Set over forestry tracks and within Thorseby Park, the good going offered by this course allows for fast ride times, so it was no surprise to see the first riders returning from the first 30km loop after an hour and and forty minutes. Dougal and I were in this group of riders having started sensibly and worked our way up the field. Also in this group of riders were Trica Hirst, Georgina Hirst and Bill Smith. Dougal took what appears to be his normal time to present 11 minutes, and passed the vetting with an initial heart rate of 64. Though we were asked to trot up twice, the trot ups were not the smoothest.

The second 30 km loop was completed by the front runners in a similar time despite the torrential downpour towards the end of the circuit. Dougal and I were running in second place during much of this lap riding with Margaret Mckiddie on Bonnie Anne, entered in the national class, Trica and Georgina Hirst and Bill Smith. Unfortunately not long before the second crew point Dougal slipped but recovered. However about 15 minutes later he started moving crabbily behind. So I slowed down, I had Steve check his feet for stones but nothing was evident. I carried on but was not convinced all was well, though he did keep offering to canter on the grass. We finished the loop but Dougal's heart rate did not appear to be dropping as it normally does, indicating to me even if we passed the vet it may not be a good idea to carry on as all was not well. At the vetting we were asked to retrot as the vet thought we were lame on the left hind. We then had to stand around for about 10 minutes till three vets were available at which point I turned Dougal to the left and he hobbled round as he had stiffened up. I was asked not to trot thankfully, so we started the season with mixed results. This has since been diagnosed as a pulled muscle in his neck. 

Below are my heart rate monitor GPS readings from this ride.