No Tevis: Bandit Springs

Friday July 18 2008 Like a great number of other people, my plans for going to Tevis changed when the decision to cancel because of the smoke and fires was announced. So I headed off to Bandit Springs, Oregon, with Idaho locals Nance and Bruce Worman and Bruce's daughter Isabelle, where for the 18th year an endurance ride took place in the Ochoco National Forest on the eastern slope of the Cascades Mountains. While ride manager Jannelle Wilde was sorry about the cancellation and smoke and fires and headaches (and worse) for many people, she was tickled that at least 15 extra riders that had been headed for Tevis decided to give Bandit Springs a try this year. There were plenty of rides to choose from: 100 miles, 80 miles, 50 miles, 30 miles, a 10-mile trail ride, and for the very intrepid: a Ride N Tie. And not only a 30 mile Ride N Tie, but an elevator - if you didn't get enough at 30 miles (!), you could elevate up to 50 miles, 80 miles, or 100 miles. The distance were covered over 3 loops, of 10, 20, and 30 miles, with 90% of the trails on single-track dirt, and the rest on 2-track logging roads. There would be a good chance of seeing wild horses on loop one, and maybe a stray elk or two on all of them. You'd be riding over or near historic and prehistoric archaeological sites and trails, old cabins, camps and mines. And you'd have a bit of the full moon if you were doing the longer distances. And, icing on the cake: it would be a pleasantly cool day with no fires to worry about. Veteran endurance riders the Vanderfords - Hugh and Gloria, and their great granddaughter Haily Daeumler - arrived on Tuesday, to get out of the smoke and fires in California. "We've had lovely blue skies and white clouds, and no smoke!" Gloria said. Hugh would be riding the 80 miler ("I'm a wimp"), and Haily - 14 years old as of today - attempting to complete her 4th 100 miler, with Gloria. Ride camp was in horse heaven: a meadow with horse-belly-high grass that you couldn't pull the horses' noses out of as soon as you unloaded them from the trailer. And oh I've missed the forest - I love the desert, but it's the forest that really gets to me: here in the dry eastern slope forests, there are the blooming flowers - purple lupines, white yarrow, red Indian paintbrush, orange columbine; there is the smell of the firs, and the Jeffrey pines that when you stick your nose in the cracks of the bark, you smell vanilla (I hugged one of them!); there is the sound of the wind in the pine needles (which is different from wind in leaves), and cheeseburger birds (the chickadees that sound like they're saying "cheese-burger!"). Coming from furtherest away - and diverting here from Tevis - was Melissa Longhurst from Australia. She'd be riding Ernie Schrader's National Show Horse, a big paint named Captain Calypso. The first thing she asked me was, "How's the Raven?" I'd met Melissa last year at the Imbil ride in Queensland, Australia - by which time I'd lost the Raven I. So while she and half of Australia knew all about the Raven and his exploits up until his disappearing, Melissa had never actually met the Raven. That changed when I told her I'd brought Raven II along - I was hoping to pick up a horse to ride here at Bandit Springs at the last minute so brought the Raven and the Raven bag along. I produced the Raven for an introduction, and Melissa said, "Maybe the Raven wants to ride with me!" Gasp! The Raven riding with somebody else - why, it had never even been considered - the idea never even conceived! And riding with someone representing another country with a big Raven following - what a great idea! I told Melissa, "It's a B - I - G responsibility you know," and very solemnly Melissa said she was well aware of that. So with a few butterflies, the kind I don't get when I ride, I agreed to attach the Raven in his Raven bag to her saddle sometime tomorrow. There were, at first glance, a good number of lame-looking horses at the vetting in. Only they weren't lame; they were gaited horses - Tennessee Walkers, Rocky Mountain horses, Missouri Foxtrotters. Many of them didn't trot - they paced (instead of diagonal legs moving forward simultaneously, the legs on the same side move forward simultaneously) which produces a sort of rocking and rolling motion, or they had a running walk, a unique 4-beat gait. I've ridden and packed with Missouri Fox Trotters, and while the pace to me feels awkward at first, it gets to be a very smooth, ground-covering gait to ride. Several of the "gaiters" were asked for a second 'trot out' - but all of them were sound. And they all made me want to hop on them and try them out! At the ride meeting, after outlining the basics, Jannelle handed out half a dozen empty wine bottles to people. "I want you to hold on to these bottles. And if you hear anybody whining tomorrow, hand them your Whine Bottle!" Endurance riders don't usually do too much whining, and with the heavenly setting and good group of Northwest endurance riders and others from further away, it didn't seem likely the bottles would change hands too much over the weekend.

