Noways First Win...what it is like for an old woman to ride a fast horse.

As I've mentioned before, Noways and I have had an up and down sort of year. If he wasn’t having problems I was, so we ended up on the pulled side of three rides this year. So frustrating.

But, as luck sometimes has it, this time Lady Luck was with us and things came together.
Noways has always known he could be a winner if only ‘mom’ would allow it. To heck with slowing down for sharp corners, to heck with taking a drink along the trail, to heck with waiting for mom’s friends or his buddies, to heck with stopping to apply boots when he steps off his shoes… well you get the drift, Noways is a single minded, go getter.
Ride morning was COLD, so there were lots of rump rugs. I decided to go without one because I can’t remember ever using one on Noways and didn’t want to risk something flapping on his rear and a rope under his tail on such a crisp morning. I know for a fact that he can win in rodeo situations. Mary Lynn was having trouble keeping her’s straight and finally decided to take it off.
We warmed up for a bit before the start, Mary Lynn decided to start closer to the back while I elected to go ahead and start with the pack. It was a controlled start since we have to go down a paved road for a short distance before getting onto a gravel road that takes us to the trails. Noways was calm but ‘ready’, and we had a good start although he wanted to get on up with the lead pack. I got lucky and tucked in with Diane Doll who rides a calm mare, and bides her time well. We went along together at a steady pace for a few miles and I finally let Noways move on up to the lead pack and rode in the back of that with Bill Wilson and Betsy Knight. There were eight of us with Kyla McAfee setting the pace on her grandmother’s good horse, seventeen year old, Kemosabi. They train on these trails, and he is fast, and those McAfees go fast, so we were taking some turns a lot faster than I like, and Noways was pulling on me hard. When we were taking a hard right turn off of a gravel/dirt road onto a single track, (at a gallop), I decided to pull Noways around to get behind Bill, when two more riders, Dixie and her Jr. rider came galloping up and also nearly missed the turn. Boy was that a close call as we nearly collided. I was trying to hold off the thought ~ “This is risky riding not to mention, crazy…” but continued on like any fool on a fast horse. At last Noways worked his way to the front and he relaxed immediately and was a happy boy, head up, ears up, and flying. Kyla stuck with me and Cindy on her cute little black, Bandit, who had just two weeks ago top tenned in the AERC national championship. I really had no time to look back and it makes me dizzy to do so anyway, so I just assumed the whole pack was back there. Kyla kindly answered when I questioned if we had taken the proper turns. We finished the loop like this, saw a beautiful deer that followed along in the woods, then crossed the trail in front of us. Kyla warned me twice to be sure I saw it, but Noways could have cared less, his mind was focused on the trail and the way back to camp and that was it! Noways gave me some trouble when we got back on the gravel road headed back to camp when Kyla passed us and kicked it up to a faster gallop…nothing I could do to stop Noways from going after her but to wrestle him down with shear strength. But managed to hook up with Cindy and he settled, and thankfully, Kyla slowed back down to a steady gallop. Whew I was exhausted already.
Walked in to the vet check and Tom Keith, who had replaced Noways front shoes the day before, noticed that he had already lost one…darn! But his foot was in good shape and he must have just done it because I didn’t hear it when we crossed the pavement. So while I cooled Noways, icy water, brrrr on the front and a blanket on the rear…Tom shaped a shoe for him and got that on as soon as Noways met his pulse time. Thank You TOM! I was so busy with my boy I didn’t notice too much who was coming in and how far back they were. We checked through fine at the Vet check, all A’s and B’s. Greg (who had to crew, since his horse turned up a bit lame before the ride) slung that heavy saddle back on and we headed for the trailer for food and rest. We did the first loop of 25 miles in two hours, including the pulse time. Geesh no wonder my heart was in my throat the whole time.
Noways was eating so well, I waited until the last minute to tack up again. Then noticed he had the beginning of scratches started, so I swabbed some Desitin (sp) on that and hoped for the best. I was five minutes late getting back to the timer to start my second loop, but was glad to be on our own for at least a while so we could get settled in without being in race mode. I figured at this point that the ‘pack’ was ahead of me and I would be lucky to get in top ten. But, boy did we have a good ride on this loop, we only saw some 30 milers on the same blue loop, and Noways was happy to pass on by, then, Oh no! There was Kyla on the ground leading her horse back towards me. Said she had fallen, Cindy had caught her horse for her, and she was going to walk back. I held her horse for her so she could remount, but suddenly she sat down on the ground, and was in pain from a cramp in her leg. I really wanted to stay with her until she at least got back on her feet, but she insisted I go on that she would eventually get back. I wasn’t too happy about it but we went on. I worried about her the whole darn loop… When we were about half way around we passed Alice Bryant who was riding in the 30. She told me that Cindy was just about 10 minutes ahead of me and that she was in first place! What! We had been cruising along pretty good by ourselves, but now decided to kick it up a notch, much to Noways delight. We finished this loop right behind Cindy so that our out times were only one minute apart. Cindy came over to my camp to make a pact…”What do you say a Lucky Duck and a Wild Bunch help each other get in ahead of the rest of them for a win? We’ll work out who wins later.” Sounded good to me, Noways goes best alone, but is happy with a buddy too. I agreed to tie for first since we are in different weight divisions, and I really wanted to get our first win, since the stars had finally lined up for us.
