Pictured above from left to right: Stratagem & Katie, Makazin and Heather, Bey and Kathy, Tiran and Jeremy.  Carole took the picture.

This weekend we went to the Shine and Shine FEI ride.  We loaded up on Friday morning and discovered that the horse that the young rider was supposed to ride was not looking like he should be doing a ride this weekend.  We needed to bring a passported horse for her to ride as she was flying up to the ride to try to qualify for the young riders championship.  We looked around our horse selection and decided to take Strut.  He had just come off of a long time of lay up as he had stitches in his shoulder since Easter morning.  We knew we were pushing it but I was pretty sure he could handle it.

We loaded up Tiran, Makazin, Strut, Bey and Freebie (Carole's horse).  Jeremy would ride Tiran, I was riding Makazin, our friend who flew in from Maine, Kathy Brunjes on Bey and another friend and client Carole on Freebie.  All but Strut did the 75.

Katie was doing the 50 FEI on Strut to qualify for the Young Riders FEI Championship this summer.

On the way to the ride we gassed up and then grabbed a quick Starbucks and away we went.  The drive is less than an hour for us so it was nice to get there so early.  The road up there leaves a lot to be desired.  It is very narrow and windy with long drop offs on the shoulder in spots.  We took two trailers up and Carole would meet us up there later in the day with an RV.

We set up camp.  Jeremy, Kathy and I as well as Kathy's friend Biz.  It didn't take any time at all.  Then we hung out and relaxed while we awaited Katie and Carole's arrival so we could pre-ride. 

Katie arrived but still no Carole.  Carole thought she would be there around noon or sooner.  Around 2:30 she arrived.  It turns out the RV place ran really late and then she took Quimby road up to the ride which is EXTREMELY steep and windy.  Part way up there was a sign that said absolutely no RVs but she had nowhere to turn around.  Then she drove further than she needed to, by mistake, and ended up going up to the observatory, which is even more windy steep narrow road.  She needed to relax for sure when she arrived. 

After Carole recovered from the crazy drive we all went out for a ride.  All 5 horses and riders looked great.  We were ready to have a fun Saturday.

Right when we returned from our ride someone asked for Jeremy's help to locate two loose horses.  He took off while we got the horses ready to vet in.  The horses were found within the hour.

Carole made a great dinner on Friday night.  We had blackened Cajun chicken alfredo with a salad and garlic bread.  Very tastey.  Then we all went to the ride meeting and went to bed.

Saturdays ride started at 5:30 am.  We were up and at 'em.  We went to the start for our dress inspection and then the ride started.  In the first few miles we spotted a large black galloping pig.

The views were amazing.  On the first big climb there were views into the Silicon Valley.  The clouds were lower than we were.  It looked like the ocean with the clouds covering the whole valley like that.  There was misty, foggy areas that we rode in and out of.  Flowers were on the hills and the scenery was still green.  When the fog lifted and the day warmed up there was a perfect breeze that kept it just right.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.

The trail was very hilly and well marked.  There were two long, identical loops and then two small identical loops to do back to back.  On the two large identical loops there was an away vet check of 20 mins and then an hour vet check back at camp.  In all we had 2:40 of hold time.

At the last vet check Bey and Kathy were pulled for a hind end lameness.  Darn!  We were having so much fun.  Carole, Jeremy and I went around the last two short loops and this is where the rattlesnake almost took us out.  He was huge, and coiled!  Fortunately the snake didn't get us and neither did the ground squirrel holes that were like land mines everywhere.  The whole day we were yelling "Hole, Hole".

The three of us finished together, one two three.  Jeremy, Heather and then Carole.  Very fun day, with the exception of Bey and Kathy. 

We were all in camp done with vetting and everything when Strut rode by to do his last 3 1/2 mile loop.  He looked fine and was doing his thing.  He and Katie finished and that is what she needed.

Tiran not only won but was awarded BC as well.   He is turning out to be pretty amazing.  (This was his third endurance ride.) 

While it was getting dark a large pig wandered into camp.  The ranger saw it and tried to scare it away but the pig almost ran into a horse that was tied to a trailer and the horse pulled back and ran off.  The horse was located an hour or so later about 5 miles down Mt Hamilton road.  I think the horse was fine.  The pig stayed in camp for the night.

Sunday morning I got up around 5 am to use the restroom and Makazin's halter was hanging on the trailer with no Makazin.  I looked and saw him about ten feet away.  He had gotten loose and then proceeded to make a nest out of an entire bale of oat hay.  He was sound asleep all snuggled up in the hay.  It was very cute but a big mess to clean up as we had to pack up all of the hay.

