09/20/2025
If the year had gone to plan, Griffin and I would have been on trail in Nevada for about three hours already, making our attempt to finish the Triple Crown at the Virginia City 100. One of my goals for the year was just to finish the feat of all three races on the same horse, and we were actually sitting in 4th place after the Derby and NASTR. I’m so incredibly proud of Griffin for that!
I’d been agonizing over the proper rest period following our Tevis attempt, desperately trying to get Griffin’s electrolyte regimen dialed in, the timing of our conditioning, and the other anxieties that arise when trying to plan for a grueling 100-mile ride. I wouldn’t say I’m an over-stressor about rides, but I do take horse welfare very seriously and scrutinize if I think both myself and the horse are ready for the start line. That probably takes the biggest toll on me in this sport, more than any of the physical aspects.
Then in August Griffin suddenly fell very ill with a stomach or GI infection/bug, and thoughts of racing went out the window. Nothing mattered except him getting better, which thankfully, he is. However, there was absolutely no way he’d be right for VC 100, let alone any race that soon.
Sometimes the signs you get aren’t the signs you wanted, but I’ve learned to still be grateful for them. I’d been wishing for clarity on if VC 100 was right for us, and I got it! I have a healthy and healing Griffin at home who is actually detesting his downtime so much that he’s becoming a menace 🤣
Wishing the best of luck to all of those adventurous riders that started in the dark this morning in the streets of downtown Virginia City! I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful trip through the Nevada desert!!
(Pictures from the Nevada Derby 50 and NASTR 75 this year 🥰).
