The Spring Mt 80km ride was won in 4:11 by Akhmed Pshunov on Mt Eerwah Siridion. The next rider in was over half an hour behind Akhmed. This gives an indication as to how incredible his time of 4:11 for this track was!! Congratulations Akhmed on a well run effort!
The Track: Spring Mt is looked forward to by Qld riders each year because it is such a lovely track, and such a well run ride. Normally this ride is considered to be a great Novice Horse track, with lots to keep the horse and rider occupied while travelling along some really lovely terrain. NOT THIS YEAR!
We were warned in advance that the area had received more than its fair share of rain over the preceding weeks, and that the ride base was soggy and that large trucks would need to be careful where they parked for fear of getting bogged. Upon arrival at the Spring Mt Reserve on Saturday morning we were directed to a dedicated truck camping area, and it was noted that boggy parts of the ride base had been taped off to restrict access.... a very helpful and caring act by the ride management!
Our riders saddled up to go have a look at the track, and returned some time later with stories of lots of puddles, lots of mud, and some fairly slippery parts. And then it started to rain again!
The Vets: Once again it was great to see Janine Dwyer at this ride, with John Glazebrook, Karl (sorry can't remember his last name) and the evergreen John Norris also in attendance. The Vetting ring was well laid-out, making it easy for Novice riders to navigate their way around. The Vets were, of course, the most professional and caring around, and I love it when the Vetting team has time for a laugh and a chat!
The Officials: Chief Steward Matthew Krahnen did a sterling job under the conditions imposed upon him by the weather! Matthew took care to make sure that all riders and crew had his mobile phone number in case of any ride emergencies, and I'm sure he was kept busy just fielding the phone calls! Bruce Seaward, as rescue float driver, was also kept busy, but was never seen without a smile on his face. The incomparable Leigh Pearson, as Ride Organiser, had everything under control, while her lovely daughters Kylie and Alicia were also working hard.
The Big Country Endurance Riders Club always have a great number of willing volunteers in evidence at their rides, and this year was no different. Lots of lovely ladies in the time-keeping areas, plenty of knowledgable TPR Stewards, the local Scout Troup putting on a wonderful catering experience, the Radio Communications folk, and all the wonderful people who sat out on track in 'orrible conditions in order to make the ride safer and better for the riders and their mounts.
The Ride: It rained. It then got sunny and we thought all the rain had gone. Then it rained again. And again. The ride base got sloppy, and the track got sloppier! And because of all the past weeks' rain, what was slowly drying out on top became slippery, dangerous, and in some cases just disappeared altogether. Like the big puddle that turned into a sink hole. And the track up Energex Hill that turned into a slippery slide.
The front runners in the first 46km leg of the 80km went through some pretty difficult places, however the horses bringing up the rear of the ride were tested to the extreme, having to traverse tracks that were very slippery and torn up by the time they got to them. Some of the first leg was then repeated in the 34km second leg, making even the front runners slow down to get through the difficult conditions. As it ended up, the horses that completed right on Novice Time were in the winners circle. The mid-packers and tail-enders fell into holes, had horses up-ended upon the riders, and narrowly missed being badly injured on numerous occasions. There were plenty of cuts and gashes from rocks and sticks on track, and there were lots of stories of sliding down hills on the horses' belly combined with items like, "I just closed my eyes and hoped!".
This was a real test of endurance! Congratulations must go to ALL riders and horses who entered this ride, and then didn't chicken out of actually doing both legs!!
Our Team: My heart stopped when I received a message from another rider on track during the first leg that my Junior rider, Steph Tulk, had had a fall and was walking her injured and lame horse to the road in order to get assistance. I immediately called the Chief Steward to relay her position, and he immediately sent a rescue float out to pick up Steph and her mount Splendacrest Tumbleweed. Upon their arrival back at the ride base, Tumbleweed was immediately taken to the Vet ring, where he was inspected and trotted out, only to trop out sound for a withdrawal. Steph had obviously done the right thing by walking him for some kilometres, and the horse had improved by the time he got back to camp. What a relief! And Steph was not injured in the fall, which happened when Tumbleweed slipped on track, so that was good too.
I must thank all who assisted with this episode.... and I am pleased that it all turned out alright in the end.
At the end of the first 46kms, Kharisma trotted out very slightly lame, so Paul Lengronne was not able to complete the ride. But again, I must thank Paul for taking such great care of this wonderful mare, before, during and after the ride.
Renae Kuhn completed the ride well on Splitters Creek Bundy (owned by Catherine McAlpine), to gain 7th Middleweight placing in 5:54. This was a great effort by Renae, and another great ride for Bundy. Angela Head rode Razorback Lovesong (owned by Arch Felton) to =9th Middleweight placing in 6:38, and presented this mare in excellent condition at the end of her first 80km ride.
Gerard Bou rode his own horse, Aloha Contiki, and also completed the horses' first 80km ride in 7:50, accompanying Kimberley Ryan on Cooroora Mythril (Jackie Richard's horse) throughout the ride.
So, even though the weather was VERY ordinary, our camp had quite a good weekend. I must also thank Shane Hopkins, Britt Geddes, Steph Tulk, Robert Kuhn and Geoff Richards for their invaluable assistance with the strapping duties.
