Ludlow 2008 - by Louise Rich
First Race First Win!!! - By Louise Rich
I had entered the 80km Young Rider ER with Oakleazefarm Czelo (Cherub).
This was a big jump for Cherub as he was still in his first year back in
endurance after his fractured cannon bone from April 2007; We had been
to Jubilee Trail, Breamore, Cirencester Park and Witham Vale before
going to Ludlow. Cherub had done really well in these rides so I was
very confident with him doing well in the race at Ludlow. We left on the
Friday before lunch to get to Ludlow Racecourse just after 3ish. We had
a good journey up and got to the venue in good time. When we arrived
there was nowhere to park the lorry unless we unloaded into a big
puddle! Once dad found somewhere, mum and I went to get our numbers and
find a stable. The boys settled in really well and we had our tea and
got our things ready for the morning.
Saturday morning was cold, a bit misty and it had rained over night,
which is nothing different for England. Mum was riding Oakleaze farm
Czaro her younger stallion in the Open 80km ER so she started 10minutes
before me. Before I knew it, the 100km’s and the open 80km’s had gone,
so we were next. In my class were Rachel and Gryphon, Abbi and Chador,
Kay and Cheeky Charlie, Beth and H.S Ametista and Carri-Ann with
Elmsteads Poloistique. I went and warmed Cherub up and then came and
stood on the start line. I stayed with the team all the way through the
estate until the first field. where we left them and went on in the
front. Cherub was happy out on his own and just kept pulling me all the
way to the first vetgate, where I came in a good 20 to 30minutes in the
lead. He presented to the vets within 3 minutes with a heart rate of 56/
49 which was fab!
I went out onto my second loop still in the lead with Sue Buckley. We
were both doing really well until we got lost, where someone had moved
the markers and we had no idea of where to go. Luckily someone got
through to the venue and we were back on track. During this time I lost
my lead and the team caught me up. They stayed about 10minutes behind me
all the way to vetgate 2, where I came in about 2minutes before them
once again. Cherub vetted within minutes and we were going out on our
last few miles home. We went out about 5 minutes in front of the team
and we must have built up a lead of about 15 to 20minutes on them again.
Cherub was happy to canter the whole way home. Once we got to the main
road I made him walk home, as I knew the others were far enough behind
me that they would catch me. Cherub didn’t want to walk the rest of the
way home so we did have a bit of cantering on the spot and going side
ways. Once we got in sight of the train tracks all I could think is ‘If
a train comes now I’m going to cry!!’ Luckily we were fine and we walked
into the venue. I hadn’t seen or spoken to my Mum or Dad all day so I
didn’t have a clue how my Mum and Czaro had got on.
When I got into the Racecourse Heather told me that Mum had just won the
80km Open ER! I knew all I had to do was get Cherub through the vetting,
so I made him walk over the finish line and keep everything calm. He was
really good and vetted quickly he had a heart rate of 56 and was 100%
sound. I was SO happy!!! As he had just won his first 80km!! So all I
can say is what a weekend. Mum and Czaro winning their class and me and
Cherub winning our class.
Mum and I decided to stay the night with the horses as they had worked
so hard during the day. Dad had to go on home as one of my ponies was
very ill. We both had a fantastic weekend, as this was the first win for
Czaro and Cherub, we made a new record of mother and daughter winning
two classes on the same day, and the two boys are also full brothers
which was really good for them to have done so well.
All I have to say now is THANK YOU to everyone who helped at the ride.
It was a dream come true!! And the biggest thank you has to go to my
crew Neil Pickering. He has never crewed for me before, so didn’t really
know much about Cherub but that didn’t matter. All that matters is that
we wouldn’t have won that race if it wasn’t for you, so thank you!!!!