Hello all, I received the following message from Milt Thomas:
Al, Jim Winterer and Willie have been doing some serious “landscaping,” revealing some of the best terrain we’ve had available: rock ledges and walls on slopes with sandy soil in between. For the first four levels, the Thomas boys and a friend laid out six sections in a ravine that leads to the upper sections; the last two lower level sections overlap with the big boys. We think all eight sections are fun. In the ravine, there are technical challenges with some tight turns, off camber lines and a little strategy to avoid crossing your lines. The last two sections include climbing and descending both sloped rock and sandy hills. The youth have eight sections available to them also; the parents can decide if they want to use them all and how many loops they want to ride.
This will be as spectator-friendly as any event I can think of. Like North Mankato, there is a short walk to the loop, and then most of sections are in close quarters. While riders will ride in and out of the ravine to get to sections, we made a walking trail up the gentle slope in the middle of the ravine for spectators to follow a straight path. There is a parallel path straight to the upper level sections, and all the trails are pedestrian friendly thanks to the horses keeping them clear. Across Highway 58 from the property, there is a bar and grill like at Theilman, and the site is about three miles outside of Red Wing, always a nice place to go on the weekends. The leaves were just starting to turn this weekend, and the extended forecast is mostly clear and 60 to 70 degrees. It should be perfect.
The last time we checked, horses were still wandering through the sections, with the added benefit/challenge of ever-changing, organic obstacles to negotiate. We are assured that they will be penned up for the event, although horses in the sections might have added even more fun.
Al has found a real gem here; hope we have a great turn-out.
Also, a few things to note about the event, from Victor: First, on Saturday Oct 1. the youth rider will be going out after the other classes. This was done at the request of some of the youth class riders. Second, there will be a board meeting after the event on Saturday.
Hope to see you all there!!!
