sporthorse
02-16-2006, 12:48 AM
Pocita and I went to Sylvester, GA this past w/e for a two day ride of 25 miles each day. There were also two 50 mile rides and a two day 100 (50 miles each day, but considered one 100 mile ride rather than two 50s). The weather setting up camp Thursday was cool, but sunny. Ride management as per usual had a nice warm fire going in the headquarters area and the chow hall was open for lunch. Friday morning it was in the 30s. Pretty nippy. I forgot to wear my silk glove liners and by the end of the first loop I could barely feel my fingertips. But it was great weather for furry Pocita. She went right to the check area and was at pulse upon arrival. The first loop was mostly on Osborn land, nice trails with just a few shallow ponds and a few mucky areas. The second loop was on dirt roads and around a couple of nice lakes; good terrain. We completed in 18th place out of thirty-something riders. Judy Clark on her Paso, Lightening de Carlos, finished 15th. I knew Friday night would bring rain and some gusty winds so, after resting a bit, I made sure the awning on the camper door side where I had Pocita's pen (I like being able to stick my head out the door and be greeted by my always hungry, very verbal mare) was battened down with comealong straps and dog anchors and that all tack, blankets, hay and feed were under the awning or the gooseneck for protection. After a great dinner and awards ceremony it was time for bed. About 1:30 I heard the pitter patter of rain drops. Too bad, the weather radio was right:rain. By ride time at 7AM the rain was a drizzle. The temps were in the high 40s or low 50s. I was well layered with clothes and my Frogg Toggs rain gear was pulled on over the clothes. Frogg Toggs are great. They are made of recycled paper. They breathe so you don't sweat. The layer of clothes just underneath may get a little damp, but even in hard rain I've never been soaked. They are light and break the wind very well. My Frogg Togg hood under my helmet (covered with a waterproof helmet cover) and knee-high rubber boots and waterproof gloves completed the ensemble. The trail on the first loop was quite a bit wetter than the previous day and there were areas of slippery clay and eroded trail to contend with. The second loop was mostly on the Mercer Mill Plantation, a private holding of what is probably a 1000 acres or more. Nice rolling grassy terrain and good trails and few boggy areas. The plantation police were out patrolling so even though I rode alone I felt safe. Indeed, I rode alone most of the time both days and never felt like that was a problem. By the time we came off the plantation onto public dirt roads I could tell Pocita was finally beginning to tire a bit. But, we made it back in good time to complete 21st out of 28 riders. Judy did not ride the second day. This was Pocita's 3rd set of back-to-back 25 milers in a month. I am very proud of her. She is easy to rate. She does well by herself or with other horses. She walks and canters and gaits equally well and when I ask her to. Definitely a change from riding Leo who is go, go, go the first loop and pooped on the second! I feel she is quite a lot of horse. We now have three weeks off then, if all goes well, we'll head to FITS in the Goethe State Forest for another 2 days at 25 miles each. Lindsay