This time we were on time to get our out time for the final, pink loop which is ten miles. Then a funny thing happened…Cindy’s horse, Bandit refused to go out…no amount of ‘prompting’ would convince him. Bob McAfee, the timer, was busy with in-coming riders and couldn’t look up to let me go out so I could help her. Cindy finally got out the gate and up the paved road. I caught up to her then I realized we were going out the wrong way, so had to go back through camp and out the other way. We lost a few minutes here and I had no idea how close the other riders were. Well, poor Cindy had to again convince Bandit to get out of camp. I thought he would want to keep up with Noways as we cantered out, but no…so when Cindy cried for help, I stopped while she hopped off and lead him up to me so I could grab his rein and pull him on out. He leveled out after that but needless to say, they were not happy with each other…These horses sure can embarrass us…
The pink loop is part of the blue loop, so we had done it before and Noways was well aware of where we were.
I have never had to push Noways and am usually applying the brakes, but now at least, Noways was more willing to slow down on the hard climbs. Which was OK with me, as my neck, back and legs were getting really shaky. But even with the hills, there is a lot of good going here so we again cruised along. I was pretty much done in and feeling sick to my stomach. Had to pull my neck buffer over my nose and mouth to keep from hyperventilating in the cold air. I was so tired my head was bobbling along like those bobble dolls you see in the back of red-neck cars.
Later we found out that Bill Wilson (this is his home territory, and is always a threat) was behind us, and although his out time was 15 minutes behind us he declared that he was going to “Catch those girls!’ And he did!! Darn… It was on a long gravel/dirt road that we always gallop. We were just galloping, trotting along and here he comes at a hard run…my goodness, he looked like he was running from the law! A big grin on his face and his horse’s white mane and tail flying…Made me smile at the picture he made, even though I thought my first win was lost…
Noways was not happy with this at all and pulled and pulled on my exhausted muscles, but I felt too sick and tired to run the rest of the way in so held back with Cindy. We were still cantering, but when we rounded a corner, there was Bill slowed to a trot, so we continued to canter by then kicked it up to a gallop. Heck with being sick...  I thought the end of this road would never appear. I was having trouble staying straight in the saddle. Fortunately, Noways stayed under me and we made it to the road crossing then on down on the trail that leads to the finish and camp. I never looked back (mainly because I was unable to), thinking that Cindy and Bill were battling it out or planning to push it up on the final half mile stretch to the finish. Bill’s horse can run, obviously! Got to the top of the hill and there was Kyla still walking in…gosh the poor girl had had it tough for sure. Since she was upright, I turned Noways towards the finish and let him rip. I heard Cindy’s voice yelling but couldn’t tell what she was saying, and again couldn’t look back. I figured if she had fallen I’d just go back after I crossed the finish line. I squeezed Noways and he jumped into high gear and ran for it. He loved it, and crossed the finish at a flat out run!! What a rush…but I was so sick I was trying to decide which side of his neck to empty my stomach. I was able to swallow hard, pull him up and turn around to get our card marked.
Cindy was right behind me, dismounted and got our cards taken care of. I probably was looking a little green at this point.
My goodness we finally got a win!! Wa Hoo!!!
We walked the rest of the way in to camp, got Noways cleaned up and through the pulse check. Cleaned him up some more and to the Vet check all the while trying to keep him warm. This always worries me. I have never been pulled at the end, but think it would be just the worst…But, Noways looked good and got good marks. He was definitely having an ‘on’ day.
We did that 50 mile ride with a ride time of 4:19. I've been wanting to break the 5 hour mark and boy we sure did that.
We stood for BC, but Bill got that one! Congratulations again, Bill!!
A successful ride is never done alone. First there are the ride managers that are willing to put in all that time and money to make it go. Thanks to Lois McAfee Ride manager, her husband Bob who was timer, and to Bill Wilson who lets us camp at his home and tramp up his fields. And of course there are all those volunteers that put in all those hours sitting in the cold to get us through the pulse checks, the vet checks and timer checks. The veterinarians, Maureen Fehr, and Mike Hubel, and who stand out there waiting on us to present, putting up with nervous horses and time after time look them over so carefully. To the people that crew for us riders when we are lucky enough to have them. Thank you, Greg for hauling that saddle off of Noways, and then again hefting it back up there. Noways seems to always grow taller during a ride. Believe me it was much appreciated. And a special THANK YOU to Tom Keith who reshod my boy so he could fly! I’ve always told Tom he puts wings on my horse’s feet and he surely did it this time!
Congratulations to the other two Ducks that finished out our team so we got some points, finally. Mary Lynn finished in 11th position on the fifty and Brenda finished 4th in the 30 miler. We all had a great time of it indeed…
This is Noways back home and looking forward to some well earned grazing and rest. He looks much better than me… Love that horse!

