During our time here, we have made many friends, had a wonderful opportunity to run a riding school with 13 horses and been able to go home to see family.
Most of you know that we have been working for Khartoum International Community School, teaching up to 130 students a week and looking after the 13 horses. We have had the opportunity to experiment with the best ways to keep horses, feed them, train them, what tack to use etc. It has been a huge learning experience for me and given me a lot of confidence.
I know I have been very slack at updating this blog over the last two years. I almost started a new one because I was so embarrassed! It reminded me of a friend I went to school with. Every time she had any bad comments in her homework book, she would start a new one so her teacher wouldn't remember the poor work she had done previously! After thinking long and hard, I decided I liked the blog just as it is.... and vowed to do a better job of updating it!
So now for a quick update of all the interesting things we have done over the last couple of years....
We decided to focus on Endurance riding as our discipline here at KICS stables. We did a number of rides between 20km and 50km both at the stables and out in the agricultural areas outside of Khartoum. Our longest ride was 80km from Lake Jebel Aulia back to KICS stables in Soba....
We were also lucky enough to take some riders and do the next leg of our journey. We rode 322.1km from Soba to Kosti. 9 horses, 10 riders (some only rode part of the way!), a big coke truck for support, 3 grooms/helpers and the driver made rather an impressive procession! Below are a few memories from the riders who joined us...
Nicholas Tutt - Aged 13
On Friday 12th of March 9 horse riders and 2 support vehicles set off from the Soba stables at 7:00am to start our epic journey towards Kosti. On our first day all we encountered were bumps, and ‘traffic’. The Coke truck was delayed and this resulted in our lunch and the horse’s lunch being delayed. However ‘touch wood’ everything else went over all alright and without any sore ‘bums’. The next day we were fewer riders and only had the coke truck for support. Throughout the next few days the ride progressed smoothly and with only a few ‘tender’ rear ends and a couple of headaches to deal with. We also came across the occasional police officer/the interested passerby and the continuous systems of jedwals/canals. By the time we crossed the 150km mark we were all dreaming about ice cream, hot showers, comfy beds... However I think without Ikhlas’ onions Billy might have had a ‘terrible trip (! NOT!). As we started approaching the DAL warehouse situated in Rabak, we were all pleased to see proper civilisation and started dreaming about the villa that Fiona and John Elgin let us sleep in for the last night. On the morning of Friday the 19th of March the remaining 7 riders rode the last stretch from the DAL warehouse, over the White Nile and into Kosti (FINALLY). Well done; Mrs. Sajda, Mustafa, Nicholas, Ms. Alison, Ikhlas, Mrs. Christy, and Mr. Billy for completing the 322.1km Journey to Kosti from the Soba stables.
Ikhlas Osman - KICS Librarian
A journey from Khartoum to Kosti Bridge (322.1 KM) on horseback.
My first reaction was “Ummm, I‘m not sure I could that but I wish I could” when I first heard about the trip. After having a chat with Billy, who made me feel less apprehensive, I decided to try the second option, to go for half a ride. Then after another chat about the journey’s plan and the amount of hours riding I made up my mind to ride all the way.
The journey took 7 and half days, the first 2days and in particular the first day were the hardest for me. My back was hurting after the morning ride and by the end of the evening ride I wasn’t really feeling well, I had a headache, nausea and very low appetite. After a good night sleep and plenty of water I felt better.
From the third day I started to enjoy the ride more, the scenery changed from pure desert to small villages with generous and kind people welcoming us and trying to provide water, food and even beds, typical Sudanese hospitality. Our speed also increased; we were riding 50 km a day. The team spirit was high; everyone was determined to complete the journey, forgetting about our agonizing sore bums (Vaseline was in demand by everyone except Mr Smarty-pants - Billy), aching legs and arms.
Our day usually started at 6:00 am, woken up by a very civilized alarm (Billy’s singing) a quick tea/coffee, pack up and off we go until around 10:00 am. The time between the morning ride and the earlier evening ride(4:30 pm) was spent in our mobile camp, fighting the urge to dose off in the heat, reading, washing some clothes, discussing politics, horses and most importantly gossip at KICS!-to finish at 7:00 pm. Every member of the team had a chance to cook supper once except Christy who kindly made most of our lovely suppers. We reflected on the day while eating our suppers then came the trick bit of getting to go to bed. The rule was to wash before going to bed otherwise you will be left behind for hyenas as we cannot cope with smelly people and temperatures over 40 degrees, at the same time. I have to say washing my body in a very open field not far from a major road was very challenging.
I thoroughly enjoyed the journey because we were led by very experienced and tolerant riders, Christy and Billy. The team got on really well and most of all we were all happy and helpful. In terms of personal benefit, it gave me the chance to see parts of Sudan very closely and to get to know the team members; I wouldn’t hesitate to go on a journey like this again in the future. What I should remember before embarking on a journey like this again is to study the route in advance, carry a map whilst riding to show me where we are and take the chance to raise money for charity by organizing sponsorship.
