Am I Cursed? - Chase Endurance

Horse Canada Blog - Full Story

Chase Endurance | April 5, 2016

All of a sudden Doc disappeared from beneath me and I felt myself falling forward over his neck. I only had enough time to close my eyes before my face hit the ground.

I’ll back up to the beginning of the day. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2nd to feed the horses and myself. Today, I would be riding Elroy Karius’s best horse Jolly Holiday (aka Doc) in the 50 mile Coyote Ridge Endurance Ride in Coulee City, WA. My friend Crystal would be riding my little Arab, Jamison, in the 25 mile. Jamison has only been to four other endurance rides, so he’s still a little tense about camping out at all the different ride sites. I noticed that Jamison hadn’t eaten very much nor did he drink his water, even though I had given him his electrolytes last night.

The ride site was coming alive as the 75 mile riders headed out on trail at 6:30 a.m. as the sun was peeking over the horizon. Elroy was blasting his favourite Billy Idol tunes although, at first, I thought it was the kids a couple of trucks down with the blaring radio. Elroy was riding Diamond Reo today and both looked ready to tackle the day.

We spent about 30 minutes walking the horses around camp, turning circles to get their muscles warm and relaxed. At 7:30 a.m. the trail was open and we started about mid pack down the trail over the wide open and rolling pasture land. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous and it really reminded me why I love this sport so much...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/chase-endurance/am-i-cursed/

A Horseback Trek in Mongolia - Shawn Hamilton

Horsechannel.com - Full Article

Experience Mongolia's horses, culture and endless beauty on a 10-day riding trek.

By Shawn Hamilton | March 29, 2016

In a country more than twice the size of Texas but with a population only the size of Houston, one finds open land, peace and serenity. Just over an hour’s drive outside of Mongolia’s capital city, Ulaanbaatar, a piece of paradise awaits discovery from the saddle.

The Mongolian horses live in an almost wild state, have an incredibly smooth gait and seemingly endless endurance. Horses are kept as nature intended, and the herdsmen share a silent connection with them, their unwritten traditions passed down through the generations. On horseback is the perfect way to experience this country.

I watch a herd of 40 horses cross the river that runs through the land owned by Baagii and his wife, Saraa. A mare tied to her foal coaxes it across. Instantly falling in love with this country, I would soon discover that the people are as genuine as its beauty.

The herdsmen live as nomads, moving their portable round houses, called ger, to greener pastures. The wooden accordion-style sides of the ger fold up, the center columns that support the roof slats all come apart, and topped by the felt or canvas shell it lays neatly on a wagon that is often pulled by a yak. Young children fetch water from the river; women milk mares and ferment the liquid to make the famous beverage called airag. Yogurt, cheeses, curds and other food staples are made from yak, sheep, cow and goats' milk. Cashmere is spun from goat hair. The Mongolians of the countryside live a tough yet peaceful and sustainable life off the land.

I arrived at the ranch with tour coordinator Julie Veloo and her husband, Chelvan. Julie met Baagii and Saraa many years ago while living in Mongolia and paired up with them to organize horseback riding adventures. Thirty percent of the profits go to the Children of the Peak Sanctuary, a kindergarten Julie raised money to build in the Ger district of Ulaanbaatar...

Read more here:
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-community/a-horseback-trek-in-mongolia.aspx

Second Ever Endurance 101 Clinic - Karen Bumgarner

Karenshorsetales Blog - Full Story

by Karen Bumgarner
March 22 2016

We had a great group of people for the 2nd ever Endurance 101 Clinic near Adrian, OR.. There are few things in this world more gratifying than making new friends, sharing knowledge, spending time with old friends, riding horses and eating calorific food! How can you beat that?!

We had sun, wind, bugs but we managed to do our "classroom" stuff where we chatted about what endurance rides are, clubs and organizations, feeding, conditioning, pacing, managing your horse and a whole lot more. Then I shared my contents of a crew bag that would be handy at the vet check. Then we hid from the wind and had lunch. I shared easyboot information with Amy Heward. Shoulda got a pic of that! Oh darn we should have gotten a pic of a lot of things but we were just busy.

