In late October 1997, I was travelling in the northeastern part of the USA. Some 12 months previously, I had established email contact with one of the endurance riders of the area. Bobbie Lieberman suggested I might like to do a ride at Fort Valley, in northern Virginia. Well, 12 months later it finally happened. Friends of Bobbie's, Kevin and Brenda Baird offered me a grey Anglo-arabian mare "Iris" to ride. She was 6 years old, had done 3 rides of 80 km already and was at a good level of fitness, but still too green to do a fast ride.
I arrived at the Ridecamp near Front Royal in Northern Virginia on Friday morning. It was cool and overcast, with a hint of rain in the air. There were four events on over the weekend: a three-day ride of 240 km, a two-day ride of 160 km, an 80 km ride and a 40 km ride.
I entered Iris in the 80 km ride. Entries and Pre-ride examination were no different to what we are used to here, except that the horse is numbered, using a stock marker on each side of the rump instead of a numbered vest for the rider, and a vet card is used instead of a log book. We were number 84. Pre-ride talk was pretty standard. Course marking is done with ribbons. Blue and white striped ribbons were used about every kilometre or so to mark the track, which was a loop with three vet checks out on course. Red ribbons were used before, on, and around the corner to mark turns. I found this system fairly easy to follow. On intersections where the track crossed over, paper plates with arrows and instructions were used.
The 80 km ride started at 7am, which was first light, so no torches were needed. The first leg started off fairly easily with a good run of some 15 km on gravel roads before we headed up a bush track. It was fairly rocky in parts. There were lovely views out over the Shenandoah Valley. The first-vet check was at 29 km and used a heart gate of 64bpm and 40 minute hold. I presented Iris within minutes. We were not required to unsaddle the horse at the vet-checks. A CRI was conducted at each check, which was simply a trot out of some 40 metres, turn and trot back to the vet. The metabolic profile was conducted after the trot-out.
Leg two saw us on gravel roads for a bit, then into the bush again. A course marker had been removed - marker vandals are prevalent there too. We back-tracked and found the correct course and remarked the turn before proceeding. This leg was 24 km and took us through some lovely scenery. There was a good climb up onto a ridge and if it had been clear, we would have had magnificent views, however, it was overcast and misty, which was pleasant enough anyway. I presented Iris immediately at the end of this check and we sailed through the vetting. There was a 40 minute hold.
The weather almost cleared as we set off on leg three but it clouded over again, keeping it cool and comfortable. This leg saw some very rocky and stony sections and we were slowed to a walk for most of it. The woods were beautiful, with the trees turning wonderful shades of yellow and red. This leg was 24 km and we were close to finishing the ride. Iris was travelling very well and we presented immediately. There was a 20 minute hold this time. The last leg was only 3 km along a gravel road back to the last check which was just out of base camp. I presented Iris immediately again and she finished with a nice line of "A"s on her vet card.
Our riding time was 8:10, placing us 16th of 41 starters. The winners completed the tough course in 5:45 and the last riders took about 10 1/2 hours. It was a great experience to ride overseas and to meet the riders and their horses. Attitudes are much the same as here, with the riders sharing a close affinity with their mounts. Horses were generally well-presented and in good condition. The completion rate was high (all 8 horses in the 240 km ride completed). The vetting was similar to our rides with vet-gate into hold. The main differences were that there were more vet-checks, and the course was one big loop with checks away from base. This meant that more vets were required. There were about 5 vets in attendance.
I would suggest that any endurance riders considering a visit to North America, to make contact with endurance riders over there, via the Internet and see if they can organise to do a ride. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me, and I intend to do it again.
PS: I saw Iris competing successfully in the U.A.E. in March 2000.
She is now owned by H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai.
Iris won the ride in Syria, 1 May 2000.
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