Wow. Just, wow. What an end to our first #EnduranceGB season - it has truly turned out to be everything I could have hoped for and much more besides. So, the end first eh. After my navigator error lead us to cover 47k in our 40k at The College in July, I figured the wonky ol camel-horse would be comfortable enough to tackle a 50k for the Lions Tail ride yesterday. Id already planned it to be our last graded ride of the season and was quietly hoping that wed manage a completion and therefore be able to upgrade to Open status ready for next year. And oh boy did we complete. :-) The venue was lovely and the weather was pleasantly overcast yet warm with a cool breeze every now and then. The ground conditions overall were marvellous, though I did see a few people having the occasional sliding issue, Leo had no trouble with his bare feet - even on the stony track section. To think hes tackled all his rides without requiring hoof boots is a testament to a good diet and the strength of a Standardbreds feet. Tagging along with a variety of other riders along the first few kilometres he was more comfortable to keep to a slightly slower rhythm, only protesting (or showing off) on a straight stretch by the cameraman by curling up his neck, chomping at his bit and prancing about like a goodun. Needless to say once we were past one group and he got his sights set on the next rider in the distance, he decided to pick up the pace and we were running along at about 15kph average for the first couple of checkpoints. I, sadly, cant keep up with that for long and so we had our usual disagreement at about 25k... I needed a break, he had other ideas. Cue 10k of jigging, jogging, running walk and even a bit of pacing... but at least I can sit to all that and give my legs an essential rest. The rest was smooth as ever as his wonderfully lanky legs and ground eating stride just chewed up the distance like so much good haylage. And thats the proudest thing for me - the reason why Im now so enamoured with this sport - my wonky ol boy, with his history, previous injuries, pacing/racing past and somewhat unique action - he is holding his own and competing on equal terms against normal horses, balanced horses and those whose conformation grants them a perfect stance and straight action. Not only that... hes doing well and nothing, no judges subjective preferences or viewpoint or lofty ideal for movement and looks stand in his way. He sailed through the finish and settled by the lorry for a wash off like it was just another day. I however, was sponging cold water over my knees and shins after hed finished with it! Then soaking my poor feet in the bucket too - back-up boots having lead to such cramp in my little toes I could barely move them, or wiggle the rest of my right foot to be honest. Pottering over to the final vetting and he walked better than me! This time there was no long line of other horses trotting up, so a nice calm ol boy stood and I was shock as could be when the vet calmly announced a heart rate of 47 - netting him a very well deserved Grade 2. So thats it. Were done... for this year. Weve upgraded in style but now its a couple of weeks wind-down, then most of October just chillin and going for a few gentle walks. Well earned and well deserved holiday. #mysport
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 21:17:24 +0000
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