Ramblings of a Distance Rider
Connie Caudill's annual Gator being a multi day event
presented an opportunity for Corina to accomplish her first back to back
distance events. Gator presented additional challenges and firsts for Corina...
it would be her first long trip alone and the terrain and heat would raise the
challenge above that of simply completing 25 miles per day two days in a row.
And the Gator presents yet another sometimes more important opportunity - an
excuse for me to escape Pennsylvania for a mid January hiatus.
Vacation was planned and then almost derailed one Friday afternoon mid December
when one of my office staff unexpectedly went home ill. The absence turned into
indefinite FML. Should I stick to the plan or cancel? There are only 4 of us in
the office to begin with so with one off on FML and one on vacation we would be
operating at 50% capacity with end of the year pressures to deal with. Well as
you probably guessed I decided to stick to the plan and pay for it later…
Extra time off to get ready for the trip is out of the question given the
circumstances at the office so I am forced to put in more then full days as we
do our best to cover for the missing team member. But I am lucky that my husband
Gordon, son Colby, and Feather Hill staff member Jeanna spend the week securing
travel papers for Corina, washing her blankets and shipping boots, cleaning and
organizing the trailer with feed and tack. I spend my evenings at the grocery
store and doing laundry as I packing the living quarters with food and cloths
for myself.
The trip was to be in excess of 1000 miles each way. After packing what we hoped
would be all conceivable needs for both horse and rider for a 10 day period
Corina and I hit the road at 8am on Saturday morning Dec 30th... quick stop at
the Wal-Mart before leaving town and I had a couple new movies for
entertainment!
Too many years in the refrigerated transportation industry hauling produce and
other perishables coast to coast with Gordon and I just can't break old
habits…planned the trip around the Flying J truck stops as they offer the best
RV facilities… Diesel for the truck, gas for the generator, propane for the
appliances, water, and dump stations at the same island with easy access, RV
parking and a frequent fueler discount program.
Corina left New Columbia PA having the stock portion of the trailer all to her
self. She enjoys traveling like the princess that she is - at liberty in her
plush mobile box stall equip with private smorgous board including three
varieties of hay to choose from. (Later I overheard her telling "her" version of
this trip to sister, Ambrosa. I was surprised to learn that Corina actually had
a servant at her beck n call who provided her grain and fresh water in her
favorite red bucket every time the trailer stopped moving… this servant
reportedly did a semi satisfactory job of keeping the floor of her stall
spotless… and I thought Corina and I were alone on this trip??)
Corina would take in the sights and smells of each pit stop before drinking the
water but she did drink like clock work each n every time we stopped. She had
her mid-day grain somewhere in Virginia... by 8pm we were refueled at the Flying
J in Latta SC… I could have driven some more but the next Flying J was in
southern GA and I did not think I would make it that far before fighting the
night demons so decided to park for the night. More grain and water for Corina,
dinner from the microwave for me, phone call to hubby, online to answer emails
and bed by midnight. Up bright n early to feed and water Corina, clean stall
again, breakfast and lunch packed in the small cooler on the passenger seat and
we are back on the road by 6am. Rained most of the morning but cleared up as we
hit southern GA for one last fuel stop before the Florida line… Ed & Lindsay had
graciously offered to put us up for the evening. Corina and I arrived in Lake
City about 1pm Sunday. Greeted by Unbelievable heat and humidity. I could hardly
move without panting myself and Corina got off the trailer already wet with
sweat. I was told by our hosts that it was in the 80's but I think they were
trying to make me feel good by keeping the truth from me that it was in reality
110 with 200% humidity!
By evening the heat had "slightly" subsided and Ed, Lindsay and I saddled up
Staci, Pocita, and Corina for a short 9 mile stretch around their home.
Apparently the few hours of turn out with Lindsay's adorable goats was not
enough to satisfy her Highness Corina, who is accustomed to 24/7 freedom to
roam. Corina who is always very opinionated was not shy about letting me know
she was still full of herself after being confined in the trailer for the better
part of two days! The humidity sure helped sweat the edge off her though and she
returned to Obi's borrowed round pen more tranquil and prepared to spend her
first night in Florida. For me a shower, dinner, an enjoyable visit with Ed and
Lindsay and bed! I was such an exciting New Years Eve guest that by the time
hubby called at midnight to wish me Happy New Year you guessed it - he woke me
up! I didn't feel bad about waking Ed & Lindsay when I learned Lindsay's brother
also called her at midnight.