Sunday we loaded the horses and headed back down the mountain.  Another one down.  Our next ride will be Wild West.  We will be doing day one with the young stock.  Stirgess and Tin Roof will do their first rides and our friends horse Congo will join the rookie ranks doing his first ride as well.  All three of them are 5 year olds.  It will not be their first races as they all three ran on the race track.  Strut will go as the fearless leader to take them through.

Until next time,
Heather

After 380 days of waiting and wondering, on April 22, 2010 Gem finally had her foal!  There had been many jokes about it.  Like, "The baby will come out wearing Easyboots"  "The baby will be FEI qualified and ready to race when it gets here"... etc.

Jeremy and I had just about given up on guessing when she might have it when one morning (April 21st) she had waxed.    That evening she still hadn't had the foal yet.  We headed home to take care of things and returned to the ranch at 11:20 pm.  No foal in sight.  Gem was being pretty active though.  She was also being really nasty to the by-standing pasture horses on the adjacent fence.  She can be this way anyhow, on a normal day.

We went in our LQ and set the alarm for 12:30 am and went to sleep.  I got up when the alarm went off and headed out into the pasture/paddock where Gem is living.  It had just stopped raining within the last few hours so everything was very damp.  It was cold.  There was a foggy mist hanging about.  I looked around in the dark until I saw Gem.  Then there were two.  The birthday was April 22, 2010... Earth Day.  Really cool!!  I walked over and the little one nickered to me.  It was already standing up and was curious as to what/who I might be.  After quickly confirming all was fine I went to wake Jeremy.

We stood around together looking at the mare and foal.  We also imprinted the foal at this point.  I thought that we had had a filly and then Jeremy looked closer and it was a boy!  That is what we really wanted.  I was surprised by just how much more excited I got when I found out that it was not a filly! 

Since Gem is a maiden mare she was really concerned about where her foal was at all times.  She was constantly touching him.  They were having some trouble figuring out the whole nursing situation.  The colt's legs were REALLY long so he had trouble fitting under her to find the right spot to nurse.  She wasn't helping at all as she would only allow him on the uphill side of her.  Then when he was able to get in the right area she would spin around and face him!  We tried to help but it only made Gem frantic.  We decided to give them some time to get it sorted out on their own. 

We walked around and found the afterbirth.  That was great as we didn't need to worry so much about Gem having possible problems from that being held up.

We went back to sleep and I set another alarm for an hour later.  After the alarm went off there was still no nursing.  The colt was still on his feet trying to figure it out.  We tried to help again but had no luck.  We did syringe a little of her milk to him at this point. 

Back to bed.  We woke up at 5 am and then Gem was willing to have help with the nursing process and he finally got it.  He was extremely happy when he discovered where and how to eat.  It took three of us to succeed.  Our friend Megan Robinson just happened to be at the barn really early on her way to work.  She held Gem's head, I lured the baby with milk covered fingers (I was on the opposite side of Gem as him).  He would suck my finger and then I would redirect him.  Jeremy helped hold him and guide him.  It worked.

After all of this we went home and Jeremy went back to sleep so he could go to work and I got warmed up and then headed back out to make sure he could eat on his own.

I measured him that first morning.  He was 43" tall (not bad for a maiden), Heart girth 32, chest 7" wide, weight 93 lbs.  I am not sure if he is actually going to be a chestnut after all.  He is looking more and more bay.  He has identical markings to Gem.  A blaze and a tall right hind sock.  His legs were really folded up.  He was very low in his lower leg and probably would have been at least 2-3" taller if he was unfolded.  That first day whenever he lay down he would lay with his legs straight out.  It was pretty funny. 

Now the baby is getting very coordinated.  I saw him itching his right ear with his right hind and then, probably because his legs are so long, he itched the left ear with the same leg!!

He is also really great at copying his mom.  She was drinking at the trough and so he did the same.  This is when he was three days old.  He also saw her eat grass so he tried gumming some too.  He is way too cute.

Heather

We just returned from another great weekend.  The Git R Done FEI ride was well attended.  There was the highest attendance yet for this ride.  I do not know the actual numbers but there were many familiar faces riding:) 

Jeremy and I drove down with our riders on Thursday morning.  We took 4 of our own horses as well as two client horses.  When we arrived we got all of the horses settled and then relaxed for a bit.  The Donley's were there as well (they own My Mamselle now).

When we were done with everything that needed doing we headed into town with a large group of friends for sushi.  There is a great place, if you can believe it, in Ridgecrest.  There were 11 of us, we had a great time.

