I was kindly invited to spend the weekend as crew for Annie Joppe, her husband Robert and Annie's seasoned international horse Dilmun.
Thursday morning saw me up at 2.45am to drive to Dover, complete with sleeping bag, pillow and rucksack in hand. In my sleep ridden haze that morning I accidentally pressed the button on the sat nav to say avoid toll roads, which saw me driving through the middle of London at 4.30am, eek! Thankfully it was not at all busy, so the drive was relatively stress free!
On reaching Dover, the rain started and didn't stop all day. Jumping in Robert's truck at 8am, gave me a huge sigh of relief, my driving was over for a few days.
Once on the ferry, we left Dilmun on the freight deck, for us to settle down to a truckers breakfast - you have to travel freight if you are carrying livestock, so a cheap and hearty breakfast was demolished, washed down with plentiful coffee.
The drive over to Leersum was uneventful, the roads were fairly busy but free flowing, and we found our destination with no great hassle.
The camping field was relatively empty, little did we know how busy it would become. Once Dilmun was settled in his stable, after eating copious amounts of grass in the venue field - it was like cow grass, long, green and lush, he couldn't get enough of it, all weekend; we then went and set up our camping area and found something to eat. On site at the venue was a restaurant with bar, so we sat eating and drinking, relieved the journey was over. The venue itself was some sort of equestrian centre, I never did find out for what.
The EGB Development squad had already arrived and set up their campsite and day corrals. Riding for them this time were Sue & Louise Rich, Robert Newall and Nicki Gilbert.
Friday was spent reccying the route and setting up the vet gate. Vet inspections were at 3pm and Dilmun passed with flying colours.
Dilmun, Robert & Annie in the vet gate, Friday afternoon
The route itself was marked with coloured bands around trees and tape on branches, on the right hand side with what looked to be a very twisty course indeed.
When we got back to the camping field, it had seriously filled up, I even found a corral next to my tent, with a German team's arab in it. We moved the tent and parked the truck in between us, a little safety at least.
Saturday saw us up at 3.45am, ride start was 5.30am, in the dark; most riders had head torches on, but not all!
We crewed in the dark, ably assisted by shouting to let Annie know where we were. Unfortunately Nicki Gilbert took a tumble in the dark, but both her and her horse were fine, so got back on and carried on regardless.
By the end of the first loop, it was daylight, thank goodness. But for Sue Rich her ride was over, feeling sick and light headed, all those twists and turns had brought on a motion sickness type feeling and she couldn't ride any further - commiserations Sue.
Dilmun passed the vetting without fault and it was off out onto loop two. The sun was getting hot and the humidity rising by this stage. Lots of sloshes were needed. Vet gate two saw him fly through again and off out onto loop three.
Some relatives and friends of Robert's arrived so I stayed back at base to tidy up the vet gate. The course was riding well although twisty with patches of deep sand in places to beware of. The temperature was cool in the forest but it was becoming increasingly close and sticky out in the open air.
Vet gate three was our nemesis. Dilmun's heart rate wouldn't come down and we were out and into the treatment vet's stable. His heart rate started to come down with the help of some walking and more of that gorgeous grass, after about an hour the treatment vet gave him the all clear - Phew!
Unfortunately Louise Rich was also out, her horse just wasn't quite right and she decided to pull him, so that left two still in - Robert and Nicki. As the day progressed it got stickier and even more close, but Robert and Nicki still soldiered on. The daylight began to dwindle and they were still riding. Robert came back around 10pm and after some tense moments - on spectators parts, he passed, a loud cheer went up by all and certainly a few tears were shed by many. That left Nicki still out there and by now it was completely dark. She arrived at 10.30pm, looking like she'd just had a quick trot round the block! Her crew worked on her horse and she also passed. Many hugs were given and a few more tears shed. A massive well done to Robert and Nicki for passing on what was a tough, but un-suspecting course.
I had a fabulous weekend, thanks go to Robert and Annie Joppe for inviting me, it was brilliant, I learnt loads and had a great time. Commiserations to those who didn't complete and a massive well done to those that did.
A few more pics of the event -
Forward hold/slosh area with hold area in the background, vetting area in between
No 12, Sue Rich, her horse and crew
Two photos of pre ride vetting for Nicki Gilbert, her husband, crew Michelle and horse
So sorry for Sue, I too suffer from motion sickness in the dark. No fun... Enjoyed your news of this ride! Love the photos - but the first isn't there?
ReplyDeleteNo fun, motion sickness, glad you enjoyed the report, it was fun that weekend, until it started to rain!
ReplyDelete