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Great Balls O' Fire

Wednesday July 16 2008

Northern California is burning (and parts of Washington) - many huge forest fires some 600+ miles away from here - and we are feeling the effects. Seeing the effects, in the sky, with haze clouding the Owyhee mountains 6 miles away to the west - at one point yesterday we almost couldn't see them at all, and coloring the full moon a deep orange. Feeling the effects, (us endurance riders anyway) because Tevis has been cancelled this weekend.

Some riders who were planning on doing Tevis are instead going to Bandit Springs in Oregon, where there's a 100, 80, 50, and 30-mile ride, a Ride and Tie, and a 10-mile fun ride. I'm going along with Nance Worman and her family. Nance is doing the 100 on Jazzbo - who she was going to ride in Tevis. I'm going to take pictures, but then if somebody puts a horse underneath me, I won't object. I've got the little pocket camera that's great for trail pictures. : )


Meanwhile, here in Oreana, our horses aren't exactly burning with desire to hit the trails. It's hot, (although not TOO terrible in the mornings), and maybe they have the hot summer blahs (and I know EXACTLY how that feels). Jose and I rode with Carol and August this morning, and neither horse was eager to be out there, even though we found a nice breeze up on the ridge. Connie - who got here yesterday - got on her beloved horse Finneas for the first time since the Fandango ride in May, and he was equally un-excited.


Maybe when the smoke clears and it cools down (like in October??) the horses will regain some enthusiasm.

Home Again

Friday July 11 2008 It's good to have the opportunity to travel, but it's also good to get back 'home'. Some things are just the best ever: Opening my suitcase over the washing machine and dumping the contents in there Having a WHOLE FREEZER full of ice cubes, readily available for my drinks (I defy you to find this anywhere in Italy) Wadding up my own special pillow under my head And even better than the best ever: My horse actually interrupting his eating (!!!) to nicker and come up to see me and welcome me back : ) Looking at every (real) Raven here and wondering which one is mine (I haven't told my Raven story yet) A nice welcome home ride in this boundlessly beautiful high desert country on my pal Jose A good-luck long-eared owl feather on a hike with the dogs on a beautiful, and not so terribly hot, golden evening, on the ridge Yes, it's great to be back : )

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2008 Gubbio Nations Cup Italian CEIO

