Stories

"To finish is to win" has never been more true for me than it was on this ride held March 20, 2004.

My endurance experience for this ride started on Friday. About noon I had the truck & trailer packed and ready to go. My routine is to pull the truck out to the driveway prior to loading the horse. So, I got into the truck and turned the key. Nothing. Hmmmm. Not a good sign. Popped the hood as if I knew what I was looking at. Decided that was totally stupid and called my husband at work. Jason came home and figured out that he had left the inside cab light on overnight and that was enough to drain that battery. We attempted to jump it, but it simply couldn't hold a charge. Jason had to go back to work, but promised he'd replace the battery when he got home.

If the ride had been further away, that would have been that. But, with the ride only a half hour away, I thought it would be worth the effort of getting up super early Saturday morning. Especially since I could even go up to the ride meeting and take care of my paperwork - just without the horse there yet. So, that's what I did: drove up to the ride meeting, and I was glad I did since I would have missed the turn to get to camp in the dark in the morning.

Saturday morning I was up at 4am and went ahead and fed the horses, that way Phlyrt would get all her beet pulp eaten, even if she wouldn't get much hay. Loaded her up around 4:30 and hit the road. Pulled into camp in the dark (glad I'd found the turn in advance) and there was plenty of room to park - fabulous camp for those of us who aren't so good at maneuvering our rigs. Got Phlyrt settled in - she's better every ride than the last - this time she just dug right into her hay.

Determined to take better care of myself after last time, I headed over to the ride office for the promised breakfast. I knew Lynne would have pre-cream cheesed and cut-up bagels, and I didn't want to miss out. While over there I saw that Dr. Hugh Hewitt was already around, so I headed back to the trailer to get Phlyrt to vet-in. Hugh was great about being pestered before he was officially open for business, and I felt better knowing we were all set. Now Phlyrt could stand and eat for a while longer before our 6:30 start time.

I should note here that Lynne apparently decided to do things "Duck style" as far as numbering horses' butts. Dave Nickelson ("The Duck") was the head vet, and he doesn't number butts during his XP rides. So, Lynne assigned us numbers, but they weren't written on our horses. This created an IQ test of sorts out on the trail, as we had to remember our numbers and call them out to the number-checkers out on trail all day. Easier said than done as the day started to take it's toll. The side effect is that I still know that number.

By 6:15 I was mounted up and headed for the start line. Phlyrt was calm and relaxed and being such a good girl. When "start!" was yelled, we let the racers head off into the distance and started off at a nice trot with a group of a few other riders. Phlyrt was pulling and wanting more speed, but listening well. Within a mile or two we had separated from the group and were out alone. Every once in a while a rider or group of riders would gain on us and either stick with us for a couple minutes or pass, but Phlyrt is getting better and better about that and we just kept going at an easy trot allowing everyone to pass. Within a half-hour I could get her to do a couple steps of walk at a time, then I'd let her trot again. The method to my madness is that it's more important to get her trained than it is to worry about our speed, and I want her to do it all alone even if a horse we're "with" leaves us behind.

By 7am it was clear it was going to be hot out. The weather report had called for low 70s, but that was going to turn out to be quite wrong and the temperature ended up in the 90s. I had dressed for 70s, and while I had a tank top on under my long-sleeved shirt I knew I couldn't spend much time in a tank top or I'd be burned to a crisp. My sunscreen had popped it's top and coated the inside of my saddlebag, so that wasn't an option. I ended up spending much of the day repeating to myself: "cook now, but don't be burned later."