VA Highlands, 2010

VA HIGHLANDS 2010

This was our third year to do this ride. We enjoyed it so much the first two times, why not do it again? Don and Nicki do a superb job of managing and their many volunteers are the best. Everyone, management, volunteers and competitors seem to be having a good time the whole weekend! And, the trails are tough but beautiful, the perfect challenge. So this ride was on the list of must dos.

Our team of Lucky Ducks have not had the best of luck this year getting to the rides and finishing a team. This time there were four of us though, so surely we could do it. Mary Lynn and Greg took their two boys, Buzz and Wiley. Myself and Brenda teamed up with our boys, Elite and Noways, and drove down to the beautiful ride site right on the New River. We got lucky and got a good camp spot. Afternoon shade for the horses and not too far from the Vet check. We’ve gotten so good at parking our rigs that our awnings were perfectly aligned. LOL

It was a bit hot getting registered and checked in but we all were done well before dinner time which was pot luck…a great way to start the fun! Someone else’s food always tastes so good. Then the ride meeting, which Don always makes interesting. There were to be 60 something in the 55, and 20 something in the 30. We were ready!


It was nice to have Brenda ride down with me and share camp duties. I missed my granddaughter, Paige, but Brenda sure kept the conversation lively. We got everything ready for ride day and tucked the boys in for the night. Noways was very pleased to have a buddy this time and settled down without pouting like he did at the Ride Between the Rivers. He pouted so much that he did not eat or drink like he should have, and I decided to pull him at that ride. The ride before that was Sand Hills, where I got too ill with the heat to finish that one, so I was a bit nervous about what would happen tomorrow. But, so far all was good.


Mary Lynn, Greg and I are doing the 55 mile ride and Brenda is doing the 30 miler. We start at 7 AM and Brenda is going out at 8 AM. As usual at these big rides there are a lot of horses warming up before start time. I keep Noways close to his buddies doing circles and flexing left and right to remind him that I am the captain of this ship. He is excited, but well behaved. I am glad as always to finally be in the saddle. That time from 2:30 AM to ride time is the worst for me…ah to sleep through to feed time would be heaven. But, that seldom happens, so I have thought of every possible scenario by the time I rise to feed. I had some bad luck on this ride last year, lost two shoes, and got knocked off with a grape vine, but we had a great ride. Surely this time would be much luckier.


Finally the trail is open and I tuck in just after the first bunch and trot along the road bed that Don always warns us of the steep drop off. We are to only pass on the drop off side if we must. I don’t care for heights, but this is so much wider than the trails that we train on that it is just beautiful rather than scary. The first few miles are single track through a wild creek and up a switchback. Noways is a bit on the muscle but behaving still. I’m pleased. Greg catches up to me here and we ride on. This is when I discover I’ve left my waist pack on the table back at the trailer. The one with the map, vet card and trail snacks and pills to keep those snacks down and headache/body aches at bay. Argh…it was to be the first of many rider errors…But, at the time, only an inconvenience for me and the poor person that would have to give me a replacement card…Eventually we do some passing and some pass us. Noways likes the former and dislikes the latter. In 45 minutes we are at the road crossing which is 6.1 miles. Good going! The leaders are way gone, riding very fast.  It is 15.4 miles to the first Vet Check, so almost to the halfway point of this loop. More uphill with rocks and sand then it is canter, trot, canter, and gallop along as riders try to get situated out. We end up riding behind a couple of gals, Roxanne and Krista; we are going along really well when we make a left. Greg says, wasn’t’ there a sign back there? Unfortunately I shrug, because there are still plenty of orange ribbons thinking the new color tied at the ends are for the next day too, and we then come up on a spotter at a road crossing, so think we are good….No, not good! after going along a while longer we come out at the wrong Vet Check. The one for tomorrow…Roxanne is so disgusted with herself that she gets off to rest her horse and let him drink. We three turn back and high tail it back as fast as the trail will allow. I am really not happy with myself at this point for making such a classic mistake…always look at the markings yourself!!! When Greg questioned it, we should have stopped and turned back to check it out before continuing on. After the ride, we find out that that wrong turn put six plus more miles on our horses. Argh….and it is only the first loop. Missed another turn off of a gravel road and again put another mile on our boys…Goodness it was going to be one of those rides. Then to add to the frustration, Noways throws a shoe! I see it roll off beside the trail, but when I went back, I couldn’t find it. We were close to the VC so continued on. We figured we lost a good 45 minutes blundering around but finally climbed that steep hill up to the Vet Check.