Next morning I had to look twice to find Corina in the round pen as she had
successfully accomplished camouflaging herself in the sand. She probably thought
if I only saw that pitiful peasant looking gray horse in the round pen she could
avoid another 1000 mile trailer ride…. First swipe across her back with the
shedding brush and I instantly learned I did not have the proper PPE for this
job! Safety glasses definitely required!
10 am finds us southbound following Ed & Lindsay heading for the Goethe State
Forrest Tidewater trail head where unbeknownst to us, at that very moment… Cathy
and "Charlie Brown" aka Cisco were packing up from a weekend campout! What a
small world it is… over a 1000 miles and Corina literally misses running into
her old stable mate by about 5 minutes…(Later Corina told me privately that she
knew Cisco was there all along as she could still smell his familiar cologne)
Judging from the pictures shared later we apparently camped right next to Cathy
and CB's spot and Ed & Lindsay parked in the very same spot! Only goes to show
great minds think alike!
Lindsay and I were delighted to secure two adjoining parking spots with a
coveted water spigot right between the trailers, and the woods for shade over
the horse pens. Of course as is a woman's prerogative we parked exactly the
opposite as we had previously told Ed we planned to… this caused a few minutes
of discussion and bewilderment as it is a universal fact of nature that it does
take men a few minutes to adjust to female mindset changes …. Being the good
sport that he is Ed was onboard with the change in short order!
Pens and corrals were set up, trucks unhooked and Ed & Lindsay headed for home
shortly after noon… Corina and I were just settling in about 3pm when the rain
came… this one lasted all afternoon and after a short break continued off n on
thru the night. The air was still enough that I could stay dry sitting under my
awning for dinner and some time on line… Thank God for Laptops!
Late that night I thought Corina was so quiet I should get up and check to make
sure she had not headed north without me… as I rounded the back of the trailer
flash light in hand I caught glimpse of a sight that froze me dead in my tracks!
There was Corina laying down fast asleep… I let the light point to the ground
and backed up as quietly and quickly as possible so as not to disturb her, and
headed back to bed to finish watching a Steven Seagull movie.
Tuesday morning up with the sun I adorn proper servant attire… cow "girl" boots,
shorts, T Shirt yes its already that hot and besides that you can get away with
almost anything when you are camped in the woods with no immediate neighbors…
Dry hay, more grain, and fresh water for Corina. She is drinking the iron rich
water but not enthusiastic about it…Hot mug of Earl Grey Tea in the left hand
and pitch fork in the right hand (vacation style multitasking) I maneuver slowly
around the corral removing anything unpleasant so her highness doesn't have to
concern herself with accidentally soiling her fur coat….When she stopped eating
we went for a walk to have a look around. Back at camp things seem to suit
Corina and she resumes the task of eating and I too cooking my own breakfast… a
treat of scrambled eggs with cheese, veggie sausages & Morning Star Farm bacon
stiplets and of course a refill on the Earl Grey. I sit under the awning
enjoying breakfast and the latest issue of "The Gaited Horse". Did you know that
if the Peruvian Horse was a wild animal it would be listed as endangered? Me
neither…Mentally I keep waiting for the day to start… Later in the "heat" of the
hot day I go on line to pay some bills and answer some more emails while
watching a few more rigs pull in. The afternoon brings more rain followed by
another camouflage attempt by Corina…I adorn the proper PPE and make my best
attempt to clean her up… we discuss and agree (I thought) to saddle up and head
out to explore the trails. Good thing I picked the Eli Miller endurance saddle
which offers a little more substance over the "self unloading" English
alternative and of course my helmet. Off we go and the palmettos are monsters or
they are disguising monsters.. I am never sure which… but either way Corina is
still making her point of objecting to the lack of free roaming and every time
we gain momentum above her conservative corto she sneaks in a buck… I think she
was really trying to hit me with her tail… So an hour and a dozen bucks later we
are back at camp. We are both soaked. However I am sure we did not actually
sweat but rather merely absorbed some of the humidity out of the air. It kind of
dawns on me that the day never really did start did it? Evening feed and
grooming for Corina followed by shower, phone call home and dinner, a movie for
me. This time a western that ends up being two full disks so just part one
tonight. More Rain.
