Endurance.Net: Ride Stories: 1998

Monday, April 27, 1998

Western States Trail Guide - News Release

For more information, contact: Candi Suddjian, Western States Trail Foundation, (530) 823-7282

Newly Published Western States Trail Trail Guide for Riders, Runners and Hikers

AUBURN, California -- William F. Pieper, President of the Western States Trail Foundation, announced the recently revised edition of the Western States Trail Guide. "It is a comprehensive guide to the 100 miles of trail between Squaw Valley and Auburn, California. The trail guide serves as a detailed interpretive guide including altitude profile maps of the trail and excerpts of U.S. Geological Survey maps indicating road access points, trail landmarks, and points of historical interest along the trail," says Pieper.

The Western States Trail is one of only a few east-west trail routes from the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Sacramento Valley that is largely untouched by development and, for the most part, remains much like what the early-day users would have known. It passes over areas once native to the Washoe Indians and later crisscrossed by white explorers and gold seekers. The trail winds through cathedral-like groves of virgin forests and through country that shelters vast numbers of wildlife. The Western States Trail provides horsemen and hikers over a 100 miles of a pioneering wilderness experience, scenic and historic points of interest, and good wholesome family recreation.

The trail guide is written by Hal V. Hall, a long-time Western States trail rider and Auburn horseman. "This booklet serves as an informational guide for horsemen, runners and hikers who are interested in the Western States Trail through the Sierras, particularly the portion of trail between Michigan Bluff and Last Chance that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The trail guide provides the reader with pertinent information about the historical significance of the trail and its mining locations. The guide is a mile-by-mile narrative describing in detail all the notable features of the trail including the steep rugged portions of the trail and the importance of planning your trip, how strenuous hiking and riding over this trail can be, and much more," says Hall. All proceeds from the sale of the trail guide benefits the Western States Trail Foundation.

When not riding or training for the Tevis Cup Ride, Mr. Hall sits on the Board of Governors of the Western States Trail Foundation and is the Immediate Past President of the Placer County Historical Society. Mr. Hall`s association with these charitable organizations permits him to save and preserve the Western States Trail for future generations and encouraging public appreciation of nature, history and the outdoors. Working closely with the U.S. Forest Service and the California State Office of Historic Preservation, Mr. Hall performed the research efforts necessary to determine the eligibility of the historic trail section between Last Chance and Michigan Bluff that lead to the trail being listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

"The Western States Trail serves as an arduous part of a route first used by gold miners in the mid-19th century and traversed most notably today during the Western States (Tevis Cup) 100 Mile Ride and the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run from Squaw Valley to Auburn each summer," said Larry Suddjian, Ride Director of the Tevis Cup. "The Trail Guide goes to help not only participants in these events but to the all recreationalist who may be interested in hiking portions of the trail or who would like to learn more about the history of the area or gain access to it. A directional map in the guide is particularly helpful along with easy to follow instructions to all of the trail heads."

Robert Montgomery Watson, the legendary High Sierra trail blazer, pathfinder and lawman, is credited with being the locator of the the Western States Trail that he had marked and signed in 1931. Appropriate credit is given in the trail guide to Watson along with photographs taken of him before his death in 1932. Watson has been termed , the "Trail Finder of the Sierra."

With headquarters in Auburn, the Western States Trail Foundation is a California non-profit, tax-exempt, mutual benefit corporation, operating exclusively for literary, educational, and historical purposes and to encourage better care and prevention of cruelty to animals. The Foundation is dedicated toward historic preservation and educating the public about the Western States Trail. The Foundation sponsors the annual the Western States 100 Miles One Day Ride (also known as the Tevis Cup Ride) over this historic trail through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This year`s ride is slated for August 8, 1998.

To obtain a trail guide please contact the Foundation office at 701 High Street, Suite 228C, Auburn, California 95603 or by telephone at 530.823.7282; facsimile at 530.823.7901; or the Internet e-mail at: wstf@foothill.net

Thursday, January 01, 1998

Norco Riverdance Ride - Judie Ricci

When Pete & Judie heard there was gonna be a ride; in the hills we always
train in and live right beside it got real excitin thinkin that there`d be
no long drive; no budgeting for gasoline; no extra sacks of Omolene. We
could ride just across the river and in 10 minutes we`d be there; It was
lookin so easy to us we figured we should ....Volunteer...

As the ride got closer, the thermometer rose, triple digits has more
meaning than a cat with extra toes!

When Pete and I volunteered we didn`t realize, that we`d be marking trails
in the Blistering heat, cookin up our hides. It was 115! degrees, that sun
boiled the water in our canteens, and sweated 50 pounds out of our ponies
hides, no lies.

Norco Riverdance Ride...Land where the volunteers fried

We put out the ribbons and with three to mark the turns, went down some
hills so steep the horses hocks got burned, we drank water hot enough to
come from a coffee pot, and ate hot peanut butter sandwiches, and like it
or not we would mark this damn trail every single spot.

Norco Riverdance Ride...Land where the volunteers fried

Well we pushed our way through head high mustard and sticker bushes too,
got stuck and scratched and then on top of that, we got rocks in our shoes
. hlazed new trails where the rattlers shock their tails, but they were
much to hot to give striking us a thought

Norco Riverdance Ride...Land where the volunteers fried

Our ride pants were ripped and our ribbons had run out, we were sunhurned,
& thirsty -dehydrated no doubt. It was 6 hours later with 10 more miles (
of the first 25 ) to mark out, the trail was still uncertain, so without a
doubt these volunteers would be back cause they couldn`t let Lynne down,
She`d gotten so many entries from out of town we had to find a finish to
the trail, little did we know when we hooked up for day 2 we`d be markin in
the lightening storm from hell. As I rode up to the top of the steepest
hill my horse lookin like a pink ribbon frill, the thunder rolled, the
Iightning glowed and I figured I`d be killed. Poor Pete would only find
body fused, red hair, pink ribbons, bay horse, and horse shoes, "Get me off
this high tower mountain Lord" I prayed as I attached pink ribbons to
windblown sage lightening cracked all around, electric blues, pinks and
great, the thunder rolled, it rained and in the distance I saw brown haze.

Willie and I hurried, he navigated well, how I leaned at a canter to put
ribbons down the hill only he could tell, I finally got past the golf
course and up to the top, with lightening all around finally we stopped. I
looked across the mountains and saw a fire burning, the wind was gale force
and it set my stomach churning, on we went my noble horse and I, when
finally a whinny pierced the evening sky, I looked down across the ribbon
marked hillside and gave out a cry it`s Pete and Secret-My Guy. We waited,
with our backs to the battering wind on the exposed side of the hill, while
Pete caught up with us, oh what a thrill, I was thinking how bizarre the
weather was from yesterday to today, then Pete rode up to me and yelled "
you went the wrong way"

And the thunder rolled...

Now to continue this tale of the Norco River Trail, We rode again another
day to find a way to mark the trail to Pumpkin rock and back to camp. No
thunder or lightening nothing more frightening, than a hundred and six
degree day

Norco Riverdance Ride...Land where the volunteers fried

Now Pete was on a mission, a mission for Lynne & Pat, and all of the
endurance riders coming to ride in packs. You see there was no end to this
Hilly first 25 mile loop. So up and down hills, through bush and coyote
poop, Pete did ride till finally he cried " It`s here" go up to Cross hill,
over Single tree and down Suicide hill to the nursery, whoopee! The ride
was saved. We can`t forget Pat and ranger John who had marked the river
trails day after day, dusk till dawn. Now we`ll have a most excellent "e`
ticket ride, and Lynne can smile with pride when the riders say they drove
all this way this way and, used up all their gas, to get to the Norco River
Ride that kicked their ASS!

There`s a lot of hills out there, but be aware, the river trails are cool
and the best you`ll ever see, don`t dally in the water cause you see Pete
and I we also Volunteered to drag the Fifty!!!

Norco Riverdance Ride...Land where the volunteers survived.

