East Coast Ride and Tie Championship: Long (30 mile) Course

Saturday morning dawned cold and foggy. It was beautifully perfect weather for what was about to start. Theresa and I sat around her camp table eating donuts and bagels trying to stay as warm as possible as the sun decided if it was going to rise while we tried to figure out a way to finish by 2 pm to avoid getting ourselves or Gem shot by a kid with a high powered rifle.

(All photos used with purchase and credit to Becky Pearman unless otherwise stated)

How on earth did we get to this point?

Let me back up several months to where it all began with a barely thought out hair brained idea.

Sometime in mid May I caught wind that the East Coast (EC) Ride and Tie (R&T) Championship was coming to Biltmore. The shiny belt buckle for completing the long course haunted my dreams. I wanted it. No, the raccoon in me needed it. But who would be stupid enough to partner with someone who could barely run? Dusty was the obvious choice: he could easily run the whole thing without me, but we didn't have anyone to watch Wyatt for us. Who else?

Then it hit me: Theresa. She is an accomplished trail runner, an endurance rider and just about the nicest person I have ever had the pleasure to meet. The shiny buckle captured her heart as well and she agreed to my insane plan of tackling the 30 mile course.

Time continued on and between the summer heat and Wyatt's therapy schedule I quickly realized that I could either get Gem or myself fit. I didn't have the time to do both.

The summer was mostly spent on myself: Gem sat getting fat and lazy while I put in two nights a week running on the treadmill and one day out in the neighborhood. When August hit I realized I was screwed. Gem hadn't been ridden much at all and I was still topping out at around 3.5-4 miles on my long runs. How was I possibly going to get us both through the 30?

I switched tactics and got two 15 mile rides on Gem (a third attempt was thwarted) and then plum ran out of time. She was as ready as I could get her.

In between all of this, the EC R&T changed venues to my beloved Clemson trails due to a double booked event at Biltmore.  Then the final blow hit: Clemson had also double booked the forest for that same day. Along with our R&T would be a high powered youth rifle hunt. The only day out of the entire year rifles are allowed in the forest and we would all be running and leaving our horses tied to the trees during it.

The RM spoke with the event coordinator and was told they would be taking a safety class in the morning then head out to hunt around 2 pm. She suggested we wear orange and get off the trails by 2. Since the ride started at 7:30 am, that gave us a ride time of 6 1/2 hours.  I had planned on a ride time of closer to 8 hours. Ah...crap.

New ride shirts were offered at an additional fee at the last second. They were perfect!! (Pic by me)

And that is how I found myself up before dawn on a cold morning, eating powdered donuts trying not to think about all the hilly, twisting miles that stood before me and a belt buckle.

 Both of us fatter than I'd like, but still a lovely shot during the vetting. Of note, the head vet came in from CA for this event.

Beautiful head shot captured during vetting on Friday. 

The morning was glorious though and thankfully the weather cooled off for us, so we didn't have to battle heat and distance and terrain all in one go. I knew Gem was under prepared, but could handle it specially since she would be getting breaks along the way. Theresa and I discussed strategy: she wanted 1 mile stretches to avoid tying as much. Honestly, I was just hoping to complete and was thrilled she was game to do this with how under prepared I was for running it. I mean, I did put in 9 miles a week, but it was 6 miles on a treadmill and 3 out in the hills in my neighborhood. Not really great prep for 15 miles of hills and roots. I told her I would go along with whatever she wanted.

Theresa trying out Gem on the way from the barn to start. Sporting her nifty pajamas to boot. 

Ride start. You will notice me hiding off the left trying not to die. 

Being super tense and leaning way forward helps in this case. Will I ever learn??

She started out on foot  as we careened down the hill and over the bridge to enter the red trail and begin our adventure. Gem was in a mood. She was on fire and not listening one bit. The first mile couldn't end fast enough. All I wanted was to get off her and run away, leaving her tied to regain some brain cell function until Theresa found her.

The first tie took me way too long. I couldn't find a tree I liked and when I finally did, I took forever to do it so that by the time I was running off, Theresa was in sight behind me. It took her about 1/2 mile to catch me and I called to her "see you in 1/2 mile!!" as they passed. Gem was staring me down and I swear she tried to run me over as she cantered on by.

