High Notes and Low Notes from the Lakeside Classic - April 2001

The Lakeside Classic was attended by a large number of  QSER members on April 21.  It was a very nice ride on Saturday but with an inauspicious
beginning.

It was raining in San Jose when we left for the ride and the rain followed us to San AntonioLake near Bradley, CA.  It rained on and off much of Friday afternoon and evening. It rained during the night at about 4 AM - then clear starlit skies at 5 AM and then cloudy again by the 6 AM start time for the 50s. This was the basis for MaryBen deciding she would not start on Barry.  She should have started because the day turned out very nice - cool - windy - and lots of sunshine. She did crew for Heather and others - and enjoyed the ride.

The ride takes place at Lake San Antonio about 3 hours south of San Jose partially on the Hunter-Liggett Army base. Ridecamp has lots of space - a view of the lake - and hot showers. Barbara and Ron Sanches put on the ride as a benefit for the Vietnam Veterans of Monterey County. It's marked well - has spectacular views of the mountains and the lake - and is a lot of fun.

They have access to new trails now and the ride is moderate in difficulty as compared to a few years ago when it was more difficult. The first part of the ride has some nice climbs - beautiful wildflowers - hillsides with Lupin, California poppies and Indian Paintbrush along the trail.  And the roads are wide and called "tank" roads.  I didn't think much about this while riding along them until I noticed the tracks on each side of the road - about 15 ft apart and wondered what type of vehicle could have made those...Army base - real tanks... The vet checks are are 15 and 40 miles with 30 and 60 minutes hold.  The last loop goes north along the lake with views from both high above and along the fingers as you ride.

High notes - Michele Shaw and Robinhood took first and BC. Head vet Diana Hassel said that the Robinhood  looked even better at the finish than he did at the preride check-in - a great horse. Judy Etheridge and Orion took 6th, Jan Jeffers on Cloud(ex Rocket) took 12th,  Mike Maul on Thor 13th, Lori Oleson 16th, Nancy Elliot 17th, Barb and Lud McCrary 20 and 21, Kathy Webster 33rd, Jeff Luternauer 53rd, and Trilby in last at 54th. Pat Verhuel and Gertrude Walker finished as well but I didn't get their placings. There were 80 listed as starting in the 50 - 20 in the 25 - on Friday but a number decided not to start due to the weather. And Mike Maul reached 2000 miles at this ride.

Maryben had a  cake at the ride meeting for Julie Suhrs birthday as a surprise.  She pulled it off well as Julie seemed really surprised. Everyone had a candle while we sang Happy Birthday. Julie gave out cake and later wondered - "How come no one asked me which birthday it was..."

Low notes - Rick Gomez on Monterey rode a very nice ride for 3rd in but was pulled at the finish due to lameness.  The 5th place finisher - not
a club member - was also pulled at the finish.  Heather Bergantz - riding one of Julie Suhrs horses - took a fall with the horse when it stepped in one of the many ground squirrel holes.  It coliced soon after and was transported offsite to the vet clinic.  Bob and Julie were having a good ride but pulled to go to the vet with their horse.

And some of the things to mention:

Barbara mentioned in the awards meeting that one QSER member - Steve Lenheim - had to cancel at the last moment but asked that his entry fee not be refunded.  He also made a very generous contribution along with his entry to the Vietnam Vets fund. We don't often think about the sacrifices that the vets made then - and that some are still making - but they are a part of our nation and deserve to be honored.

I see a young rider at the vet check - her horse is a little off early in the day while the temperature is still low and the vet says warm him up a little and come back later.  In a few minutes -  the rider comes back and says - he isn't my horse and let's not take any chances.  There is always another
day.

Judy Etheridge comes up to Jan Jeffers on Friday night and says - are you going to ride slow? I brought my western saddle - Orion was just shod yesterday and I have Easyboots on him in front.  I need someone to ride slow with tomorrow.  In the morning - no Judy until we see her coming back on the two way portion of the loop in first place with Rick Gomez in second and in 45 minutes out - she is already 15 minutes ahead of Jan riding "slow"..  Later she says - when I got to the starting line - there was no one there so I just stayed out in front.  7th place is pretty good for a "slow" ride.

I talk to people at the ride dinner - one of the things I enjoy about the ride - and hear  how this ride brings back lots of memories about people and horses from the earlier San Antonio ride.  Ron Waltenspiel is wearing his buckle from that ride as we talk. I hear things like - we work hard all week and this is our chance to have fun.

I see many volunteers supporting the ride with their time and effort - always smiling and friendly and think how fortunate we are to have people - who are not really "horse" people come out and make our rides possible.  We all owe them a lot.

I talk to a ride manager of another ride who says - It would be really nice if riders who have suggestions or complaints - would send me a note after the ride.  It's just too busy during the ride to do anything or remember it for next time.

The last section before the finish line is flat and open right along the lake shore.  It's a fantastic feeling cantering slowly along with your horse with the wind, the water, and the wildflowers  It's one of those moments you remember about rides....

I talk to a very experienced endurance rider with more miles than almost anyone else around.  She says that she never has trouble sleeping - except the night before a ride.  She still gets "butterflies" before each ride.  I hear someone kid the most experienced endurance rider about doing NATRC when she started.  She covers her eyes and says "That was a long time ago."

We pass another rider on the trail walking her horse in because she feels he is off.  She completes in the mid-teens.  People do take care of their horses. With my own horse - he hasn't been drinking until 25+  into the rides lately.  We keep stopping for grass so I can get something with water into him.  Finally he drinks a lot at about 30 miles.  Why don't these animals know they are going to need water later...

Before I came to California - I always thought of Silicon valley.  Now I think of it as miles of  vineyards, irrigated vegetables, and fruit trees that help feed the nation. I think of the rolling green hills, the low fog, the mountains, the beaches, and the great places to ride.

Overall - a very nice ride for a very good cause.

Barbara and Ron - thanks for putting it on and giving us a reason for seeing new places.

Mike