On Friday morning, Tim got up before any rational person might and went for a 60 mile bike ride and then a run.  Apparently we were cutting into his Ironman training.

We set up our crew spot and got everything organized for the six horses that we would be racing.  Throughout the day Jeremy was scurrying around helping people with their Easyboot Glue-Ons.  The ride meeting came and went and we all went to bed.

Jeremy and I did the FEI 100 on Sir Smith and A Kutt Above.  My ride was cut short at the 45 mile mark for lameness...darn.  At least the horse was sound by Sunday morning.  Jeremy's ride went much better to say the least.  He and Smitty were in the lead the entire day.  Smitty was cruising along and did the majority of the race solo.  Their time was 8:06!  The 9th place time was a little over double this time.  He won by about 1:45.  Smitty looked very effortless and was very impressive.  On Sunday morning he looked great and won Best Condition.  He trotted around showing off in his Easyboot glue ons.

Tim did the FEI 75 on Ssamiam.  The pair took second place and then took Best Condition and the High Vet score the next morning. 

Deborah Reich did the FEI 75 on Carnivalle and was 8th.  Deborah is now completely qualified for the WEG!! Yay!!

Carol Kraft Edwards did the open 75 on Freebie Tiki and rode with Carnivalle for a 9th place finish.

Carolyn Hock rode TA Tiran on the FEI 75 and completed.

We saw our South African friend, Lani again.  She rode the 100 and got qualified for the WEG on one of Suzie Hayes horses.  She also told us that her horse made it from S. Africa to Europe for the extensive quarantine to go to the WEG.  It was great to see her again.  We wish the best to her and her horse's safe journey to their dream at the WEG.

Karen Donley did the FEI 75 and now has completed 3 of her 5 FEI rides needed for upper level competition.

We were very happy with all of the horses.  The weather was great, it was about 70 degrees and not raining! 

Gem is still pregnant, we can't wait to see what pops out.  I think it will be born FEI qualified as it is already been over a year in Gem!

Our next ride will be this weekend at the Shine and Shine Only.  I hope it shines, it is currently raining and it will be canceled if it continues to rain.

Until next time,
Heather

We just returned from a beautiful weekend at the Cuyama Oaks ride.  Dave and Ann did another great ride.  The flowers were out in full force.  It was a yellow flower dominant year!  There were all shades of yellow in every direction.  There were also scatterings of purples and orange as well.  It was like the hills were on fire with the color.  Stunning.  The ride was very well attended as usual. 

Camp is great at this ride as you don't have to move until you pack up to go home.  We camped in a nice corner tucked back behind two other rigs, which worked out great as our dogs were out of the way.

Jeremy rode ITA Chicashah Bey, who wore a 4 Sale sign on his rear all weekend.  I rode Stratagem.  The two camped really well and filled all of their spare time with chewing.

On Thursday we pre-rode the two.  Strut was feeling the Spring time friskies.  He was trying to find things to be silly about.  Oh, the young stud! 

After the ride I took the dogs for a hike and then got the crew gear ready.  The ride meeting was brief and the start time was debated for a while, then it was decided that we would start at 7 am.

On Friday morning we had alarm clock issues.  We woke up and got ready and then saw how dark it was.  Apparently, our clock was on Mountain time and we were up an hour before we needed to be.  Then our alarm didn't go off at 6 am for the second "wake up" of the day.  We got up at 6:30 and hustled.  We made it, without a problem, to the start on time.

110 riders all headed out on the usual day 1 trail, up over the mountain to lunch.  There were great BB-Q hot dogs waiting there, I was actually craving one of these on the way down the mountain and I was hoping that they would have them on this day!  After lunch (which was cold with a brisk breeze going) we headed up the Cottonwood canyon, which is always beautiful.  After the canyon you go along a rolling single track on top of a ridge line.  That was fun on the big horse, Strut!  He does really look after his rider which helped tremendously.  If he didn't parts of my legs would still be out there!

Strut and Bey finished looking great and tied for 1st.

On day two we again had timing issues.  We missed the announcement that the start time had been changed to 7:30.  We were the only ones there at 7 and we knew there was something going on.  Damn.  We went back to the trailer and had hot chocolate and then went back to the start line to try again.  Amateurs!!

Day two had 99 riders start.  Everything was going well except that we were having a few trail issues.  We figured it out eventually but we lost some time and added 6 miles to our morning.

