Sunday, August 25, 2013

"Don't Come in Last"

This post is a slight diversion from normal farm stuff. Today I participated in the Lake Loramie Triathlon (canoe/bike/run). Have a few thoughts that I wanted to write down.

This was my second triathlon. Due to a planned vacation, I ended up doing this one solo. I'm still waiting for the official results but there's no doubt that I came in last in the solo division... in fact, due to the staggered start, there's a very real possibility that I came in last for the entire event. If not last, then 3rd to last.

I'm competitive. I always have been. So don't take this next comment wrong because I enjoy doing well and love to win. But honestly? I am PERFECTLY FINE coming in last. I actually thought about this the entire race. Within the first 20 minutes, a female team passed me on the lake and the person in the back had a t-shirt on that said "Don't Come In Last". I hated that t-shirt and was really glad I didn't see it the rest of the race. I understand the sentiment, but when you're doing something difficult... actually TRYING something that is hard... why is it so bad to come in last? At least you're trying. And DOING! Better to come in last doing something... than to never try at all, right? After seeing the t-shirt, during the lake portion about the last turn before heading to the take-out, a friend of the people in the canoe next to me told her friends "you're not last!!" I'd be thrilled if folks cheered me on... even if I was last!

Here are a few other observations and thoughts:

  • 2.5 miles alone in a kayak is longer than 2.5 miles in a canoe with a friend. Especially on a lake and not going downstream in a river.
  • 15 miles on a bike is definitely longer than 12 miles.
  • Running after biking sucks! I could barely walk when I got off the bike, much less run!
  • There are a bunch of triathlon participants at this race and at the one I did last month that remind me of eventers. So many people wished me well and cheered me on even though they didn't know me from the next person. Definitely reminds me of the "have a good ride" you hear so often at horse trials and 3-Days. Maybe it's the triathlon aspect.
  • Having a triathlon next to a lake is a great idea. After I finished, I gathered my stuff and then went and took a dip in the lake. It was awesome! Good thing I took a change of clothes.
  • Biggest mistake of the race? Not taking sunscreen! OOPS!!

Had a great time... thought I'm not entirely sure I was thinking that at various times during the race. Next one is September 29th.

Friday, August 16, 2013

October Show Details

Shirley and I are off tonight to Indiana so there will be another show report in the near future. In the meantime, I've posted details on the October 12th show at Twin Towers on the SVF website. Please take a look and ask if you have any questions.

Some of the changes from the June show include:

  • Change to jumper classes. Due to the response in June, we've changed from 2 jumper classes per level to 1 class per level starting at Green as Grass. Also, except for the Green as Grass level which will remain as an optimum time class, all jumper classes will be run under Table IIB (a clean initial run means you get to do a shortened jumpoff round). All jumper classes will run a different track than the CT jumper rounds.


  • Addition of Jumper Schooling Rounds. Due to requests, we've added the option to add a schooling jumper round (or rounds). All jumper classes and all jumping portion of CTs will be allowed to be added as a schooling round. Schooling rounds are $10 each and will not be judged or placed in the class. If a rider is entered in a class at the level they add a schooling round, they MUST ride their judged round(s) before they ride their schooling round(s).


  • Change to refund policy. Our previous policy was stated as "no refunds." The new policy is as follows: "Withdrawals prior to posted closing date for the divisions in question will be refunded, minus office fee. Refunds for withdrawals after the closing date will only be given (minus office fee) if the space can be filled from a wait list or late entry. Refunds for stabling fees will only be given if stalls are cancelled at least 2 days prior to the show. In the event the show is cancelled due to extreme weather, no refunds will be issued."


  • Addition of CT classes. To give local riders who may be competing in one of the 3-Day divisions at MSEDA the weekend following the show the opportunity to practice, we've added Training 3-Day, Preliminary 3-Day and CCI* CT classes. These CT divisions (in fact all CT divisions) will use the dressage tests that riders will see at MSEDA. Riders do NOT have to be entered at MSEDA to enter one of the 3-day CT classes. They are open to anyone wishing to enter.


  • Change to CT Entry requirements. Previously we offered a $60 entry fee for 2 consecutive CT divisions (ie: Novice CT and Training CT). We are still offering the $60 price for 2 CTs but have opened up the restriction to encompass 2 consecutive LEVELS. This means that a rider may enter the Training CT (Class 27 - a 3'3" level class) and still do the CCI* CT (class 32 - a 3'6" level class) for the $60 entry fee. Additional classes or classes outside the "consecutive levels" requirement may be added but will be need to be ridden HC.


  • Participation in the Kristen Distl Fundraiser. Some very generous local riders are holding a fundraiser to help with medical expenses for Kristen Distl, a local eventer who was paralyzed in a riding accident in December 2012. There will be a silent auction (held online, ending Friday, October 11th at noon), a raffle held during the show and a dinner following the show. In addition, a portion of our CT entries will be going to the fundraiser. More details can be found online at Kristen Distl Fundraiser on Facebook. There you can find a complete listing of the auction and raffle items. Even if you can't attend the show, you can bid on auction items or buy raffle tickets prior to the show. In addition, I believe they have an account set up at Wright-Patt Credit Union for donations. Serenity Valley Farm Horse Show is extremely proud and honored to be part of this special fundraiser.
Once again, if you have any questions regarding any of the policies, classes or anything in general having to do with the show, don't hesitate to ask! Hope to see everyone there!!