My legs felt fantastic and I immediately fell in love with trail running. I went up, over and around everything spreading my arms out like an airplane as I made the turns. I was also grinning from ear to ear like a fool.

A half a mile later, I saw Gem tied to a tree looking for me. I said hello, asked her if she was listening any better now and hopped on. The answer: not really. She charged ahead in a barely controlled canter and we chased Theresa and the other horses down. There were 12 in the 30 and we were the last to tie (more on strategy and what did and didn't work in a later post) so she saw lots of horses passing her.

Always a beautiful site!! Photo by me. 

I caught up to Theresa in about 1/2 a mile or so and she wanted to go another mile, so I rode on and tied Gemmie. It took about half the previous time and soon I took off running. I was enjoying the feel of my legs moving me down the trail on a brisk morning in my favorite deep woods.

Theresa caught running

Finally having fun on Gem!

 We kept that up for the entire first 15 miles. We would exchange in mile increments as we went along although by the time we hit mile 4 or so we were left in everyone's dust. Gem settled down by the second time I mounted her and was more enjoyable from about mile 4 onwards. I don't think she will ever make the start of a ride easy for me, but it is getting quicker and quicker each outing.

Gem also caught back on to the game by the second time I tied her (third time tied for the day total). She would stand looking back for her runner, albeit impatiently and with some pawing, and then once mounted up she would turn her ears forward and charge hunting her runner down. She was ceaseless in her obsession at finding her runner and once spotted, she locked on and went full blown. After she caught up, she would slowly pass and then I swear she started looking into the trees. She knew she would be getting tied shortly. I was amazed at how she loved the game and how seriously she took. It made my heart sing.

Things were going really well until we made the turn from the red trail to blue at around mile 6 or so. It was a sharp right hand turn and there was a downed tree right afterward. Gem decided she didn't have to actually pick her feet up at all and just crashed over it face planting and sending me flying on the other side. Thankfully I landed on my feet and just got back on telling her to start paying attention. She had been so focused looking through the trees for Theresa, that she hadn't even noticed the log.

Switcharoo

I was almost always smiling when on my own two feet

From there it was back to game on. We chased down Theresa, passed, tied and ran off. Eventually she would came hauling up behind me full bore and then pass to repeat again. It typically took them about 1/2-3/4 of a mile to catch me when I was on my feet and I would have them go about another 1/2 mile. At this point we were pretty close to running and riding 50:50. (Both photos below by me)

The trail looks so different when you are on your feet

Where is my horse?? Has it been a mile yet? No! Argh!

Blue isn't my favorite trail. It cuts through some recent logging sections and is hard to follow and pretty bare of shade. I was really glad we ran it in the morning. We hit the most exposed section around 9:30 am. I was on Gem at that point and was chasing Theresa down. I saw her zig zagging down the trail ahead of me and Gem locked on. We made a turn and she was out of sight. I figured the trail had just went around some more turns, but as we went I kept not seeing her. How fast could she be going?? We were putting in 10 mph miles at this point. Seriously, how fast could she go??

Just as I was cresting a hill and contemplating calling her on my phone I heard her scram my name from behind me. Huh?? Apparently she had stopped to pee and missed a turn. I hopped off and held Gem while she caught up and then took off running telling her I would see her in 1 mile.

Around that same time, I crashed.

Pretty sure I was about to die here. No longer having fun on my feet and was wishing Gem was closer. Photo: me

 I hadn't thought to pack any food or electrolytes with me. I never do on rides and while I had my 2L camelbak that was only filled with water and my body was screaming for more. I needed fuel. I needed elytes. And I had none. Not smart. Not smart at all.

We still had roughly 6-7 miles left, of which I would be running at least 3 and I was spent. I had already run 4 or 5 tough miles keeping up my hopeful sub 10 minute mile pace and my legs felt it. I didn't want to let Theresa down though, so I grabbed one of Gem's carrots from my pack and ate it while keeping my forward momentum as much as possible.

Not the most recommended trail food, but it worked in a pinch.  Photo: me

Eventually we came near the half way check. There is no mandatory hold for a R&T. It is just a gate and go where the runner and rider have to switch. Theresa and I agreed it would be best to have her ride in, so I could get Gem vetted and both of us fed allowing her to cover some miles slowly until we caught up to her.