Who Put the Pony Back in the Pony Express? - John Parke

Have you ever ridden a 2,000 mile horse? I haven`t. But I have ridden a 2,000 mile pony. Remington, my Icelandic, hit the 2,000 mile mark in his third year of endurance on day one of the Fall XP multi-day ride last week. He went on to complete all five days. My oldest son, Willie, and our other Icelandic, Skjoldur, also completed all five days and 250 miles of the XP. This was Willie`s second endurance ride and Skjoldur`s third. All of their rides have been at multi-days. I am convinced that multi-days provide the most relaxed atmosphere for both beginning riders and horses. Skjoldur is an enigma. He breathes new meaning into the term "easy keeper." Generally plump, he grew fatter during the ride. His understanding of endurance seems to be that he gets to trot around with his pal Remington for awhile and then eat a lot, an awful lot. Nevertheless, Skjoldur kept up a decent, middle of the pack pace. The ponies were in their element in the mud which accompanied the gorgeous scenery and intermittent rain. At the XP, as well as his other rides, Skjoldur was already down at every vet check by the time we found someone to take his pulse. Our best buddy, Richard Fuess, went with us with his young Arab stallion, Jake (Zumeriz?). Richard and Jake rode the three hardest days. This was only Jake`s second ride. He has also only been entered at multi-days. Jake is a Karathy son out of the Zontelli`s mare, Cherokee. He is magnificent to look at and appears to have unlimited power up the hills. He also recovers immediately. There is something to be said for the right genetics. Jake occasionally fussed when near the couple of mares at the ride which were in season. Otherwise, Jake was a real gentleman. He never retaliated at Remington who bit him in the trailer, at waterstops and on the trail. Richard`s purpose in limiting Jake to multi-days for the time being is bring him along slowly and improve his manners around other horses to perfection. I think Jake has a great future in our sport as both a stud and a racer. This was a wonderful ride. Willie got a chance to hang out with my old friends and meet some new ones. At 16, he experienced his first guy thing road trip (you know, smelly clothes, mashed potatoes and apple pie for breakfast, sophmoric humor and endless teasing). Dave and Annie Nicholson, and Annie`s mother, Lavonne Booth, treated us all like family. Lavonne personally made our lunches to order every day. It was especially gratifying to have Dave on hand to vet Remington when he reached his 2,000 miles. Dave also vetted in Remington at the pony`s very first limited distance ride years ago. Dave interceded then when another vet misinterpreted Remington`s toelt as a lame trot. Dave had vetted several Icelandics during the Great American Horse Race and his original XP ride in 1976. The Duck has been a major source of encouragement to me at times when I wondered if my pony and I belonged in endurance. The Duck was honored by induction into the AERC`s Hall of Fame this year. Unfortunately, this received little attention in our ridecamp discussions, only the briefest mention in the AERC yearbook and no follow up article in Endurance News that I can remember. We`re missing a golden opportunity to swap stories and lies about (and with) someone who with his sharp wit and sharp eye for the horses personifies the rough and ready spirit of endurance riding. Come on folks, let`s remember to celebrate the year of the Duck. John Parke Solvang, CA

Endurance Riders - They are the Best - Lynette Helgeson

Hi everyone,

I have been on this list for better then 2 years and I have been very humbled by endurance riders. Most of the time I lurk and don`t say too much, because I am so humble by the knowledge of endurance people, I do not feel that I could contribute much. But I have to say that I am totally impressed with people who ride endurance. They are true horse people.

I have ridden two rides, a 13 mile competitive ride and I just completed a 25 mile LD. I have physical limitations in mind as well as body and have been leery but very willing to keep trying and learn this sport called endurance. I had the privilege of volunteering at the pre-ride in Canada for the Pan Am games this last July and at first I thought that 50 and 100 milers were unfriendly and looked down on lowly beginners in the sport. But then after spending the day with some of the most dedicated people in the sport I now understand why I felt that way and why I was so wrong.

Endurance riders during a ride are TOTALLY concentrated on their horses and their well being. They are so focused on their horses and how they are doing that they have a hard time with chitchat when they are trying to concentrate on how their horse is doing and how their own bodies are doing and how the ride is going.

I am SO impressed with endurance riders. Not only do they have the dedication to train through all kinds of adverse weather and conditions in order to get in condition but they also have to take the time to learn everything possible about the metabolic system and workings of their horse. For example, I was lucky enough to work with the treatment vet at the Pan Am ride and every horse that was treated that day were horses that had PASSED the vet check, but the rider of the horse PULLED the horse because they felt that something was off with the horse. And sure enough a short time later the horse was in trouble.

THESE ARE HORSES THAT HAD PASSED THE VET CHECK AND WOULD HAVE BEEN BACK ON THE RIDE IF THE RIDER HAD NOT PULLED THE HORSE THEMSELVES!!!!! And the horse ended up being in what could have been a life threatening condition but the condition was very treatable because it was caught by the rider and treated right away! I am not saying that the vets there were not good vets, they were wonderful, but a rider knows their horses better then any one and they will know before a vet that something is wrong. And they care more about their horse then any ride, even a qualifying ride such as the Pan Am.

In order to do a ride such as a 50 or 100 milers, you need to have more then just a horse in good shape, you have to have a vast understanding of the particular horse, the metabolic system and how it works, nutrition and how that pertains to a working animal, how the ligaments and bones work, the working of the legs, shoulders, etc. Do I need to go on? The effects of different weather on the horses, etc., etc., etc. I do not know of any other discipline that requires so much vast knowledge plus discipline in order to win.

My point is I understand the bridge between the LD riders and endurance riders. In order to go from LD to endurance is no small step. 25 miles can be done without all of the vast knowledge that is required to do even a 50 mile ride. Like someone said just about any horse can be pulled out of the pasture and do a 25, but that same horses could not do a 50. It takes more time and knowledge to do a 50, 75 or 100. BUT not everyone has the time or desire to do the endurance ride but they do have the time to compete in the 25 or competitive. Isn`t it great that we have an organization that everyone can be a part of and enjoy?

So please lets respect and enjoy each other. Because most anyone who does endurance, LD, or competitive is more of a horse person and know more then most trail riders that I know. I just did the LD at the 7E Barnburner in the rain, cold and wind and there was not even one fair weather trail rider there, just us crazy, insane, horse loving, and competitive distance riders!

I have been on many of trail ride where at the end of the ride the horses were left tied to the trailer with saddle left on, no water, no feed, while the rider goes to get something to eat and drink and rest in the shade. And even later as the horses are finally taken care of, they are left with minimal care and sweat and dirt still on their backs only to have a saddle thrown on their backs and ridden hard the next day. No a very common sight on an endurance ride.

So people involved in the sport of endurance, no matter what the level, whether it is LD, competitive, or endurance are (in my opinion) the tops in the horse industry.

Lynette Helgeson
In ND were there are not enough endurance rides and need to be more.

Cosequin Challenge 1999 - Donna Snyder Smith

Arriving at the estate of Virginia Ingram, site of the Cosequin Challenge was a visual feast. Green hills, surrounded by the wooded mountains that were to prove a tough test for the eighty plus starters in this Masters event, lent an air of serenity to the pre-ride setting. Wrought iron entrance gates, hung from tall brick columns,led to neat, manicured fields. On the right of the long gravel driveway was the participants camp site. On the left the spacious grassy knoll was allocated as part of the crewing and vetting area and had been carefully ribboned into sections for the various vet stations required by FEI rules. The success of this layout was to be demonstrated continuously throughtout the ride, by the exceptionally smooth flow of horse and rider teams during the five vet checks which were held at base camp (only one check was away from base camp). Ride headquarters was located a short hike from the camping site in a spacious, glass enclosed building, where an aray of trophies, plaques and ribbon awards,as well as embroidered ride jackets and ride T-shirts were on display. Other than the minor computer glitch which slowed the issuing of photo ID`s to officials, riders and crew, registration seemed relatively painless.

A huge, white, open sided tent was housed the festivities which included a pre-race competitors party on Thursday evening, a pre-ride dinner on Friday evening, and a Sunday brunch complete with blue grass band and the Awards Ceremony. There were over 80 entrants with American riders traveling from as far away as Oregon,Texas and California. Eight countries were represented including Australia, Brasil, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Saudia Arabia and UAE.

The 100 mile riders started the gruelling day at 4AM. The dark and cool was to become a welcome memory as the heat of the day and the humidity rose steadily. 50 mile competitors got to sleep in, starting at a late 7AM. The first 14.3 mile loop was relatively flat and front runners rode fast. By the end of the ride, the high attrition rate suggested that many misjudged the difficulty of the mountainous terrain (over 25,000 feet of climb), and the challenge of high humidity.

Loop 2, 21.4 miles long, led riders over Indian Grave Ridge, not once, but twice, before taking them back to a 40 minute hold at base camp. Those that survived, climbed Milford Gap twice, before seeing their crews again at the 54 mile one hour lunch stop. After lunch, loop 4 and 5 were a slightly shortened repeat of the mornings loops 2 and 3. Pulls ranged from lameness to poor metobolic recovery and a few horses required veterinary intervention.

I have never seen a group of riders at any major event (and I`ve attended my share, including Tevis, ROC, several North American Championships and a World Championships), more concerned with the welfare of their horses; willing to pull them at the first hint of impending trouble or at the first suggestion of the ride vets, who included Head veterinarian, Dr. R. A Beecher, Dr. Jim Baldwin, Dr. Jim Bryant, Dr Swight Hooten, Dr. Nancy Loving, Dr. Ray Randall, Dr. Don Kiefer and Foreign veterinarian delegate, Dr. Julia Flamino. By night fall, pulls had pared down the 100 miler starting field by more than 55%. Riders had slowed their pace considerably, realizing, in this race at least, it was the stayer and not the rabbit which would prove victorious in the end. Shortly after 9PM, Wendy Mattingly on Pierez and Danielle Kanavy-McGunigal on High Winds Jedi cantered down the dirt road to the finish line and victory. While Wendy and Pieraz had a two length lead, Danielle and Jedi didn`t seemed anxious to over take the pair. Asked about her final leg strategy, Danielle acknowledged that she wanted Cash to win. There are plans to retire him after Dubi, but today he ran a great race. Even though Wendy and I rode together all day, I`m not sure he would have let Jedi pass him. He was on the home stretch and that`s were he rules. I don`t think he is ready to surrender his crown just yet. While Jedi may have had to take bridesmaid honors at the finish line, the veterinarians gave him the Best Conditioned trophy at the awards ceremony on Sunday.

