More pics coming soon!Algarve Ride 2007
“Water! Water, Please!” The most vivid impression left of the 2007 Algarve Ride was the need for water, both for the horses and riders, which kept the support crew very busy indeed and emptied most Mini Mercados of all their small bottles of water in a swathe across the Algarve!
On Sunday 13th May the Riders, Horses and Support Crew had travelled to Alcoutim on the Guadiana River which forms the border between Portugal and Spain. Some had come from across the Algarve in support of RDA and some from England, all who had personal experience of PSP to spur them on , to gather for the commencement of the 2007 Algarve Ride. After a chance for a swim at the Pousada do Juventude everyone gathered for dinner and to hear Rod Frew give his opening instructions and explanations on the forthcoming event, stressing the importance of keeping in touch with those behind and in front!
Early next morning 19 riders set off from the bank of the Guadiana river with Spain at their backs heading over 6 days of riding to Cape St Vincent, approximately 270 Kilometers away.
At this point the support crew, directed by Jinny Harman, undertook the first of a series of complex logistical exercises. The horse corrals have to be taken down and stored in the Lorry along with the buckets, headcollars, grooming kits. The lorry then set off for the lunch break. Suitcases have to be collected from the accommodation and ferried to the next night’s stop, water for the horses at lunch collected and food supplies bought. This occupies two or three vehicles and support crew. The support jeep, wherever possible, follows behind the riders and carries a supply of water for the riders and an emergency supply for horses and also the riders day packs. Sometimes it carried a replacement or retired rider! After lunch the lorry and vans set off again for the nights stop and the corrals are set up, water buckets laid out, grooming kits and headcollars provided, not to mention a number of saddle-horses. This became so slick that after the first day and a half there was no waiting for water at all – very efficient!
Overnight stops for the horses were arranged in a variety of locations – at first in lush pasture, then a quarry at Barranco Velho, then a series of excellent Equine Establishments culminating in Carrapateira which made the support crew’s job just that bit easier, allowing things to be set up ready for the tired bunch of riders and horses.
Some days were up to 10 hours in the saddle, including passing over the ridge at Picota at a height of 700meters and Foia, the highest point in the Algarve at 900metres – allowing spectacular views across the western Algarve and up to the north to the Alentejo. The Picota crossing is particularly thrilling being very narrow and steep and at one point requires a jump across a small ravine onto 2 small rocky ledges! This is quite a feat in itself, not helped by the tree stump which claimed sections of T-Shirts, Jodhpurs and finally a third rider ended up hanging onto the tree without a horse!!
The Riders were accommodated either in local hotels which were very comfortable or expatriots homes and the excellent evening meals were sponsored usually by the local Camara or Chamber Of Commerce, and wine provided by a major sponsor.
Although the weather was kind on the first few days the temperature began to climb from a mild 22 degrees to an unseasonable 38 degrees C – very hot indeed, and water stops became very important every couple of hours – still some horses had to be rested for segments of the ride, but none suffered any permanent harm. One water stop stands out in particular on a tributary of the Odelouca River (possibly the Ribeira de Monchique?) where the track crossed the river under the shade of some old trees – a water stop was called and as well as the horses and riders having a drink the support driver rolled his trousers up, took off shoes & socks and waded into the river with a feed bucket and scooped water over the horses necks helping to cool them off for the ascent of Picota.
There was one unfortunate accident to a rider at the halfway point which necessitated a short stay in hospital, and while it was an ugly looking incident, no bones were broken and the rider returned for the last-night party.
For the final day the temperature had fallen back and a relieved party set off from Carrapateira via a west-coast beach to end the 2007 Algarve Ride at Cape St Vincent under a mixed cloudy and blue sky with a good breeze to keep everyone cool. To much applause from the assembled crowd the riders finally made it to the lighthouse – and touched the wall or the Kilometer Zero mark indicating the South-Westernmost point of mainland Europe.
Horses were well catered for and in no time at all they were loaded into their transports and set off for the various stables from whence they had come, not without the odd tear from riders who had formed strong bonds with their mounts. Riders and support crew set off for our accommodation to freshen up for the last night party. Over 140 tickets had been sold which helped raise the total gathered, as did the excellent Charity Auction conducted by one of the riders! Finally with little encouragement the team hit the dance floor to really good music provided by “The Pink Cadillacs” and had a great time, until at midnight the fun had to stop.
As mentioned earlier, without the efforts of the support crew the event could not have taken place and the riders thanks go to all who put in such an effort - Sherry Sanders, Joel Beekmanns (No 1 Guy), Rupert Harman (Brad Pitt’s younger brother?), Alex Shaw (Jinny’s sister and Taxi driver), John Courtney (No 1 photographer), Shirley Hepworth (Sandwich anyone?), Sue from QPA, Lisa from Equissage, Frank (horse deliverer extraordinaire!!) and John again!
Sponsorship over and above that gained by the individual riders should also be mentioned, as apart from Financial Support, food, drink and accommodation were provided by:- Governador Civil, Faro; Rta, Turismo De Portugal; The Camaras Of Alcoutim, Loule, Monchique, Vila Do Bispo; Medal Lda; Danshape Construction And Development; Sovereign Group; Apolonia Supermercados; Bupa International; Winkworth Real Estate; Batista Supermercado; Luz-Car; Catuna E Silva; Soulkitchen Productions; Luzdoc; Ge Finance; Professional Investment Consultants; Mortgages 4 Portugal; Banif; Winemine Lda; Symington Family Estates and Meridien Penina Hotel. Donations for the Auction were Boa Vista Golf, 2 rounds of golf for 2 peopl; Bom Dia, boat trip for 2; Boutique Caprichio, 3 Quicksilver items; 2bottles of good Port from the Fladgate Group; Nick Shaw, one week for 4 people in luxury apartment on golf course (Boa Vista) with reduced golfing rates; Jardim Vista, 6 terracotta pots, containing colourful plants , from Richard Westcott; Oceanico, dinner for 2 at Calabaza in Luz (excluding wine, meanies); The Duke, Praia da Luz, dinner for 4 with 2 bottles of wine; Vale de Milho Golf , round of golf; Zonda, 6 solar lights.
Finally a word about the horses, of whom several carried very inexperienced riders all the way across Portugal, and some who treated their riders to impromptu baths whether water, sand or herbal, but at least gave of their all!
Postscript:-
For those that remember, the 2001 running of the Algarve Ride had had plenty of water – mainly accompanied by thunder and lightning!