Gem vetted in with her tack on (strange for me because I have always taken it off) and had a pulse of 52, all As and was allowed to continue. Dusty and Wyatt met us there and he held her while I shoveled food into my mouth. He yelled at me for not taking anything out on trail as he shoved stuff in my pack for later. 10 minutes later I headed out to find Theresa.

Gem was pissed. Thoroughly, completely and utterly the most pissed off I have ever seen her.

She had been gipped of her break and she knew it. At all prior events she would get a 40 minute (except at the end of the 100 but by then I think she didn't really care so much) break to nap, lazily eat and relax. She got 10 minutes and was back on the trail. She was not a happy camper.

She declared that she would then take her stolen break time out on trail and refused to move above a crawl for the first two miles. She crawled along at a 1.5-2 mph pace and anytime I did snap her into a trot she would spook so horrifically at absolutely nothing that I feared a second fall on tired legs. So I walked and worried about how far away Theresa was getting.

After the second mile, she snapped out of it and started to move again. I was relieved and annoyed at the same time. We did eventually catch up to Theresa, but it took us close to 5 miles to do it.

The second loop was my all time favorite of any trail I have ever ridden. Green rides out around Lake Hartwell with beautiful views and trails technical enough to be fun, but easy enough to fly over. I also ate a Gu at mile 18 and within 15 minutes had a second wind I didn't know was in there.

Gem began to use her tied periods to rest in the second half. I caught her full blown, eyes closed napping at one spot.  Photo: me

Gem continued her annoying spooky behavior throwing in some majorly impressive stops and turns for both Theresa and me. Theresa has a very spooky gelding (he is blind in one eye and has a good excuse), so she was used it riding a ping pong ball, but that doesn't make it any more enjoyable. I missed my happy horse from the first loop.

Nothing super special happened the second loop. My legs were shot. I had to walk all the up hills, but forced myself to run the flats and downs at a more than slogging pace. I kept up sub 10 minute paces for the sections I ran, but was crawling up any incline. On a trail that is only ever up or down, that doesn't make for much running.

Curse words were exploding in my head as I approached this climb on foot. We were at mile 20ish with 10 more to go at this point and my legs just refused to run up anything. The mile marker where Theresa would ditch Gem was still 1/2 mile away as I began to trudge up the hill. Photo: me

Theresa on the other hand looked as fresh as when we began. I guess that's what conditioning does for you. I was so glad to have a partner who not only could, but didn't mind picking up my slack. I think she ran all but 4 miles of the entire second 15 mile loop.

But no!! My partner LOVED me!!! There was Gem waiting at the top and I still had 1/4 mile left to go before the true 1 mile mark for the switch. I nearly cried when I saw her. Of course I had to make it up the blasted hill still, but seeing your horse waiting for you takes the lead off your feet.  Photo: me

Soon enough, we came upon the 1 mile to camp mark. We had wanted to cross together, but I was on Gem and she was starting to fade. Gem was tired. More tired than I had ever felt her and also more tired than I thought the effort demanded (more on that later), and I really just wanted to get her to camp and vetted in. Theresa was ok with that and I took off with Gem who knew exactly where we were.

One final time past the photographer 

Running strong. I love her running form and need to learn this from her

Gem and I charged up the 30% grade hill to the finish at a canter and I hopped off immediately. Dusty helped me strip tack, sponge and then 2 minutes after crossing we headed to the vet. She pulsed at 44. Tired mare really wasn't all that tired. She was just pissed off and holding a grudge.

Heading to the final vetting. Theresa is still perky, but I feel ready for a nap

She vetted in great with a B in gut and anal tone, but all As elsewhere, nearly dragged me down the trotting lane and then earned my favorite comment ever from a vet at a check:

Dr. Nathan Hoyt was vetting and he is one of my favorite ride vets. He has a sense of humor, wants people to succeed but cares about the horse too. He went to do her CRI and just laughed saying "CRI...fine"

The scribe, RM and I all said in unison "Fine? Is that an official vet criteria?" and then laughed.

His response???

"When you trot your horse down and back after a 30 mile effort and you hear luuub......duuub.....luuuub......duuuub....you don't have to go all heroic to count it. If you want a number, say 40."