Leg 1 was 13 miles. It was quite lovely and I was thinking to myself that I really should trailer up and go riding with Laurie (who lives in Lake Matthews) as she and I have been discussing for many years now. The trails went by orange groves and wound through some scenic terrain. Phlyrt was walking willingly on a loose rein before the leg was over, what a good girl. The photographer was on a hill and I was caught walking with reins dropped as I drank some Gatorade. My plan was to do Leg 1 in about two hours, and we walked into Vet Check 1 right on schedule. Phlyrt pulsed down pretty easily, although it was already far too hot out and only 8:30 am. There was a 20 minute hold at VC1, which was just enough time to ask a willing and wonderful Girl Scout to hold Phlyrt for me while I ran to the bathroom and then to go for our vet check. Phlyrt decided to be a brat for the vet, and of course it was Dr. Susan Garlinghouse, so I felt like an idiot with my horse bouncing around. Susan was gracious and said she doesn't mind, but it will cost us time if Phlyrt doesn't learn to relax (figures, she was totally relaxed EXCEPT while being checked), and laughingly said "give her an 'A' for impulsion." Phlyrt ate and drank well during the rest. And did I mention the Girl Scouts? They were not only available to hold horses, they were passing out people water and fruit.

Back on the trail, leg 2 was 16.5 miles. This means 30 miles would be under our belts by the lunch hold. And the heat was rising. Phlyrt headed out willingly, again we were all alone. On the first section of this leg the trail was two-way and the first riders passed us going the other way. Wow! 15 miles ahead of us already. The terrain on this loop was rocky and hard, including quite a bit on pavement or on dirt roads that might as well have been pavement. But, as Phlyrt was doing so well I let her pick our speed; she and I seem to feel the same way about changing gaits often between walk, trot, and canter so I just let her do whatever she felt she was up to doing (and she is smart enough not to want to do more than walk on pavement). There were quite a lot of ups and downs, and I actually managed to get out my camera that has been in my saddle bag for months and it wasn't even entirely coated in sunscreen. Hopefully I got some decent photos.

Somewhere on this leg we started hearing gunfire. We'd been told there was a firing range on the ride, but I thought it was on leg 4. Sure enough, these guys were just out in the sun, with their beer and guns, shooting at trash and whatnot. We rode above where they were shooting (so, on the top of the hill they were shooting at) and then right past where they were standing and shooting. Phlyrt didn't mind scooting past them at a good clip, and didn't spook or act silly about them at all. She's got a single-track mind during competition and all the goofing around she loves to do at home is not on the agenda.

Near the end of this leg we caught up with a rider dismounted at the side of the trail where there was a water bucket out for us. She said she was fine, but her horse wasn't recovering well and his pulse was staying up too high for her comfort. She planned to rest a bit longer and then walk him into the check. I let Phlyrt drink her fill, and since she'd been sweating so much I went ahead and gave her a half-dose of electrolytes (well, half a half-dose, since I mix it up in roughly half-doses).

We finished up leg 2 and got into Vet Check 2 at the Equestrian Center around 12:15 pm. So, a little over 3 hours for that 17 miles. I still considered this "on time" for my plan, but it sure didn't feel like we were going that slow. The heat was really taking it's toll. Phlyrt pulsed down OK, but not as fast as she normally does. I wasn't too worried, though, since she was eating and drinking great. I had sponged her thoroughly and there was even a hose available so I sprayed her hind legs & face & neck. As usual, several volunteers commented on how great she looked and how pretty she is. Boy, a little flattery is so great when you're tired & stressed. After her P&R and some more sponging, I tied her in front of some food and hunted down my crew bag (i.e. my lunch). Unfortunately, there was very limited shade and that was packed with people and horses, so I sat down in the sun to eat - Phlyrt continued happily eating - and I succeeded in eating half a sandwich, and drinking all the Gatorade I'd packed.

There was one horse already being treated with fluids. Not a good sign. Also one horse started to tie up (rider pulled her at the first sign) and several others were pulled, either by the vets or their riders. The woman we'd passed out on the trail came in and pulled her horse; it was good to see so many responsible riders taking care of their horses.

We went over to the vets and Phlyrt got all A's on her card. She was a good girl this time, redeeming herself in my eyes on her vet behavior. (Although I still need to figure out how to get her to behave for the first vetting - this didn't used to be a problem.) After the vetting, Phlyrt went back to her eating and also took a little nap. She's gotten so good at taking care of herself!