Wednesday starts out like "Ground Hog Day" almost a repeat of Tuesday, am
chores, another attempt at the camo trick, more grooming followed by more hand
walking, breakfast & another Gaited Horse article that tells the story behind
NetPosse… touching story and another article telling the tail of two Foxtrotters
attempt at the Tevis also a great read! More trailers pulling in and real estate
is now at a premium as they start to drive thru and then back out and up the
road parking at another smaller camp site far from the vetting station. More
rain with wind that causes me to move inside this time and I can't get the
wireless signal inside so I opt to organize my organizer for the New Year, and
balance bank statements on several business accounts. Vacation or no April 15th
cometh. Later lunch and phone calls about horses setting up a Paso test ride in
MI… return a call to NY State Social Services worker with "the rest of the
story" squashing the "free loader" dream of a recent trainer wannabe… rain lets
up, this time I am pretty sure she has perfected the camouflage … more grooming
and another exploration ride. Palmettos no longer rate as horse eating monsters.
45 minutes and a few bucks later and I am concerned she is more then opinionated
and that perhaps something is wrong…stress sets in… The ride manager has set up
her camp today and people are registering and vetting in for the 55 mile
endurance ride starting in the morning… I go ahead amid my concerns and register
Corina for both days of the LD. Just before dark someone finally takes the
camping spot on the other side of us and now I am sure there is not another
place to fit a trailer….Shower, talk to hubby, I sit outside under the awning
and log on to check emails. I call hubby back to tell him about the gray Arabian
camped in the woods across the road. Every time the lights of an incoming truck
hit him he spins and runs the short length of his corral executes a dramatic
roll back and runs two strides to the other end to do it again…He reminds us of
Medallion and we make a wager that he will be pulled for lameness tomorrow
before he finishes the ride. Dinner and disc II of the western, Broken Trail.
More trucks continue pulling in throughout the night.
Thursday am, chores, Corina drank almost a whole 5 gallon bucket of iron water
last night - good sign she is adjusting. Another hand walk. Breakfast while I
watch the 55 mile riders coming in to their first hold. Later Ed and Lindsay
arrive with their other trailer bringing Obi and Pocita. There is no place for
Ed's trailer & he is forced to park about a mile down the road. Later Ed "trots"
out Corina for me so I can watch, she looks good and Lindsay helps relieve my
concerns that Her Highness could somehow be uncomfortable…Ed loops the lead rope
thru the halter and jumps on Corina bareback and canters back to us… of course
Corina still feeling slighted by confinement thinks she will keep going but she
is finally convinced otherwise and back to camp we go. Now some rigs are forced
to park on the road and put up pens for their horses in the woods. Ed & Lindsay
register and we are told we can vet in anytime the judges are not busy with 55
mile riders. So back to camp to get Corina, Obi, and Pocita. Pocita vets in,
then Obi all is fine. Corina gets the hands on check all fine, we do our trot
out and just as I think everything is really ok Otis says "Take her down again I
am not sure if she is lame or not and this time try to make her trot!" Oh Crap!
Maybe I was not stressing for no reason after all! So we run down to the orange
cone and back again. Otis says "Well she did it exactly the same as the first
time and the odds of a lame horse doing two identical trot outs are pretty slim"
So he marks her all A's and away we go. We weigh the horses and Corina weighs in
at 876lbs - 21 lbs lighter then she started the Carolina 30 in November. Weight
loss probably due to the 1000 mile transport down here followed by days of
extreme heat/ humidity (who ever thought it would be in the 80's in January with
like 70% humidity even in Florida?) and the fact she is not wild about the iron
rich water supply.