Saturday July 5 2008 If one word was to epitomize the goal of the Nations Cup CEIO - of Italy, France, Belgium, of any country that chooses to hold one - it is Team; and if there's one word to define Team at the Gubbio Italian CEIO, that was Belgium, all day, in all respects. It wasn't just their riders, or their horses, or their final placings, but their concerted participation and effort as a team, that everyone had to have noticed. Wherever there was one Belgian rider and horse, there were a group of Belgians, whether it was for Karin Boulanger, who led on all but the first loop of the 160 km; or waiting at the finish line as the sun was setting for Audrey Olmanst to come in 8th in the 160 km; or holding their breath collectively in a group for Rachel Jaumotte's horse's final 160 km trot out; or consoling Ernesto Mariotti, whose horse vetted out lame after the first loop of the 120 km; or gathering before - and after - the awards presentations on Sunday. They were a Team, and this day they happened to be a very strong one at that. Thirty-seven horses left the starting line near the stables at 5 AM, with just enough light to see the way without headlamps. It was a cool and damp 12*C at that hour, with little whisps of fog crawling over the mountains to the south of the Gubbio valley. The Endurance Village was slow to wake up - I was sure hovering around the restaurant waiting for the cappuchino machine to be turned on - you wouldn't know there were some horse races going on throughout the surrounding countryside, with 26 more horses starting on the 120 km ride, and 19 on the 93 km ride. The morning sun was just creeping out from behind the hills to warm up the Endurance Village by the old Roman theatre when the first 160 km riders came in just after 7 AM off the 35-km loop 1. The horses had 272 m to climb in the southern hills - a good time of day to do so with the cool morning with fresh horses. Smiling Italian Chiara Marrama led the way on her mare Duina - who I just had the pleasure of riding last weekend - two minutes ahead of 2 Italians and 7 others in a tight group that included Karin Boulanger and Poespass, all averaging just under 16 km/h. The first two eliminations of the day were Italian Mara Marangoni and one of the Brazilians, Higor De Marchi. The 22-km loop 2 was flat, and about 4 km/h faster among the leaders. Belgium's Karin Boulanger took the lead coming in over Chiara Marrama and French rider Caroline Danayer - and that was pretty much the last time anybody else in the race saw even the backside of Poespass, except in the vet gates. Three more riders were eliminated for lameness, all Italians. Loop 3 was the toughest of the ride, not only the length at 35 km, but the climb. The altitude difference was 279 km, but there were two big hills to pull, instead of just one. Riders were advised that 11 km/h would be a good speed to take this loop. Boulanger and Poespass covered it at 15.5 km/h, adding 20 minutes to their lead, and looking strong and fresh at the vet gate. Italian team rider Carletto Bertoni had moved into second on El Jamila, with French team rider Guy Dumas moving up to third, and Belgian team rider Barbara Bienfait in fourth. And now, at noon, the sun was harsh and it was hot if you were in the leeward side of the mountains where there was no breeze, though if you were under shade in the vet gate and you found a breeze, it was almost pleasantly balmy. And all the horses in the vet gates huddled under the shady tents. I'd jumped in the car for loop 3 with Dutch rider Yvonne Van Der Velde's crew and rode with them to the crew points. The roads for the crews were marked as well as the trails for the horses, with explicit instructions on the map, and red ribbons flagging the road for extra visual cues. Loop 3 took the biggest toll on the field, with 9 horses dropping out at the vet gate, some of them on the compulsory re-examine - including Van der Velde, French rider Virginie Atger, Brazilian team rider Karina Dos Santos, and Argentinean rider Mercedes Tapia. It was unfortunately Tapia's second time to be eliminated from the Gubbio ride - but all that meant was she'd have to return next year for another try. And from the first loop, Team Belgium led the way in the Italian CEIO, helped along by Boulanger riding in front. France held onto second, and Italy third. The Argentineans had been riding steadily and conservatively along as a group of three near the rear of the field until Tapia was eliminated. Meanwhile, the 90 km ride came to an exciting conclusion, with Andrea Pesce just nosing out Alessandro Bruscoli and Marta Bravi in an enthusiastic racing finish that had the horses and riders barreling well past the finish line into the crewing area, fortunately missing spectators and other horses and crews. Unfortunately Bravi was eliminated at the finish - as were 4 other finishers. 