Rita Swift, a relatively new comer to the sport of endurance riding and her horse Cass gave both the first and second place horse`s their greatest challenge during the second half of the ride. When she crossed the finish line four minutes behind Jedi and Danielle, she burst into tears, hugging her horse`s neck.

A tough ride, it did not go without a hitch, but the experienced managment team of Valerie Kanavy and Virginia and Tracy Ingram fought the various fires (drought strained wells going dry at base camp, trail markings sabotaged at the last minute, a shortage of water at the first check, a temporary computer failure, and an unexpected loss of key staff) so successfully, few participants knew of the problems, with the exception of the loss of the great shower facilities everyone had been enjoying all week long.

Final results for the Cosequin Challenge 100 Mile FEI Endurance Ride:

1-Wendy Mattlingley/Pierez 13:37
2-Danielle Kanavy McGunigal/Jedi 13:37
3-Rita Swift/Cass 13:41
4-Debi Gordon/Saizahra 14:52
5-Connie Walker/Tashi Ashara 16:29
6-Heather Hoyns DVM/Tinkerbell 16:59
7-Maggie Price/Ramegwa Sharli 16:59
8-Daroyln Butler/DB Conquistador 17:28, 9-Meg Wade/Ciender 17:31
10-Yvette Vinton/ENM Jadwiga 17:31
11-Deborah Deshon/PentagonII 17:35
12-Shirley Dennis/Faust 18:46
13-Nancy Beacon/Traverston Cob 18:46
14-Abelullh Saeed Alhizem/GVF
Mauzaraady 19:21 15-Rinata Farinelli deSiqueira/ Nature`s Sungari 19:47
16-Bettina Koehn/Gero 20:05
17-Roberta Harms/ Sha-win 20:05
18-Hassan Bin Ali/Bold Soldier 20:18
19-Kathy McBride/DB BabRazzmatazzi 20:18
20-Betsy Reeves/Karianns Karisma 20:18

BEST CONDITION: JEDI

Cosequin Challenge 50 Mile AERC Ride

1-Lucy Snook/Alander 7:35
2-Echo Pompilius/Shah 8:04
3-Betty Kane Baker/Corkey 8:05
4-Robert Beck/Rugby 8:09
5-Laura Spilato/Gazelle 8:09
6-Nancy Muller/Fixed Tempo 8:29
7-Dimitria Coljee/Qjuantum Leap 8:45
8-Dottie McAdams/ARR Alex 8:56
9-Shellace Williams/Zanzibar Zahd 8:56
10-John McAlpine/Merry Cashmera 8:56
11-Sue Corr/Binds Mardi Gras 9:25
12-Jane Graffam/Isusu 9:25
13-Pete Wilson/Abou Bin Adhem 9:40
14-Zoe Zollenberger/SF Nezney 10:10
15-Sharon Renken/Bozley 10:10
BEST CONDITION: Alander

The Cosequin Challenge cash prize combined with the IAHA Sweepstakes brought the first place horse $11,250.00. Second place horse took home a combined purse of $6,125.00. The Cosequin purse for third through tenth was 1,200.00, 1,100.00, 1000.00, 900.00, 800.00, 700.00, 600.00, & 500.00. Everyone completing the ride received a container of Cosequin, retail value, $180.00. Other event sponsors included Troxel Helmets, KER, Pennfield Feeds, Leather Therapy, Animal Tacker, Equine Performance Technology, Easy Care, Markel Insurance, Theraquine, Miller Harness Company, Saddle Bums, Advanced Biological Concepts. Everyone who entered received a "bucket of gifts" from event sponsors.

Man Against Horse - Heidi Dahms

This story is reprinted with permission by Heidi Dahms
Managing Editor, Prescott Valley Tribune
Prescott Valley, AZ

Last year rider John DiPietra and his horse lost a nose-to-nose race to the finish line in Dewey`s Man Against Horse Race. This year he won. Kim Abbott wasn`t in the top ten, but she finished Saturday`s race on a healthy horse, and for her and 15 year-old Arabian stallion "Fire Ari," it was one of the mini-dramas within the 15th annual race. As Abbott neared the finish line in the 50-mile division of the race, tired, athletically lean horses snoozed or grazed next to trailers, campers and tents at the Man Against Horse campsite just south of Highway 89A on Fain Road. A few diehard fans and race officials waited for the final runners and riders. Everyone watched a helicoptor land near the highway to air-evac one rider whose horse stumbled on Mingus Mountain and rolled over the top of her, possibly fracturing her pelvis. Earlier that morning, another rider fell from her horse at the start of the 25-mile division, fracturing her ankle and skull, even though she wore a protective helmet. As in any sport, the riders know injuries are possible. They take precautions, and move on. But injuries do "On a good day, I`m an intermediate (rider). On a bad day, I hang on and pray," said Sharon Satterwhite, a rider who was in eighth place until her horse lost a shoe on the trail. It was Abbott and Fire Ari who trailed the evacuated rider`s slightly lame horse as they crossed the finish line. Abbott and her friend and riding partner, Phoenix veterinarian Rick Poteste, walked the horse for the last seven miles of the race so he wouldn`t injure himself further. "We were coming down the mountain, and someone asked us if we knew where the injured rider was. I carried in the medical bag and Rick carried in the stretcher," Abbott said. The injured woman`s husband asked the two to bring her horse in. Endurance riders just help out, she said, even in a race. Fire Ari, a grandson of the famous Arabian stallion Bask, is small-built, lean and athletic. He doesn`t look mean, but he has a sort of no nonsense get-up-and-go intensity about him, even after trekking 50 miles up Mingus Mountain and back in less than 10 hours. Abbott found the intense little stallion in a 16x16-foot pen in Phoenix. She made a deal with his owner to take him and breed him to her friend`s daughter`s mare. The owner warned her that no one could ride Fire, he bucked them all off. When she fell in love with the little Arabian and approached the owner to sell him, the man made her sign a release. "...so I wouldn`t sue him when (Fire) killed me," Abbott said with disbelief. Fire has never bucked with Abbott, she said. Instead, she fed him lots of carrots, bonded with him, and gave him a job to do. He returns the favor with a lot of heart and surprisingly good manners, evidenced by his apparent disregard for the horse tethered to him for the last seven miles of Saturday`s race. Abbott rode one 50-mile race with Fire, and then put the biggest challenge of his life to the little horse - she would attempt the Tevis Cup, the annual 100-mile mother-of-all-endurance-rides that spans a rugged portion of the Western States Trail from Salt Lake City, Utah to Sacramento, Calif. Two hundred and nineteen riders started. Only 121 completed the ride. Abbott and Fire Ari were the 121st team to finish, completing the ride within the required 24 hour limit. The Tevis Cup Homepage on the Internet now lists Abbot`s name among the 1998 finishers. Endurance riding is tough and emotional, and Abbott teared up as she told Fire`s story. "He was built to do this," she said. So is Abbott. A petite, obviously fit woman, she climbs the Valley`s Squaw Peak three times each week to stay fit. On Saturday, she wore riding pants, tank top, and light hiking boots. In some places on Mingus, she had to get off her horse, and send him up the mountain while she held on to his tail and climbed behind, a maneuver endurance riders call "tailing," and another evidence of Fire`s good manners. Dennis Poolheco of Glendale won the "man" part of the 50-mile race, finishing in seven hours, nine minutes. "He would pass us at vet checks. He was incredible," said Holly Meltesen, second place finisher in the horse division, of Poolheco. "We got lost with him at one point, and then we all turned around together." Race Director Ron Barrett said 40 runners and riders entered the 50-mile division of the race this year, 130 started the 25-mile division, and 75 began the 12 mile division. The ride is a fundraiser for the Yavapai County Sheriff`s Department Search and Rescue organization, and race officials will also donate some money to another local charity, Barrett said. The courses run in a loop from Fain Road, up Mingus Mountain (to the top for the 50-mile division) and back. After finishing Saturday`s race, Abbott and Poteste returned their horses to their campsite, sponged them off, watered them, and let them rest before the fourth and final veterinary check of the day. Riders must complete the check within an hour of crossing the finish line. Before race officials declared Abbott and Fire`s time official, the horse`s heart rate, stomach sounds, legs, back and other indicators of health all had to check within the acceptable range. He passed, and Abbott sigh ed with relief and happiness. Not only did her little "miracle horse" finish his race, but Dana Fife, a Phoenix man who boards his horse at her stable, finished third on his Morgan horse. Because Arabians are traditionally the ride of choice for endurance enthusiasts, Abbott said, that made the Morgan`s stellar finish that much sweeter. By 5 p.m., Fire Ari looked unfazed by his 50-mile trek over Mingus Mountain. He took a long drink as he passed a communal camp water tank, and then looked for his evening meal.