When our hour hold was up, I mounted up and we headed out on the "short" 7 mile leg. Lynne (ride manager) had mentioned that this leg was "a bit hilly," but I still figured it would take us an hour to an hour-and-a-half at most to do 7 miles even with hills and heat. That turned out to be the longest 7 miles of my life up until that point. It took us almost two hours. It was also the prettiest leg of the ride, as it meandered down into a canyon crossing and re-crossing a stream at the bottom. Phlyrt liked stopping in the stream and just snuffling at the water. Even though the stream crossings were every couple minutes for a while there she would still stop each time and drink a bit and just stand for a minute or two. I certainly didn't try to rush her; it was just plain too hot out and I wanted her to have any reprieve she could get from the heat. We climbed out of the canyon and eventually made it into camp for Vet Check 3 and a 15 minute hold.

At VC3 Phlyrt had her fastest pulse down all day (under 5 minutes - something I'd normally consider "long" but not in this heat). The P&R person even commented that she was doing much better than many others had been doing and congratulated me on taking good care of my horse. Boy, when you are that tired and hot and suffering from heat- and distance-induced brain damage it is so wonderful to have someone say nice things to you, especially about your wonderful horse who has been giving you their all.

Susan was again our vet at this hold. She said Phlyrt was getting tired (just in case I was too frazzled to know that myself) and to take it easy on the next leg (as opposed to the speed records we'd been setting so far). I didn't feel 15 minutes was a long enough rest, so I took Phlyrt back to the trailer and let her eat and rest, stretching our hold to 40 minutes instead. I spent time sponging her while she ate, and checked over her to be sure she hadn't gotten injured or bruised her feet or anything on all those rocks (I love those Ground Control shoes), and she looked great. I resisted the temptation to stop now - and it was a strong temptation - rationalizing that we only had 10 miles to go.

Due to our extended rest, it was almost 4pm when we headed out on that last leg. I knew this leg had the "Hills of Significance" on it, but even after how hard the rest of the ride had been I guess my brain still hadn't wrapped around how hard that climb was going to be. This leg also had the Gun Range, but no one was supposed to be there.

Maybe because I was so tired, but this leg seemed to contain an awful lot of roads: either paved or dirt that was so hard it might as well have been paved. And, I don't know if Lynne went and knocked on doors to warn residents or what, but an incredible number of people had put out water in the front yards or driveways for us. Phlyrt stopped and drank at every one.

Around every turn I expected to find the "Hills of Significance," but looking at my map I realized we had to pass the Gun Range first and that hadn't happened yet. So, on and on we went. Finally, the sign for the Gun Range or the bypass (marked as "lots of hills"). Lynne had said the Gun Range would be better than the bypass, so I headed Phlyrt that way. The people who own the Gun Range had also told Lynne no one would be there, but there was one guy out with his hand cannons. Wow, I guess I really didn't know just how loud a handgun can be. Neither did Phlyrt. To her immense credit, she only jumped the first time he fired, and then she ignored it completely.

Now all we had to tackle was the "Hills of Significance" which started by going down down down into Dawson's Canyon. As we headed down that canyon, I watched the opposite side with horror, realizing we were going to have to come back up and out. Normally, I don't like to trot too much downhill, but I encouraged Phlyrt to trot as much as possible down this canyon since I knew we'd never finish in time otherwise.

Then we met the rattlesnake. Sheer cliff down one side & sheer cliff up the other side, and a rattlesnake in the middle of the trail. I advanced Phlyrt toward him, since a normal snake has a healthy respect for his own life and will retreat from the vibrations of a large animal. Not only did he not retreat, he actually coiled up into strike position and rattled at us. I backed Phlyrt back up post haste. What now?? I sat there for several minutes contemplating our predicament. The only thing I could think of was to dismount and toss rocks at him, but I was afraid that would just piss him off further, and this was clearly an angry and aggressive snake.