7 of the 26 starters finished the 90 km ride. Loops 4 and 5 for the 160 km were one and the same, a flat 27 km to the south and east of Gubbio. Boulanger gained another 5 minutes over Guy Dumas and Carletto Bertoni. They led Belgians Barbara Bienfait and Rachel Jaumotte in 4th and 5th on both loops. The Belgian horses all looked strong coming into the vet gate but Bienfait's horse was eliminated at gate 5 from lameness. Maybe it did or didn't have anything to do with the fact that Captivator fell on the first loop when he was spooked by a cameraman and jumped off the road and fell into a ditch. It was a disappointment, but both Barbara and her husband Robert jumped right on to helping crew for Jaumotte, and Audrey Olmanst, who came off of loop 5 in 6th place, some 50 minutes behind her teammates. The ever-strong presence of French team rider Jack Begaud made his case here, moving up into 5th place on loop 5, having moved steadily up each stage, from 21st place on loop one. Likewise, French team rider Denis Pesce had moved up strongly each stage, from 28th place on loop 1, to 9th place on loop 5. Loop 5 saw the elimination of 5 more riders, including the last Brazilian. Boulanger left on her last loop the same way she came in off her loops and went out on them - alone, and yelling enthusiastically. Her horse must have picked up on her enthusiasm - to not share it just was not possible. She said later, "I never rode 4 loops alone before! I talked and talked to my horse!" Boulanger easily had the race in her hand, if she rode carefully and returned with a sound horse, as she had a 25 minute lead going out on the final, short, 12-km loop. The thunderstorms had skipped us today, and it never got quite as muggy as yesterday. The breeze and air currents were perfect for paragliding off the mountain tops behind Gubbio - and that's just what half a dozen daredevils did, many of them aiming for their usual grassy landing by the Roman Theatre, right by the in lane for all the vet gates and the finish line for the races. One paraglider fortunately timed it right and landed between horses coming in, but when he gathered up his sail and became a big fluffy orange bubble waddling across the grass, he had one stunned grazing horse staring frozen with a mouthful of grass falling out of his mouth, and he completely freaked out one of the two police horses he was walking towards (and he never stopped walking!). The policeman stayed on, the bubble waddled on across the street, the grazing horse went back to eating, and the other paragliders landed further away from the finish line. A crowd steadily gathered in the Endurance Village during the afternoon, including the usual group of retired gentlemen who were always out on their park benches at 3 PM, playing a type of bowling game on the flat dirt in the shade. We'd taken over the space for their game with the Endurance Village, but they seemed to enjoy watching the horses as a diversion this weekend. Out on all the loops of the course, the local Gubbians participated in the ride, coming out to wave and watch the horses go by, and bring water and ice for the horses to drink or sponge down with. The tented cafe at the Endurance Village had a steady stream of visitors, one of which was me, drinking cappuchinos all day - much to the horror of Italians who drink cappuchinos only in the morning! (So I learned, but I didn't change my ways.) The winner of the 120 km Roman Theatre race - Vito Grippo - arrived less than a minute in front of Erika Vagnetti - pretty much the same thing he'd been doing all day, averaging 16.4 km/h. The 120 km riders covered the same first 4 loops as the 160 km ride, with Italians sweeping the first 4 placings. South African Lanel Van Niewenhuizen finished 12th on a very fine horse, Kaligola. Seventeen of the 26 riders finished the 120. I think we heard her coming to the finish before we saw her: a yelling, howling, grinning Karin Boulanger, bearing down the grassy lane alongside the ancient Roman Theatre, slapping