19/10/2008
Devils Dyke Retirement Hack
26km NCR
The time has come to complete the season and retire from competing on a positive. And that exactly what we did. I have to admit, I have been very nervous about taking her back onto a course after The Southdowns Festival, but we had to overcome that.
So we left her out the night before so not to stiffen up, brought her in at 7am and fed. A good grooming and left in her box for an hour or so to chill out.
We returned with the trailer and loaded the car, prepared and Gabby and walked her to the ramp. Unlike previous attempts, she walked straight on.
After a successful drive to Pycombe, we arrived and unloaded Gabby. She was in great spirit. We had plenty time on our hands to chill out and get ready.
We vetted at 10.50am and sailed through. There was no turning back now so we tacked up, booted up and off we went. The first half an hour was cold, damp and windy and up hill mainly so we walked most of it with the odd trot for the camera here and there. After a decent into the valley, we met up with a couple ladies doing the same ride as me. As I had done this ride before they were keen to hook up.
We continued down to the valley then had a lovely long canter towards the first crew point and up the hill (see photos below).
After crewing we continued mainly in trot but coming back to walk on some of the poorer grounds and on downwards hills. As we pass checkpoint 2 we were blessed with another long canter which was very enjoyable.
At the end of valley, sadly one of the ladies riding with us caught her knee on a concrete post a the gate. She said for us to go on, but no way. We were on this ride non competitively and to get round safely. She needed our help, and we were there to oblige. After 5 minutes she was able to stand up again and tried to mount her horse but he had gone a bit skitty by this point. I blocked him with Gabby and she was able to jump back off.
As I knew where we were I suggested they called their driver to meet at Devils Dyke pub with the horse box and we would walk up to that point. And that's what we did. Gabby was very well behaved considering she was in competition mind. She walked through all the fields up to the Dyke. Donna met her there with her husband and trailer. The horse was loaded onto the box and the lady went to hospital for stitches (she had a hole in her leg, ouch!)
We then continued to finish the ride in style. We picked up the trot to warm back up again as we had walked for the last 30 minutes. After a brief walk down to the road, we then had the long uphill canter I had been waiting for and knowing that RAD photo would be there like last time, we took advantage of the opportunity to have a nice gallop to the top. And guess what, the kid in me came out, with woo hoo's chanted all the way to the top. What away to finish her competitive career.
We walk back to the venue and cross the line. Sponged her off and cooled her legs down a bit and presented to the vet. A healthy heart rate of 48 and a sound trot.
HAPPY RETIREMENT
We rugged her with her competition rug and had a photo session. She then walked herself onto the trailer to come home.
Once home, a full blown grooming session and then turned out. She spent the next half an hour jogging around the field. She was on a high, and I don't blame her. She has done amazingly to return to such a level after her accident and in six months. Well done Gabby. We are all so proud of you. xxxx
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