This is a gorgeous place at the top of the world! How lucky are Don and Nicki to live in such a beautiful place? I am amazed at Noways ducking his head in the provided water trough and tanking up! Thank goodness. Nancy G. gives me a replacement card; Thank You! And Susan K. makes a insightful comment ~ “it’s the veterans that always mess up”…Yes, I am needing my granddaughter to sponsor me on this day…


It is a great trail, but without a crew it is really hard to set up at the away VCs. I was really dreading it and thought and thought of someone I could recruit for our crew. Fortunately, Diane Doll’s husband is crewing for her so we had put on desperate faces and asked if he would get our stuff to the crew area so our ‘stuff’ would at least be in one spot. Robby not only did that for us, but filled our water buckets…Thank You Robby!


I strip off Noways, splash some water on him and head for the pulse area. He is hungry and snatches at the provided hay while we wait and I call to the farrier that I will need him soon. Fortunately Noways trots sound and actually has good gut sounds and hydration pinch test…New elytes must be working?


We get a new shoe and pad back on (Thank you, Guy!) and hurry back to our crew area. We had thought that the way we ride that no more than two of us would be at the VC at a time, but as it turned out, we all four were there at the same time. Which is actually good, since we can hold each others horses while we do this and that. Lots of this and that it seems…I get no rest at these away VCs. But, my boy is eating and drinking like a champ! I am so pleased!


Mary Lynn goes times first on the long middle loop of 24 miles, then Greg and I. Brenda will go back to camp to finish her thirty miles from here. We are to go about 12 miles to a 15 min. hold and circle back to this same VC.


We do well, although Noways is still on the muscle and thinks he must pass everyone up down, around, he does not care as long as he is speeding along…this boy wears me out with his boundless energy. We go up an endless hard climb, and still he wants to steam along… Finally we get to the hold and I discover he has lost the other front shoe! This is exactly what happened last year, when we were doing so well…and had to fight with an Easyboot all the way back to the VC…argh. This time I had a Renegade. At least the putting it on would be easier. I find that the Velcro fails though so wasn’t too happy with the prospect of reapplying it over and over for the 12 + miles to go. I had gotten separated from Greg at this point, and left out of the hold with Krista. Our horses traveled well together and since we seemed to be in a nice pocket, Noways gave me a break and settled into a nice pace. The Renegade lasted for 6 miles…not bad, but once the Velcro fails it is hard to get to hold…and it didn’t. My horse is 15.3, and although I am tall, my legs and arms don’t work like they used to (too many bad falls) getting back on him is a real challenge. He will stand still, unless he is in competition…he is in competition now…after a few times of my getting off and struggling back on, I tell Krista to go on since she is loosing too much time waiting on me. But, when she leaves, Noways is impossible and I give up on the boot and climb back on. I had hoped to walk, but Noways would have none of it…so we catch up to Krista and make it back to the gravel road that goes to the VC. He gets tender here , so I decide to get off and lead him in with the boot on…Noways is really not happy now and refuses to stand still, much less pick up his foot. We exchange some 'unhappy' words. But I finally get the darn boot on but can’t get my body back up on his back. My legs are spent…Then Greg comes along and I’m able to get my red hot horse to stand long enough for me to crawl on once again…We definitely are not happy with each other.


Again I call for the farrier and discover that he has also lost a back shoe…gosh I will be lucky if he trots sound. And again we will have to pull with only the last loop to do. He is a bit off so the Vet says to come back after his shoes are done…I beg a young man that is talking to the farrier to trot my horse for me and he thankfully agrees. My legs are not operational and I’m so hot I can’t stand upright. Again back to the vet and he trots sound with just a bit of offness…with a B on gait we head back to our crew area. I am so hot and thirsty I down a bottle of cold water and a cup of orange sections. Mary Lynn has some Aleve, so I swallow that. Noways is happily eating and drinking. Such an improvement! Unfortunately we’ve spent half of our hold time at the farrier. Greg and I are out at about the same time, but I opt to stay for a few minutes more so Noways can eat, I can sit down for a minute and Mary Lynn can apply some Glide to her raw leg…ouch…I am in no hurry since were are now only wanting to finish…which was my main goal anyway.


