The hay is in the barn

This time next week, we will be on trail for the Pine Tree 100, the gods willing.

Chose the number 100 at Stormont CTR
photo credit K. Stelfox

I have been reading Dennis Summers' book,  4th Gear. In it, he says that 3-4 weeks before a big event, he does a depletion ride, which is about half the distance of your next planned race. So for us, Spring Ride was our depletion ride, albeit a big one over the two days. After that, the hay is in the barn so to speak, as far as your horse's fitness goes.  Between the depletion ride and the big day, he recommends light snappy work to keep the horse fresh and prevent tie up. You want your horse to be at the peak of her recovery for the big event.

This is what Carol Steiner did before the 2010 WEG. She and Jax rode a 50 about a month before. Speaking of Carol, the universe decided that Luba and I needed more rest, so we missed her clinic in Buckingham. We ended up going to Quebec to say our goodbyes to Grandmaman Larouche who was in the hospital.  While we were there, I spent an aftenoon in the bush, complete with a nap in the cabin with the wood stove crackling and the river rushing.

Luba also had a short (if not snappy) rides last weekend at the Stormont CTR. This was Charlotte's CTR debut on Luba's mom, Sera who is 26 years young.

photo credit K. Stelfox

Luba and I rode a few miles on Saturday as a warm-up and then about 11 more on Sunday, as Charlotte's sponsor. Charlotte has been training for this and took her role as a "real CTR rider" very seriously. She took great care of Sera and Sera took great care of her.

Kara was volunteering again, so she hitched a ride with us. We had a great time hanging out together and she took more great photos!

electrolytes the night before photo credit K. Stelfox

Charlotte chose the number 8 because she is 8
warm-up ride from RAR to ridecamp early Sunday morning

sponging the horses before heading out on trail.
it was HOT! photo credit: K. Stelfox

Ready to head out on trail!
photo credit K. Stelfox

My big observation from the Stormont CTR was that I have a tendency to putter at ridecamp. This means I don't sit down and rest. Ingrid got her horse ready, then sat down in the shade and read the newspaper. I would like to be more like Ingrid. Especially for the looooong rides when I need to conserve my energy.

Ingrid and Georgia chilling pre-ride

So this week, I am making lists and getting things done in advance. The goal is to slowly get everything ready. No big last minute rushing, either before we leave or once we arrive at ridecamp.

Put replacement velcro on my RP and pressure test - check

Set up trimming and Renegade boot gluing appointment - check

Change batteries in headlamp and attach to night riding helmet - check

Duct tape glow sticks to breastcollar for night riding - check

You get the idea.

No rushing to get to ridecamp either. We are splitting the trip into two legs. Driving about 2.5 hours to Lysane's near Oka, Quebec on Wednesday in time for one last short snappy ride. My friend, Chrystal, spent some time with US endurance rider, Becky Hart, this winter. Becky recommends a short fast ride 3 days before the big event. This apparently primes your horse to produce lots of red blood cells and dump them into the system, priming your horse to be ready to efficiently carry oxygen on race day.

Then we will caravan the two rigs the rest of the way to North Waterford, Maine on Thursday. It is about a 5 hour drive. Horses rest and vet on Friday. The Pine Tree 100 starts at 5 am on Saturday. Latest word is that there are 11 horses entered in the 100.

The Canadian contingent will also include Dessia and Savanah, riding two of Dessia's home-bred Arabians in the 50.  I am packing my red CANADA EAST riding apparel and a big flag!

Ready or not, here we come!

"The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road; long before I dance under those lights". --- Muhammad Ali