The Groom's Lament - Mike Walder

The term "underprivileged classes" has been well-defined and usually conjures up the image of persons living under conditions of extreme hardship in squalid poverty. There is however a small but significant sub-specie of the underprivileged class , the Groomus Enduricandum downtrodennicus , member of which , while they may give the outward impression of belonging to the privileged strata of society , are seriously underprivileged in other ways. The plight of this unfortunate and pitiful band has been widely ignored by those self-styled "champions of the underdogs" , the liberal press. This is either because the reporting of our wretched existence would not sell enough newspapers , or , taking the kindlier view , the liberal journalists are genuinely unaware of the abuses and hardships we endure , not only at the hands of the riders whom we loyally and unselfishly serve , but also from their horses. I speak of the latter from bitter experience. I am one of the many grooms whose right arm is a foot longer than the left after having been yanked out of its socket more times than I care to remember by hyped-up>horses ,who get more nervous during the ride than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I also , along with others of my breed ,have toes like seal flippers- the result of countless horses dancing a "vastrap" (square-dance) on my feet. The horses I can forgive. They are after all God`s "dumb creatures" (Although I am not so sure at times!!) I feel less forgiving towards the riders since the Lord supposedly endowed them with a higher level of intelligence( again I doubt this at times!) But , maybe I should be more forgiving. A mental patient cannot help being mad and many endurance riders are of course raving schizophrenics. At home , the loved ones we groom for are kind, thoughtful , caring persons. Before and after a ride , however , they undergo a complete personality change and adopt the temperament of a scorpion with a serious "babbelas"(hangover) to the extent that Hitler and Attila the Hun seem like kindly old uncles by comparison. Those loving gestures we receive in the home environment from these very same people are replaced by savage cuts with the crop and well directed kicks when one is bending over a water bucket. (This is why many of us have bucket-shaped heads) My wife , for example , has perfected a karate type kick-back. Mercifully she doesn`t wear spurs otherwise I would now be the oldest boy soprano in the Western Transvaal. Similarly , the kindly words we hear at home are replaced by the most hideous abuse snarled through foam-flecked lips in the most fearful language which has been known on some endurance rides to cause whole fields of lucerne(alfalfa) to wither and die. Among the more unreasonable comments we have to endure are: "You`re towing too fast"(You are actually doing 60 kmph) "Why are we grooming so far from the toilet?" (Because your riders starting time was late and all the places near the loo were taken when you reached the checkpoint) "He won`t drink this water. Why didn`t you bring a contained full from the showground?" (Because the horse didn`t tell you before the ride that he didn`t like the water at MNR....se plaas)(Mister....`s farm) "Why didn`t you dry out the numnah I used on the first leg?" (Because it has been raining all day and silly me I clean forgot to load a generator and tumble drier in the bakkie(van)) "How did it go?"(After a vet check) " He was eliminated - pulse too high/interfering" - "You fool!! You should have sponged him down more/told me to use brushing boots./taken him to a different vet!!" "Go ahead to..... and throw water on the horse as I ride past" (This is the time when one employs a little-known technique known as the Grooms` Revenge - you "accidently" throw water, preferably dirty, over the rider instead.) "There is no paper in the toilet. Why didn`t you bring some?"(By this time I`m normally several Castle`s(beer) downwind - we grooms have to aneasthetise ourselves - and am tempted to tell her to use a empty beer can and her imagination!) Of course none of these reasons are acceptable to the rider - the groom is always in the wrong. Indeed , the tasks of we unsung heroes has , I believe, a higher risk profile than riding shotgun for Eugene Terreblanche through Soweto! Therefore , Brother and Sister Grooms , the time has come to rise up and fight this oppression. We must rally together and form a Grooms Union.Our Coat Of Arms should depict a groom with buckets standing on top of a pile of manure with a rider half buried in the pile. The Latin inscription underneath should read "Nil Illegitemi Carborundum" (Don`t let the b....s grind you down). IF you riders are now deeply offended , worry not!!!! It`s all tongue in cheek. The real reason we groom for you is because we love you and our horses. We are deeply proud of your courage, fortitude and achievements. A few days feeling the rough edge of your tongue during the season is therefore a small price to pay for the privilege of serving you and your horses in this noble sport.

Brazilian Endurance Clinic - Darolyn Butler

Hi everyone, Darolyn Butler here in Brazil on a borrowed e mail address of my friend Sylvia Vaccari. Sylvia & I met a little over a year ago during the Endurance Competition of the World Nature Games in Parana, Brazil. She visited me this summer and rode DB Razzmatazz 50 Miles at the Old Dominion, & then she started working with the University of the Horse in Sorocaba, Brazil, to have me down for a clinic.

I arrived last Thursday in Sao Paulo and was met by Sylvia and the Dean of the University, Aluisio Marins. After a short, but very scenic drive to Sorocaba, we arrived at Sylvia`s beautiful home & small acreage which houses her 5 horses as well. I met the horses of course, then crashed for awhile to catch up on the jet lag. They are only 5 hours different, but..... coincidently, I had been on the same flight as my good friend, Brazilian, Dr. Marcello Grilo, (the team Vet for Chili for Dubai, I won`t even try to explain), & also co-hosting Day III of my six day clinic. Naturally we talked most of the night flight about the clinic, endurance training/conditioning & strategy for his team in Dubai.

Yes, I said SIX DAY clinic!! Boggled me at first, but then I assigned Marcello to one day for Vet stuff, & Sharon Saare one day for Saddle Stuff, & with slides, (taken all of 1 week to 1 day before departure), & my 15 year old video tape ;-), (lord, was my hair really that black & was I really that skinny???), Its pretty doggone easy to fill several days watching & chatting about Endurance.

At the end of Saturday, Day I, we all took a short ride in the beautiful Brazilian countryside. We practiced sponging, (Angie.... U would have been proud!!!.... I`ve been a big fan of the hour glass synthetic sponge for a long time, but one has to have a bio-thane leash... now really. ) We practiced flying or emergency dismounts, & talked alot about tailing, but no one was brave enough to try. Including myself, as I was mounted on a 15.3 hand chestnut stallion that was ethel powered. He put up with the flying dismount, thought I shouldn`t push my luck after that.

I must admit, however, that I am a bit pre-occupied.... Thursday evening I was informed that my little ranch back in Texas is flooding, once again, in less than 4 weeks. Even worse, my daily reports are that the water is 2-3 feet higher than it was in October. My barn manager & friends watching my place are now ready to find a new friend, as they had to evacuate nearly 30 head of horses and all the vehicles & trailers on the place. Not to mention loading up over 100 bales of hay that were getting ready to drown. Lost over that last flood & they knew how I cried. Worst of all though, is it is two feet deep in Sky`s (barn manager`s apt.).

When I called Sunday A.M. the phones & the e mail were going out, so if anyone local reads this, Lynda C. vickie, etc. Please call my cell phone & report back to me at Sylvia`s e mail.

Back to the clinic, today, DAY II we covered conditioning & rider equipment. They are calling my fanny pack a Batman Pack & me McGuyver. Really, it only weighs a few pounds & yes you could probably perform some sort of surgery out of it. ;-))) If you want my formula, e mail me in a couple of weeks at darolyn@swbell.net, & I will pass it on.

At the end of the day we were scheduled to ride after I demonstrated loading a "non-loading" horses. Horse did & did not cooperate as he walked right on the first time with no problem. Should I quit while I`m ahead?? No.... not that smart....So I asked for something else, and boy did I get "Something Else"! A young anglo-arab that came bouncing out of the stable like a kite on a string. I took one look & said...."I think we will take this one to the round pen first." That was smart.... as I worked for almost two hours just gentling and building up his confidence in me. It`s always a little nerve wracking doing this work, even if you are alone.... you always have doubts if this method will really work "this time." I have had one miserable failure and the thought always haunts me.

Today was successful though, with a combination of skills learned from Linda Tellington-Jones, John Lyons, Pat Parelli, & Monty Roberts, (listed chronologically of course), & I suppose a little bit of DB thrown in, the colt was a different guy. Still has a few holes, and still not ready for the saddle, but at least manageable now. I asked my clinic attendees at the end of the work if they thought I should try to load him & risk loosing what I had attained thus far, or quit while he was happy & relaxed. Thank God they voted that we quit. Never under estimate the power of positive thinking.

Led him quietly to his stall, and then demonstrated to the stable hands how to catch him in the stall, as he had been almost impossible to catch, even in there. What a great way to end the day. We missed our scheduled ride, but I don`t think any of the students were too disappointed. They loved watching a bundle of nerves turn into a quiet and soft eye.

Tune in tomorrow for Day III. Miss home, but ride camp helps... put it up on Sylvia`s computer the 2nd day I was here.... so I`m keeping up with everyone back there. e ya later, Darolyn

Brazil Clinic Day III & IV

Dr. Marcello Grilo, the Team Vet for the Country of Chili, for Dubai, and a native Brazilian, was actually at the Universidad do Cavalo when I arrived Monday morning. Marcello is known for not only his tardiness, but sometimes his total absence. However, it is very easy to forgive him when you understand the schedule he keeps & how hard he works. He is more than a good samaritan in his effort to help every animal on any farm/ranch he is on. That includes the cats & dogs. So you can imagine how that always slows him down.

Anyway, Marcello was there, had arrived around 5:30 AM after driving all night. At least he had another Brazilian friend with him that was helping with the drive & his treatments. We got started on the Veterinarian Check details right away. We had made slides the week before at my place, with all details covered from the dismount into the ride check, checking with the timer, cool down, every little thing the vet checks, trot out, & what U do with the horse during the hold.

