Maumee Valley 2011

Maumee Valley Endurance Ride, 2011

Last year we had just awful weather for our first Maumee Valley PI ride, so we were certainly hoping for better this year. Because of the down turn in the economy we shorted it to a two day ride this year so as to cut some expenses. Still, we didn’t have as good of a turn out as we hoped, but we sure did have a good time by all that did make it to the ride. The Daniel Boone Distance Riders put on this ride, and it is a mandatory ride for members to work one day so as to qualify for our year end, 300 mile award. Therefore, we have lots of workers to make things go smoothly for the riders. No waiting for anything!

DBDR have team competition too, so we end up taking turns working as teams, and riding as teams, so as to gather as many points as possible. It is all in fun, but also competitive!

First days ride, weather was great. A little muggy, but the trails were shady and lots of running water in the creeks for the horses to drink and sponge from. The trails here are just beautiful. We had a controlled start up the worst section of the whole trail, then off we went. I was riding along with the front group, when Connie Caudill (one of the trail markers) started noticing that ribbons had been pulled down…a lot of ribbons! Yikes! It is really hard to understand why people take delight in sabotaging our trails… Connie is really good at marking trails well enough so that even if you are flying, you cannot miss a turn… But, alas, these saboteurs were a dedicated bunch and lots of turn markers and ribbon were either stomped in the ground, or gone completely. So, Connie and Bill Wilson, another trail marker started tearing off the ends of ribbon that was up, to remark as we went along. So it was trot, canter, stop, trot, canter, stop for several miles until the trail picked up again. I was sticking with the trail markers for sure… I HATE getting lost. And so were my granddaughter, Paige, and her sponsor Vickie Crance. They usually go a bit slower, since Paige’s horse has just started his endurance career and had only one 50 under his belt. But he looked good and they too didn’t want to get lost in the maze of trails. Actually, there was quite a group of us, nine if I remember right. But what about the other riders who had dropped back? There were fifteen I believe in the 50, and about 12 or so in the 25 miler. At least there was a very good map with numbered trail markers. So hopefully, everyone had one handy.

When we got back to camp, my GPS clicked over to 18 miles. Very accurate mile calculation on trail manager’s part! The Vet Check went smoothly, (lots of workers :-)) and there was a wonderful cool breeze right there. How nice of Mother Nature. Paige and Vickie had dropped back a bit when the trail looked like it hadn’t been touched by the bandits, but came in shortly after us. All looking good, Yeah!

My boy, Noways insists he HAS to roll after every loop, so he did as soon as he was back in his little corral. It means I have to spend some time brushing off the mud and dirt, but he enjoys it so much, I don’t grumble too much. He doesn’t like his feed junked up with elytes, so messed around with that until I added more grain. But, the alfalfa was OK indeed. I have to wait until I have his bridle on before I give him his syringe of Elytes or he won’t open his mouth for the bit…so spoiled, that boy. I ate another half a peanut butter sandwich and drank and drank, then we were off again for the second loop.

This time, Connie and Bill had a roll of ribbon with them and again, the trail had been messed with. It had even been sabotaged since we were out on the first loop…what the heck! So again, it was trot, canter, and stop through a great deal of the loop. So glad I was with the trail markers…or I would still be wandering around out there. Connie had told everyone at the Vet Check, which had gotten back in, how to navigate the next loop, so hopefully, they could get through. BTW, Connie is the fastest ribbon tier I have ever seen! She can do it at a trot…but, let me know that she couldn’t do it at a canter when I was letting Noways lead for a bit…LOL. I bet she can do it, boy is she quick!

