Farah Wins Best Condition @ Mt. Adams 55-mile~

The morning of the ride! Butch was up ahead of me, feeding Farah & going down to watch John & Diane start in the 100.  I finished putting my stuff on the saddle & Butch returned to help saddle up.  Lounging is next - the gold girl likes to buck & stretch herself out.  I stepped into the stirrup & we walked down to the starting line area.  Many riders were already warming their horses up & the usual tension was in the air.

Waiting to go~

I was happy Farah started grazing - but it wasn't long until she saw horses coming by - in the direction of last years start.  This year it was moved to the main road.  We wouldn't loop around the top of camp, but cut across it.  Butch filmed the start.  Once the trail was open - Farah let loose with a small buck - but nothing compared to last years antics.  I moved her forward - trying to avoid the other hyper horses.

With about six riders ahead of us, Farah was All business!  I was so proud of her!  A couple of the young FEI riders were in the lead - on the single track trail.  Within a mile or two, we were asking for trail.  Farah moved past several horses, along with Brittany on her gray mare & the rider on the paint.

By the time we'd reached the first Vet Check for the 100's - at ten-miles - Brittany had missed trail turns a couple times.  The VC was a busy place.  I called to Max - who responded to my query.  Our Snow King loop continued on, directly across from where we came in.  Farah - soon took the lead & missed the same turn as last year.  She realized her mistake as Brittany cut us off & whipped onto the trail.  Our first clue, we were in a horse race.

Coming into camp at 7:39 a.m.

To say we were flying - would be an understatement...  Finishing the 15-mile loop faster than last year - one-hour 9 min.   Post~  Farah pulsed down just slightly slower, but ahead of the gray.  Butch vetted her through - with a different vet & had no issues with her kicking out.  We followed our usual routine & were ready to leave after the 30-min. hold.

8:14 & ready to leave~

To this point, the paint had been staying with us, but now dropped back.  Gotchen is my favorite loop - someday I'd like to come back when I have time to enjoy the scenery.  :-)  The burn area had changed, birds pecking holes in the burned trees, tops blown off & fallen to the ground.  (Many thanks to the great crew who worked on all the chain-saw clean-up!)  With Brittany in the lead, we took another wrong turn & ran head-on into a pile of slash.  No fun, neither horse hurt.  I apologized for Farah being too close.  I'd been holding her back every stride.  The two mares were - as Brittany said;  "loving the competition".

9:43 a.m. - finished with Gotchen - at 31-miles

 Farah took just a couple minutes longer this time than the gray, to pulse down.  She also wasn't drinking as much as I expect her too - but again vetted with all A's.  Gut sounds were up to a B, from a B- the first loop.  I told Butch I'd take however much time necessary & he assured me she was totally eating & drinking normally.

10:37 a.m. We leave on Ghost Loop~

I didn't know it, but our in/out times were very close to the timeline we'd established in last years ride.  I left a few minutes behind my out time, we'd watched Brittany galloping her mare out a few minutes earlier.  The weather was really changeable, from cold to drizzle, some wind, to sunshine that warmed things up in seconds.  It seemed very humid too & I wasn't comfortable with the two-horse race.

Our next loop has several short, steep climbs.  I new Farah would do well, she loves tackling hills.  We dropped back to a comfortable pace & kept on truckin'.  We did start coming up on riders in the 30-mile again.  I'd ask for trail & most riders were so courteous.  Farah took a couple of the hills with leaps so smooth - her athleticism is just amazing.  I swear she used less energy bounding up - than if I'd asked her to take it slower.  When we'd stop for water or to leave our number with a radio operator - she would listen to see if anyone was coming up behind us :-)  If they had been, I'm sure our little 8.9 to 9.5 trot would have zipped right back up into the double digits :-)  For being on our own - no competition Farah was aware of - she was motoring right along.

12:13 p.m. 45-miles gone - we return from Ghost!

Both of us were feeling fine at this point.  (Just minutes different from last year.)  Farah still not drinking as much as I would have liked - but as Butch kept reminding me - it was substantially cooler than in other years & her vet scores had stayed consistently  A's.

12:50 p.m. Morrison - 10-miles to go!

Farah was not happy to that we were leaving on our own...  I felt sorry for her - since she does enjoy a race so much :-)  I was happy - we had not seen the front-runner again & I didn't attempt to catch her.  (I had a plan in the back of my mind :-)  I knew we'd probably opened a decent gap behind us & the rest of the riders - from our morning speed.  When Butch again sent us off with;  "Get out there & don't waste any time"...  That's what we did.

We both know Morrison loop well by now, Farah was in cruise control.  I hadn't taken my stick, it was the final loop after all. :-)  The heart monitor was displaying low, lackadaisical readings - so I probably should have :-)  Arriving at the last water tank, we met Tani & a friend heading out.  I asked if there were any 55-mile riders in front of us?  She replied;  "No one"!  "Get OUT of here!"  :-)

2:05 p.m. We Finish!

As we approached camp, the trail around the edge was congested with 30-mile riders.  Even so, we held the trot to within a few feet of the finish line.  Farah appreciates knowing when we're done & I like to finish with a flourish!  (Butch tried to video our finish - but his camera didn't record.)  Our ride time was a little slower than last years - but Farah was totally cool & dry.  She felt like we could have gone on forever.

John & Diane were there to see us finish - help with tack & guide me to the scale.  Butch took Farah back to camp & started grooming her for Best Condition judging.  John offered to trot Farah out for the Vet & Butch gratefully accepted :-)  Butch had his hands full all day - keeping the Head Veterinarian happy with red ribbons in Farah's tail.  She'd taken a dislike to him early on - while none of the other Vets had any issue with her.

3:05 p.m. John takes Farah~

I should have taken a video of John trotting Farah.  He did a super job & the gold girl - I'm sure - was surprised a human could run so fast!  :-)  She looked so good & trotted so sound after our fast 55-miles.

Farah with John~

We did wish the trotting area had been out in the big field, rather than the space across the road.  It was short on room & fringed on the crew/pulsing area.  Not ideal - but John's experience make it look easy!

Wowing the onlookers :-)

Farah's scores were wonderful, she looked amazing & I felt like I'd accomplished my goal of finishing with a healthy, happy horse!

Results~

Sunday morning, at the ride meeting, Farah was awarded Best Condition!  My plan had paid off & Farah was so deserving.

American Gothic - Endurance Style!

Butch will hang the pitch fork we received for our award - in a place of honor in the barn.  A good friend - known for her sewing talents - has offered to make something for Farah - to commemorate our accomplishment. :-)