57th Annual Tevis Cup

Today, at 5:15 a.m., over 200 riders left Robie Park (near Truckee, CA) on their journey to Auburn, CA for the 57th Annual Tevis Cup Endurance Ride. The trail is 100 miles long and successful riders will be in Auburn no later than 5:15 tomorrow morning. They have 24 hours to complete this arduous journey, with two hours of mandatory holds (time for the horses to rest) and 15 other places where the horses are evaluated along the way. Upon completion, you're awarded this buckle. It is a badge of honor, really, among endurance riders as Tevis is the most difficult endurance ride in the world.

In 2005 I completed this ride with my gorgeous mare, Elly. We finished at 4:30 Sunday morning after a very long and sometimes stressful journey. The start, however, was my favorite part. At that time, everyone started as one big group. You had to be in place on a long dirt road at least 45 minutes prior to the 5:15 start. Imagine the pitch black, a beautiful full moon and the soft nickering of the hundreds of ponies waiting for the ride to begin. Elly was perfect that morning, standing quietly and calmly. It was most excellent.

This picture was taken the day before the ride. Elly had been clipped to help with cooling and her best friend, Chloe, was keeping an eye on her. My heart still aches for both my girls.

I have several friends competing today. The only bad thing about Washington so far is that we can't be there to help out and cheer our friends on. So instead, I will be glued to my computer for updates and photos. Probably not a lot of quilting going on here today *grin*

Dory

National Championships

 

A picture of Dennis and Andy at the Finish....don't they look great?? Dennis said Andy was perfect for the last 15 miles; once he convinced him that they were leaving camp. Poor Andy, he didn't want to leave Socks at the trailer and Socks wasn't helping by calling to him. Once they got out of camp, though, Andy did great!!

Busy, busy, busy

Its been absolutely crazy here, but I think things will finally start slowing down. We spent all of last week trying to help with--and participate in--the National Championships that I talked about before. We rode the 50 mile ride on Sunday, but my horse was pulled by the veterinarians and myself at the 35 mile vet check. He has really poor conformation and his back was sore. Very ironic, since this was to be my second 50 since my second back surgery. At least we made it a very beautiful 35 miles!
Sad news is that Socks will be going to a new home in the future. He is not an endurance horse, but he loves to be ridden. Unfortunately, since we have four other horses, he won't get ridden because he isn't built to travel 50 miles. We're looking for a good home for him with someone that just wants to trail ride. Any ideas?? This is a picture of Socks and me on our first ride after my surgery. He's a great boy; I just wish he were built better.

We got home from the ride on Sunday night around 10 and were at work on Monday at 7. I tried to nap at my desk, but people kept interrupting...go figure.

Friday I left for the Chalet View and the Quincy Crazy Quilters guild retreat. Had a great time. My sister came over from Carson City and we sewed all afternoon on Friday, all day on Saturday and until 3 on Sunday. I'm only nine blocks shy of having my top done. My goal is to have it finished by 10/15, when I head to the bay area for training. I'll go right past the quilt shop whose owner, Marsha, taught the quilt, so I'll be able to get borders and backing then. Morning Star Quilts is famous for its batiks, and since I used batiks in my quilt, what better place to find borders? This is a sneak preview of one of the blocks in my quilt...

Just prior to the ride and before I could leave for the retreat, I finished this quilt. I was able to deliver it Thursday night and Carolyn loved it! It was my first true custom with SID on every block. I even had to outline applique and, as with everything else, its become easier with time. I used either Monolon by Madeira on the top or Bottom Line Lace White.

I did large cross-hatching following the contours of the border on the outside; ribbon candy on the inside border and then more cross-hatching in the sashing. Some of the blocks have CC, all have SID and usually some stippling to make the design really pop.

Here is a closer view of the bottom of the quilt. Remember, you can click on the block for an even closer shot. Isn't the dog cute?
Another photo for your viewing pleasure











Yurt Alert...Yurt Alert

Its coming along!! We may have our second and final pour tomorrow, weather permitting. I'm not sure how all our stuff is going to fit, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I did a diagram to scale and it all fit then, so unless the stuff has grown or the yurt has shrunk, things should work out.





After they poured the concrete, they finished setting the blocks. The pipes you see sticking up in the photo below are for the plumbing. We're getting there...slowly *sigh*

Eastern High Sierra Classic 2009

I'm just back from Bridgeport where I competed in the EHSC 2009 50 mile endurance ride. It was the most beautiful ride ever! I started on my own (Dennis didn't ride) along with 96 other people in single file for almost 15 miles of very treacherous, rocky, single-track trail going up and then coming down the mountain. We went by beautiful waterfalls and had gorgeous views all around us. It was spectacular. Socks did remarkably well without Andy, his buddy, and in a wagon train of horses. I've never ridden him in that situation; luckily he kept his head or it could have been curtains for us! (eek!)

The second loop wasn't nearly so technical and had us sharing a meadow with cows, riding through a beautiful aspen grove and then finally back into camp for the finish...9 hours later! Best part...no back pain for me; some back pain for Socks so saddle adjustment isn't quite right yet.



















Another photo of Socks...this was the start and he wasn't happy...
I have to actually WORK this Friday, but Saturday and Sunday will be quilting days. I'm caught in a spinning vortex; as much as I love to quilt, I want to be riding; and as much as I love to ride, I want to be quilting. Maybe they could make a longarm with a saddle mount????