I think it was this loop that Noways suddenly saw a log across the trail, (that I thought he was going to jump) and darted off into a bunch of grape vines nearly knocking me off…good grief. I ended up with only a few bruises and scrapes, but was careful from then on that we were of the same mind when approaching a low jump. McKaleigh, Connie’s niece, was having a fine time jumping all the logs she could. At this point we were a group of five. All Bush Whackers (team), but me…yikes! :-)

Again, back to the Vet Check…again everyone checked through fine, again, a nice breeze, again, a roll in the mud, no elytes in the feed this time. Food, water, brush, saddle, bridle, elytes squirt, then off again. Vickie and Paige had dropped back even more, so I didn’t see them until ready to leave. All looked good with Paige and Titan. I didn’t know that Vickie was having a bit of worry with Boo and had to have a recheck. Or, I would have waited to be sure Paige had a sponsor. But, all was well and we met them going out as we were about to finish the last short loop.

There were only four of us now, and we discussed a race off or tie, so we agreed to make it a four way tie for first. Thanks, Bush Whackers for letting a Duck finish with you… Another great ride with Noways!

Paige and Titan were soon in and happy to have another 50 miles under their belt. Vickie finished 8th, and Paige was 9th! We are really pleased with the way he is progressing. He is very good at taking care of himself, and thankfully, he also takes care of Paige. They really click together.

Before the awards, we had a wonderful dinner from the Café 58 restaurant. Oh man did that taste good! Three fresh green salads, a big slab of lasagna, and the choice of cakes to take care of any sweet tooth. I ate it all…

Amazingly, everyone figured out the trails and we had a 100% finish!! What a great group of riders! I think every one of our teams had enough for a team finish, so all got points. The Ducks had a 1st, me, a 8th, Vickie, a 9th, Paige, in the 50 and a 3rd, Brenda in the 25. Yeah!! Of course the Bush Whackers really racked up the points…sigh can’t beat that team… Haven’t heard from the Seven Slippers or the Wild Bunch yet, but they all had a good finishes.

For the next day, Connie explained the trail and recited the numbers of each trail so that they could be followed no matter how many ribbons were snatched.

Day two dawned with thunder storms…opps…so glad I had ridden the day before. But, undeterred our riders showed up with rain gear and off they went to face the challenge. It rained and rained.. And all riders were a bit wet when they came in to the VC, but all were smiling. Bless them! When all the 25 milers had finished, the rain quit and the sun came out to end in another beautiful day. Again, no one got lost, and again we had 100% finishes…wow how often does that happen?

On this day only one Duck rode, so no points, but he did get 1st in the 25 miler. Great job, Dr. Greg! Of course those Bush Whackers all finished together for 1st place, in the 50… sigh…:-)

A big thanks to our Ride Managers, Cindy Young and Sue Keith! (Wild Bunch) and to our trail markers, Bill Wilson and Connie Caudill (Bush Whackers), and to all the rest of us that do the timing, pulse taking, recording, etc. that make our rides go smoothly so we can enjoy our sport.

And we can’t forget the farrier that always puts wings on my horse’s feet! Tom Keith.

Also, thanks to our loyal Vets that take the time to see that our horses are sound and healthy. Mike Habel, and Maureen Fehrs.

So now the DBDR is planning our new fall ride in Kentucky at a new location. Here we can see a large herd of elk…! KENTUCKY STAMPEDE! Join us for some FUN!!

Maumee Valley PI Ride

Maumee Valley Pioneer Ride, 2010




The Daniel Boone Distance Riders decided last year to change the location of our ride, to a more northern location with better facilities than in years past so as to avoid the hot humidity of KY and with electric sites for those that can’t stand the heat… Well, the hot and humid followed us north. It is summer after all…but gosh you would think three years of H & H would be enough already!

Those dedicated to endurance did show up and rode anyway. Management could not have been better, the trails were well marked, and the hospitality was the best!

Management were RM veterans, Sue Keith, Lois McAfee, and Amy Whelen with Connie Caudill, Vickie Crance, Bill Wilson, and much of the DBDR members pitching in where needed. We are so lucky to have a club with so many willing hands.