Lunch was waiting for us in camp as usual.  I always enjoy not having to worry about this part.  We vetted through, ate and relaxed.  After lunch the trail was easy to follow.  There was a lot of tight single track through very hilly terrain.  It was really fun.  Bey zips through all of this stuff and Strut discovered that it was easier for him to canter slowly than to trot.  It took a bit of courage on my part as he is so large.  The part I was not used to was being on a cantering horse through tight trail that was so rateable.  It was really fun.

Bey and Strut tied again for 1st.  We were very happy.  We decided that we should head home that night as our mare Gem was looking very close to foaling.  She still hasn't had it!  Oh well, Strut and Bey did great.  It was a really fun time.

If you haven't done this ride you should really mark it down for next year and then pray that the flowers are out in full force.  It is really something.

On Wednesday morning around 3 am we headed out on the road, towards New Mexico.  We drove and then drove some more.  We had 4 horses with us as well as two pitbull mixes and our 6 pound Chihuahua. 

The horses we took were Ssamiam, TA Tiran, A Kutt Above and Makazin.  Late in the day we decided to stop at Garret Ford's place to take a rest for the night.  The horses were very happy to get to go out in the turnout for the night after 15 hours of being on the road.  WE put all 4 boys out together as they live together at home.  Sam was walking around exploring the place.  He was standing on the cement were the feeders are when he discovered the electric fence.  He tried to jump forward but his legs kind of slid out behind him.  He got a small cut on him but seemed ok.   We went to sleep and had no trouble with that at all!

In the morning Garret and Jeremy went for a run.  After that Jeremy booted all of our guys while I clipped and then pulled manes.  When we were both done we bathed them and then loaded up for the rest of the drive, 5 1/2 more hours.

We arrived around 4 pm to the race.  It was a very small ride.  We did know just about everyone though, so that was kind of cool.  Mostly it was people trying to make the WEG team that were there.

On Thursday night we hung out at our trailer and I cooked up some food and then we watched The Hangover on our lap top.  That was fun to see again.  I fell asleep while watching it.

In the morning Jeremy went running again and I got up and fed the dogs and horses.  When he got back we went out for two rides on the 4 horses.  After that Jeremy glued boots on the Donley's horses, Mya and their other horse that I am drawing a blank on at the moment.  Then we weighed in and vetted in.  Then we went to town to get some feed and some carrots.  It was really bazaar.  It seemed like we were in Mexico when we were at the grocery store and when were were driving around the area.  We were right on the border and you could tell from the looks of the store fronts. 

On Friday night we went to dinner with the Donley's after the ride meeting.  The ride is just on the other side of the Texas border, in New Mexico.  We ate dinner in Texas at the Texas Roadhouse Grill.  It was pretty fun.  The steaks were great and the atmosphere is lively with the music and the peanut shells all over the ground.

On Saturday our ride went not so well.  Tiran had been kicked earlier in the week and we thought we had it under control.  At the second vet check Tiran passed the check but then Jeremy decided that it would be the right thing to withdraw. 

Sam was doing great.  He was all business and very chipper.  He was in second place cruising along.  We stopped at a water trough around 60 miles and he drank and then went to trot and it was like someone had removed his leg while he was drinking.  Damn.  I got off and walked him in and had to pull at the check as he didn't walk out of it.  I think that between tweaking himself on the concrete and all of the deep sand he had a tight muscle.

One of Tracy and David's horses, Diamond, won the 75 and got BC as well.  Dianne Woodard won the 50 and I do not know who got BC on the 50.

On Saturday Deborah Reich helped crew for us as she would be riding Makazin on the 75 for Sunday. 

Saturday night we went to the awards and Tracy Kaden made homemade Stew for everyone.  It was really good.  We went to sleep and woke up to do another 75.  I was on Kutt and Deborah was on Makazin and Jeremy was "Super Crew".

It was warmer in the morning but it did rain a bit and at one point it even hailed on us and boy it stung!!  The wind was blowing it in our faces pelting us.

I decided that we were not going to take any risks since the Saturday ride went so poorly.  Deborah needed the 2* finish for her qualifications and Kutt needed a 2 * as well.  We finished 4th and 5th and we were about an hour behind the winner, Doug Swingley.  Kutt and Makazin looked wonderful at the BC judging and Kutt won BC!  Very cool for his first 75.  It made up a little bit for Saturday's ride.

Tennesee Mahoney won the 50 and Doug Swingley won the 75.  Not sure about the 50 mile BC for Sunday.

Karen Donley did her first 75 ever, on Saturday and her second one on Sunday.  She was the only rider to do this.  She is one tough cookie.  She completed both rides and was in the FEI division on both.