her horse on the neck as he galloped toward the finish line toward the cheering whooping hollering Belgian team awaiting them. Karin took this loop the slowest of all - 14.9 km/h, but still finished 11 minutes ahead of Guy Dumas and Carletto Bertoni, who'd done their last loop fastest, at over 20 km/h. The Belgians that weren't crewing for Audrey Olmanst - who'd just come in off her 5th loop - jumped in to work on Poespass. Someone draped a Belgian flag over his butt and over Karin's shoulders, as they took 5 minutes to approach the vet gate. The clapping started before Poespass made it to the end of the lane for his trot out - he looked sound... but the final examination wasn't over. We all had to wait oh, like hours for the half a minute to go by before a huge "YEAH!" erupted from the Belgian team - for the winners of the 160 km Italian CEIO Nations Cup - Karin Boulanger and Poespass! There were hugs all around for Karin and for her horse. And while this cheering was going on, another one erupted at the finish line, with a sprint to the wire between Dumas and Bertoni for 2nd place, with Dumas just getting the nod. The two horses were hot and heaving from the dash, especially Dumas' horse. Bertoni took his El Jamila to the vet after 12 minutes, and when asked to trot out, groans fell out of disbelieving mouths of the observers. His horse was lame! He was asked for a second trot out for a vote, but it was clear after the first 10 yards this was unnecessary - Bertoni and El Jamila were eliminated! Heartbreaking, after 160 km, and such a finish - but what can you do? Later, Bertoni proudly showed off a picture of his horse and Dumas' at the finish - so he'd gotten pulled, but he was very proud of his horse anyway. El Jamila had gone to the end of 160 km today, with heart for a race at the end, and at the end had a lame foot - that's endurance racing. Dumas' Idryss Du Melay took 20 minutes to come down and enter the vet gate; he trotted out soundly to a rousing cheer from the watching onlookers, and vetted through, giving France second place in individual, and, so far, in team placings. Coming in 26 minutes later, thinking she was in fourth was Belgian Rachel Jaumotte... only now she was up for third if she had a sound horse. It was a very hushed vetting lane as the Belgian team gathered together to wait out the tense minutes of Rukban Kikruhu MMN's vet exam. You could see and feel the concentration of the team: the hunched tense shoulders, concentrated gazes willing the horse to be sound, hands rubbing faces - can't watch - can't not watch, people squeezing shoulders, breaths being held and proud tears ready to burst from happiness or sadness from Rachel's eyes... the sound trot out and the harder held breaths for the rest of the exam; and then that nod from the vet, and the tears coming out, falling in the horse's mane. French riders Jack Begaud and Denis Pesce finished next, with Italians Roberto Ronconi and Elena Bertoni following. With Audrey Olmanst finishing 8th, that gave Belgium the clinch on the CEIO Italian Teams trophy. As the rest if the field finished - the two remaining Argentineans finishing 15th and 16th - yet another satisfying meal was served at the Endurance Village. Can one get enough good pasta in Italy? There was pasta, and ravioli, and the freshest, best bread ever, one that gave new meaning to the diet "bread and water." Journalist Pamela Burton didn't mess around with slices for our table, she grabbed a whole loaf for us and journalists Giorgio and Alessandra, and with a couple of carabinieri at our table, we all enthusiastically ripped into it. Barbecued spiced sausage followed, and after that some other barbecued meat, and after that, I was full to my eyeballs with the delicious bread and couldn't take any more. Not even a gelato, had it been on offer! (Well, I might have squeezed a little one in.) And that was the 2008 Nationas Cup Italian CEIO in Gubbio: thrills and tears; crushing disappointments - or proud achievements, depending on how you looked at it; a successful equine sporting event once again well received by the local people in the shadow of a historic ancient city. Most of all it was the strong showing of a very strong Belgian team, a small country with a strong group of riders and horses, one to be reckoned with now and down the road, in the European and world endurance community, who have shown they know how to work together and get it done.

