It was dawn and it was cold when we reached Lake Aintzira. The fog reigned, the sun threw orange sparkles, the sky was painted blue and I had no idea that I would leave my comfort zone, the gastronomy and would enter the equestrian worldwhich I rarely look at and always surprises.
I just knew that I was going to Urrugne, Franceabout forty minutes from home, and I would be an assistant to a RAIDa discipline governed by distance, speed and the physical and psychological resistance so much of the horse and the rider. I witnessed how the person who rides understands that this animal, with an average of 300 kilos and one meter and 60 (measured at the withers), is sensitive, skittish, needs security, motivation. The owner pampers him, brushes, combs, changes the horseshoes monthly. He kisses, trains, feeds. He animal bends and meets the challenges imposed.
He Basque Raid 2024, amateur mode, started around 10 and as the time arrived, I explored the tent filled with the smell of fried eggs and coffee. I helped with the horses and walked, while Marina Zaldúa Setién and Jean Paul Laborde, my friends, reviewed the logistics, the route, shared an application with their instant location during the circuit, sent QR codes with the address of the eight assistances.
“The test consists of 60 km in two 30 km loops, with a rigorous assistance plan for the provisioning of the horse-rider duo. These assistance points refresh the team and keep them hydrated,” described Zaldúa.
This is how I found out about my role: loading, refilling jugs and buckets of water for riders and horses, which must be soaked to reduce their heart rate, cannot exceed 64 beats per minute. Judges and veterinarians measure them rigidly, as well as check their general state of health and jog them to see if their movement is correct.
“This check occurs before, during and after each loop. If in any case the horse does not pass the parameters, he is eliminated for failing to comply with the requirements,” he said.
Minutes before the start, I saw how they checked that the helmets were free of stones, they could get hurt and be dangerous. They spray a product, “a nail varnish,” said another friend, that protects and is repellent.
Likewise, I found out that there were thirty participants and all the horses were Arabs, among the fastest and most resistant. I learned that this raid is endorsed by the Societé Hipique Française, the highest authority. That my friends are affiliated with the Pau Pyrénées Endurance. And one of them has won a raffle to go as a spectator to the three equestrian disciplines – dressage, jumping and cross-country – at the Olympic Games in Paris. How lucky!
The experience lasted about five hours, which seemed like moments. When the race was over and while the results were coming in, we ate under the shade of oaks, in front of the lake where some horses were cooling off and others were putting clay on their legs. They explained to me that it lowers temperature, is anti-inflammatory and eliminates toxins caused by stress. I asked about that “special water” mentioned and they said that another friend makes it with hay and sprouted cereal, in addition to hydrating them, it provides nutrients.
Laborde said his horse is called Uno Persik, in honor of Persik, a legendary steed considered one of the best stallions in the world. Zaldúa commented that when he bought Didi, his mare, he was not going through good times. She “She was very thin, she was apathetic, she had something similar to psoriasis… Today she is muscular, she is slender. “She is very good,” she expressed proudly. A few minutes later, she found out that they got second place and several gifts: a bucket for water, hoof cream, a bag of equine treats…
@irmaa.aguilar
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