Being thoroughly and completely traumatised on the first day by the sheer number and steepness of hills (up and down) that we did, the interesting and challenging terrain we covered, the 10 hours of riding, the breaking of the breast strap leading to the coming off the horse on the steepest of hills I have ever encountered at 8 hours in. Basically by the time we arrived at our first night stop it took two men to physically haul me off the horse (one to push from one side while the other caught me and propped me up against a hay bale. One and a half hours later after lots of sweets and lemonade my legs and arms stopped fizzing and I was pronounced fit to continue. I have never been so physically and mentally exhausted.
Day two was better but my legs still wouldn't work as the thigh muscles were still jumping around like a bag of frogs and my knees were shot from Day one. Less in the way of hills but we had to travel in strict single file through the trees in the Bush by the side of the Clutha River. Steep drops down into the grey swollen water and a narrow path I wouldn't want to have been walking on let along riding. This day was highlighted by a wasps nest. Luckily I was at the back of the group of 70 horses so our section took a detour and never met the wasps. Other people were not so lucky, horses and folk covered in up to 30 stings each! The other 'highlight' was me encountering a low branch fixed at both ends that concertina'ed my neck and body down until I slid backwards off the horse (breaking the reins in the process). As my neck is already suffering from previous accidents as I was being pushed down I really thought "this was where my neck would finally break!" Another 10 hour day.
Day three was the best, fabulous river crossings, rolling hills, sunshine, an appearance in the South Otago Newspaper. Only 8 hours.
Day four to save my horses back I took this day off from riding and joined the back up crew in transporting everyones gear to the next night stop. Great fun with a lovely bunch of people who support their wives/husbands/friends in being able to ride the cavalcade and have their accommodation, horse paraphernalia etc miraculously appear each night. On this day I missed the excitement of one girl who fell backwards off a rearing horse, thoroughly breaking her arm etc that required a helicopter ride out. But I did get to have a shower!
Day five we reach the sea, we don't need to have packed lunches as the catering crew meet us at the seaside and provide a wondrous feast. What a change from soggy sandwiches and hard boiled eggs. The sea mist never lifted so we missed the view of the lighthouse. The farmer had especially cut a swathe we could ride on four abreast through the bush such that we would round a corner and be faced with the most magnificent view. Nah we could barely see two horses in front! And while we could hear the sea below us on the cliffs we couldn't see it. Which I was quite pleased about as I could ignore the potential 'plummeting'.
Day six only a half day with more riding along the beaches. An encounter with a sea lion that split the group in half. The only way past him was achieved by one large group of folk going into the sea while the rest of us went into the dunes. The sea lion couldn't make his mind up as to who to chase and as he darted left and right we slipped past in ones and twos. A bit further on another sea lion scared a young horse and one of the wranglers came off backwards and was crushed. He was unable to remount so we had to send a local back with a quad bike to bring him to the road for the ambulance. Lunchtime we joined up with all the other trails (4 horse riding, a light wagon trail, a heavy wagon trail, two walking groups and a cycling group) and paraded through the host town. Over a 1000 horses passing down the high street make a lot of mess! The host town locals tie balloons outside their houses to indicate that here you can turn up and be provided with a towel and use of their showers. BLISS.
I will definitely be doing the cavalcade again - but maybe with the light wagons as that will be less 'challenging'.
I only took photos when I felt it was 'safe' to do so. Wish I had taken a go pro or similar and got photos/videos of the really gnarly bits.
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| See the slope to the right we went down that (and much steeper ones) |
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| A brief clearing in the bush |
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| We got our feet wet. You can see how deep it got by looking at the riders at the front. |
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| My little pony. He was NOT AMUSED |
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| Sea Lions before they decided they didn't like us! |
Did I mention I was awarded the Awesome Sash on the Friday Night?
I got to wear it on the Parade!
Everyone else had been awarded it because they had a) been really helpful, b) been shoeing horses before and after doing the days ride, c) generally being amazing.
I was awarded it because I had come the furthest to be traumatised. ;) Plus they liked my poetry!
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