Again we take off and Noways actually walks, such a pleasure to sit in the saddle relaxed. Of course it does not last as a rider blasts by us going down that step hill. Noways protests my holding him back and starts to buck…argh. So I turn him up hill and start back up just to piss him off. He gets his brain back and we jig on down the hill to the nice water tank, but he doesn’t want to even look at that…there is a horse to catch! The other rider is going fast so we don’t see her again and I’m hoping to hold Noways in a pocket by himself, but we eventually get caught by Don himself who is checking some misplaced markings…good, the last thing I need now is to go off trail again…and Roxanne catches us too, so we three get along down the trail together until Don peels off and we and Roxanne go ahead. We stick together until we get to the long up hill gravel road. We canter for a while, but slow to a trot while Roxanne canters on up…whew tough horse. Of course Noways thinks he can to, but I refuse to let him. We catch up to Greg and Buzz here and I hope to stick to him, but again, Noways will have none of it. He takes a big drink at the tank at the top of the hill, and then is on the go again. More up hill, but a nice trail. Then down the long rocky hill we had climbed that morning. Noways is still misbehaving, so since we are alone and have plenty of time we do some training. Look at my left knee, look at my right knee, circle, circle…he gets better but still wants to jig if I go on a loose rein. We finally get to the road crossing and know we have only 6 more miles to home. I let him go since we will be slowing again on the switch backs. Noways is so happy to fly home! We finally make it down the switch backs with just a bit of head tossing and threatening to buck, cross the rocky creek and he is sure we are going the wrong way for a bit until we get to the road bed that has the cliffs. I let him go as fast as he wishes now. He picks his big trot and with ears forward we make short work of that road and into the finish! There is a moment when I look down and see our shadow following along side of us. How beautiful it is to see his head and ears up and tail flying as we finish a tough 55 miles…well, more like 60 plus! And he still is full of energy…I manage a tired smile.


YE HAW we got it done… I’m always so glad to see Nancy… And Noways give out a call to his buddy who waits for him at the trailer.


We are in 30th place.


Brenda has finished a couple of hours ago and has freshened up and jumps in to help me with my guy…that was such a treat!! Thank you Brenda! Noways ducks his head in the sponge bucket and sucks it dry…salt, dirt and all. Then off to the final VC. I’ve never been pulled at the end, but the possibility is always there, lurking. Brenda agrees to trot him out for me. He skips right into it and looks really good! It is so nice to watch your horse’s trot out. The vet asked why she had put a B on gait as he was super sound now. Nice! I had to remind her of his shoe problem at the last VC.


Now Noways can roll in his pen and catch up the gossip with is friend Elite, while we wait for Greg and Mary Lynn. Both come on in as tired as I am. Again, Brenda does a trot out for Mary Lynn’s horse, Wiley and we all have finished!! Brenda and Elite even managed a Top Ten!! Wa Hoo! And Quack, Quack!! The Lucky Ducks may not have been all that lucky this day, but we got it done and finally have a team finish.


Greg and Mary Lynn have some business to do the next day so we all decide to stay over another day and rest and go home on Sunday. What a good choice. We did lots of resting and took the horses to the New River to cool those legs and ours…what a nice time we had of it.

Looking forward to next year!

PS that Fire Dept.  can really cook!!

2010 Sandhills Moonlight Ride

2010 Sandhills Moonlight Ride

I seem to always start these ride stories with the effects of the weather…usually; I am dreading rain and all it entails with camping and riding. So once again, it is the weather that leads off this story. However, rain was not the issue at all. In fact it would have been a welcome occurrence. It did rain the day before the ride, and it was a welcome relief from the oppressive heat. We could have done without the lightening, but even that didn’t bother us over much.


The weather issue this time was, IT WAS HOT! Not just hot but so muggy we and the horses were always wet with sweat. Thank goodness we had an electric hookup so we could run the AC day and night. I normally don’t like AC. Don’t like the noise; don’t like the way I get too cold and achy, but not this time. That cold air felt like ice when we went inside in our wet cloths.


The drive took a bit longer than we calculated, but the real aggravation was the *lack of markings for the campsite. Not a good thing when hot and tired and the horses are dripping standing in the trailer while we try to find the campsite. Thanks to Greg hiking down the road to ‘see’ where we were to turn in, we finally pulled in. I crushed my truck bed, once again. I will soon have a flat bed by default… We were the first there, so took some time to get ourselves set up with a great elec. hook up and water! Yea! We just vegetated the next day and watched the early arrivals come in.


Friday evening before the ride day/evening, we Ducks took a bit of a walkabout on the horses after the slight cooling effects of the rain. Noways was on the muscle but did walk without jigging. But, boy he was in forward mode and was going at least 5mph, maybe 6, at a walk/march! Buzz, Greg’s mount was a good boy, taking in the sights, but nicely behaving. Poppy, Paige’s borrowed mount was as usual, a good boy, but he can walk awfully slow when he wants too. We went out the finish and rode it backwards a mile or so and turned around and came back the same way. Trail seemed to be marked very well, which made us happy for sure. None of us had done JD’s ride, so we were a bit anxious, as we hadn’t done a night ride either. But the moon was really bright during the night, so it looked to be a fun experience.

