The wind is back today and so is a majority of the field. We started the day with the 15th place rider tie between AMC JDO and LST into a secure finish. The finish line flags were at full throttle which made the horses engage full breaks. Nevertheless these girls got their mounts across in one last trail riding challenge and managed to pass the vet check with ease as well. AMC wanted to bring her finish line ride home with her and the two spent some good cuddle time after he came in at an admirable 46bpm.

IDV, who has ridden solo for most of this race, finished true to style and came in for a solid 16th.

There wasn’t a dry eye in sight as the next crew came in tied for 19th. Let’s hear it for the other comeback kid NMC who rode a beautiful race and never missed an opportunity to be grateful and kind to all around him. We couldn’t be more excited as crew to see him saunter in. Alongside him ARA came in with her perfectly clean vet card and RAL our wrangler rider got across the line without any extra bucks which he was thankful for.

  In a joint 22nd finish we had JBI MKE and ADI who all rode excellent races despite the luck that was or wasn’t dealt them.

  The Kentucky Derbyists secured 25th and both are still fast friends after their many mountains and miles together.

  Hot on their trail was our favourite couple of the derby VBR and CHB who came in still very much together and very grateful for their adventure, which is impressive considering how many opportunities there were to reconsider life choices along the way.

  And last for today but certainly not least was our Australian trio taking a joint 29th. TOM ACP and JBY showed excellent horsemanship and helped everyone that fell into their path the entire way.

Tomorrow we see the rest of the pack rip into the finish, including the six riders still out there writing their final chapters and making sure they get their price of admission. If today taught us anything, it is that this race saves just enough wind, emotion, and chaos for one more unforgettable day. The adventure is not over yet and neither are the stories still coming down that trail.

Leaderboard

1st LJO

2nd ASL

3rd RTO

4th HMC

5th VBU

6th SWA

7th Tie GVA LHE

9th AKE

10th Tie EMI GRO KCU MMO MRE

15th Tie AMC JDO LST

18th IDV

19th tie NMC ARA RAL

22nd Tie JBI ADI MKE

25th Tie LBU & BWE

27th Tie CHB & VBR

29th Tie JBY TOM & ACP

VC20

ACÁ DST GHE HBA ODU NBR

Images by Mery Pastrana and Thomas Tscherne