Having not ridden at Cirencester since 2000 I was looking forward to returning to the
polo park and riding the new course contained entirely within the Bathurst's estate. This was to be Duiker's
frist attempt at 80km and therefore we had decided to aim for 14kph as our top speed. After Berkshire Downs
I was very relaxed about the mass start and was again pleased as we timed the start perfectly walking over
the line as counted down to 0. Dee got a little bit excited by everyone cantering around her but she retained
her manners and cantered collectedly.
Not wanting to hold her back too much I allowed her to average 16kph till the second crew point making the
most of the fantastic going in the park. I was very pleased with how Dee tackled our first fords and the steeper
stoney climb sections. My last ride at Cirenscester stuck in my mind for the number of gates I had to open.
This time round every gate was manned and open which was greatly appreciated by all. As was the excellent
marking, with diversion warning signs 100 yards before the diversion, three tapes denoting a corner and all
single tapes on the left hand side, if they were on the right you were going the wrong way.
I was pleased to note the new routes retained the technicality of the former routes. We rode most of the
first loop with Gill Campbell riding Bazzeia, also a first time 80km horse. The horses seemed to work well
together swapping the lead and happy to walk across the line together. Shortly after doing so I hopped of
Dee, loosened her girth and started undoing what other tack I could. Steve met me at the gate handed me a
slosh bottle and collected our in timing card then removed the saddle. I applied our new aquisition, a
heart rate monitor on a surcingle then we both set about sloshing. Given the heat and humidity I was pleased
to be able to present in 6 minutes, allowing us to pass some others in our class in the vet gate.
During the 50 minute hold that followed, we all ate and drank, though Dee chose to decide to drink just
as I was tacking her up. A little late to electorlyte but better than never. As we were leaving the vet gate
to start Dee fixated on a black bucket being carried by one of the UAE grooms, who kindly offered her water.
She drank half a bucket full and the groom poured the rest over Dee. Then we were off again. Dee was quite
happy to be leaving and was easily averaging ~14kph. As we entered the first 'ride' we were joined by Shelagh
Bunn riding Rasputin and we stayed together throughout this loop. Both horses were drinking well at all
oportunities offered. Having not electorlyted Dee in the vet gate as she had not drunk Steve administered the
electrolytes at the first crewing point as she had by now started drinking. We continued on this loop passing
the photographer and again walking across the finish line. Again we vetted in six minutes passing people in
the vet gate.
After a forty minute hold spent eating and drinking we set out on the final loop about 30 seconds ahead of
Carolyn Edwards riding Tarr Steps Hannah in the 100km Class. About a third of the way round we were caught by
Ros Jackson riding the very experienced Hannah who stayed with us till the end. We also caught up with two
other riders and all five of us walked across the finish line together. Steve and I followed the same pre vetting
routine we had the last two times and were ready to present 10 minutes after fiishing with heart rates of 55/58
a sound trot up and good metabolics. Later on I was plesantly suprised to find we had come 7th out of 19
starters.
Below are my heart rate monitor and GPS readings from this ride.
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