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August 11-12, 2001
The Challenge trail ride lives up to its name
Unlike Edgemont, all roads into this piece of horse heaven
are paved! Gossip being what it is and the undercurrents of
false information all flowing strong to tantalize the mind,
body, and soul of any rider who dared to challenge the Elk
Mountains surrounding this beautiful valley, 55 riders
signed up to take the challenge. Nestled along the flood
plains of Elk Creek, this beautiful resort with equestrian
center offers the horseman a delightful experience in the
peace, quite, and serenity of the Elk Mountain range. The
stars are truly the streetlights in this fantastic location.
The hospitality offered by Abbie Sanders and staff cannot be
surpassed. She went the extra miles to meet every request
made by our group.
Competition horses were all stalled. Turn out pens, paddocks
with grass and pastures are available with reservations for
those wishing to board by private arrangement. A restaurant
to satisfy your hunger after a long day's ride is just
across the grass from the stables. A round pen, show ring
and GRASS add to the horse's training and reward. An empty
closed shed provided cover from the hot sun, rain and wind
for the dinner meals of lasagna, salad, bread and drinks
Saturday. Sunday was bar-b-cue, cold slaw, rolls, banana
pudding dessert and drinks. What more could we ask?
We were greeted to sunshine and scorching heat Friday
afternoon firing the rumors that this CHALLENGE would be
impossible, 37 miles for open on Saturday just could not be
done in this heat. Riders backed out, dropped down from Open
to CP or went to management, like they could control the
weather! Folks, lots of work, thought and preparation goes
into putting a ride together, suck it up and take the
challenge. The wonderful judging team of Dr. Mike Bridges
and Judy Jessie held the game plan tight through it all. Out
we rode at 6:30 AM Saturday to try to beat the heat.
God came Saturday afternoon, just before the last P & R
showering us with rain, stayed Saturday night and Sunday
morning blessing everyone with an overcast sky and cooler
temperatures as we rode out at 6:30 AM again. To finish was
to win, as 13 Open riders crossed that finish line Sunday
around 11:30 to be greeted by Abbie with a greatly
appreciated icy pop sickle. Every rider walked toward their
stall with a big smile and great feeling of accomplishment,
confidence, pride, and pleasure knowing that they had MET
THE CHALLENGE and won. Shortly thereafter, a large CP and
Novice division of riders came across for that delightful
greeting, smiling and sharing that smiling feeling.
Markings on this trail were the finest we have ever had at a
NATRC ride in Region V. They were all there, visible at a
distance, very clear and Abbie was there to assure that
every rider passed the check points safely with ambulance
trailer in position if needed. She had seen to it that 800
gallons of water was out there for all our horses to drink,
requesting only that we not use it to sponge horses.
Many first-time riders won Novice awards proving that this
was a very doable ride. Mileage for Novice/CP was only 15
miles at 3.5 miles per hour each day assuring no horses
would be endangered if ridden with prudence. Dr. Mike
Bridges kept a close touch on the metabolics and soundness
of every horse. Dr. Mike had previously ridden the trail so
that he would have that extra edge on knowing what was
happening with the horses and he also had judged the AERC
ride in the spring to have added knowledge of what really
goes on inside the horse before it crashes. Folks, Abbie WAS
PREPARED for this to be a wonderful, successful NATRC ride
and it was!
Judy Jessie was selected for her horsemanship skills because
she is noted throughout NATRC for her abilities to teach and
judge without interfering with the forward progress of a
ride. Her expertise judged a trot and stop, back 5 steps up
hill, open and close a gate, and stabling on Saturday.
Sunday started with a sidepass, hanging a ribbon, turning on
rear to exit, care at the P & R, cleaning of the right rear
hoof after the P & R Sunday, and lastly a downhill near the
day's end.
Open riders covered the 37 miles Saturday at 4.0 miles per
hour with their usual grace and quality care of their
horses. It has been a long time since Open horses have been
tested in the mountains like this and it showed in P & R's.
Only two horses were reported to have cleared without points
off on P & R's all weekend. Trails like Hunkabo, Fox Branch,
Homestead, Bob's Branch, Flat Rock, and Mella Lisa will go
down in the memories of the Open riders as the Bowels of
Hell and out. The smirks of the locals that say, did you
ride the yellow trail, will hold a very special meaning for
those who have been there!
Everyone who stayed for awards walked away with a memory.
First-prize winners got an engraved nylon halter and photo
shoot with Abbie and Lindsay. All others who placed received
a bandana with the LEATHERWOOD TRAIL CHALLENGE logo.
Sweepstakes got a winter polarfleece jacket with the logo.
WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
Thank you LEATHERWOOD staff for such a great memory, mission
impossible accomplished!
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