Then our savior rounded the corner behind us. I had been vaguely aware of another horse and rider behind us, but she caught up with us sooner than I expected (or we'd been having the staring contest with the snake even longer than I thought). I warned her of our standoff and she said she'd heard that squirting water on a rattlesnake will make them leave. I offered to hold her horse if she really wanted to try that, but I have to admit I was frankly not willing to risk myself or my horse! I am not normally afraid of snakes, but I have a healthy respect for a poisonous snake in the middle of nowhere. I told her not to get bitten since I doubted I could lift her onto her horse to lead her out of there!

For future reference, squirting a rattlesnake with your water bottle does indeed make them go away. She used an entire water bottle, but the snake begrudgingly left the trail. We hurried past him, and he was poised to strike and rattled as we trotted by. I hope he continued further off the trail before the next riders came by, and especially before any that might have been out there after dark.

For the first time all day I stuck with another rider. And, when we reached the bottom of the canyon and started up I was very glad not to be alone. We both dismounted and she led her mare while I tailed Phlyrt (I simply could not have gotten up that climb without Phlyrt pulling me). We let the mares rest as often as they wanted, and I'm not sure we would have made it out without the moral support of another horse & rider. My spirit was at a really low ebb. That "Hill of Significance" looked and felt like it was straight up and never ending.

We finally reached the top and there was water a short distance away. The mares tanked up and we realized we needed to really move to make it to the finish on time. Thanks to having another horse and rider, Phlyrt perked up and we trotted nearly the rest of the way. We leap-frogged, letting one mare then the other lead and motivate the other. I don't know how many miles it was back to camp from there, but it felt never ending. Dusk was falling, and time was running out to get a completion.

A spotter was out on his quad and told us "don't give up, you can make it" which was good to hear at that point. Finally we saw the "1/2 mile to finish" sign and then the "1/4 mile to finish" sign and then camp was in sight! The mares knew we were almost there and put on an extra burst for us. We reached the finish line at 6:27 pm - with three minutes to spare. I almost cried. What a test of endurance that had been! And Phlyrt gave me her all. She never gave up, even at moments when I thought I might.

I took Phlyrt to un-tack and sponge her off and let her eat. It was dark, but still so hot. And, I finally stripped to my tank top for the first time all day. I normally wouldn't have wanted to get her wet after dark, but figured if I was hot enough to be in a tank top, she was hot enough to get wet. I checked her out by flashlight and she was in great shape, just tired (she's never really been tired before, maybe this was good for her in the long run). Her back felt good and her legs were clean. I took her over and found Hugh to vet out - the lights weren't on so she got her final check by flashlight, but he pronounced her sound and healthy.

Phlyrt settled in to eat and rest while I went over to the awards ceremony. Lynne was sweet enough to give "completion" awards to every starter, even those that pulled or were overtime. After this hard ride, that was just a wonderfully generous thing for her to do.

The awards done, I decided that with our short drive to get home that I'd do what I don't like doing and load up and go home rather than staying overnight. I thought Phlyrt deserved to be relaxed and comfortable at home, not to mention that I wanted a shower and a soak in the tub.

Sunday Phlyrt was happy, healthy, and sound. She spent several hours socializing with the other horses, she had a good bath, a roll in the sand, and then stood in the shade eating the rest of the day. By Monday she was 100% recovered from being tired and ready to go out and run again. What a good girl!

This was a tough ride. If it hadn't been for the heat, Lynne's rating of it as Moderate+ would have been accurate: hills, rocks, hard ground, and such made it a challenge all on it's own. But, that heat made it a whopper of a ride, especially in March when we're just not ready for that kind of heat. Lynne, the ride manager, did a fantastic job; she supplied water and goodies for horses & riders above and beyond the call of duty. The vets did a wonderful job; they had to treat a lot of horses and I'm sure were having a terrible time, but they were there for us. The volunteers were outstanding: the Girl Scouts, the crossing guards at the roads, and all those volunteers on trail & at VCs that gave words of encouragement were much appreciated!