Vet card. I wasn't worried about the two Bs. There was little water on trail and no good grazing. Without the regular hold to stock up, she didn't have time to really fill her tank. Photo: me

So basically after 30 miles, being extremely under prepared with only two 15 mile rides period over the course of 4 months, with a hairy winter coat and highs in the mid 80s, Gemmie's end CRI was only 4 beats over her resting at vetting in.

What is the saying?? You need three things to make a good endurance horse: brains, legs and metabollics. Good luck getting all three at the same time.

Well, she has metabollics to spare and great legs, but she is for sure is missing out on the brains. She is extremely intelligent, but is annoyingly spooky and a little mean deep down inside.

Anyway...

I was extremely proud of my team of 3. Gem did well as usual. Theresa was a rock star and earned her MVP for the team. Without her, I would have been toast and I know it. I made it through somewhere between 10 and 13 miles and 2,538 miles of up and another 2, 538 miles of down over the 30 miles on my own two feet which is no joke when all your training was on a flat treadmill
and maxed out at 4 miles.

Pissed off Gemmie. Seriously, she was cranky the entire second loop. Wonderful shot of Theresa and me though.  I may print and frame this one. 

We finished in around 6 1/2 hours and were out of the woods before the rifles started going off all around us. We got turtle and a belt buckle. It was the single most demanding thing I have ever done, both mentally and physically and I still can't believe we did it.

Photobombed by the cutest little man ever.  Photo: me

Looking good after 30 miles and 6 1/2 hours without a real rest Photo me

And what all did we come home with?? Well, we got the following:

Ride shirt, mug for completing, RW 20% off coupon for entering and the turtle award! The RM came over to give us our loot because we needed to head out before the 6:30 pm dinner and awards to get back home. Theresa noted the lack of buckle and ran over to get it. She had not just suffered through 30 miles for no buckle!! Photo me

And then there it was....

This made every mile, every hill, every last second worth it. Photo: me

Ctrl + Alt+ Delete: Clemson 30 mile Equathon

My alarm was set for 4:20 am, but it never went off. I was awake at 3:30 am on my own accord. The cats and pups were all snuggled up with me and it took real effort to extricate myself from the warm covers and fuzzy fur.

It was pitch black outside and a cold 40 degrees. My truck's headlights were the only thing illuminating the barnyard and I was shocked that I got the trailer hooked up in one go. This gave me some extra time to get Gem and I looked at my watch as I reached into the truck door to grab the flashlight that lives there. It was 5:10 am. I needed to leave the barn by 6 am to get to the ride on time.

My hand reached out and searched for the flashlight that I knew was always there. Except this time it wasn't. Dusty had last used it for his run at Biltmore. He is notorious for never putting things back where they belong and then later getting angry when he can't find something. I got annoyed, but the trailer was already hooked up and I had a flashlight on my cell phone, so I went out to get Gem.

I walked the perimeter of the pasture calling out for her and using the wimpy light from my cell phone flash. One lap around and I began to understand why you can't find a lost horse in the wilderness at night. I then headed into the center and found her herd mates. No Gem. That is when I heard it. A soft pounding of hooves just to my right. I shined my light, but it was useless. I called out to her and she squealed in delight in response. More hoof beats. She was circling around me squealing and farting in glee.

My shoes were soaked through from the wet grass, I was chilled to the bone and I knew that had I had a real flashlight I could spot her and follow her with the light. I lost it.

Tears of anger stung my eyes and I cursed Dusty's lack of putting things away, my damn mare for being bad (Yes, she was being bad. No, she didn't know I had a time limit, where we were going or that I had paid money for this ride, but she did know we were going somewhere given my appearance before dawn and she did know to not run away from me like that), and the fact that now I was late. I tried to call Dusty to get him to bring me the flashlight and save a bit of time, but he didn't answer.

I stormed out of the pasture, ran to the truck and drove the whole thing home. Once in front of the house I slammed through the front door, threw open the bedroom door and, close to foaming at the mouth, told Dusty that if he didn't get his ass out of bed right that moment nobody was going anywhere. He crawled out of bed and I let it all out. I was furious that he couldn't just put the damn flashlight back in the truck. That he couldn't take his phone to bed in case I needed to reach him.