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Gubbio: Vet In Day

Friday July 4 2008 The clever logo for the Gubbio Endurance Nations Cup, designed by Grazia Fiorucci (Fausto's sister), is a stone horse emerging above ancient stone ruins of Gubbio, with, as its mane, flags from the countries that have participated in the Nations Cups over the years - 20 since 2003. It is the fitting symbol of what this event, and the other CEIO Nations Cups in Europe (this year: Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal) are aiming for: a highly competitive endurance circuit for team competitions, which can only strengthen the sport of endurance throughout the world, by involving and developing more top class riders from all nations. Race organizers Nicolas Wahlen of Compiegne, France, Pierre Arnould of Belgium, Paulo Branco of Portugal, and Fausto Fiorucci of Italy, are strong supporters of this new aspect of international endurance. The Gubbio Endurance Village, replete with its multi-nations' flags flying overhead, white picket fences, and bright flowers decorating the lanes and restaurant, filled with people and horses at 3 in the afternoon for the vet inspections. Coinciding with the beginning of the trot outs were dark threatening clouds rapidly filling up the sky above. It had been extra-clammy humid all day, so you could guess what was coming. Half a dozen horses had vetted through when it started sprinkling; another few had just finished when it began raining, and then suddenly it was dumping rain, with gusty winds blowing down the finish line fences, and lightning bolts dropping among the old churches on the Gubbio hillside (guess who was the first one cowering under one of the tents!) and thunder that shook the ground. Some of the horses that had been leaping and rearing and otherwise misbehaving for their trot outs, were suddenly quiet and ultra-behaved, as they, along with some 80 other horses and 100 humans, were crammed like sardines in a can under every available tent covering, eyeball to eyeball, to avoid the worst of the downpour. The speaker announced that vet inspections would resume after the rain passed, and then a bolt of lightning knocked out the power to his microphone - not that anybody was budging from under the shelters anyway. After fifteen minutes the blue-black rain clouds continued on to the north, and the horses and grooms emerged from the shelters for their inspections, some of the horses going back to rearing, or cantering beside their handlers for their trot outs, and the sun shone over Gubbio Endurance once again. With the conclusion of the vetting in, (Italian Diana Origgi's horse Aisha Mia for the 160 km, and Giorgio Serfilippi's horse Zamir for the 93 km, did not pass inspection, and would not start tomorrow), the horses were put away and bedded down for the evening to rest up for their early starts (the 160 km ride at 5 AM, the 120 km ride at 6 AM, and the 93 km ride at 7 AM). Officials, riders, and crews headed for the Park Hotel ai Cappuccini - every year one of the main sponsors of the Gubbio Nations Cup - for the ride briefing and Welcome Dinner. And what a more understatedly elegant, comfortable venue to host a group of disparate yet homogenous group of horse-loving endurance people from around the world, than this hotel, which was once a 17th century monastery. The ride briefing began with a short but excellent video chronicling Gubbio Endurance with scenes from the old city - an important participant in this event, lending its character, history and scenic backdrop - and previous Gubbio rides. Most important theme of this meeting was the idea of the main CEIO event itself and the passion that organizer Fausto Fiorucci feels for the CEIO, and endurance as a sport, and its continued development and forward growth. And sharing this passion, and addressing it with their own enthusiasm and ideas, were French Chef d'Equipe Jean-Louis Leclerc, and Belgium Chef d'Equipe Pierre Arnould. For endurance to grow as a sport, one must be open to new ideas and approaches, and these three men are endeavoring to help lead the way, to provide additional opportunities for riders and nations in a sport that has, perhaps in some ways, stagnated in its growth of developing new riders and obtaining sponsors and participants. However, even with the verbal growing support of Nations Cup events, only 5 countries sent teams to Gubbio this year: Italy, Belgium, France, and the far-flung nations Argentina and Brazil. Portugal (whose CEIO is scheduled for September), had to withdraw a few days prior due to veterinary reasons. Dubai, whose Dubai Equestrian Club (established by Shaikh Mohammed, and presided over by Princess Haya Bint Hussein) is a principal sponsor of Gubbio, was also unable to send a team this year. Two more nations were represented with individual riders: South African Lanel Ven Niewenhuizen in the 120 km Roman Theatre race, and Dutch rider Yvonne Van der Velde - last year's Dutch champion, riding her champion horse Joy Touch of Cherain - in the 160 km. Lanel and her mother Leonie had provided a horse for veterinarian Dr Marcello's wife to ride in South Africa; they were returning the favor by finding an Italian horse for Lanel to ride in Italy. Yvonne had heard good things about the trail and organization at Gubbio - and it was a beautiful place to spend a few days on vacation with her family afterwards. The idea of sharing horses and rides between nations is not a new one - Steph Teeter of the US has begun organizing a WEE - World Endurance Exchange - but it is another sensible idea strongly embraced by Fausto. By sharing, or exchanging horses to ride - not just leasing them - it provides more opportunities for riders to be able to afford to participate in endurance rides around the world. With such an idea, Fausto was able to bring riders from Argentina and Brazil this year to Gubbio, finding Italian or French horses for them to ride. The South Americans will return the favor one day. The pre-race meeting moved out of doors to the loggia where, under the watchful eye of two mounted cabinieri as honor guards, champagne and savory hors d'oeuvres were served to an appreciative audience. Then the doors were flung open to a great banquet room full of wine-glassed tables for dining, and endless serving tables covered with the most amazing food I have ever had at an endurance ride anywhere - a most top class meal I'd put up against any top restaurant anywhere in the world, for its flavor and variety. Each table - and there were at least 6 of them, 10 meters long - had something different on them. I couldn't even try everything. And the desserts! Well, now, I should have just started with those and then worked my way to the food tables. And of course good food tastes even better in good company, and we were surrounded by it, a couple hundred horse people, come together from around the world to the historic city of Gubbio, Italy, host to the 5th Nations Cup Italian CEIO Endurance Race.