Sunday night we all went to dinner one last time.  We tried to get a reservation at a Mexican restaurant but it was an hour and a half wait and you had to be there physically to make a reservation.  Txas Roadhouse Grill it was.  Deborah, the Donley's and Jeremy and myself had a great time.

On Monday morning Jeremy and I headed over to the Bed and Breakfast the Deborah was staying at.  We ate a great breakfast at the lovely B&B.  If you are ever in Tracy and David's area ask them about the B&B.  I don't recall the Spanish name for it but it translated to House of Dreams.

After breakfast we went back to the race site.  Deborah and Jeremy helped me pack up.  They were flying out to Florida for the Fun In The Sun Race while I would be driving home.  When we were done they headed out.  I followed the Donley's home so that I would not be alone on the road.  Their son JJ drove most of the way with me.  It was fun.  Ron drove for me for a couple of hours so that I could get some rest too.  It was really great traveling with them. 

We drove about 13 hours on Monday and I spent the night at their house.  My horses were out in a nice large area.  We were all happy.  Tuesday morning I headed back out on the road for my final leg, 9 more hours.  I got home around 6:15 pm.  I was really glad to be done with all of the driving.  The horses and dogs were too!! 

Sam and Tiran were both sound upon arrival.  At least we have that. 

While we were at this ride my brother in law, Tim, rode his first 100 at the 20 Mule Team ride.  He rode Stratagem, it was the horse's first 100 as well.  The two did very well.  They finished in 3rd place!  Riding across the finish line with them was Megan Robinson on her first 100 on her own horse Tanner.  It was Tanner's first 100 as well.  Very cool for the two horse/rider teams.

Well, I need to catch up on everything so I will go now. 

Until next time,
Heather

Happy Valentine's Day!! This is our 4th one in the UAE!  How strange.  Today we went to take care of the horses in the morning.  They were both doing well.  They got to spend the day out in a large paddock together.  It seemed relaxing for them and was the least they had to do since they arrived here.  We also packed all of our gear up as the horses were to ship out on Monday.

After that we headed to Sheika Madiya's barn.  It was a good thing that Jeremy had a hand drawn map in addition to a verbal explanation because we were driving on a highway type road and then had to look for a certain Kilometer marker and then hook a left handed turn, off- roading, as in deep sand, to a road that ran beneath the one we were on. It would have been really cryptic had there not been the verbal instructions.

After an hour plus drive we were there.  Madiya showed us around and we got a tour of her horses.  After this we had a wonderful lunch with her and her friend and sister.  The meal was delicious and had many traditional plates. 

When we finished eating we went to her barn and there were horses waiting, saddled and ready for us.  Eryn, Jeremy and I all rode.  Craig, Ellen and Jeremy O followed us in their crew truck .  (Jeremy O flew in after the race, as he had a different race he had to attend on Sat. as a trainer, to visit with his dad).  

The ride was really fun.  We rode in the desert and galloped along effortlessly.  It was so enjoyable.  Madiya's horses are very nicely trained, they all took their leads with ease and were very rateable.

After we were done, we visited a bit longer.  Eryn had to fly out tonight so the other car that had Ellen, Eryn, Jeremy O and Craig in it left sooner than us.  They also wanted to go to Global Village to buy some Arabian horse oil paintings. 

Jeremy and I then headed back to our barn to take care of the horses one last time before we flew home tomorrow morning.  Both horses had a great appetite and they looked happy. We drove back to the hotel and then we all had dinner.

We had a message at the hotel to call the Veterinarian.  Jeremy called him and it turns out our horses will be delayed a few days, maybe up to 15 days.  There was an error in the shipping.  Our horses shipped with the European horses and something about that was incorrect so now they are dealing with the quarantine and importing issues.  Whatever, at least the horses can rest and it isn't raining or muddy here.  They will have a groom to walk them two times a day, feed them and blanket/unblanket.  They will be fine, actually better off.

In all, it has been a great trip.  I forgot to mention that there were many curious inquiries on the Easyboot glue ons.  Many other riders had never seen such a thing and it called a lot of attention to Smitty.  Pretty cool, spreading the word on how easy it can be to go barefoot.  Also several veterinarians during the race commented on how amazing Smitty looked and they had to ask a few times if this horse had really shipped over from the USA or if was a local horse.  We assured him he was an American product:)

Until next time, which will be at the end of the month at the Sand City FEI ride in New Mexico,
Heather

Well, the USA did another great trip to the President's Cup 160 km race.  Sir Smith was the first overseas completion in a ride time of 8:50 (36 place! so fast here), and SA Belshazzar did great as well completing his first 160 km ride in a time of 9:16.  It was a great performance from both horses! 

