs)  ;^)

Saddled up Rocky for the last days ride.  It was kind of sad to be so close 
to being over with.  This day we did the Ranger Trail.  They had saved the 
best trail for the last day.  We climbed the mountain ahead of us - Rocky 
full of enthusiasm and energy.....I had put him in a rope halter with rings 
on the sides since I didn't want to rub his chin with the hack...and he was 
very well behaved.  Again I had the pleasure of riding with several nice 
people - another Pat (from WA) on her stallion, boy can he move thru the 
technical stuff -- and Dee (from Sonoma, don't know her last name).  We 
(Dee and I) spent most of the last day riding together.  After lunch she 
mentioned that we were in 8th and 9th place and how she had never top 
tenned before.

Linda Cowles was nice enough to help me out at the lunch stop on this 
day.  She was great with Rocky.  He was very much "up" at the lunch check, 
and she walked him around while he grazed and took good care of him. She 
even had a chair set up for me, with water (just like Jim had the day 
before, way kewl). I had a nice roast beef sandwich (btw, all their 
sandwiches have nice crisp lettuce) and some punch for lunch.  The day 
before we had BBQ'd hot dogs.

Dee and I left the lunch hold together and just got the gate closed when 
here come Joan and Ted, hot on our heels.  I get back on Rocky and tell 
Dee, come on they won't catch us (dumb thing to say).  As we're flying down 
the trail, Rocky sort of starts pawing with his front foot.  I stopped him, 
got off and found that his easyboot had popped up over the front of his 
foot.  The heel strap was on the back and it was wedged on there tight.  So 
I hop off, wrestling with it to no avail. <damn>  Here come Ted and Joan, 
zooming right past us.  Luckily, Rocky was very good and behaved 
himself.  Dee handed me her knife, I was about to cut it off but then 
decided to try prying it off with the hoofpick.  good thing I clip a 
hoofpick right onto my saddle.  Finally got it pried off, put everything 
back in it's place and off we went. We kept an eye on the horses HR's---we 
were going pretty fast up hill but kept them under 160.  Seen passed up Ted 
and Joan and kept going.

I knew we had to get out of site ahead of them, or they'd be hot on our 
heels the rest of the way into the finish.  Dee didn't mind cantering, so 
we put the horses into a really nice canter and flew down the trail for 
quite a ways.  Rocky's best gait is a canter :).  Their HR's stayed 
low.  We slowed to a trot on the downhill, but maintained a constant 
speed.  It was neat to see Dee get her first top ten, and guess 
what......they gave us each a POPSICLE at the finish line (thanx 
Robbi!!)   It was a great way to end a remarkable week.

The Mitchell family ended up with two of them (April~mom and Jamie, 12 on 
JD and Lancelot) completing all five days, and the other two (Jim~dad and 
Alicia, 14 on Fire Mt. Smoke and Shiko's Tamaar) completing four days.  Jim 
and April can use me as an example for their kids of what *not* to do when 
you are finished riding a multiday ride <bg>.

You guys have probably figured out that I'm recovering quite nicely from my 
mishap in the corral with the horse on Friday night.  Doc says it should 
only be a few weeks before I'm back to normal (normal, he thinks I'm going 
to be normal, hahahahaha).  I figure if it takes a normal person a few 
weeks to recover that I'll be 100% by the weekend, right?

Each day we climbed anywhere from 4300 to 6400 feet.  These rides tend to 
attract more of the well-prepared type of riders and horses who have the 
sense to ride within their abilities.  It's nice to see that. :)  Riders 
came from all over, several different regions were well represented.  Dave 
(aka The Duck), Annie and all their help (including family & Barney and 
Linda) did a fantastic job and I would most *definitely* recommend this 
ride to anybody.

I believe 37 horses and riders completed all 5 days.  10 of us completed 
all 5 days on different horses.  We started with about 93 horses and it 
dwindled slowly down to around 63 on the 5th day.  Bev Gray and Bravo were 
first overall.  Hugh Vanderford was 2nd overall (and 1st HW, w/ 1 B/C).  I 
don't remember a whole lot else of the awards.....I have a bunch of XP pins 
now, and a t-shirt.  Jim Mitchell put some XP pictures up 
here:  http://userzweb.lightspeed.net/navion/XP%20Pics3.htm  Linda Cowles 
will have more to add and hopefully some more pictures too.  :)

Happy Trails,

Karen
in NV
& Weaver, 2,880 miles
& Rocky, 1,595 :+)
www.greatbasin.net/~sportssaddle


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