Wyatt was roused from his sleep, poor kid, and we all went bac to the barn. Dusty called the RM and asked if it was ok if we came a little late. Ride start was at 8 and vetting was at 7. At this point we would be lucky to arrive by 7:30.

I went back out to the pasture, this time with a flashlight, and spotted Gem immediately. She took off, but I was able to stand still and spot her with it watching the glint off her eye. She circled around me, bucking, galloping, farting, and squealing. I cursed her name.

Eventually, after another 30 minutes, she walked right over to me blowing hard and arching her neck. I slipped her halter on and walked her out of the pasture. She loaded up and we were finally off.

Thankfully, everyone needed to vet in that morning and I managed to sneak her in at the back of the line, vet her through with all As and tack her up before the start. I put her front boots on her and left the hinds bare. Clemson is our old stomping grounds and she could easily do it all bare if not for the crack growing out of the front right. I changed into dry socks and shoes which improved my mood ten fold and got ready to ride.

I think this is now one of my favorite Gemmie pictures.

The runners trying to keep warm as the ride start approached

At 8 am the 30 and 15 mile Ride and Tie participants were off and then at 8:05 am they let me go. We would be doing the green 6.5 mile loop to the red 9 mile loop and back to camp.

Last spring Gem and I waited 5 minutes to start and then never saw another horse or runner again. This time, as we left the road and entered the woods about 1/4 mile from the start, we not only passed some runners, but also saw their horses waiting for them tied to some trees. It was really neat seeing the horses looking back for their runner. I could tell those horses who knew their job as they were all napping with a foot cocked and looked back. Those who weren't so aware were starting to get antsy and fidgeting against the tree.

We passed the horses and Gem got confused. She tried to stop, but I told her she would see them again and urged her on. About 1/4 mile later and we got passed by the front runners. There was one man-man team who was being extremely competitive and they came charging up behind us. I pulled over and let them pass which would end up being a routine for the morning.

Gem was not going to be left behind. She charged along that trail keeping up and ignoring my attempts to slow her down. We were going along alternating trotting and cantering and then they pulled over to tie. Gem was again confused as I told her she needed to keep moving. I got her to move out, but then she decided she couldn't possible move out on those trails. I mean, come on. There were roots, rocks, tree stumps, dips and climbs.

Of course as soon as another ride and tie horse came up to us and we pulled off, she would charge headlong after them at break neck speed. It got old.

To clarify, I am not afraid to go fast over those trails. I don't mind Gem feeling good and moving out, but she must do it in a safe and sane manner. When she locks onto the horse in front of her, she only looks at their butt and ignores all else. Rocks? Roots? Small dips in the trail? She sees none of it and will trip, stumble and slip her way around with no room for thought. That is dangerous.

At one point, about 3.5 miles in, we were once again chasing down another horse when I saw a dip in the trail. A tree root had created a drop about 18"-2 feet in height and in the past we have always navigated this at a controlled trot or walk. This time she was in full canter and took it like a cross country down bank. I laughed and asked her out loud if she was now an eventing horse. At this point I said screw it. You want to careen around like a mad man? Fine. But when that horse pulls over for a break, you will not be allowed to slow down at all. You want to be an idiot? You can be an idiot for all 15 miles.

We travelled like this and would chat it up with the riders who caught us. I really enjoyed talking with one woman who was both an excellent rider and runner and was on a horse who knew his job and performed it beautifully. They were an inspiration to watch. Gem and I cantered along side of them down the gravel access road quite a ways until she pulled over to tie.

After the gravel road, we dove back into the woods and were moving along fast, but now more in control. I was finally able to unclench my jaw and let the reins out slightly to ease the burning in my shoulders and neck. That is when I felt it. A slight wobble on her front left. I looked down and her boot had flipped up over her hoof just like the front right had back at Biltmore at a fast pace.

I pulled over and got off. She was steaming and started to paw as runners came and passed us. I think everyone, both on the ground and mounted, asked if I needed help. I didn't want to slow anyone down from their ride and passed, but was so thankful they asked. One guy nearly insisted that he help, but at that point I knew there was no help and told him to enjoy his run!