The leaders set yet another world record.  I do not know the exact time but it was something like 6:20!!!

At the start Ellen and Zar went ahead of Smitty and disappeared into the heavy fog.  Smitty had a slow start to settle him into a calm mind set for the day.  Jeremy had to actually run a bit on foot to accomplish this.  During the first loop we were last for a long while and the police escort and the ambulance trailer were following us.  It felt a bit like buzzards circling.  The slow pace worked though.  After the first loop the pair was moving well and kept it up nicely.

Smitty was accompanied by myself and our driver, Fahad (sp?) (Fahad translates to "Tiger".)  and there was a groom who I don't know the name of, sorry.  The driver and the groom were great.  The groom would jump from the truck and run and hand Jeremy a bottle and then have a second bottle that he would run behind Smitty, while he was cantering, and he would pour water on his butt.  Very fast runner, and very fit!  This guy was one of Sheika Madiya's grooms.  Fahad was a friend of Jan Worthington's friend, Jimal.

As the loops ticked by Smitty happily galloped along.  He loves that sort of thing.  If you know Smitty you would know this.  He was truly incredible to watch. 

Smitty had the third best recoveries out of any horse that finished!  His average for the day was 2:28.  That was with galloping and having usually just me as his crew, as the other guys were parking the car while I would meet and cool Smitty.  Very amazing recoveries on Smitty today.

Smitty did an average of something close to 19 kph.  His last loop was his fastest.  We were extremely happy with him.

At one point today there was a string of camels being hearded across tha desert by people on foot.  There were soooo many of them, probably 80 or so.  It was kind of funny because the camels were just as scared of the horses as the horses were of them.  So silly.

Since the scenery was so sparse and the horses were so spread out the driver had an ongoing thing he would say and that was "How are you today?"  He would say it new at random times  with a very heavy accent and as the day grew long it got funnier and funnier.  There was another time that the Black Eyed Peas, a band that I like, came on the radio.  Fahad actually turned it up and I thought, "hey cool".  But no, then he quickly changed the station to something local and that was it.  Oh well, he was good help so I guess I didn't really care.

It was warm during the heat of the day but never sweltering.  If the wind was at your back it was the worst of it but for the most part there was at least a gentle breeze.  The OC only gave us 7 cases of water for each horse.  When we asked for more, before the ride, they said it would be enough and that there was a lot more at the venue.  We knew better.  By the second half of the ride we were begging people who had been pulled for their left over water.  We were also refilling empty bottles and recapping them.  It was what we had and it worked fine.

Following Smitty on his last loop I video recorded some of him galloping along.  I was smiling because I had done this earlier in the week and it had looked the same as when he had been fresh.  He recovered within 2 min at the finish but we let him drink before vetting him so it was recorded as 4 or so min.

After the ride Zar and Smitty ate for a short while and then went to the treatment clinic for fluids.  The horses will be shipping home in 2 days and that is not nearly enough time to recover so we thought we should help them in any way possible.  They had a few bags and then we tucked them in for the night.

Jeremy had Baskin Robbins.  Two scoops.  I had the adult size, I can handle a non-child sized ice cream for godsakes.

Well I am super tired now.  We just had dinner at the...You guessed it, the buffet.  Oh, last night they had "pineapple upside dawon cake"  Yes I said Dawon. 

Tomorrow we are going to Dubai to ride with Sheika Madiya.  Hopefully we aren't so tired that we can't enjoy it.  I also hope that the cryptic directions that we got get us there!

Good Night,
Heather

Today was the last day of waiting!  Super!!  We went out to the camel souk first thing to get fresh Alfalfa and to get a new box of carrots.  I was able to take a picture of some of the camel jockey robots, they were even wearing silks!

Jeremy and Ellen rode.  Smitty looked perfect and calm.  Zar looked wonderful as he cantered effortlessly along.  He is a very nice representation of Shagya breeding.  I took many pictures and a few video clips of him on his ride today.  After the ride we gave him a soap bath and even conditioned his tail.  He was super clean when we left for lunch. 

We were going to leave for lunch when we discovered that our car had a dead battery.  We waited a while and someone with jumper cables arrived to rescue us.  We drove back to the hotel and waited for the person to arrive to give us our 4 wheel drive crew trucks.  When the guy claimed that the trucks would run "Just as well as your cars"  I was scared.  My truck that they gave me coughed to a slow turn over start.  I quickly refused taking that one and got a new one.  I told them that I had already had my fun with my rental car.

