What Have We Done?
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326433)
Rockingham, Australia
March 16, 2016 8:32am CST
We have a nephew whose hobby is riding his horse in endurance events. We volunteered to help at a few rides and either manned a check-point or worked the two-way radios. These are used to keep tabs on all riders while they are out on the track. We would take our bus/motor-home and camp for one or two nights depending on the length of the ride. It is hard to get enough help to run these events and we quite enjoyed the experience.
At Easter there is to be an endurance marathon not too far from us. The main event is an 240 kilometre ride over 3 days so riders cover 80 kilometres a day. We said we'd go and help. Vince is going to man the radios and I will be on the 'desk' keeping records of when riders start and finish and making sure they make the correct weight.
So this all sounds fine but now we have discovered each day's session will start at 4.00am which means getting up somewhat before this. We had forgotten about the early starts and Collie can be very cold at that time of year. But we can't back out so now we need to find an alarm clock. I sometimes think we need our heads read.
The photo is of a friend of ours who will probably be competing.
23 people like this
21 responses
@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Mar 16
I'm sure there will be enough material for a post or two. We are looking forward to it really.
I haven't seen such kind of event because we only have that on racetracks where there is betting .
Your friends looks so adept in riding a horse . She's so courageous to ride a horse . 
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
18 Mar 16
and find something warm to wear!!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Mar 16
@Jessicalynnt Good idea - and sleeping in a tracksuit ready for work!
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
17 Mar 16
thats a long ride in a saddle - we had a Piebald Pony from Australia which I did a few cross country rides with - so i can just imagine those long rides. Horses are amazing animals, but I count not afford to give my own children that same opportunity as they are costly to upkeep in todays modern world.
1 person likes this
@horsesrule (1957)
• United States
6 Aug 17
That is very early. I hope everything worked out for you.
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@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Aug 17
Thanks yes, we managed but I seem to remember we did grumble a bit! 
@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Mar 16
I'd forgotten my bed-socks and I have lovely fluffy ones. I must go and put them in. Easter is a bit earlier this year so perhaps it will be really warm. Must put my hat in too! :)
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
17 Mar 16
A 4 AM start suggests it is as much an endurance test for you as for the riders - sounds a great event though - hope it goes well and the horse looks fabulous in the photo here
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Mar 16
It is three days in a row and some won't get in till perhaps midnight each night. They'll have to have a second person helping - the radio. I've done the radios before and being on the desk (my designated job) could be more easily taken over by someone else which would leave me free to relieve Vince. I'm sure it will all sort out but it's nice to have a bit of a whinge beforehand and make pretend we'll be run off our feet. 
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49167)
• United States
16 Mar 16
4:00am oh my.......I wouldn't care for that.
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@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Mar 16
No, it's a bit early for normal, sensible people, isn't it?
@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Apr 16
It did go well. We haven't been to one since as we've had social engagements clashing with riding dates. But early in June we're going to a ride at Payne's Find which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere north east of here - red dirt country - so we're looking forward to that.
@CRK109 (14558)
• United States
17 Mar 16
Wow, it all sounds wonderful except for that start time! Of course, it's 2am here and I'm still awake, so I could get ready right now if I had to! lol but then I'd probably fall asleep in the middle of the competition. :) I hope you have a good time!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Mar 16
Vince may not finish on the radio till midnight each night so he will be tired. I'm sure there will be someone to help him.
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
19 Mar 16
Beautiful photo and extremely interesting event! I've never heard of horse endurance races. I wonder how you and Vince gonna get enough rest given that there are 3 days back to back! 
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
16 Mar 16
That sounds like it would be a neat volunteer experience.
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@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Mar 16
We had forgotten about the early starts but we can't back out now. We don't mind too much really.
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
16 Mar 16
Oh, that is a shocking thing to remember after the fact! I bet you had a good laugh when you remembered!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326433)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Mar 16
We weren't round to help last year and had sort of forgotten about the early starts. I guess we'll survive.