I had been blessed with a great translator the two days before, and of course didn`t need her while Marcello was there, but in actuality, I would have liked her to translate to me all that was going on. The students really hit it off with Marcello, and we had a great day of vet discussions. A wonderful lunch was again provided on the scenic and flowered veranda, and back to work with more slides and talking. We broke about 3:00 to not just do our daily ride, but to have a simulated Pre & Post Vet check. Marcello basically did a pre-purchase exam on each of the horses he was so thorough. Of course Brazilian riders, like us in the US, don`t like to hear that their horse is a grade 1 lame. But... what a good time to find out.. instead of competition.

We left on a 10 K (7-8 mile ride), one of the loaner horses (belonged to the Universidad), pulled a hamstring going up a little hill. Another pulled a shoe.... so we called for an EZ boot, (duh.... there was 8 of them setting on the demonstration table back in the meeting room), and we got to practice the previous day`s lesson of cutting down, and fitting an EZ Boot. Worked great of course, & we got back in just fine. The hamstrung horse was hauled in.

After arrival, we watched each others horses get the "Final Vet Ck". Marcello was incredibly instructive as he invited the students to help with the diagnosis. They picked up an eye for lameness pretty quick. We did that until dark.

Then one of the nearby students brought a couple of her horses in for diagnosis & between those two & a couple housed at the Universidad we were all there `til 12:30 AM. No wonder we start a little late sometime. Dinner wasn`t mentioned, but someone did divide two apples into many small pieces to stave off starvation. I grabbed a great Brazilian white choc. Bar, & who really gets hungry at that time of nite anyway. So... Sylvia & I drug ourselves home to an already sleeping house. (Thus no report)

Tuesday, Day IV, we went back to "Feeding the Endurance Horse". I had articles on Pro-Biotics, Beet Pulp & the great feeding one from Kathleen Crandell at Kentucky Equine Research. I had had them translated into Portuguese, so we read thru them slowly & answered questions with Sylvia being my translator, as Aluisio had left for the airport to pick up Sharon Saare. He was rushing back to make sure he made the section on "The Many Uses Of Bandanas", but alas he missed it. Will give him a private one tomorrow. He came in with Sharon, just as we finished lunch.

After lunch, (3:00ish, we are on Brazilian time after all), we decided it was time for the BARN. They wanted to see a continuation of the colt I had started on Sunday. I had only walked in his stall and petted him a bit on two different occasions on Monday. No more than 5 minutes each time, so, I too, was curious what he would retain. Led him quietly to the round pen & turned him loose and then left to gather my tools; a 60 foot rope, dressage whip, plastic grocery sack, & two water bottles. The folks gathered & we started working. He was pretty calm & I was just going thru the first lessons when I noticed the scab had come off an old wound. It was just up from the curb chain area, pretty nasty, & the flies were really attacking. I asked Aluisio for some fly ointment & U guessed it, he brings out a spray can. Well, I jumped ahead pretty quick & put a halter on him. Tried to start spraying and shushing far away, but this guy was trying to die.

You know, its really interesting how some things just direct themselves. I went ahead & attached the plastic bag to the dressage whip & spent the next 30-45 minutes sacking young stud out with that,... so much so in fact, that the eventual spraying of the medicine was EASY. Did some over the rump turn arounds, (via J.L & P.P.), some TTouch, (via LTJ), then put on the long rope, lunged for a moment.... practiced stopping and going obediently, then out to an open area to practice. Within about 30 seconds he had thrown himself as he spooked and bolted at a ditch. Oh well, I held his head up so it didn`t hit the ground.... then we had a pretty long, but successful session of crossing some nasty ditches, tangling and untangling around trees, and finally going up a concret ramp, (prep for trailer loading). He & I were both wet & mellow by this time. This is great training for Endurance horses,.... why don`t I ever do it to those guys that dump me on a regular basis.... ah the cobblers childred go barefoot! Finished off with a quiet bath, (his very first), he even let me wash his face.... Albanet won`t let me do that, neither will Marcus & neither will.... oh well,

Put him away on a good note, then we all saddled up & went for a two hour ride. Once again, the country side is just awesome. Today we rode thru a gated subdivision that had a "blow U away" jumping farm. Probably at least 200-300 acres of jumps, pastures, fancy barns, & of course an indoor jumping arena. Wow!!!

Had the students do a forced trot for a mile or so, then jump off & try to take their horse`s pulse... Not a great success. One guy had just purchased 5 Heart Monitors, so I just don`t think he thought it was necessary. They lost interest in that pretty quick. They did show a little more when we returned to the ranch during bath time. We`ll have to practice that some more. And most did do a flying dismount and hand trotted in to the barn area. (Big Success!)

Sharon had caught a quick rest while we were gone, & since it was still early, (not midnight), we decided to let her start her slide show. That lasted about 20 minutes.... then the Pizza arrived, & with that the beer, & with that the evening was over. Got home by 11:00 tonite.... not bad.

Tomorrow we`ll continue with Sharon`s show, maybe fit some saddles, then do a 20 mile (round trip) ride to one of the students farms, (where we are supposed to have lunch.) then back for the conclusion of Sharon`s lecture.

One of the students is trying to entice Sharon & I to come to Rio de Janerio to do some fittings there. Go ahead... twist my arm. ;-)))

Brazilian Clinic Day V

Day 5 started with a continuation of slides from Sharon Saare`s "Back Lecture". For those of you who have never seen it, you may get an opportunity at the convention this year. Believe me, every time I hear it, I vow to be more careful of horse selection with the back in mind. Then of course saddle fit as well. The Brasilians were absolutely mismerized. None of them had really ever considered the problems of the down hill horse or the mutton withered horse.

We broke around 11:00 to mount our horses & go across the lush country to the most gorgeous competition stable I have ever been in. & Yes... endurance riders ride in the rain here too.... we were drenched by the time we arrived. One of the students manages this mainly jumping & 3 day eventing stable & invited us to include a tour & lunch at her operation in our cross country ride for the day. It was a mind blower. It had an open air inside jumping arena flanked by about 40 stalls on the sides. The wash rack & tack room was at one end and a dining area at the other. This was just outside a glassed lab room, and a trophy room that was not only posh, but absolutely fool of trophys, (both floors.) And, of course, original oils lined the walls.

During lunch, about 20 different horses were paraded in front of us, from an absolutely gorgeous Anglo/Arab that I would like to bring home, to 2, 3 year old & one 7 day old baby. They had imported semen in from the AngloArab French horses and of course my eye was for what would make a good endurance prospect, but Sharon and I agreed that the event favorite and the endurance favorite are pretty close. Sylvania, our hostess, and one of the students, showed us her 5 yr old endurance prospect and she really made my mouth water. A big flea bitten grey mare that was perfectly balanced. After a gourmet lunch, we took a full tour of the facility. Saw the outside liberty jumping ring, miles of well keeped paddocks, a hay & equipment barn that looked almost like a house. Sylvania apologized for it being dirty, just as I was saying to myself, can`t believe this is the floor of the barn.... there was about 10 strands of hay on the floor. ;-) Labor is cheap here and everything is kept emaculant. I`ve made lots of promises to myself when I get home.... however, my labor is the only one that is cheap it seems.

Returned to the Universidad, but not without loosing another shoe, this time it was Sharon`s horse & Aluisio did the honors of putting on the EZ boot. He got an A... had to coach him a bit. Started slides again at 6:00 and this time we were joined by Sat/Sun`s Race Manager. Yes!!!! This site has a 70 k (50 mile race) on Sat. & a 30 k on Sunday. I may have a horse for both days so I`m really looking forward to actually getting to compete while I`m here. He was quite impressed with what Sharon had to say as well, and is hauling 3 or 4 horses out tomorrow to have Sharon fit them. The other students can`t wait to fit the trees on their own horses.

We finished the evening off in a neighboring town at an exquisite German Restaurant who`s specialty was Veal Parmigian, (which is my all time favorite), and now guys, don`t flame me for bathroom talk,.... but, I swear this is true, ask Sharon, The inside of the toilet bowls had flowers painted on them to match the tile work on the walls. I know, enough, enough..... see you tomorrow. Darolyn Butler

Day VI Hi, Sharon Saare here....Day six of the Brazilian endurance clinic. After a couple of days of talking about saddle fitting and the consequences of back conformation...it was time to take a serious look at the horses. We had a good ride yesterday...and a preliminary look at backs led me to believe I only needed to have brought about 4 trees with me. Sure enough, as Darolyn and I fitted these horses...we were seeing all A`s, B,s C,s and SSS. Some really above average horses in this bunch...that would lead me to believe they will in time, make their mark anywhere they go. Just an observation from 30 years of World traveling and looking at horses, (of course) everywhere...climate sure seems to influence conformation.

Horses I`ve seen in tropical and semi tropical countries, as a general rule, tend toward a more narrow type. My guess is it is a mechanism to keep cool....and, of course, for endurance horses, it sure works to their advantage. Its not by accident that many of the top endurance horses on the scene today are a B body type. ...and of course the other three sizes are in that narrow catagory.

Today, we also fitted a couple of 3 day horses...and they also were fairly narrow on the spine line. One lovely gelding was an Anglo Arab owned by our Host, Aluisio Marins. A very special horse in my book.

At the Farm we visited yesterday the Anglo Arab was the predominent cross...and quite a successful one. All of those horses were high front end horses...no downhill backs in this bunch. Joy. Joy.

