by Carol McIsaac

The alarm sounds at 5:30 am. It is still dark outside but the birds are just starting to stir. By 6:00 am I'm up and dressed, teacup in hand and I'm heading for the car. The vetting is to start at 6:30 am and I must be on time.

The horses are coming in to the P/R area in large groups. We are numbering them, taking pulse and respiration and of course the dreaded temperature. Have you ever danced a watusi at 7:00 am while trying to avoid being kicked? Time passes quickly and all the horses have made it through the P/Rs and vetting and they're off on the trail. It's now time to leave base camp and head for the first check. At the first check we set up for the first horses.

Here they come!! Back to work to scamper. All hands on deck! They are coming in now in a steady stream and the front runners are heading out. It is just about time to take some of the workers and head for the mid-check. Back into the car with some of the workers and away we go. Once again we set up or area and prepare for the in-coming horses.

The wait is a little longer this time. Why did I leave my chair at the first check? Once again the horses are coming in. They are starting to spread out now, so there is more time between them. They are all looking good at this point. It could be anyone's race. Gradually the rest o the pack trickle in. The front runners have been gone about 20 minutes. It's time once again to move to the next check. I leave instructions with the workers who will remain to get the stragglers and off I go to the # 3 check to make sure things are going smoothly there. The last of the 25 milers are just arriving. Soon afterwards come the 50 milers. Our gourmet lunch is served on an elegantly set truck hood. Boarding house reach was perfectly acceptable. We are starting to get a little footsore even though our stomachs are full. Workers are resting in chairs and slowly rise to meet new arrivals. The smiles aren't quite as wide anymore but we're still out there presenting our lopsided grins to you.

We now have 50 milers in both checks. Once again the time between is starting to widen. We have to wait a little longer before all the horses are through. Since the front runner have left, it is time to send some workers back to the finish line. End of siesta. The 25 milers are coming in now and the first 50's shouldn't be far behind them now. We are shuffling horses off to the side and look—there comes the first 50 miler. Across the line comes the first horse to cheers and clapping hands. this horse is noon followed by others and soon the top ten horses are in.

The gaps between the horses are even longer now and we are starting to get a little punchy. What better time then now to write an article for the Pulse! The majority of the horses have come through, so supper is served and we take turns going for dinner. Some of us have had enough and are calling it a day while others will wait for the final few.

From the finish line we hear the cheers going up at the awards ceremony. Patiently we wait for the final few who are still out there. We figure out who is left and guess at what their finishing time will be. The rain is starting to fall and dampen our enthusiasm but we remember that to finish is to win. Through thick and thin if you are willing to ride, we are willing to work. Sometimes we wonder why we are really there, but so do the riders...now, isn't this fun?!

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