Ride day heated up right away, it hit 90 degrees well before noon. Standing in line to vet in, in the sun was not fun. Only one vet to take care of all the horses… (The other vet got held up because of a traffic accident).
*Three vets would have been kept busy for this ride, as there were 51 riders in the 50 and I think around 25 in the LD. So, it was slow and HOT going. But, we managed, as usual. In endurance, patience is a virtue which I find lacking in myself too often. All Ducks looked good!


Ride meeting was short and to the point. Good! Mainly, “take the first loop easy, it is hot!” Good point! “But the temps will drop with the sun.” Sure hope so…


Paige got us a couple of pieces of Pizza ~ good for her, bad for me…I even took the pepperonis off, which I love, however, I would be tasting that pizza for many hours later, argh. Eating before a ride is never good for me. Fortunately, Paige can and does.

It felt very odd to be getting things ready for a ride to start at 7 PM instead of AM. We were all dripping with sweat, and the horses were already panting. At the start, the temps were near or beyond 100 degrees with the sun bearing down. We had two loops to be done twice. Loop 1, Loop 1, 11.5 miles, Loop 2, Loop 2, 13.5 miles. I wanted to ride with Paige and Poppy. Poppy hadn’t done a 50 in a year, so we needed to go at a moderate pace. And, I wanted to experience our first night ride together. Unfortunately, Noways resists a moderate pace vigorously until I am exhausted. I had forgotten how vigorously he can do this. So, along we went, Poppy trotting happily along, with Noways breathing up his butt, chin in chest at a canter…whew…My head was splitting, and all my ‘whoa’ muscles were being used at the max. Throw in the reused taste of pizza coming up my throat, and the usual confusion of horses in the mid pack; passing horses (Noways passion in life) and being passed, (Noways strong objections). My own breath blowing back on my face felt like a furnace blast. I can’t recall being any hotter.


Evidently we were able to hold the horses down to a moderate pace, because it took us 1.5 hours to finish this loop. As it turned out, the only way we could give Poppy a rest, was for me to hold Noways to walk. We walked a lot! Poppy would drop back, and then trot up, over and over while Noways did his power walk. Argh… We were looking forward to the sun going down.


Mary Lynn was attempting to crew for all three of us. She had her hands full for sure. We had finally let Greg go ahead of us on the first loop. Noways is ‘always’ in competition and Buzz was triggering his race brain, so we hoped to help that with Greg going ahead of us and letting ML get Buzz taken care of us before we came in. Of course it didn’t work that well, but we all managed just fine, or as fine as hot horses, hot riders, slow recoveries, slow vet check (even with two vets). Poppy usually recovers real fast, but this time we were waiting on him. A lot of water *(which had gotten too warm) on him and he was hanging in the 70’s. When he got down into the 60’s we walked over to the in timer (who was sitting at the Pulse box), and cooled some more. Once again Poppy was slow to get down. But finally he did. We had to do a lot of waiting here. When we finally got close to the vet, she decided to ‘pause’ so as to get a truck situated with lights on the trot outs…*WHAT! We had 6 min.s left of our 40 min. hold. All of it taken at the vet line! We met one of our past ‘ride angels’ here. Foster Olsen, who had held back at the Pyramid ride a couple of years ago, so Paige would have a sponsor to finish. He was waiting for a recheck. No telling how long he had been waiting. We finally got vetted through. Both horses looked good and Poppy was now at 48 bpm, so we felt ok. We were just HOT.


We gave the horses some time to chow on some wet alfalfa cubes and saddled up again, now in the dark. *Now is not a good time to have black tack…but we eventually managed and got the green glow lights on their breast collars. I was pleasantly surprised at how much more the green lights glow than the red.


Both horses felt really good, it was still quite hot, but the boys were eager to get going, so once we got to the sand road, we let them get along. Noways was still cantering on a heavy hand, but Poppy was trotting along nicely. We caught up with Greg, who was riding with another gal, but he tucked in behind us and again we Ducks were sailing along in the hot night. It was really beautiful with the moon shining down on us, lighting our way. We cantered and trotted along with the tall pine shadows slashing the trail. I find night riding, at speed much like floating above the ground. Again, Poppy was not showing us he could keep up that pace, so again we went back to the walk so he could recover, then trot on. Again, Noways was pulling, and again we let Greg and Buzz go on so to make for a ‘wee bit’ more peaceful ride for us. Again, my head was bursting, and my stomach was revolting. It was taking every ounce of strength to hold Noways. He was just not settling in at that pace at all. In desperation, Paige would reach over and hold Noways’ by the halter so I could rest my arms…she suggested I put his string back on his halter, and I vowed to do so. (Noways will relax, when I can hold his halter and not his bit when he gets in this mode. His early race training will be with him always (bracing against the bit.))


