FROM: Patrick Hearty, Utah NPEA
PST
Utah Division has put another Re-ride in the books. Dave Riet and Jack Rhodes and their group received the mail at the Wyoming border about 1:15 A.M on Sunday morning, yes, a little late. They made a good run down the hill to Salt Lake City, and made the hand-off to our group, which left Murray Park at about 9:30 A.M. (Scheduled time was 5:00 A.M., but I guess nobody complained about a little extra sleep.) You don’t make up any time through Salt Lake Valley and Lehi, but we held to our allowed time, and everyone gave us a great effort. We made Camp Floyd State Park about 2:30 P.M., and National President Jim Swigart got an up-hill ride on Kevin Kimber’s horse, Lefty, shortly after that. We thoroughly enjoyed having Jim and Ginger along for several hours. We picked up the pace from there, a little, arriving at Simpson Springs at about 6:15 P.M. Turned it over to Mark Jenkins and Joe Hatch and company for their run across the desert under the “Supermoon.” Doc Hatch was the first rider from Simpson.
Worst moment of the day was when Jerry Hurst’s horse shied on a section of concrete road, and fell with him. Horse was alright, but Jerry was pretty banged up. But after a little medical attention, he made his second ride later in the afternoon. Coolest thing I saw all day was Payton Paulick, riding for his first time, tearing through a field in Eagle Mountain, with the he horse running flat out, tail streaming behind. That’s how it’s done
Once again, I can’t say enough thanks to our riders and their horses. And best of luck to the Nevada and California riders. Thanks for another great one.