Alison Archer - Head of English
It all began quite splendidly on the Friday morning….but two and a half days later I had to concede defeat and retire from riding with two rather large and unpleasant bleeding sores on my posterior!! A huge disappointment, particularly as Mocha (the horse) and I had formed the perfect travelling partnership: slowly but surely with just a hint of stubbornness. I moved my somewhat tender seat into the cab of the huge red DAL Coca Cola lorry/truck and began a new phase…………Travelling into villages with the grooms to find water and food, and being asked on numerous occasions if I owned the lorry. I suppose we were an unusual combination: four Sudanese men and a female Hawadja. My lack of Arabic made for some interesting exchanges, but ultimately no harm was done. Probably the most amusing moment was whilst in a tea lady’s ‘shelter, with a mini haboob/sandstorm raging outside, watching Haroun, one of the grooms, explaining to the man sitting in the entrance that he had just missed probably the most exciting event of the century - nine horses and six riders (some looking not unlike Lawrence of Arabia) go cantering by the back of the shelter: his disappointment was tangible! I did manage to take to the saddle again, albeit it briefly, thanks to Christy’s first aid know how as she strategically applied Sajda’s gauze squares to the affected areas! A great time was certainly had by all………….
Mustafa Shakur - University Student
I had been taking lessons at the riding school for about 2 months when during a riding lesson to the beach, between canters, Christy begins telling me how she and Billy had arrived in Sudan by horseback from Tunisia on their way to South Africa. I was in awe and amazed. My first thoughts were that these were two very courageous and "different" types of people. Many of us dream big, but in my opinion very few are willing to take "The Leap of Faith" necessary in order to fulfil them. Upon hearing the few details along the ride about their trip my curiosity was aroused and I developed an instant admiration and appreciation for their efforts to fulfil this dream. A few weeks later after a lesson I was walking from the training ring to the office when I met Billy standing next to the tent. This was our first proper meeting and our first conversation. It had been on my mind to talk to Billy about their trip so I used the opportunity. He shared some more details of their journey, told me of their future plans to continue, asked me if I was interested in joining them, and relayed a verse of the Quran he had learned along the trip" "If you believe enough, you too can become an angel in heaven." My reply was that I'd really like to go so we'll see how my riding ability is at the time of the trip. (At this point the only riding experience my wife and I had were the three months of weekly lessons we had been taking at the KICS stables). He answered that all we needed was good balance, the ability to tough out the aches and pains, and BELIEF. The idea was now sparked in my mind and I left that day feeling excited with the intention of making the trip.
The morning of the trip had arrived. We had completed hours of training and there was a build-up of anticipation. My goals while on the trip were to learn new things, improve my riding ability, and to complete the entire ride. My biggest concern was re aggravating a saddle rub that would cause my ride to be very painful or moreover not allow for me to ride the full distance. That first day was a bit misleading, although much appreciated, due to the fact that we had an entourage of cheerleaders, cold water providers every kilometre or so, and two gourmet meals. It was a nice send-off but the next day it was kinda like, hey where did everybody go. As the minutes turned into hours of me riding my horse named “The Rella" I began to feel more relaxed and by the third day I was able to enjoy the ride instead of having to hold my concentration on the mechanics of riding. My greatest challenge along the trip I'd say was the weather. There was a point on the second day due to what may have been dehydration that my body started to give out on me with my mind not far behind, having thoughts that I may not be able to complete the entire ride. But a big thank you to Sajda and Christy for their assistance in bringing me back from the "brink of death" as I believe Billy called it. Throughout the trip I was very impressed by the efforts put forth by everyone to do whatever was necessary to reach our goal. I was equally impressed by the character of each and every person. (Not horse though because Nali kicked The Rella while I was riding her.)Billy and Christy provided excellent leadership and motivation for everyone. The coca cola driver and the groomsman were like our guardian angels with all the support they were providing. I don't think we would have been able to complete it without them.
Sajda Khalil, Mustafa's wife is the other rider who came along for the whole journey.
I think that pretty much says it all! We had a great time sharing a part of our journey with these fine people!
During our time here in Khartoum, I have also been experimenting with riding without a bridle... and doing a bit of jumping which is my passion... and then putting the two together!
And just so Chami doesn't feel left out...
Well I hope everyone is feeling a little more up to speed by now! I certainly feel less guilty!
As I was saying in the beginning of this long winded post, we will be on the road again tomorrow, Saturday 9th October 2010. We still have a lot to do before then but I am a firm believer that if it wasn't for the last minute nothing would ever get done! We will be trucking the horses down to Kosti to the place we have already ridden to, and then heading south towards Uganda!
I will endeavour to update this blog with all of our adventures as soon as we get internet access... it is deepest darkest Africa after all!
Until next time...
If you would like to see more photos, have a look at our facebook profile - Christy Billy Africanhooprints...
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