After the fittings, Darolyn concluded the Clinic with a Super Video called "Symmetry in Motion" with Doris Halstead & Carrie Cameron. This was the last video Darolyn/aka Horseman Video Showcase produced, and perhaps, (to me at least... one of the most valuable.) It deals with freeing up muscle and bone...both for horses and people. As one who has had an old car accident back injury to put up with for 16 years, I could really relate to the benefits of "jarring loose:". I would strongly recommend this tape for anyone in the same boat!!

Our Brazilian Clinic Attendees were most appreciative of the enlightenment us two ol`campaigners could impart. You know, we all started this sport at Zero...and I can only think back to the good people who helped us along the way....now perhaps it is our turn to do the same. They are truly hungry for Endurance education and make wonderful students.

Now..... schools out, two race days coming up.... to the Pizzeria tonite!!!! (Oh... if your interested in video, contact Darolyn at darolyn@swbell.net or phone 1 800 228 8768 Sharon`s is 303 678 5968. We`ll be back in the USA Nov. 24th. Sharon & Darolyn

Lost Wagon Train - A `Meek` Interlude - Heidi Smith DVM

Ahhhh, home again after a week in the desert! Must say, managing a multi-day (especially after an interlude--I last did Lost Wagon Train in 1995) is an experience all its own. Fun as it was, the shower and clean sheets sure feel good! As with every other ride we put on, this one had its very special moments, and although it is always a relief when it`s over, we brought home our own special memories. Just thought I`d take the time to share a few of them with you ridecampers before I crash for the night....

For those of you who don`t know the history of the Stephen Meek Cut-Off of the Oregon Trail, in brief, it is the story of a group who arrived at Fort Boise and who decided to follow a man named Stephen Meek on what was supposed to be a short-cut and easier route from Vale, Oregon, to The Dalles. Mr. Meek had been as far as the hills overlooking what is now Burns, but was basing the rest of his short-cut on hearsay from other mountain men. The experiences of the folks who followed Meek prove the fact that one can`t always believe hearsay! These hardy souls left Vale around the first of September, 1845, which was one of the worst drought years ever in Oregon. They proceeded up the Malheur River, through bone-jarring (and wagon-breaking) rocks, and finally got to easier going, but the trade-off was a lack of water. Without going through their trials and tribulations in detail, suffice it to say that they had a horrible time, spent two weeks on Wagontire Mountain near some small springs which they dared not leave until scouts found water ahead while the forage for their livestock ran out, had members of their party die, had several more become seriously ill, and had some pretty gruesome experiences getting wagons through areas that one still marvels at how they could manage to do so. The survivors of the party arrived in The Dalles approximately three weeks later than others who had left Vale at the same time and taken the regular route over the Blue Mountains; in addition, they were ill, starving, and pretty well battered from their ordeal in the desert. Our current Lost Wagon Train ride traverses roughly the middle third of their trail from Vale to The Dalles; we start in Burns and end in Alfalfa, near Bend.

This year, we were blessed with the most beautiful fall weather imaginable--we anticipate cold nights in the desert in October with ice on the water buckets (which is why we don`t start until 8 every morning, after the sun comes up!) but indeed the sun DID come up this year, and we had pleasant, warm, sunny days for the entire ride. Can`t ask for better than that! We haul a few miles out of Burns for our actual start, and it always gives me goosebumps to see a group of horses stringing out against the sunrise, embarking on a five- day adventure.

We had some unique experiences this year. On Sunday, one of our riders arrived from Montana to meet a babysitter for her 9-month-old daughter, but the babysitter did not show up! I have always maintained that a ride manager must be a jack of all trades, but arranging last-minute babysitting (let alone how this story turns out) was a new one. My husband Paul agreed to babysit, as he was driving out to do a water set and then tending the vet check, but somehow we missed communicating the fact that he was not going to the start but was heading straight out to deliver water. Hence, as I was walking down the line of trailers while folks saddled up, I encountered mother, baby, and stroller, wondering where Paul was! There was nothing to do but to pack baby Xena, car seat, stroller, diaper bag and all, into my already overflowing Subaru. She and I waved the riders through some of the early gates, and then headed out for a day of adventure together. Of course, Paul was long gone from town with his load of water, and since the drive to the vet check on day 1 is very long, I headed for the next camp and the finish line, baby and all. I was supposed to mark the last bit into the finish line, as the land owner had suggested a change--I was battling darkness and time when I came through to mark the trail, and figured I could deal with the finish on ride day. That is how Xena and I came to be bouncing through a rock field that looked like petrified watermelons about half a mile from camp. Things were simply going too well, so something had to happen. (That is one of the Ride Manager`s Corrollaries to Murphy`s Law, I think.) Sure enough, I ripped a sidewall on a rock. No sweat, out comes the jack, the spare, etc. About then Xena decided to fuss, so I wiped the grime off my hands and fixed her a bottle, which she slurped down while I changed the tire. Other than the fact that one of the lug nuts was stripped and the jack jammed on the way down, it was a routine tire change. (Remember the jack for later reference! For the moment, I simply drove the car off of it.) I probably didn`t manage another 200 yards, uphill into the sun so I wasn`t seeing the boulders clearly, when WHAM! I am stranded on a huge rock! The driver door was pinned up against a huge sagebrush. So--what does a ride manager who is babysitting someone`s nine- month-old infant and who has horses on course and a way into camp yet to mark do in a circumstance like that?? Simple! Sort of. One crawls out the car window, puts all of one`s marking and finish line "stuff" (along with diaper bag, etc.) in the baggage basket of the stroller, installs the baby, and begins the slow and painful process of negotiating the stroller backward over boulders and sagebrush! Can sure say that they designed strollers for city gals. I don`t have kids, but have baby-tended plenty with my nephews and nieces, and am MUCH more familiar with baby backpacks--MUCH better suited to the country woman`s life style! Well, it was a long and tedious trek, but Xena, bless her heart, having just finished her bottle, dropped off to sleep and snored through the entire trip. Heck, she slept through a ride that you`d pay money for at the fair! Needless to say, I then hiked out and marked the OLD way into the finish which was MUCH better, while a grandfather who was one of the drivers entertained Xena for awhile. And of course, all`s well that ends well--Xena was fine, the riders had their route, and when we got a break later in the day, a bunch of us went out and lifted the car off of the offending rock and I drove it back to camp. Xena watched me vet horses all afternoon from her stroller, making appropriate comments about some of them, until her mom came in to claim her. I DID warn Xena`s mother that she had better watch out for signs that Xena might grow up to be a ride manager or a ride vet! Heaven forbid! At any rate, we started 35 horses out in Burns, and 32 received completions at Wagontire.

Day 2 started off with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for rider Tom Dunn, who turned 73 that day. (Tom unfortunately was only able to complete three days, as his mare Cat Dancer found a rock with her name on it...) The day was fairly uneventful from a manager`s standpoint, with the high point being that there was no longer a hose bib on the well at Dustbowl at the GI Ranch. Again, the jack of all trades qualification for ride managers was called upon. With Rick Forrester providing an extra set of hands, we managed to splice a piece of plastic pipe to the water outlet pipe using a beer can, an obstetrical sleeve, and lots of duct tape. It leaked like a sieve, but the join held up just fine, and it delivered water out through the corral fence to our water tank. Mission accomplished! We fielded 25 horses on Day 2, with 24 completing. Did have to duck out and mark some of the early part of Day 3 the evening of Day 2--among other things, there is a combination lock on Day 3 which must be opened so the riders can get through, so had to open that. Got back to camp at a decent hour, though, and figured all was under control. Right?

Wrong! Along came Day 3. Riders set out from Dustbowl and across Buck Creek, I went out and opened gates on some of the cattle guards on the GI Ranch Road, and we sat around the vet check waiting. And waiting. FINALLY riders started coming in. Seems that one of the GI Ranch employees who had not gotten word that we were coming through had done his job, noticed the gate was not locked, and relocked it! The first batch of riders found a splice in the fence and made it through, but respliced it, not knowing if there were cows in that pasture. The second group was milling around in the same spot when Tracy Epping`s driver, who had gone up that way to hunt rabbits while waiting for Tracy, saw there was a dilemma and came down to help. He opened the splice and stayed there helping riders through until I got word and came back up to unlock the lock again, and helped mend the fence back the way it was.

Day 3 was also the Day of the Matador. One of the GI bulls took a dim view of the riders, and stood in the road in front of Ted and Joan Ruprecht, refusing to get out of the way. Ted, bless him, got off, picked up a rock, and headed for the bull. The bull stomped, snorted, and threw dirt. Ted threw the rock. The bull charged! Joan`s horse turned and bolted, unhorsing Joan, who played dead, and at that point, the bull was thoroughly confused by the outcome of his charge and stopped, thank goodness. Ted and Joan eventually got on and continued on their way, but later riders said the bull continued to challenge others.

Day 3 was also the day for the first of the Fish Creek motor home breakdowns. Donnie Scott was slated to ride Fish Creek`s spare horse Kramer, but sent Darlene Anderson out on him instead, while Donnie worked on the rig. Rick Forrester went back for the Fish Creek trailer, Donnie went for parts, and the motor home eventually rejoined the wagon train.... 29 horses started Day 3, and 28 finished. Camp after Day 3 is at the town of Hampton, which consists of a store/restaurant/gas station, and a couple of houses. Many riders and crew members (ride management included!) treated themselves to meals that were cooked somewhere other than campers, and the restaurant was kind enough to serve hot cider and hot chocolate during our ride briefing. Downright civilized, after camping literally in the middle of nowhere at Wagontire and the GI Ranch.