Food!! Gosh on Friday evening we had potluck with fried chicken, then Saturday we had delicious Lasagna with salad and homemade cakes and pies…we were swaying with the weight of it all…

Trails ~ they were beautiful! I rode the first day on the 55 and got to see most of it. The first loop, was an out and back and the longest of the three loops. Nice shady trail with little mud and not even much in the way of elevation change. Just here and there to keep it interesting. With plenty of water on trail, plus some extra water tubs near the end of the half way point that was put out by management.

My boy, Noways was a good boy the whole loop and we eventually got into a nice pocket that always gives me a nice ride. But then rider error caused us to go maybe a mile out of our way, but we soon got back right and finished that loop with a group of MW riders who usually run up front. I wasn’t racing, but did want to finish in the top ten just because he is capable. But in this region it can be a hard task, as there are lots of riders wanting to win or to finish top ten also. Noways was showing some cramping in one buttock and a slight off in his right front…so I thought I was out. But on reexamine he was sound. Massage works I guess… Weather wasn’t as humid as it had been, so we felt good.

Went out for the second loop of about 15 – 16 miles. It felt longer than the first! Maybe because of there being more mud to deal with and we went slower. Again I got into a pocket, and then eventually caught up with Steve Cummings and we finished this loop together. Noways trotted out sound as could be this time. It is so handy to have a granddaughter to do that trot out!! Usually he gets low gut sounds after the first loop so I was surprised he got a C, as he had eaten well after the first loop and drank well during the second. So I made sure he had plenty to eat and did the usual applesauce and elytes before going out for the last loop, the short one of around 11 miles. Again, it seemed really long.

This time Noways was not eager to go out and called for his buddy back in camp for a good ¼ mile going up the first hill. We were by ourselves again, so he was doing his dog trot. Going, but not eager at all. So we cantered a bit to get his enthusiasm up and that worked. He must have smelled the horses ahead, because he picked up his speed and was once again his usual forward self. I kept hearing someone coming up behind me, but not catching up, so figured they were biding their time…and she was. I caught up with Karen, Deb and jr. rider Austin and just tucked in behind them as they were going at a moderate pace that suited me fine. Then Diane, who had been behind me caught up with us at a creek and all changed… Diane plunged ahead picking up the pace and Karen made sure she didn’t pull away. The rest of us whipped in behind them like a snake’s tail zipping through the woods. It was cool to watch the horses flying by the trees, jumping limbs and skipping over rocks ahead of me. Noways was in no mood to slow down, and he felt good, so we just hung behind them for a few miles. Then we came to the gravel road that is just before the turn off to camp which is about a mile and half of narrow trail. But the finish was an off shoot of wider trail for those that wanted to race off for the finish. By the time we got to the gravel road we were all cantering. I guess Noways little brain snapped back to his racing days and he powered ahead. Before I knew it we were in front of the pack and I had no control!! NOT GOOD. I guess Karen thought I was going for the front, but truly I was not. So she hung in there on my right while I was trying my best to slow Noways down and get some control. Not working. He was even crowding Karen and Karen was on the edge of the road. I was seeing a big wreck ahead if I didn’t get slowed and off of her. Images of the wreck Noways gave me about three years ago was looming large and nausea was about to get the best of me when finally I was able to saw him down to a controlled gallop and tuck his head in behind Karen’s horse…God I was sick. And Noways was MAD …

When we got to the turn off, I went on passed it so I could get Noways back under control and let everyone else have the trail. I followed Diane and her mare up the trail to the finish. Noways was still in high gear but at least he was once again aware that I was the captain of the ship. Whew… We came in 8th, but moved up to 7th when one of the riders was pulled. What a bummer to finish the ride then get pulled.

Noways was giving me the evil eye as I led him back to the Vet area a couple of hundred feet down the road. Fortunately, he forgives easily and was back to himself by the time we got to the cooling buckets.

Noways looked great and I should have stood for BC, but I was just too shook, and not happy with my boy. But he did look good, and I now regret that I didn’t go ahead and show him. Oh well, maybe next time.