The boot would not come off. The cables would not stretch enough to allow the shell to slide back over her hoof and into place. I tried to spin it around and get it off the back of her leg, but nope. The captivator would not budge.  I pulled, pushed and twisted to no avail. We were screwed.

It was a good thing that I knew this trail so well because we were 5.5 miles into the ride and would have been in for a long hike had I not known I could continue on green back to camp only 1.5 miles away. We were nearly a the junction of the green and red loop. I called Dusty and asked if he could meet me at the road where green and red split and see if he could get the thing off. He agreed and I started hiking forwards to meet him as he came backwards.

He met as at the road and I held Wyatt as he tried to pry the boot off using a hoof pick. It didn't work.  We would need to go back to camp. I suggested wire cutters and a strong fire to melt the damn things to a puddle of red plastic.  I propped Wyatt up on her back and we walked back out of the woods. Wyatt was stoked to be riding in the woods for the first time and giggled the entire was back.

Once back to camp, I marched over and told them I was pulling. Dusty thought I should go back out barefoot, reconnect to where green and red split and finish the ride. Maybe I should have, but I was done. All the frustration from the morning, her behavior under saddle and now this came bubbling to the surface and I was just done. I felt terrible because that meant Dusty wouldn't get his run and Gem now had her first ever pull, but I had zero left in me to go back out and start again.

In the end, we ended up having to unscrew the captivator to take the cables out and get the boot off. Gem was covered in dry sweat, but was otherwise unfazed. We vetted out and the ride vet shook his head saying that she didn't look like she had worked at all that morning.

I tried to get Dusty to go out and run his loop anyway, but he declined. He too was in a less than enthusiastic mood and we agreed to just call it quits and count our losses. We packed up and headed home.

Of course once home we realized that we had left one of Wyatt's toys behind and then couldn't find his shoes either. And the next day I would find that my red mohair girth was MIA too. Saturday should have just never happened.

What did I learn? Some days just aren't meant to be. Renegades don't work for Gem in a competitive setting. Pulling when both you and your horse are doing well really sucks.

Oh and Wyatt looks really snazzy in my shades.

Clemson 30 mile Equathon

Friday night is spent doing the most counterproductive and useless thing anyone who can't sleep has ever done: looking at the clock repeatedly saying "If I fall asleep right now I can still get 5 hours of sleep...make that 4 hours...make that 3 hours....." I'm both excited to be heading to an event again and worried about Wyatt who has been up and down all night with a fever and snotty nose. When the alarm goes off at 4:25 am I groan slightly at the early hour and still dark sky, but drag myself both out of bed and out the door. It is race day!!!

The barnyard is not lit and there isn't much of a moon to see by. I have perfected hooking the trailer up by myself in the day time, but when it is dark out I have issues. 20 minutes of pulling forward and back, a little left and a little more right, later and I have had it. I curse out loud and bang the truck with my fist. It doesn't help matters at all. Instead of getting in that blasted truck one more time, I go to grab Gem's bridle. That's the moment I realize that I have begun to lock the trailer due to missing and broken tack and that the trailer key is on the van key ring. Damnit! I open the back of the trailer  and climb over the chest bar and unlock it from the inside, grab the bridle and lead rope and head off to find Gemmie.

Once out in the pasture I quickly realize that I can't see shit and start calling her name knowing full well that she will be staring at me from behind something and not moving an inch. I should head towards the house since that's where the mares typically hang out early in the morning, but my head is elsewhere from my agitation and instead I head off to the back corner.  10 minutes later I head to the house and call Dusty on the way in near tears from the frustration. He says he will grab Wyatt and head to the barn. Just then I see Gem staring me down and I grab her. This morning is not starting well at all.

Eventually Dusty arrives with a sleepy Wyatt in tow and gets the truck hooked up for me while I brush out Gem and then load her up. I look at the clock. We are now 25 minutes behind schedule, but since I always allow an extra 30 minutes into my planning I know we still will arrive on time as long as the drive goes well. Which thankfully it does.

Dusty calls me and says he is going to stop at Bojangles to get a smorgasbord of food options for Wyatt all day and asks if I want anything. My stomach is all upset from my nerves and I tell him no. I head straight to the trail parking area where vetting will occur worried that I may be running really late. I pull in just as the sun starts to light the sky in brilliant gold hues and smile as I see the Ride and Tie sign. It is 6:45 am and I am the first one here.

