Racknabout Stable : JD's Carolina 55

After a really amazing season of endurance, Dody and I headed down to JD's Carolina Ride for the last ride of the season. I took Eli for the 55 and Dody took Finn for the 30 mile ride. We arrived early on Friday morning and set up camp. We were joined shortly by our good friends Tim and Lara and their boys for the 55. It was lucky for me that Tim was there because he is also my farrier and it turned out we needed to reset one of Eli's shoes because he had pulled two nails out.

The horses vetted through great. The vet told me that Eli had tied for lowest heart rate with a check in rate of 32. He continued to eat great throughout the day and we relaxed and got ready for the next day. Dody had to ride at 7:30 and I would be out at 8am.

We went up to the start with a few minutes to go and started in the middle of the pack. He was polite but very strong. The first loop would be a 25 mile adventure in strength and endurance. I was not feeling my very best, however, Eli really was on top of his game. We left camp at 8am and we completed that long loop by 10:39am. My legs were jello from trying to keep up with my big horse and it took me a few minutes to adjust to walking again! He vetted through super and did well in his first hold. I ate and got myself feeling better as we prepared for the second loop.

East Meets West, aka "Eli" on the first 25 mile loop

Photo by Becky Pearman

Eli coming in off of the first loop and still going strong.

Photo by Becky Pearman

Heading out on the 2nd Loop

Photo By Becky Pearman

Trotting away!

Photo By Becky Pearman

The second loop was close to 14 miles. We didn't see a soul for at least 8 of those. Eventually, Foster Olson caught up to me and we ended up riding the last two loops together. Our horses matched up nicely. Eli was feeling really great and led the way.

After the hold, heading out on the last loop.

Photo Dody Sutton

Foster was waiting for me after the hold and we rode the same 14 mile loop again and Eli led every step of the way. We had a great ride and nice conversation. The weather was perfect and we came in at 4:33 in 15th and 16th. Our ride time was 6 hours and 53 minutes for the 55 mile distance. I was very proud of his time for the distance as that was our personal best for a 55 and he did it easily. He vetted through super at the end and the vet even commented that he'd had terrific scores all day!
We have had a perfect season and completed our 5th year of endurance competitions. On to year six!

Final vetting

I also just realized that this vet was also the one that gave him his first 55 mile completion 5 years ago!