Again we did this repeat loop in 1.5 hours. Poppy recovered a little faster this time. ML had dumped the water and refreshed it with cooler water. THANK YOU! Still, Poppy was slow to get his pulse down, but we checked through this time without much waiting. There were already a few RO pulls, and we were getting spread out.


This time we let the horses eat their usual beet pulp and grain with elytes. And this time instead of Perform and Win with applesauce, I gave them some Lyte Now before leaving and it did seem to perk Poppy up some. Neither horse would drink on the trail, but tanked up at the trailer. Not unusual for Noways, but Poppy is usually a good drinker. Poppy was just not his usual self, which was worrisome indeed.


This time we were on new trail and it was just beautiful! We actually had a couple of ‘hills’! And the open sand roads glowed in the moonlight. The glow lights were in abundance, and JD was cruizin’ the roadways looking out for us. Poor guy even got stuck and had to be pulled out of a ditch…The only concern as far as the trails were the ATVs out enjoying the night with us. They were ‘mostly’ considerate. It did get a bit worrisome when we were on the berm of a highway and they came screaming close by…but our boys just kept on keeping on, bless them. I am constantly in awe of what these great, big hearted creatures will do for us.

It felt like it was taking way too long to get this loop done. Poppy was flagging again, and we had to do a lot of walking. Paige was getting really tired of pushing a tired horse, even at a walk. He would fall way back, so I’d have to turn Noways around to face her to wait as he didn’t want to trot to catch up. We finally got to the road than led back to camp. Only about 1.5 miles to go. We discussed our option of pulling. I was not feeling a bit better and Poppy was exhausted. Going out and doing this loop again was looking grim. Paige agreed with a near shout! YES! The heat had taken its toll. Paige got off and walked the last half mile in. We cooled the horses, took them to the vet. and let the timer know we were pulling. The timer gave me an ice cold rag to put on my neck…ahhhh did that feel good! Cooled me down some, but that awful headache and rolling stomach would not go away. Noways checked through great, but Poppy had a C on guts and looked done in, time to call it a night.


Greg was still in it though, and went out and finished that last loop! WaHoo! At least one Duck got it done. And he was 15th on Buzz’s first fifty!


A nice cool shower, a big slice of salty watermelon had me feeling much better. I must figure a way to stay hydrated…I would have failed a pinch test for sure.


Once Paige got her shower she passed out for the remainder of the night/morning and didn’t move until 9 the next morning.


I watched the horses for a while as they chowed down, and sat with ML for a bit as she waited for Greg to finish. Then I crashed. I awoke several times to watch the horses from my window. They stood, shoulder to shoulder in the moonlight and rested. I imagine I can hear their brains working. Noways ~ “When is she ever going to let me go! We could have finished in the time it took us to do just three loops!” Poppy ~ “You fool! Because I am smarter than you, we only had to do three loops!”


A couple of days later, when my brain had had time to cool off, and my stomach settled down, and I was remembering the ride with a clearer head, there were several mistakes that I could have easily corrected if I had been THINKING!


1. We were trying to get everything ready ahead of time, but some things are better left until the last minute. IE ~ don’t fill the sponging and drinking water when it is that hot. The water will heat up too. Duh…


2. Do not try something, even a little thing, new on a ride! How many times have we heard that one? My long hair was really bothering me, so I had Paige do a French braid which then made my helmet a wee bit tighter than usual, but not bad…..BAD ENOUGH!! My helmet was a vise, a hot vise…did I think to take it down?…no, I left it in that braid until my shower that night…….DUH…


3. If I am going to ride with a slower rider, I have to take up weight training for my arms, pulls for my shoulders and back, lots of sit ups for my abs, lots of squats for my thighs and calves. For my painful feet and clinched jaw ~ Novocain…

Dynamite Dash ~ Noways POV

Dynamite Dash ~ Noways POV







First off, I’m a SE region horse and this desert dwelling is new. Actually, when I got off the trailer after four days on the road, back in January, I thought Mom had taken us to another planet! Nothing looks like it ought to! The trees are short, and the bushes have stickers of outstanding size on them and the sky is so big sometimes I just stand and stare at it. Then there are those really big trees with big fat limbs that look like giant men. Whew, I couldn’t even go out alone with Mom I was so scared. But she finally figured out that if she ponied my pal Sully along, we could go out just fine to explore. Mom complained about her whoa muscles some, but we thought she’d better be getting in shape for the ride season.

WhenMom's best friend, Mary Lynn suddenly showed up and started to ride Sully we knew a ride must be coming up. Then they started to busy themselves giving us a bath, blanketed us, clipped off some of our winter coat and generally fussed way too much, we knew a ride was about to happen soon.

