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A Big Thanks for a Special Effort

We have just recognized “Paul Mann” as Pit Crew of the Year. This award is given as the result of an unconditional effort throughout the ride season by pit crews that take the care of their horse and rider very seriously.

This year, however, there was a unanimous desire to give special mention to a group of people who were outstanding at the “North Wind Challenge” held in Buckingham, Quebec, July 21^st and 22^nd.

On day one, Stan was up early and warning riders that the heat was going to be a very serious factor. The temperature reached around 31 C. Not everyone had a pit crew, but those pit crews that were out did assist other riders where they could. The end of the day came and those of us who were riding the second day prayed the temperature would drop.

Morning came and so did the heat. Eleven riders started out, but back at base camp something was brewing. The pit crews were planning how best to deal with this heat to make sure every horse and rider would have the care needed to complete. Temperatures reached 35 C. As we rode along, there appeared one pit crew after another. They had stationed themselves along the route, leap frogging ahead so that there was never a stretch of more that 2 or 3 miles without water. It was a total team effort.

When we reached the stretch of highway that had a bridge overpass, this was safely governed by the fire department volunteers. By Day 2, they had also been enlisted with water jugs, encouraging and cooling horses along the road. Ride management was out with water and volunteers at the stationary water stops were helping to sponge horses.

When riding into base camp at midway and the finish, we had to pass through a gauntlet of water wenches just to get to the trough.

Two horses did not complete day two for reasons other that heat and hydration problems.

We, myself, Christine LaRose, Jenna Corbyn, Karen Kellar, Wendy MacCoubrey, Annie St. Denis, Anita Lavergne, Elaine Steele, and Tom Paleczny all finished because of the joint effort in pit crewing.

We want to thank the following people….

1^st, Dr. Stan Alkemade, for making each and every person at that ride site aware of the critical heat parameters we would be riding in.

2^nd, the organized pit crews of

Peter Renton and Vicki

Paul Mann, Rick Steele and Mike Steele

Marg Murray and Lesley Paleczny (who by the way was in charge of checking the riders water bottles)…when Tom was getting closer to them he would be in a panic because he still had water in it, so Jenna helped him out by suggesting he just dump it on his horse…

3^rd, the ride management team of, Joann Kearnan, Heidi Dionne, Leila Corrigan and volunteer workers who were also out on trail with water

4^th, the volunteers from the Mayo Fire Department

and another very important member of this team effort,

Lynda Townsend, who stayed back at camp and organized every mobile person that could sponge a horse.

I know there are names not mentioned as everyone helped, but we do remember your efforts.

Please help us show our appreciation. You ARE the Best of our Sport.

Submitted by:

Carol Renton