Raid Caneo Nature
A Galloping Start
Nicola McLeod (Team Helly Hansen UK) / 29.07.2008
Day one started with Nicola gaining the horse riding speed record round the Piece de Suisse. Unfortunately this was the only record of the day. Ludevine seemed like a great horse until it became very clear, even in Heather’s experienced hands, that she only had two speeds. Gallop and stop. Amazingly she didn't manage to throw Nic or kill anyone as she galloped through and Ski managed to catch her and hold her long enough for the vet to inject her with some magic potions and persuade her into a wagon.
We managed a full two hours with one horse called Nana until Nana said “na na� and refused to move any further. Despite another 1 hour delay to get her safely home this was a bit of a relief as she had been more compulsory baggage than carrier of men!
And so the Brits had a long old run and were last to CP1. We are getting our 2 hours back and shouldn't miss any cut offs as they have been moved back as many other horses suffered with the heat today.
At CP1 all the teams were furnished with water and a banquet while the horses had 2 hours rest. This was welcome as most had completed much of the past 20km with little if any water in searing sunshine.
Next comes a further 17km of horse control, which is unlikely to involve riding and then a mountain bike with tricky navigation into the night which will start to sort out the teams.See All Event Posts
