We’ve been following along with four-star eventer Hilda Donahue’s foray into the endurance world as she attempts to qualify to represent Ireland in endurance at the 2018 World Equestrian Games. In this two-part series we hear from two members of Hilda’s “crew” as they attempt to keep up with her whirlwind lifestyle. Click here to read Part 1 from Hilda’s husband, Ken McKenzie. Today we hear from Hilda’s longtime friend Susan Klair about their wild expedition at a recent race in South Carolina.
Hilda and Susan (left) at the Broxton Bridge Plantation endurance race. Photo courtesy of Hilda Donahue.
Should I start 27 years ago when we met? I suppose I must. Hilda and I were both local trainers, aspiring riders who quickly became buddies. We did dressage, jumping, everything and anything equestrian when she managed the 5-star Grand Cypress Resort Equestrian Center in Orlando, Fla. In 27 years, she hasn’t changed much in appearance, motivation or stamina.
Is it possible for an eventer to compete 6+ horses, coach 12+ students, do all the braiding, grooming and shipping? It seems so! Can one win hard-earned ribbons and drive off with the ribbons in a pile of mud? Who cares about ribbons and accolades? We just cared about keeping our horses happy and our students safe. Could one remain kind and gracious when their driver goes 20 exits past the event? Yes! I did it on our drive to the endurance race.
Can one live on coffee and chocolate? Evidently!
Hilda and I reunited to do a 100-mile FEI endurance race at Broxton Bridge Plantation in Ehrhardt, S.C. with Hilda riding and me crewing (grooming) for her. I find out on the way to the ride that Hilda had three broken ribs from mid-December and was not even radiographically diagnosed until January 12, 2016. Her husband, Ken, had speculated that the lump on the side of her back may be a broken rib while on Christmas holiday in Dublin.
(Ken has influenced Hilda in a number of ways. Yes, she actually took eight days off in December to relax in Ireland visiting her family. He also influenced her to visit a doctor to find out what the lump was and why she felt uncomfortable sitting the trot.)
Three broken ribs are not a problem at all for Hilda. She had a 100-mile ride in Dubai on January 9, 2016 that she did not want to be interfered with by some medical issues, so she scheduled the doctor’s visit on January 12, which confirmed her suspected cracked ribs were indeed three broken ribs.
The Dubai race went fine…why shouldn’t this ride go so well?
The race in Ehrhardt actually was going pretty well until about 80 miles in when cracks in the wall began to be seen. I knew we were in trouble when she was unable to find a blonde hairnet. How could one misplace their hairnet in the dark in the woods after 80 miles of riding in the rain and cold? Good grief Hilda!
As we wait in the “hold” as its called in this new sport, I am worried. She is at 80 miles and is looking a little frazzled. She tells me “I’ve got to find a blonde hairnet. I cannot be riding without a hairnet. The only thing worse would be riding without pearls!” I laugh hysterically to myself; at least she hasn’t lost her sense of humor… but she is serious! She is digging through her helmet and there are hairnets everywhere. Please God I pray, let there be a blonde one.
She has 12 seconds to get on her horse and get out of here. Can I get her and her horse hydrated? Leroy yes, Hilda not so much. Should I just get a syringe and wrestle her to the ground? I honestly considered this a viable option at that moment, but she’s off in the dark for the last 20 miles. It is cold, rainy and dark, and I am seriously concerned.
It wasn’t until January 28 at 10:38 p.m. after 98 miles of fast riding when it all started to catch up with her. Hilda is coming to the finish at 11:30 p.m. “Thank God” I say to myself. Enough is enough. This is CRAZY. I know she is coming, not because I can see anything, but because someone radioed in to have a car waiting. My stomach really drops, but no one else seems concerned.
Unknown to me at this time is that Hilda is barely conscious and extremely nauseous during the last two miles of the ride. I know it’s bad. This woman owns a golf cart, but never uses it, walking miles across her farm and instructing students on eventing cross country courses. Hilda would never request a driver.
We peel her off Leroy, lowering her to the ground, and she just lays in the mud. he doesn’t seem to care that there is quite a bit of mud on her pearls. She’s just breathing heavily in a semi-conscious state. I was ready to call for an air evacuation, but decide to stay calm, put her head in my lap and pick the mud off of her pearls instead. Eventually, we get her in the car and into her no longer pristine RV. As we get her into the bed she is sweating and soaking wet. It is quite cold out and I know something is very wrong.
Hilda will readily admit that she is directionally challenged, but in her condition she is completely useless and I don’t know the way to the nearest medical facility. There is no cell coverage and no Siri. No problem, right? We made it all over the place back in the day. Before Mapquest and Siri, we were armed with paper maps and highlighters. By now Hilda is basically passed out and incoherent. How did I pick this endurance race to reunite with my old friend? Was it destiny, God’s providence or a cruel joke life is playing on me?
Finally, I unplug, bring the RV sliders in and ask directions of a local who starts pointing to the North Star and giving directions. I am wondering why I am getting schooled on astronomy, but I am assured that directly to the left of the North Star is where I need to go. Somehow we find our way out of the woods and onto an interstate. Incidentally, the North Star was actually opposite of where I wanted to go, which is Florida to the South, so it did help.
After about 45 minutes of driving, I hear someone moving in the back. Soon Hilda is asking what happened to all her clothes and why was there mud on her face and pearls. Hilda doesn’t remember finishing the race, but I tell her she came in seventh and she got her COC (certificate of capability, or case of craziness?), an FEI 160-km qualifying finish time. Me? I’m just glad I’m not spending the rest of the night in an emergency room!
Because of her fast finishing time in Ehrhardt, Hilda is now qualified for the 2018 World Equestrian Games! Just this week she has purchased an Arabian of her own, Al Marah Speed (“Malone”). She will work to qualify Malone for WEG and says she will also school him in dressage and low level eventing. We can’t wait to hear more about Hilda’s adventures!