Back to camp for another first… I had been procrastinating on clipping Corina
just incase she did not start the ride. I did not want her to have to go back to
the Pennsylvania winter shy her winter coat if she did not indeed enter the
ride. Start the generator, fire up the clippers, short introduction to Corina
and Ed helped me clip her neck as she has so much mane it takes at least three
hands to clip her neck without accidentally cutting the mane. Fresh braids in
her mane and reverse the clippers to go over her chest and flank thinning and
shortening the hair but not actually clipping. Everyone else is clipped more
aggressively but they don't have to go back to the Northeast in two days and
after our entire goal is to complete two rides - racing is not a consideration.
We set up our crewing area between our two trailers to avoid any other horses in
our water or feed buckets since Florida does have a couple quarantines going on
right now. No need to take chances. We notice as the owner of the gray Arab come
in to the hold on foot leading the horse. Yep lame.
Evening chores and a dose of electrolytes, dinner and the ride meeting then off
to bed a little earlier. Still more trailers pull in.
Friday 5:30 feeding more electrolytes, some maple flavored oatmeal for
breakfast. At 7:30 as we are hand walking the 50 mile riders hit the trail. Back
to camp to saddle up, I pick the Eli Miller again not knowing what to expect
regarding this new bucking trick. The three of us ride down the road a little
and check in with the timer. We are ready for our 25 mile ride to start at 8:20
and we circle camp again. Corina is really good about the starts and Obi knows
what his job is. Pocita is trying to convince her rider to let her go out with
brother Obi but Lindsay and I previously decided our game plan would be to let
the starters go out and we will start a few minutes late so we can keep the
girls at a slower pace. After our entire goal is to come back and do this again
tomorrow! So about 8:30 Lindsay and I head out on the Yellow trail. It takes a
few miles in the sand for Corina to adjust to the footing and settle into a
consistent gait. She starts to feel good and I am glad I started her! We try to
keep the girls slow and they do not understand our logic. The Yellow trail is
17.5 miles long and it seems like ½ of it is under water. The iron rich water
lays black against the white sand making it impossible for the most part to see
what roots, and fallen trees and who knows what else may be laying under the
water. Much of this water is deep enough to warrant walking and this riders feet
are soon wet. Of course the natives, Ed and Lindsay know about the water on the
trails here (after all the camp is named TIDEWATER - duh!) and they have knee
high rubber boots keeping their legs and feet dry. Upside to the abundant supply
of water on trail is Corina has plenty of opportunities to drink on trail and
she does.
One particularly long span of water logged trail estimated at as much as two
miles really slowed everybody down. Corina shifted into her "power walk" and we
passed at least 6 Arabs before we saw dry ground. Apparently the girls were as
happy to see dry ground as Lindsay and I were and they convinced us to let r
rip! As we are galloping thru to palmettos the cell phone in my fanny pack
rings.. I fumble getting the phone out of the zip lock baggy and we slow to a
canter as hubby and I talk briefly about how the ride is going so far.
Nearing the hold and the in timer I jump off and loosen our girth to walk in on
foot, excess water squishes out of the cracks in my trusty warn Ariats. The walk
helps Corina pulse drop even further. Tack off - something Corina and I do not
have to do at home in order to pulse but Corina is really hot in spite of our
slow pace. She drinks more and I cool her with plenty of water. Sponge, sponge,
scrape, scrape, sponge, scrape, sponge, scrape. Corina pulses a few minutes
behind Pocita and we go to the vet for hands on check and trot out for
soundness. Corina's gut sounds are only rated a C but otherwise both girls are
in good shape and we go back to the trailers for the balance of the 50 minute
hold so they can rest and eat. Corina goes right to eating. Good for the gut
sound issue! I have a yogurt and Gatorade followed by more water. A quick check
on our card shows that we covered the first loop in 2:22. Considering how much
we walked we are faster then we expected to be based on original planning. Ed
and Obi are at the trailer resting and soon they have to leave. As our exit time
comes around I decide to switch saddles and put the 11 lb Status synthetic
English saddle on Corina. She has been well behaved after only one buck this
morning so I think I can handle the "self unloader" and the lighter saddle will
be a blessing for her to the tune of approx 13 lbs. The buckles on this girth
don't have a roller and there is a little rust. I have trouble getting the girth
tight but a friendly passer by helps me! Back out on the pink trail for 9 dry
miles. This trail was really much more scenic then the first trail or is it that
I could actually look around more rather then constantly peering down into the
black water wondering what is hiding there waiting to ruin our ride? My feet are
not as water logged as we come in to the in timer the last time. Instant replay…
jump off and walk in, girth already loosened. This time Corina is not going to
be delayed on her approach to the water tub. She drinks while I remove her tack.