After I ate lunch and Jeremy ate a banana we went to the Carrefour one last time.  We got a large tube of "Nappy Cream".  This is the UAE version of Desetin.  We also bought some shoes for ourselves.  Ellen and Eryn had told us about the shoes.  They were a super deal and very stylish.  This is also where I got my Baskin Robbins fix,  I had gone the whole day before without and was due.

We then went back to the barn.  We were supossed to go and vet in at 2 pm.   We arrived 5 min late and found the quarantine barn deserted!  Go figure, we have been early and waiting for everything else but this time they decided to go early!  Oh well, we hurried down the road to vet in and caught up with Zar and Ellen.  It was "No Problem" as they love to say here:)  Both horses vetted in sound and healthy.

The riders weighed in while Eryn and I led the horses back to quarantine.  Smitty finally had a number on his butt and it became clear, for the first time what we were really going to do, for sure.  He seemed happy to know the waiting would soon end.

We went back to the venue for a quick ride briefing.  This is when we got the ride program.  It had pictures (from our great photo shoot we had a few days ago) of all of the foreign riders with a little blurb about each one.  It was pretty cool.  It also had all of the loops with the distances and hold times.  We will be starting at 6 am and there are 6 loops.

We also discovered that there is a team competition.  We got set up by a German rider,  with a sheik who had two horses.  So it will be, the 2 Americans and then two UAE riders. 

Our riders are numbers: 18, Sir Smith, 118 SA Belshazzar.  I do not know our two other team horses numbers.

While we were at the venue we got to visit with Martha Mischef (SP, sorry) and Pamela Burton, fellow Americans.  It was good to see them again.

After setting up our crew area and looking at the UAE horses vetting in we went back to the barn to tuck the horses in.  They were fine, time to get back to the hotel to relax.  We did stop for gas, actually it was diesel.  Our little truck is a quad cab diesel Mitsubishi.  It is really a cool little truck.

We ate dinner, great beef medallions tonight and then we are headed to bed.  Jeremy had another banana meal.  He weighed in at 77 KG.  He was happy.  Tomorrow will be fun and Jeremy will join us at Baskin Robbins afterwards!

Heather

We went to the barn this morning for Jeremy to do a short ride.  Ellen and Eryn went for a walk as well as Jeremy Olson's dad, Craig (who arrived last night).

We worked on Smitty taking bottles from his right side as that is the side he liked less and that is the side that is easier to get to while driving and handing off.  He only held his breath a few times today, and it is really funny when he does!

After the ride Jeremy ran from the barn out for a 6 mile, give or take, run while I read my book.  Then we headed back to the hotel. 

Ellen, Eryn and Craig went to the camel souk and there was a lot more going on there than usual.  Apparently there were fancy camels wearing sparkley,  strappy things and a lot more camels were there than normal.  Maybe there had been a race?  Also, now that the law was passed to outlaw the child jockey riders there are now remote controlled, robot jockies.  The robots even twirl a whip in the home stretch!  The robots were out on tailgates being offered for sale.  They are very small and even have a head.  A bit odd.

At 1 pm I met Craig, Ellen and Eryn for lunch. Jeremy stayed in the room as he gave his buffet to Ellen and he just wanted me to bring him back a banana. 

On a side note, the other night there was an interesting soup.  If you thought the idea of child camel jockies was cruel you would love this soup.  It was called "Cream of Baby Marrow".  Where did those jockies go?

After lunch we all headed back out to the barn.  We walked Smitty and then prepared his feet for his Easyboot glue ons.  It was more difficult than at home as the sand and dust particles are very fine and there is always a breeze.  Jeremy opted to do one foot at a time.  After all four were on the vet arrived that we had requested.  We ran fluids once more to be fully hydrated for the race.  Both horses didn't mind too much.

Knowing we would be tight on time we all packed our change of clothes for the dinner party.  The party was withing walking distance from our quarantine barn.  We did drive however.  We got there around 6 pm.  We knew better than to be on time but oh well.  Around 8 pm we started to eat.

 Before the meal there was all sorts of entertainment.  There were the Soluki (I know that I just butchered the spelling on that) hounds, henna tattoo painting (which Ellen and Eryn got on their hands), camel rides, hooka, falcons and cooking of some local type pasteries.  It was pretty cool.

 There were two types of camel there.  One type was a white camel that we were told were dairy camels.  They were extremely pretty and had two adorable calves with them.   The calves coat looked like a fancy white poodle.  Super cute!  Then there were a yellow/dun colored camel.  We were told that these were race camels.  They were giving rides on the race type camel.