We had 16 horse-rider teams that made it through the first three days, but then the trail started to take its toll. Three of those 16 didn`t start Day 4, and one more didn`t finish Day 4, diminishing the 5-day possibles to 12. Three more made it through Day 4 but didn`t start Day 5. However, we did field 34 horses on day 4, and 29 completed. Day 4 is the easiest day of the ride, and also has some beautiful scenery as one goes out of Hampton and climbs up toward Hampton Butte. The ride ends just north of Brothers, and once again, civilization in the form of a store/restaurant/gas station was only a mile away. I had left the Day 5 marking to the last, and had two vets to cover day 4 so that I could go out and finish it up. The trail had to score its last-minute hit--wiped out another tire, and--remember the jack from Day 1??? NO amount of lubrication would make it turn, so I was left with the choices of spending the night on the trail and hoping for rescue (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!), walking out (and not finishing the marking--NOT!!) or making the ride manager choice and further trashing the tire as well as the wheel, driving back to civilization, and getting the marking done. Flagged down a passing motorist when I got to the highway, who kindly lent me a jack, and was back in business! Got back to camp a bit later than I had said I would, but still before dark, so all`s well that ends well, right? Bless Trilby and her driver, who thought I was getting a bit bedraggled, and insisted on feeding Paul and me, as well as Dr. Shauna Ault (who had her first experience judging BC and did great), before we had our ride meeting. Several riders commented all week about following my tire tracks and suggested that perhaps I should be making commercials for Subaru... (Donnie Scott got the boobie prize, prize yet to be determined, for most accurately guessing at what point on the Day 5 trail my tire went flat...)

Unfortunately the Day 5 trail requires a lot of water sets, so Paul and I hauled water into the wee hours of the morning, and got back to camp in Brothers at about 2:30 a.m. We were about half dead, but the end was in sight, so what the heck. Like the back of my favorite T-shirt (compiments of Lynne Glazer and the Norco Ride) says--YOU CAN REST WHEN YOU DIE. (Lynne, that has become my official ride manager T-shirt!)

The second Fish Creek motor home broke down on Day 5, but was towed to town and was fortunately repaired in time to join us at the finish. Dot Wiggins went back to Brothers and retrieved the second Fish Creek trailer.

And speaking of Dot--she rode Day 1 and couldn`t go on, but stuck with us all week, helping with timing and PR`s. Thanks, Dot, and thanks also to drivers Andrea Day and Tracy Zebella, who filled in for our missing timer, who was unable to come at the last minute due to family problems.

Day 5 saw 24 riders start on the last push to Bend, up over the ridge and down into civilization. 22 of them completed. Unfortunately, one of the pulls was one of our nine survivors, so we were down to 8 in the end. The Alfalfa Grange never looked so good, and the spagetti feed was wonderful! Thanks to Sharon Poling from Prineville who catered for us and kept the food coming until we were all full. We handed out mugs for each days` completions provided by Karen Chaton (thanks, Karen, and yes, Nikki, I DID remember to give Karen a bad time about making Dream Weaver do a multi-day after promising him that his season was over), and all those who made all 5 days on the same horse received autographed copies of the book TERRIBLE TRAIL: THE MEEK CUT-0FF 1845. In addition to awards for daily winners and daily BC`s, we also had nifty blankets for the overall fastest time and overall best condition. Stay tuned: complete results in a later post!

Thanks to all of you who came, and we sure hope to see you all back next year. We enjoyed it--hope you all did too.

Heidi Smith, DVM & hubby Paul (LWT right-hand man)--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)

Lost Wagon Train - A `Meek` Interlude - Heidi Smith DVM

Lost Wagon Train Multiday - Karen Chaton

Most endurance rides are certainly an adventure, and this one was no exception. We (myself & Pat) left for Burns, Oregon last Saturday morning from Nevada. We had no idea where we were going, other than to some fairgrounds in Burns. So off we went...crewless, driverless...but we did remember to each bring a horse, plenty of food, and about a bazillion other things that you might need to ride a horse 250 miles in 5 days. One other rider from Nevada was at the fairgrounds when we arrived, so we knew we were in the right place. The fairgrounds guy came around and said "it`s gonna get cold, probably 16 tonight". If only we knew that this was going to be the WARM night of the ride!! haha As it turned out, I think it only got to 20 that night (like you could tell the difference?). The horses got a day to rest before vetting in on Sunday evening. We got to meet Heidi the vet, and Tracy who came from Idaho after my plea to come drive our rig (and I bribed her too). As it turned out, lots of riders came without drivers so anybody there driving was kept really busy. On day one we trailered out about 7 miles to the start. 8 a.m. You might think that is late, but it`s not when it`s COLD!! Weaver was such a dork this day, that Pat called me Dr. Frankenstein for creating such a monster!! Ugh!! The first time all year (ever, in fact) that I rubbed hair off of his chin from the vosal holding him back. We finally got him settled down, and maintained a nice average 7-8 mph trot thru the day. Nothing too eventful happened on this day. Tho it was the first time I saw a vet check both sides of my horse (and every horse) for hydration. We had to vet our horse, then before leaving from our hour hold go trot by the vet again before we could leave. They did a great job of getting our crew bags to the checks and back to camp each day (yeah). The trail thru the majority of the ride was flat, with only slight rolling hills. There was some good footing, with lots of jeep roads, and also gravel roads and power line roads with crushed lava rock. We were going over some of the same route the Meek`s Lost Wagon train went over 150 years prior. I don`t remember much of the second day. We finished in the late afternoon, and Tracy had found a nice spot for our rig right near the water :). Or was that the third day? hmmmm (hey, don`t laugh, we were having to explain what parts/days of the trail we went over to Trilby at the awards!) Our awards were coffee cups with the name of each days ride on them. I do remember the third day most vividly. It HURT. We froze our butts off that night. I think somebody said it was 13 degrees. There was several inches of ice on the horses water. My soaked beet pulp was so solid I couldn`t get it out of the bucket. The propane canister we used for our heater INSIDE THE CAMPER had frost on it!! My sponge (dah) that I left sitting on my trailer fender (while wet, double dah) was not only frozen, but stuck to the trailer. Even better, my cinch was also cold wet, and frozen (good thing I have two!). I think we walked the first two hours this day, Pat and I...neither of us felt the urge to do anything else. We finally got going, and I believe this was our slowest day. Some lady had brought her ten month old infant with her to the ride (and no driver or babysitter) and expected ride management to take care of the kid while she rode. Well, this morning she left the kid a few feet from my horses corral sitting in his stroller from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.!!!!! I was out there with a down jacket on, gloves, ear muffs, etc., and still froze to the core - I can`t believe anybody would just leave a baby sitting out like that. brrrrrr I think that was the day Tracy was driving and looked in the back seat and found out she was the babysitter for the day! (and not just one, but for two!). I didn`t exactly tell her the full job description when I convinced her to come and move rigs. ;^) This night we were camped in a field of wheat, right behind a restaurant. (but you gotta watch the gas station attendants in Oregon - they are required by law to pump gas for you and don`t always look to see if your rig is diesel or gas) On the day we went thru the G.I. Ranch there was a little incident involving an Angus range bull. This should go on the `top ten list of stupidist all time things endurance riders have done`. Apparently there was a large pasture of bulls (something like 17 of them were in it). We were supposed to trot down the road, and thru a gate. Well, all fine and good, `cept one of the bulls thought otherwise. One of the riders got off his horse and picked up a rock (can you tell where this is going?). The bull stomped the ground and threatened to charge. The rider threw the rock at the bull. Pissed said bull off. Bull charged. The rock throwing riders wives horse spun around and took off. She fell on the ground, and in the commotion the bull stopped (luckily!). She was able to finish riding that day, and everybody else got thru there safely with slight detours thru a swampy marsh. I did take a picture of the bull for a souvenir. ;=0 Lesson learned: Stay on your horse, hang on tight, and never, ever throw a rock at a range bull! On the fourth day Pat took the day off. Turns out this was one of the nicest days. I started out the morning riding with Dave Rabe until the vet check. There was more water this day. A long gravel road leading into the vet check, which seemed to come awfully fast :)). After lunch I started out on my own, and within a few miles I had caught another rider who was slowing down since his horse had scratches. I stayed with him for awhile, which was a good thing. Did I mention the gates on this ride? LOTS of gates. Many, many, many....some were very difficult to close. And if they were locked, they were very difficult to open as well . Weaver just kept cruising along, in his 7-8 mph trot. He takes good care of himself and is really easy to manage. All I have to do is make sure his easy boots are on, and we`re off! I took them off each night to check his feet, and then in the morning would re-wrap the vetwrap and put them back on. We never lost a boot the entire 250 miles!! The last day seemed to come all too fast. All the aches and pains had seemed to subside. The horse never seemed to get stiff at all. I allowed him to eat whatever he wanted. I even brought some alfalfa for him, which I am sure, is what caused him to be such a geek the first day (he isn`t used to it). On the 3rd, 4th, and 5th days I gave him a tube of Pro-Burst each day at lunch as well. We were finally out of the high desert (Oregon desert is very much like Nevada desert), and riding thru trees and even some sand. In true Lost Wagon Train form, I think Heidi had a moment where she just couldn`t resist marking the entire 250 miles perfectly....so she marked one (just ONE!) arrow that looked like it could go either way. Well, almost everybody went the wrong way. We got there and followed the footprints, assuming that was the correct way. It wasn`t. I noticed right away that there were as many prints going backwards, so something must be wrong. We traced our steps back and found the wrong turn. I picked up some stuff from the trail and made a new arrow so that Trilby and others behind us would not also make the same mistake. I suppose we couldn`t do "The Lost Wagon Train" without getting lost at least once! Though we weren`t really lost, just temporarily misplaced. Whenever she had a chance, Heidi would fill us in on some of the history of the trail and tell us about the Lost Wagon Train. Those that completed all five days received a book "Terrible Trail: The Meek Cutoff, 1845". Had a chance to browse thru it a bit on the way home from Oregon today. This is one of the passages in the book that I thought interesting: "Sometimes for the distance of many miles the entire surface of the country was covered with a medium sized stone or boulder, just large enough to make it difficult to travel over them; the only way the teams behind could distinguish the route was by the bruised and broken boulders, occasioned by the wheels of the front wagons passing over them and the blood from the feet of our poor animals that suffered almost beyond endurance". August 27, 1845 Bad Road went 12 (miles) August 29, 1845 Very bad Road. broak 3 wagens this day 5 (miles) August 30, 1845 Rock all day pore grass more swaring then you ever heard 11 (miles) I also found it interesting that the wagon trains had to each pay a guide. So endurance riders aren`t the first group to pay money for such torture. I think endurance riders were all reincarnated from these early immigrants. Only eight horses completed all five days. Each day anywhere from 20-30-something horses started. It was tougher than it looked. Happy Trails, Karen in Gardnerville & Weaver, 2255 miles 5th place overall/5 days :)