Heart rate dropping all the while. More water to cool her neck and we head up to
the pulse takers for the final pulse and another vet thru. Everything is good
including gut sounds back to an A- but the vet comments Corina "may" be getting
tight on her Right Hind.
Our vet out is our vet in for the next morning so we are good to go but I do
have some homework because we do have a pre ride trot out for a safety check so
she has to be loosened up before we start the ride tomorrow. A review of the vet
card says we covered the second loop in 1:19 minutes meaning we shaved a minute
per mile. This is because the trail was dry allowing us to gait all except the
really deep sand which still warrants a walk for Corina. Call hubby and let him
know "She did it!" I am relieved. Then Corina gets a rub down for all muscles
from the hip back. I get a shower! Ye ha! She gets her choice of 5 different
types of hay tonight as she has three kinds from home, Timothy, Northern
Alfalfa, and Grass Hay and two more choices her cousins Obi and Pocita shared
Bermuda and Peanut hay which she finds the most interesting and eats every last
particle. Her choice of our custom high fat grain mix by Hallmark or Buckeye
Growth. She says she eat both! Dinner and a ride meeting after the last 50's
finally come in just before dark. One of them is riding a mule which announces
its return to camp with a very funny sounding whinny. I buy a new girth from the
tack vendor and we get our Gator shirts as completion awards and a run down of
the order of finish. More electrolytes and some hand walking before bed.
Saturday another 5:30 feeding, cleaning the corral while she eats, more oatmeal
for me, grooming & hand walking. During our morning walk we see a big rig parked
on the side of the road and the electric corral fence is strewn along
suspiciously thru the palmettos. Others tell us that the horses spooked and have
been gone all night, the owners are still out looking for them. Back to camp I
put the same wet shoes back on just in case - don't want to ruin another pair of
Ariat riding shoes! I start tacking up again as the 50 mile riders hit the
trail. This time the three of us start together on time but at the back of the
crowd. Pocita wants to show Obi who is who so after a few miles Lindsay and I
drop back and let Obi go out of site. Its hot and humid again in the 80's same
as yesterday and Corina is breathing hard even at a walk or corto pace. At one
point Lindsay and I pull over into the palmettos to allow three 50 mile riders
who come up behind in a gallop to pass us. They ask if we are on a detour. After
they pass we resume our ride and discuss briefly how fast they must be going to
pass us on their second loop already. But wait aren't the ribbons always
supposed to be on the Right? Ours are but if they are doing the red loop their
ribbons are now on their left side?? Hummm we assure ourselves we are on the
right trail going in the right direction and we move on. This loop is also very
pretty and mostly a dry 14.5 miles. We take it easy and start walking a little
further from camp today. Jump off and walk in beside Corina. This time it takes
more water and a few more minutes to pulse down. As we present to the vet for
our lameness check his assistant questioned Corina's gait and the vet said to
take it easy with her as she now may be getting tight on the left hind. Well
then at the last minute the vet says he will recheck her before she goes out
after the hold. I told Lindsay I would take extra time at the hold and that if
she wanted to go out on time she should not wait for us. So today Ed waited for
Lindsay and they left together which was extra special as on the second loop of
this the second day of our ride Obi passed the 1000 Mile milestone. And Ed and
Lindsay were riding side by side and memorialized on film for this significant
achievement! A check of the ride card shows our on trail time for the first loop
was 1:41. We are slower then yesterday but that is just fine! Stay focused on
the goal for this trip! Back to back completions! Right now a vet and 10 miles
stands between Corina and the goal! I take at least an extra ½ hour or so at the
rest stop and Corina gets a bath and towel dried while she continued eating and
drinking. My plan was to eradicate any question of her fitness to continue by
presenting a dazzling and extremely well rested horse on the recheck! The vet
checked her heart rate again and it was as if she had not been ridden. He
proclaimed there sure was no metabolic problem to be concerned about! So then