There is a lot of peace and serenity to being the only one at a trail head just as the sun is coming up and lighting the world on fire. The morning is cool, but the day promises to warm up fast.

I unload Gemmie and set her up with a hay bag. I've never hooked the hay bag up to the trailer before since I usually am either not going to have her tied long or use a corral. The trail head starts to fill up quickly and soon the registration tent is up and running. I go to sign in and try to pawn Wyatt off as my RnT partner, but nobody is buying it. Hey, last year a 4 year old did it with her mom. Wyatt isn't too far off!

Vetting occurs next and is extremely thorough. The ride vet is super nice and talkative, but I think Gem feels a little violated. She looked at all 4 hooves and even checked her temperature which is not something an endurance vet has ever done. Then she asks us to trot out emphasizing that we need to stay on the gravel drive. Gem is definitely confused. She knows that she isn't to trot on such nasty gravel and yet here I am clucking and kissing and annoying her to do just that. She isn't the only horse having issues either. Most horses spend the trot out trying to veer onto the grass. Those that do are made to start over by the vet. Gemm gets all As except an A- for impusion and we are set to go!!

As I tack up, I start chatting with my neighbors and find out that someone challenged a local Crossfit place. The camp is teaming with Crossfitters in the 15 mile RnT who have never been on a horse before. They are partnered up with riders and the one guy told me he expects to completely rest while on the horse. Ha!! I can't wait to talk to him afterward :)

The trail opens up at 8 am sharp for the 30 mile RnT and Equathon teams. Gemmie and I have 15 miles to cover while Dusty plays with Wyatt before he can go off on his 15 mile leg. Knowing how Gem can be a handful at the start and worrying both about her lack of being ridden in the last 3 months and not wanting to get pulled before Dusty gets to have his fun, I make the decision to hold off and start after the others are gone. At 8:02 we head out and start our adventure.

Wyatt found the water hose as we head off to start the ride

Unfortunately, this turns out to be a big pilot error. These trails are super familiar to us both and are our go to conditioning trails due to the technical terrain and lovely footing. The ride is small to begin with (17 total starts in all events and only 2 other 30 mile teams) and now Gem is all alone so she is thinking it is another ho hum solo conditioning ride versus a race. There goes my hope for a fast start!

Gemmie was being a very good sport

My favorite Green Loop Trail. Technical, single footing.





Sorry it is blurry. Gem was wanting to go forward!

Even with that Gem is laying down 6-6.5 mph miles without needing urging. This time last year, I was begging her to go beyond 3-3.5 mph by herself on this same trail. A grin splits my face from ear to ear and I settle in to enjoy the beautiful morning in the woods.

 

Since we are doing the Equathon and the other 2 were in the RnT I figure I should pass the tied up horses eventually. I plan to spy on them to see how they do things and learn for our outing in September. We never do see them.

 

Through the woods we go, up down and around and Gem is maintaining good speeds and a good attitude through it all. The forest is alive with blossoms that smell amazing and the sun hasn't made it unbearable yet. It is really a wonderful morning to be out and on my horse. The hills are starting to take their toll on her though. She hasn't had any hill work since the 50 in October! Poor mare and bad owner. When she asks for a breather on top of an incline I begin to let her. My original goal that morning was a 2 hour loop, but that isn't fair to Gem with my lack of conditioning. I switch that to 2 1/2 hours mentally.

 

Things are going very well and she is still keeping a wonderful pace for the conditions when we hit the gravel access road portion. This is her first time being ridden on her newly shaped hooves and the gravel looks new, so we slow to a walk. I think Gem is happy for the walk break as she is breathing a bit harder than I would like her to be. I let her walk until we turn back into the woods and on better footing once again. I can't wait to order some boots for her for races.



Not trotting or cantering her on that crap

Walking up the hill



 

Eventually we hit the portion where the Green 6.5 mile trail hits the Red 9 mile one and I point Gem to turn right away from camp and on the Red trail. She is happy to do so without any fight at all and it makes my heart sing.

 

The beginning of Red is amazing. A slight downhill grade travelling on a double wide clay footing road. I ask for a canter and she stretches out and floats over the ground. My Garmin reads 12 mph and I am grinning like a fool!!

