PDA

View Full Version : Far Out Forest Endurance Ride


Cathy
02-19-2006, 06:36 PM
PJ and I completed our first 30 mile ride yesterday in the Ocala National Forest. For those of you who have never been there just to finish a ride there is an accomplishment. Lots of deep sand and if you've been watching the Olympics you have a sandy version of the moguls. This is due to the heavy ATV use. We actually had to stop 3 times to avoid a head on collison with them. For the most part they were pretty courteous, pulling over to the side and letting us pass. PJ is only four and handled this extremely well.
I did this ride with a good friend who has never done a Limited Distance Endurance Ride before. It was so funny to me because as we rode out in the morning she was talking about doing 50s or maybe a 100. I couldn't help myself as we drug ourselves in just BARELY making it in before the cutoff asking her if she wanted to go back out for another 20 miles. I can't tell you what her answer was on this BB. We didn't have time to rest the horses at all before going to the vet check but both were at the required HR of 60 when we got there and down to 44 at the end. I am so excited about this little guy. He matched the Arab she was riding and towards the end he helped to pull her along. It makes a huge difference having a partner to help you at the end when your so tired you really want to quit.
Last night at the awards ceremony they announced that this might be the last FOF ride. Ken is moving up north somewhere to try and get the help he needs for a medical condition and Karen isn't able to put the ride on by herself. They are nice people and I'll miss going to this ride. For those of us hooked on this sport it's sad to see the rides go away. Over the last few year we've lost Jennings, Pirates Run, and it looks like FOF now.
I didn't mention it but PJ was the only Paso at the ride. We finished 18 out of 21. I'm just happy we finished !
Hope to see you on the trail! Come up and introduce yourself. I'm easy to find I ride the little black paso and I'll be wearing that Paso grin!
Cathy

Pasogirlz
02-21-2006, 01:38 AM
Cool story Cathy. Thanks for sharing. Got any pix for us?

sporthorse
02-23-2006, 01:22 AM
Cathy,

Congratulations on the completion. You are right, it is a tough ride. I know you are proud of PJ and it's great that he seemed to do as well or better than your friend's Arab. Hooray for the Pasos!

What a bummer that we may be losing another ride. Add Liberty to the list. And maybe Goethe, as Pat Thomas apparently wants to concentrate on CTR. Sure hope someone picks that one up anyway.

See you next month. Hope your move goes smoothly.

Lindsay