All of this was going on and the funny part was that there was VERY loud American music blaring in the background, Michael Jackson included!  It was surreal.  This was all outdoors at the race venue.  I did end up getting pretty cold.  Like I have said before, it is actually chilly here.  During the day it was warm but it was chilly tonight for sure.

This venue is by far the most spectacular one I have seen in the world.  It is so beautiful.  The arrival gate is all on manicured grass as well as the transition area and trot out lanes.  The entire area is lined with perfect trees and the whole thing is park-like.  Magnificent really.

Anyhow, tomorrow we will get our 4x4 crew vehicles at noon and we vet in at 2 pm.  With the Quarantine opening at 9 am and taking care of Smitty, getting back to the hotel with the 35 min drive, getting the car, having lunch, driving 35 min back then vetting in at 2pm and setting up the crew bay we should finally be busy.

I need to sleep.  I' ll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
Heather

We woke up and had breakfast as usual and then headed out to the barn.  It was another 2 hour walk morning, which is about a 6 mile deal.  Every time that Smitty has seen a camel he is convinced that we should go get a better look and tries to drag me towards them.  Well, today he had his chance.  The camels were right on the road we were on, headed straight at us.  When they were approaching he was happy, then at some point in the approaching, I guess he focused on them really well.  I think he must have realized that he needs his eyes checked because it went from a cool idea "let's say Hi"  to "let's get the hell outta here!"  In a split second.

Jeremy ran 12 miles while we walked and he went 10 min faster today then he did two days ago. 

After our walk I body clipped Smitty.  We tied him to our rental car and even hung his hay bag from the car as well.  We did this by unrolling the windows on the left side of the car and then tied him through the solid part of the doors between the two windows.  Very professional.  He stood well and now has a cool lightening bolt on his right butt cheek and he is ready to rock.

Ellyn and Eryn headed to the Carrefour and then to try to find the beach.  Unfortunately it was a fruitless mission on the beach end of things.  They were going the right way but the traffic was so bad that they wouldn't have made it to the beach and then back to the barn for the afternoon ritual.

Jeremy and I  left both horses outside and went back to the hotel for lunch, (while they were on their beach mission).  On the way we stopped for gas and of course, Baskin Robbins.  (Jeremy is still not eating ice cream!  He has lost about 22 pounds now and he will probably weigh in at 165 with his tack.)  We had to hang out, once at the hotel, for a bit as lunch doesn't begin until 1 pm. 

After eating, we went back to the barn and Jeremy and Ellyn went for a ride.  They both did a short simple ride.  Jeremy and I practiced more water bottle hand offs.  Smitty is doing pretty well at them.  He has stopped arching his ribs away from the bottles and now just gives me a nervous look or holds his breath (literally).  We will work on it more tomorrow.  He is workable at the moment, we would just like him to be really comfortable at it.

After the ride Jeremy and I ran for about 3 miles.  Then Ellyn, Eryn, Jeremy and I headed out on course in our "powerful" rental car.  We wanted to drive the Torra Borra loop.  This is the loop through the big dunes.  It is a lot like driving on a roller coaster track.  It was a bit exciting and also a bit nerve wracking as we were all hoping not to get stuck in the sand that far out on course!  We were also praying that there would not be another vehicle coming head on as we would not see it until our windshields smashed together. 

While we were on this loop we did a lot of photo-op stops.  There were a lot of camels out there, even a very cute baby one that kept galloping off.  We also came across one that was laying down and he sprang to his feet and took off bucking.  It was really funny to watch.  Another one was rolling, like a horse would.   I am not sure if it could make it all the way over or not with that hump in the way.

After Torra Borra we were really hungry, so back to the hotel.  Eryn and Ellyn were going to the airport from the barn to pick up Jeremy Olson's dad, Craig so we parted ways.

Dinner was good.  The best part tonight was the filet mignon and then the hot tapioca for dessert.  We were just about done with dinner when Ellyn and Eryn appeared.  It turns out Craig's flight was going to be much later than anticipated.  We sat with them as they ate.  After dinner we went in the jacuzzi.  The hotel had a pool but they are remodeling it at the moment.  It is ok though as it has really been too chilly to go in the pool, had it been here.  It is warming up a bit each day though.

Well tomorrow things will begin to pick up.  We are getting a walk in and a ride and then running fluids and gluing boots on, then off to the dinner party.  I am so overwhelmed with all of that!! I am totally kidding, but at least we will have something to do.

Heather