 

The trail moves on and Gem starts to lag. I can tell she is not really physically all that tired, but mentally she is reaching her limit of being out all alone without another soul in sight. The Garmin just read a 3.5 mph mile and this just won't do. We are at mile 9 and something needs to change or the rest of this ride isn't going to be very enjoyable.

 

As we get off the last of the gravel road sections I hear from behind me "I'm passing you!" Huh. Never been passed like that before. Usually people ask especially on single track trail where it is hard to get off. I yell back "In a minute. I'll pull over once I can". In about 50 feet I find a section and pull over just to be glared at as she flies past at a barely controlled hand gallop. The poor horse looks all strung out and nearly takes a nose dive 3 times while still in my sight.

 

Well, Gem now finds a new gear and powers off after the gelding and I am happy that she found new life. I don't like how she is tripping on the roots. She isn't paying a lick of attention to her feet and all I can see is her falling on her face. I wrestle with her and keep her contained until the pair gets out of sight. At least now I know she still has lots of fuel in the tank and push her to keep up that 6-7 mph pace as before.

 

A mile later I see the same lady walking up ahead and there is a runner beside her. As I come up I ask politely to pass. "No, we need your cell phone." Umm? At first I think the runner is hurt so I look her over quickly and see no blood, no bones protruding and she is walking and breathing just fine.

 

"Are you hurt?"

 

"No she isn't. She needs a phone because she is lost"

 

"Ummm...you are on the Red trail. My Garmin says mile 10 and it has dropped some, so you are about 3-4 miles out from camp. Just keep following the signs."

 

"No, she is lost and needs to call. Give us your phone"

 

So at this point I lose it. Maybe it is the Sicilian/Italian blood coursing through my veins or just my overall lack of being able to deal with rude/snotty/mean people, but this is getting ridiculous.

 

"Ok..first, let her talk. Second there isn't much anyone can do. You need to walk or run back to camp. Follow the trail you are on. You will get there in 3-4 miles. Here is my phone if you need to let someone know."

 

About 10 minutes later we finish up and then as I am trying to get my phone back in my pocket, the lady spurs on her horse to leave us in her dust.

 

"Oh no you don't! You will stand there and wait until my phone is away so we can safely continue."

 

She does and we move off again.

 

Sheesh. What is up with some people???

 

Eventually we lose sight of her again for the last time and finish up alone, but moving out just fine. I call Dusty when I know I am 2 miles out and ask him to get water and a mash set up for Gem. A little while later and Gem and I are making it across the bridge that leads out of the woods and to the base of the hill to camp.

 

I hop off, loosen her girth and take the bit out to walk her up the hill. I know she is hot now that the sun is blazing full on and want her to pulse down quickly. We finish our loop in 2 hours 35 minutes (with at least a 10 minute delay on course). I head straight to the trailer and untack her, sponge her well and then vet her in. Pulse is 50 and she gets all As except a B for impulsion on the gravel. Dusty is now free to run his loop!!

 

Yummy mash face

As Dusty heads back down the hill to run his 15 mile leg of the event, I settle in to play with Wyatt. He is tired and filthy, but having a really good time. Thanks to Dusty's Bojangles trip he is full and that makes for a happy toddler. As we are playing around camp, mostly getting into as much water and mud as possible, I over hear that the lady on the strung out gelding had come in with a pulse of 120!!! It doesn't surprise me one bit.

 

 

Nothing beats a bucket of horse water on a hot day!!

 

Dusty wants to finish his loop in 2 hours 30 minutes and is gunning for bragging rights over beating Gemmie. I head over to the finish line at 2 hours 20 minutes and watch as he sprints up the hill with a huge grin on his face at 2 hours 30 minutes even. He wins bragging rights and I know I won't hear the end of this!!!

 

The RM is awesome and gives us our award. We get both the 1st place award and turtle for being the only two brave enough to do the 30 mile Equathon. We both wish there was a 100 mile Equathon we could do. Now that would be a blast!!!

 

Overall it is a super amazing day as always with the RnT people. Those Crossfit people had the time of their lives too. I talk  to one at the end and he is barely able to walk :) He agrees that riding is more than just sitting on a horse!!