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Countdown to Gubbio

Thursday July 3 2008 I've been known to exaggerate the heat, but the thermometer says it has been in the mid-30's in Gubbio, with significant humidity. Not like Malaysia humidity, but enough to make my clothes stick to my skin and to make my hair frizz. However, Fausto said, that should not matter. "You should ride your horse according to the conditions - the weather, the track. Last year we had 51% completion rate and it was 35*, and no major treatment of horses." The sky is clear in the mornings, but by 1 PM, thunderclouds start building somewhere in the sky. By late afternoon, there is a rainshower and thunderstorm within sound range (if you can hear thunder) or sight. Yesterday evening it suddenly got dark when the layers of clouds clashed directly overhead, whipping a cool wind through the narrow, labyrinthine streets, sending restaurant owners chasing after their blowing-away signs, and short-sleeved Gubbians running for their doorways. The lights flickered a few times, and a small half-hearted rain shower got one side of the street wet. The weather should be the same for Saturday's races. Today by afternoon, over a dozen horses, and some extra riders, had arrived at the stables. Team Argentina - Mercedes Tapia, Clara Taddeo, and Facundo Larrere arrived at the Gubbio train station; they called Fausto, who said he'd find a driver and call them back. He found the driver, but when he tried to call Mercedes back, the number had disappeared from his phone. One more headache... but, "what can I do?" Just keep working on something else - like drive to one place that is making the banners and check on their progress: they weren't quite ready yesterday as planned. The three Argentinians arrived later and were strolling about the grounds, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Jean Phillipe Frances with the horses he is bringing for them to ride. Lanal and Leonie Van Nieuwenhuizen from South Africa arrived yesterday evening, after spending a few days touring Milan, Venice and Rome; Leonie will be riding a horse of Italian veterinarian Dr Marcello on the 120 km Roman Theatre race. He is returning the favor as they supplied a horse for him to ride in South Africa. By this evening, the endurance village was almost completed: vet lanes and finish lane lined out; white picket fences up; sponsor banners lining the fences; bar/cafe prepared and chairs and tables set up; electrical power installed; sound system working. Just a few more finishing touches tomorrow morning, and we're ready to roll, with registration beginning at 10 AM, and vet inspections beginning at 3 PM. In the evening, the Park Hotel ai Cappuccini is hosing the Opening Ceremony and ride briefing, followed by a Welcome Dinner. Welcome to the 2008 Gubbio Nations Cup!

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Endurance Village

Wednesday July 2 2008 As the week progresses, the endurance village down by the old Roman Theatre continues to grow. More tents and towers are up, the nations' flags are flying, the entrance and exit gates and finish line and in-gates are up, a catering truck for the bar has arrived and begun to unload equipment. The stables are ready. The printed books will be finished this evening and ready to hand out to businesses in town. Yesterday evening, Fausto said "Come with me to get a sledgehammer." We walked halfway across the vet area and he said "No, my car is back there! We walked right past it! Why didn't you tell me!" I thought we were walking to get the sledge, but he'd intended to drive. We walked back to his car and drove across town, when suddenly he threw his hands up in the air, like he forgot something, and we turned around. Yes, indeed, he forgot to turn off at his house! "What do you call it when a man forgets his house!" I said, "Too busy!" Why on earth would someone want to take on the challenge of putting together such a big event like this? Try to find sponsors to finance it, try to put all the pieces together for 100 riders from 9 nations, over 160 km of tracks in the countryside around Gubbio. All accompanied by the headaches and worries and problems and crises and little sleep for days, for weeks on end. "Because," Fausto says, "I like the people and I love endurance, and I believe in helping the sport I love." Passion alone can't put on a ride: it can cost something close to E300,000 to put a ride like this on. Main sponsors for the ride this year are the Dubai Equestrian Club, Colacem, and the lovely Park Hotel Ai Cappuccini where I'm staying. Fausto is always looking for ways to make the race better, and he's always looking for more sponsors, and he's grateful for, and lucky to have, many family members, friends, and businesses who are helping out in all aspects. The endurance village, when it's finished, will be decorated with plants and flowers; and two mounted cabinieri will be present for the prize-giving. What Fausto would really like is to have 300 mounted cabinieri present for Opening Ceremonies. "Maybe next year - it will take me a year to organize it!" And more sponsors to finance it. (Think of it - hotels and stables for 300 more people...). Sounds like a show worthy of a European Championship...

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