It had to be the shortest trailer ride to a ridecamp we ever took. Maybe twenty minutes, so I had to hurry and pee and poop before we got there. Mom loves to clean up after us, so I work hard to make sure she’s happy.






Ride camp was tight, but as long as Sully is next to me all is well. Again more fussing over me, looking here and there to see if I still have four legs I guess. Vet says we’re good to go, so back to more food for the night while Mom and Mary Lynn oh and ah over their dinner of Lasagna. She’s smiling so all is well.






Dawn and time to go! We got to watch some horses go out earlier and thought Mom and Mary Lynn had forgotten to get up, but alas there they were tying us up and saddling. Mom checks and checks, the saddle, the boots, the packs, good grief, as long as she doesn’t forget the treats, I’m good to go.






Me and Sully circle and circle as the other riders go out. Mom told me over and over we were going to go slow, as we hadn’t had the opportunity to do much conditioning since our last ride in November. And Mary Lynn keeps reminding Mom of the fact. Well, it was a good vacation, but they have another thought coming if they think we are going to go slow…ha, ha! Sully and I have discussed this strange thinking of theirs and agree we are in a race by golly!

Finally we get pointed to the trail. All my engines are stoked and burning and so is Sully’s. Mom won’t allow my fast trot, so I try cantering in place. She didn’t like that either…gosh…and to make it worse, Mary Lynn keeps fussing at Sully too. We have this disagreement for a while, so the going was a little herky jerky…but finally I got Mom to allow a working trot that I can slip up to a faster pace without her realizing it until Mary Lynn starts to grumble…darn.






Passing horses is my favorite thing, so I work hard at it always letting Mom know that we can really go much faster than she is allowing. Along we go, zipping around those pointy things, down little washes and buzzing along a really fast trail. The footing is perfect for me and we cover some ground in a hurry. Mom likes to ride in a pocket so I can’t see the horse in front of me, but here in the desert I can see far!






Then, as some times happens, (way too often), Mom kills some time turning the wrong way, and here she was making me think we were done with the first loop…came into camp for the first VC and had to go out again to pick up the proper trail into camp. We had to do an extra mile or so because of her mistake, but she lets me do some galloping and we make fast work of those last four miles into camp. Went straight to our buckets and they were empty…opps, they do things a little different here I guess…seems everyone uses the tubs provided rather than their own crew buckets, so ours looked really handy, sponges and sweat scrapers all ready for them…oh well, Mom gets some water on me and we go to the pulse. Again they decide I and Sully still have four legs and we are good to go. Back to the trailer for some more food and a good roll then time to go out again. Mom fusses at me when she brushes off the dirt, but she is still smiling, so I allow her to saddle me up again.

She told me she was a bit worried that we might not be doing the whole 50 miles because she was out of shape, but since it is only two 25 mile loops, it is suck it up time, for there is no quitting before the third loop…there is only two loops! He, he… She was told that this loop is the hardest. That long deep sand wash really did slow me down. Mom made me walk longer than I’ve ever walked on a ride, but we made it up when the footing got solid again and I was ready to turn for home after the little climb up to the half way point where Sully drank and drank, taking up way more time that I was wanting to give up…Mary Lynn squirted some of that funny tasting applesauce in our mouths and off we went for home.. ye ha! Mom let me gallop and gallop, only slowing for sharp turns. Then back up the steep wash side onto even better footing and off we go again. I can feel Mom smiling even though she is holding tight onto my reins, sure wish she would let me show her how fast I can really go. Every now and then she pulls me back behind Sully so she can rest her whoa muscles. Still, we were making good time when we came upon three riders on a single track maybe a mile from camp. I was chomping at the bit and so was Sully, but no place to pass and the riders wouldn’t yield. We thought we were stuck, for Mom had been told that there would be no racing into camp on the single track, and we thought we’d have to just settle as we were. But, ye ha, the single track opened onto a dirt road and Mom turned my head from behind Sully’s butt and I knew what to do. Off we took with Sully and some other riders who’d piled up behind us. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. Me too!






Mom’s legs were shaking when she got off me at the timer, what a wimp…but she was smiling and gave me a big hug. She told me later that we did the ride in 5 hours and 13 minutes…boy if she’d of really let me go…one day she will.






Again, it turned out that I had all four legs and we got another completion, another adventure and another big dinner of slushy beet pulp and grain, yummy…sigh, all is well, and this dry air ain’t so bad after all.






Oh, and Mom wants to thank everyone for taking such good care of us and making our first endurance ride in Arizona such a great experience. Now she’s talking about next weekend and another ride…wonder if she’ll let me run then? Hummmmm Sully and I have to talk…