Lois finished first and also got BC!

Great ride!!

I had planned to ride on the same day as Paige, but changed my mind when the weather was going to be hotter and hotter as the days progressed. And I wasn’t sure how her new horse Poppy would handle my leaving ahead of her. (My doing the 50 and she doing the LD) So I rode the 55 the first day, and I had the benefit of lots of crewing. Wow, what a treat! Mary Lynn slugged that saddle here and there, and she and Paige helped cool Noways, and Paige trotted him out for me. Thank you, thank you!

The next day was Paige, Brenda, Mary Lynn and Greg’s day to ride. Poppy (Paige’s borrowed horse) made us all smile as he didn’t turn a hair at leaving his buddy to go with Paige’s sponsor for the day, Brenda and Elite.

Since there weren’t a lot of riders, and the 50s and 25s split on different loops after the first mile and half, they all left together up the hill.

It was much warmer this day and the humidity was building. We workers and waiters kept moving our chairs back to the retreating shade. Today was my work day, but I’m afraid I didn’t do much. Thankfully, there were plenty of workers to fill in so it wasn’t much of a problem. Lois was always there to pick up my slack when Paige came in. Thank You, Lois!

Amy Whelen was riding the horse she had ridden in the 55 the day before and sponsoring her daughter, Annie and also Connie’s g. niece McKeiligh on her new horse Mack. McKeiligh had also ridden with Connie the day before on the 55...Tough little gal!

Love to see those Jr.s riding!

I was surprised to see Paige and Brenda come in to the VC first. Both horses pulsed down quickly, vetted through, and went to the trailers to get 50 minutes of rest and food. Poppy had low gut sounds so I had to trick him a bit to get him eating. But he ate well and drank well, so we loaded him up with elytes and out they went again. Paige and Brenda were really having fun, laughing and teasing each other as they went out for the final loop.

However, Ron Brown, Mary Lynn and Gregg were missing! When they finally came in they had missed a turn and Ron had done a loop the wrong way so turned around and did it again the right way…gosh it was way to hot to do that…But, they all eventually got finished. Ron in the nick of time, with near heat exhaustion, and ML and Greg just going out again to get their completion.

Brenda and Paige came in together at the finish and rushed to pulse down. Poppy recovers great, but so does Elite, so it was a bit of tense competition between friends, but Poppy got the call first! Ye Haw!!

Poppy looked good, so Paige showed him for BC, shining him up and braiding his mane neatly, making him look his best. And he showed well too, nice and bright and Paige’s 4H training looked good too. Course, I am a bit ‘granddaughter blind’…

It all paid off, and she did get her first Best Condition! Her head would not fit back in her helmet…and she smiled all the way home. She called Poppy’s owner, Peggy Angel to let her know how well he did. How cool is that?

We had a surprise storm during the night, most of the night with a light show to make Forth of July whimper…with driving rain that leaked into many of our trailers. My bed was soaked! I kept getting up to shine the flash light on the horses to be sure they had not swept away in the running stream right behind them. It was still raining lightly the next morning with water standing everywhere. After a night like that, most canceled their plans to ride. However two riders were saddled up and ready to depart on the 25 mile trail…no 50 milers wanted to venture out in that mud. There was one that decided to drop down to the 25 so she would have someone to ride with. I left before they got in, but hope they had a good ride and finished despite the yuck. We drove through lots of standing and flowing water over the roads until we got back to the interstate.

Don’t miss this ride next year. There is no way we will have that weather again. We had it all this year and the trails were just the best!

Janice & Noways

Photo 1 ~ Connie Caudill and Lois McAfee doing the paper work
Photo 2 ~ Paige and Poppy getting the once over with Dr. Jim Baldwin
Photo 3 ~ Annie Whelen showing Melixa for BC
Photo 4 ~ McKeiligh showing Mack for BC