another trot out. Down to the orange cone and back holding my breath….This time
the vet took extra time to explain some mechanics of gaited horse movement to
his assistant and told her that what she saw is common in gaited horses and that
this mare was in no pain… great news my "plan" worked…but this means I sweated
the stiffness issue for no reason. Ok needless stress discarded and I am back
out to finish the last loop alone. Corina and I do not mind as we condition
alone most of the time. I call hubby on the cell to tell him how well the
re-check went. We take our time and walk a fair amount of the trial still
passing some novice riders doing their first 25 mile ride. In to the end timer
about 1:20 after leaving the hold and with a full hour to spare, feeling great
and this time tack off and turned the hose right on Corina's neck and the heart
rate dropped like a rock. To the vet for her final trot out and she finished
with an A on gait and A- over all impression. On the way back to the trailer I
step Corina on the scale again. 868 lbs. 50 miles in two days of nearly
unbearable heat and humidity cost her a few more lbs but this is actually not a
bad weight loss at all, less then expected. Try to call hubby but cell signal is
funky so text message instead. "She Finished"
Back to camp feed Corina and I start packing up every thing I possibly can to
make the morning departure as smooth as it can be. After organizing everything
to the smallest detail a long awaited shower and I splurge and turn on the A/C
for a few minutes! Then off to the ride meeting where we hear the good news that
the lost horses were found and the gritty owners actually entered the 25 mile
ride in spite of the ordeal. They finished with a few minutes to spare on the
maximum allotted time. A Gator mug for our completion awards and a chance to
purchase our ride photographs from Becky Stiler. Lindsay and I are interested to
learn that the three 50 mile riders who passed us were indeed off trail and
while they thought they were leading the ride alas they were last into the hold.
Another bath for Corina and liniment on her rump just for good measure then her
last supper in Florida.
We fire up our generators and pop dinner in the microwave. I have already put up
my awning to save a few minutes in the morning but no problem as we gather our
chairs around a small folding table. It is January 6th and we are enjoying a
starlight dinner in our T shirts and shorts! We enjoy a toast to our goals all
being met this weekend. Obi his 1000 mile mile stone and Pocita another 50 miles
toward her lifetime record and Corina her first back to back event. Lindsay
picks the movie for tonight's dinner - Da Vinci Code. What a great end to an
exciting couple of days!
Next morning up again for an early feeding. Make breakfast and lunch and pack it
in the cooler on the passenger seat of the truck. Paperwork ready for the
Florida Ag Station also handy on the front seat. Corina gets her shipping boots
which she loves and loaded in the trailer. I pack up the corral and a last
minute check inside the Living Quarters and all is secure for the journey north!
About 8 am Ed rolls out with the horses and Lindsay behind him with their LQ and
Corina and I last about a mile from camp I turn right and head toward I75.
Call hubby as I am merging on to I 10 and let him know we are on the road again.
Thru the Ag station behind two other Endurance riders heading north. Into GA for
more cheap fuel (ok no fuel is cheap anymore) and then the rain finds us again.
Rain all the way into Virginia. Call hubby as its getting dark and he says its
not rain but sleet at home so call it a night about 9pm at the VA 104 - you
guessed it another Flying J…. Rain coat over a coat required to get Corina fed
for the night. Dinner and some emails… then bed.
Monday morning up early to feed Corina. The rain forgot to stop over night. And
what the heck I haven't run out of water yet so another shower before I hit the
road. Breakfast and lunch in the cooler and we are northbound. As we cross into
Maryland the rain stops and by the PA line what is that? I think it's the sun!
Home. Corina is so happy to be home she doesn't seem to notice it is COLD!
Living Quarters unpacked, laundry started, another trip to Wal-Mart and hubby is
busy till 10 pm pumping antifreeze thru the lines of the LQ…
Next morning, dusting of snow covers the ground, I head back to the office.
Still a person short. I moan a little about being so far behind. Lindsay reminds
me via email...
"If you can't do the time- Don't do the crime."
Until Next time…