Re: Newbie observation (long)

["Janet Zito" <pauljan@integrityonline4.com>]

I agree with Heidi - the Renegade Rendevous was a tough ride.  Probably the
toughest 25 miler I have ever done!  (We had done the 50 at Klickitat,
too.)  I took it slow and easy at Klickitat as it was our first for the
year, and did the same at the Renegade, especially with the lack of water
and the heat.  I was really proud of the way so many took GREAT CARE of
their horses!  That is what being a team is really all about!  There were
quite a few riders that did not complete in time, (hubby, Paul was one of
them) but they took good care of their horses FIRST!  And they all received
completions!  Thanks Gail for the challenge and the opportunity to ride in
that beautiful country!
jan & Milagro 

----------
> From: Heidi Sowards <ribbitttreefrog@yahoo.com>
> To: * * <ridecamp@endurance.net>
> Subject: RC:  Newbie observation (long)
> Date: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 11:39 AM
> 
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> Went to Renegade Rendevous this past Sat. Opted for a 25.
> The weather was HOT (93 in the shade) we did a 50 at
> Klickitat 2 weeks prior, and all my riding buddies were
> doing a 25, so went along with the gang. A great decision
> in the end. Trail water was very sparse, and after a 50, I
> am really glad we did a 25. It was still a tough 25, and
> afterwards, EVERYONE was complaining about the lack of
> trail water. It was a legitimate complaint, but my
> observation is this:
> 
> Klickitat was a fairly flat ride, ALOT of water, and yet
> that ride had many pulls as well as horses that got into
> alot of trouble metabolically. (We were one of them with
> Rick's horse Classy.) It is one of those rides where people
> go, "It's a flat easy ride, we'll do great!"
> 
> Renegade: hot, steep ups and downs, not alot of water.
> Although people complained and had to go miles without
> water for their trusty steeds, there were not as many
> problems. (Getting lost was the biggest as the elk and jeep
> people pulled down the flags in places.) Horses seemed to
> do okay really, mine did better here than at Klickitat,
> better vet scores, etc. (I know it was only a 25, but it
> really is a tough 25.)
> 
> Anyway my point is this, people raced more at Klickitat,
> got more competitive, felt it was an "easy" ride for their
> horses, and consequently had scores and sick horses to
> prove it. (This is a general statement folks, no flaming
> please.) At Renegade, everyone knew it was going to be
> tougher, took it more easy, had to baby their horses more,
> and the lack of distressed horses showed it. Why can't we
> all ride like it's a tough, rugged ride? Even the "easy"
> ones should be treated like they could kill your horse,
> because they can.
> 
> Being in a 25, and being at the front of the pack, I really
> did not see any racing except for one individual, whom I
> must say really dissappointed me. (No names here folks.)
> This person showed little respect for his horse or the
> other riders on the trail. At one point, going down a
> fairly steep, hill with little switchbacks and loose
> dirt/rocks, he approached me from the rear. I felt crowded,
> but as there really was no safe place to pass yet, was
> going to offer to move over at the bottom and let this guy
> go past. There were 5 or 6 of us riding together at this
> point, 2 being Juniors. We were walking fast down the hill,
> but being careful. This guy didn't ask to pass, just said
> "Passing" and went by me on the high side of the trail,
> crowding me and all the other riders he went by, it could
> have really been dangerous had any horses got mad or felt
> threatened. At the vet check, he argued with the "pulse"
> person, that his monitor said his horse was down, although
> she said it was still too high. This guy came in after me,
> we pulsed down immediately (a 48 BTW) untacked and went
> thru the vets line, waiting for 3 horses ahead of me. His
> was still not down, that's when I had to take my horse over
> near his, to help it drop its pulse. Finally it was down.
> First words out of his mouth when they said his number was
> down was, "Are we top ten?" (I feel sorry for HIS horse!)
> 
> Okay, now my brag, we were 9th, 2nd for BC and tied with
> the highest vet score. (Now 9th was good, but it was just
> the icing on the cake after the other awards. Shows me that
> my horse and I took good care of each other and still did
> well.) Now onto more 50's!!!
> 
> Heidi and Mighte El Donte (Who pranced around the next day
> like he just arrived in camp!)
> ===
> Heidi              /\_/\~
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