Buck handed me the torch and I was in the spotlight. I knew my journey was to be a short one seeing I had a class in about 2 hours but it was still an important job. I had to meet Ldyssecret 3 miles down the road where she would take the torch for the last leg of its long journey. I waved to buck and headed off as he waved goodbye and wished me luck.

As I looked up at this flaming torch that had been to so many places and been in so many hands I smiled. It had finally reached Vermont. I head towards Camel's Hump where I am to meet Ldyssecret at the top. I think she picked this destination to see how long it will take someone not in shape to reach the top !! I can see it in the distance but it is still a long ways off.

As I jog at a leisurely pace along this dirt road with beautiful green pastures on either side I realize why I choose to come train in Vermont. No matter where I look it is green and beautiful. The weather is not to hot and just the right amount of rain to keep everything green but not muddy.

I see George's barn in the distance and check my watch. I have been gone for almost an hour so far but Camel's Hump is closer now and I should have about ten minutes to spare. I veer off the road and cut through the pasture to save time. I head around back to where he keeps the weanlings. As I come around the corner of the barn I see his 4 month old colt who we call "Horace". He doesn't yet notice me watching him as he trots around the field acting like king of the world.

As I watch him, I think of the horses resting in their stalls after their long journeys to Vermont. I think of them at this age...did the trot around the fields playing in the warm sunshine as Horace does ? Did their loving owners look at them with hopes of someday taking them to the Olympic races? I am sure they did, as I do now.

Horace glances my way and makes his way over to the fence to greet me. His soft pink tongue licks my hand as I pet him. I had already told him the story of the great Equinics and as he glance questioningly at the flaming torch I can tell he doesn't remember it. I will wait till he is older and try to explain it again.

My ten minutes are up and I need to continue on to Camel's Hump. I kiss Horace goodbye and am on my way. It shouldn't be much longer until I begin hiking up Camel's Hump. I remind myself to watch out for the Iceage grass or whatever it was lady warned me of stepping on.

When I reach Camel's Hump I look up to the top to see lady waiting on me. I hope she hasn't been waiting long. As I begin my hike to the top I wish I had brought a horse to ride, I am much more out of shape then I thought. My legs ache, but Lady is more then a small figure in the distance now and I call out to her telling her I hope she has me a glass of iced tea waiting. She laughs and tells me to wait till I get here and I will find out.