Quicksilver Fall Classic 1998 - the Wet One - Nick Warhol

What if they had a ride that wasn`t any fun?

Well, maybe not much fun. That described the QS 50 this past weekend out at Grant Ranch. This ride is put on by the Quicksilver Endurance Riders in San Jose and is capably managed by Brian Reeves. He told everyone well in advance the ride would be rain or shine and true to his word, the ride did happen. In the rain. Driving out on Friday afternoon it rained, setting up Friday evening it rained (but not too bad), but Saturday morning it was coming down, with a nice cold wind thrown in just for fun. I asked Judy if she really wanted to go out there. "Yep," she replied. It would be her last ride of the season until Death Valley so she wanted to give it a go. Groan. I decided to go out and ride but with the firm decision that I would turn around the instant the surfaces got to slick or slippery for my horse. I`m not willing to risk an injury in the mud for any ride, and based on my experience at riding in a sloppy Garin Park, you can`t ride in the rain without falling all over the place, or your horse building up six inch mud balls on his hoofs. Much to my surprise the soil content at Grant Ranch cooperated. There were a few slippery downhills here and there but nothing really dangerous. It was just really, really wet.

There were about 75 people signed up with about 40 of them scared off by the rain. (smart people? We`ll see.) Endurowest`er Linda Cowles was there with two horses (!) She had transplanted Texan Mike maul ride Gavlin, she rode her Appy Cammie (doesn`t look anything like Warpaint) on the horse`s first 50 mile ride. Jack and Diane Enderle toughed it out and started in the soup. Val Weizer did double duty and not only rode Brian`s amazing horse Goofy, she rode drag and picked up wet ribbons. Mary Thompson-Moore was the ride secretary, Nancy Elliot worked as head wet, er, I mean head vet. And who can forget Maryben Stover out there in the rain, working ever-so-hard to make sure all the riders were treated to warmth, encouragement and hospitality.

The weekend actually belonged to who I think is probably the most amazing individual the endurance world has ever seen. The one and only Julie Suhr came to the ride with a lifetime total of 24,950 miles. That`s right, this ride would put her over the 25,000 mile mark. That`s just about the distance around the earth at the equator. She and her ever present husband Bob rode the ride in good spirits all day and finished 11th and 12th respectively. There are not enough congratulations to convey what everyone felt when she got her completion. Way to go, Julie. Everyone out there hopes they can do what you have done.

I started out in the rain in the dark in the wind fighting mud, water, puddles and wild pigs. Okay, so it wasn`t quite that bad. (but we did see three huge, I mean big, wild pigs) A few riders (myself included) made a wrong turn and ended up a little lost but turned around and found the trail. Just as I found the course Judy was going by on Warpaint. He`s easy to see at night. We rode together with the Appy being a total butt-head. He just has to go fast all the time. Not much fun for Judy, though. We rode along with Dennis and Joyce Souza from up north off and on, becoming increasingly soaked as the morning wore on. Rain gear, rain schmear- we got wet. At least the trails were not slippery. The first loop was 15 miles that seemed longer due to all the walking we did. Not to mention the fact you could not see much due to the clouds and fog. There were not a lot of horses yet most were sort of bunched up within a few minutes of each other. We rolled into the first check as wet as can be. Shatta was at 52, Warpaint took his normal few minutes to come down to Nancy`s pulse criteria of 60. I waited for Judy and together we went back out into the mire. Wait a minute! Together? What`s going on here? We rode an endurance ride together was in 1990, on our first ride. Wow. We have never had compatible horses due to age and such and Warpaint sort of needs to be ridden alone. She was working hard to keep the feisty critter at bay.

The second loop had a HUGE climb in it that seemed to go on forever since you could not see anything through the fog and clouds. Straight up, then down a long way back into camp. But not before we got to see Maryben out there in the rain, cheering us on! (I needed cheering) Lunch was a nice break while we covered the horses and retired to the camper. Did I ever say how much I LOVE my camper? Out of the soaking wet rain and cold, into the heated, warm, dry, soft camper where I made some hot soup. That really helped me change my mindset. It was a tough chore to drag ourselves back out there, but those two horses were doing this without complaint. I changed clothes (Why?) and headed back out with Judy on the longest loop of the day, the now infamous damn pink loop. It was okay up the long climb again but once up on top of the ridge it was really miserable. Pouring rain, severe winds blowing the rain sideways, fog, clouds, cold, then colder, riding with your eyes shut, soaking wet, soaked trails- not a lot of fun. It took a long time to get down from that horrible ridge back to camp for the third time. No hold this time, just P&R and go. I decided to leave before Judy since Shatta was down when we got there, so I headed out for a mile or so until I made another wrong turn. I went a mile or so the wrong way and figured out this was wrong when another rider came back facing me. Oh well- so we`ll do a 52 mile ride. Who should be there on the correct trail but Judy. I guess it was destiny for us to do the ride together after all. (or my stupidity for getting lost again) We rode on, still raining, on the last 8 or so mile loop. Warpaint seemed to be slowing down a bit so we took it real easy, not wanting to hurry in the sloppy terrain. The common trail was getting beat up and quite muddy in places, but still not too bad overall. We mostly walked up and down the MANY hills and took it easy trotting everything else. We reached the turn back point towards camp and what`s this, the rain is letting up a little! How can that be? We trotted back towards camp, actually reminding ourselves that we didn`t have to ride on this trail any more! We passes a guy at a water trough but other than that didn`t see many other people out there. Imagine my surprise when Brian told us we finished 6th and 7th! He said we made up time on the pink loop. Perhaps it was to get down off that ridge faster!

The poor horses were as dirty and muddy as I have ever seen them. What a performance. I was really pleased to see how Shatta looked at the BC judging. He got the second best vet score which really made my day. (sort of) Most riders were just happy it was over. Linda got pulled at vet 1 on Cammie but her boy Gavlin under Mike`s capable hands tied for second. I think there were only 2 or 3 pulls and most people who started the thing finished. The stupid thing was that after the ride ended the rain stopped. Why? Who knows. Life isn`t fair sometimes. The BBQ banquet was superb and really tasted good. The riders got lots of finishing goodies for completing the wettest San Jose ride in a while. Brian did a great job considering the conditions.

You know how when you are doing something miserable you say things like `that`s the last rain ride I`ll ever do?` Then when it`s over things get a little better? And two days later you start remembering how it really wasn`t that bad? And you might even consider riding the ride again? Even if it rains? Maybe.

Nick Warhol
Hayward, Ca.

Endurance.Net: Ride Stories

Monday, April 27, 1998

Western States Trail Guide - News Release

Thursday, January 01, 1998

Norco Riverdance Ride - Judie Ricci

Who Put the Pony Back in the Pony Express? - John Parke

Endurance Riders - They are the Best - Lynette Helgeson

Cosequin Challenge 1999 - Donna Snyder Smith

Man Against Horse - Heidi Dahms

The Groom's Lament - Mike Walder

Brazilian Endurance Clinic - Darolyn Butler

Lost Wagon Train - A `Meek` Interlude - Heidi Smith DVM

Lost Wagon Train - A `Meek` Interlude - Heidi Smith DVM

Lost Wagon Train Multiday - Karen Chaton

Quicksilver Fall Classic 1998 - the Wet One - Nick Warhol

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