After lunch everyone learned how to take their horse's pulse and listen for gut sounds. The wind made that a challenge as we were suddenly deaf and found it hard to hear what we were looking for! We then had a mock vet check with Virginia Ware and myself impersonating vets and examining horses, telling riders what we were looking for and why. Each person had a rider vet card to work with. They trotted their horses out just like a real check. Giving them more to know when it comes down to the real thing...

Read more here:
http://karenshorsetales.blogspot.com/2016/03/second-ever-endurance-101-clinic.html

Having “Fun In The Sun” - Chase Endurance

Horse-canada.com Blog - Full Story

Chase Endurance
March 17, 2016

Jill, from Connecticut, and I arrived at Orlando Airport in Florida at roughly the same time on the afternoon of Thursday, March 10th to begin our three-hour journey to the Fun In The Sun (“FITS”) Endurance Ride in Williston, Florida. We rented a little economy car for which both of our large luggage bags just barely fit. Thankfully we were only bringing our riding clothes, hydration packs and riding boots and not saddles, as that little car was jammed packed.

We had both leased young horses from a Canadian veterinarian who was living in the area with her stable of endurance Arabians. When we arrived, we were greeted by a very sullen and disappointed horse owner who was pulled from the 100 mile for lameness. We were also advised that the horse Jill had originally leased, Style, was lame and was replaced with Lady. This sudden change in horses caused a bit of bewilderment, as Jill had taken out insurance on Style and had to contact the insurance company at 4:58 p.m. and have the insurance changed. Luckily for Jill, the agent answered the phone and helped her with the changes.

It was not the greeting or beginning we were hoping for and we wondered if this was foreshadowing for the weekend to come...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/chase-endurance/having-fun-in-the-sun/

20 Mule Team Endurance Ride, 2016 - Jennifer Sheldon

Easternsierrarider Blog - Full Story

February 27, 2016
50 Miles

For anyone who reads my posts, I apologize for not writing a blog for so long. 2015 ride plans did not go as planned, but Rio was not injured, so it's all good. Rio and I were both conditioned to start Tevis in August, 2015, but we were not able to start. I wrote this on my Facebook page:

"Caartouche (Rio) and I were on the rider list to start Tevis again this year, 2015, but I had to cancel 3 days before the ride because bad re-shoeing 2+ weeks prior left Rio too sore to start. My farrier and I worked with it the best that we could, but the problem was not fixed.

It is disappointing not to of attempted this challenging, beautiful trail. It was our goal for the year, and Rio and I were in excellent condition not just to start, but to finish as well. We had 100% completions on our AERC rides/races that we did prior to Tevis, with Rio finishing in the top 10 in 2 of our 3 competitions.

Well, it could of been much worse. Rio's soreness was temporary. After successfully rehabbing Rio from two potential career ending injuries, this was a hiccup.

Our next planned AERC competition was to be the third week of August: The Eastern Sierra Classic, which is located only 45 minutes from where I live, in Bridgeport, CA. We completed the LD distance in 2006 as our first AERC competition. We have finished the 50 mile distance 1 or 2 times. The ride was cancelled this year a week or so prior due to one of the many wildfires occurring in CA."

I did not attend any more AERC competitions in 2015; instead, I enjoyed the beautiful trails in the Eastern Sierra where I live. On October 12th, I broke my ankle/acute sprain, which put a hitch in my getti-up. No surgery, but walking cast and non-weight bearing for a month and then physical therapy for 10 weeks. Luckily, two days prior I had moved Rio back to his winter home at Millpond Equestrian Center in Bishop, where I board him. It is a 75 mile roundtrip drive from where I live in Mammoth, so I normally have my trainer/friend, Rebecca, ride/condition/train him 2 times a week.

Flash forward to last weekend's first AERC competition: 20 Mule Team, 50 mile distance, on Saturday, February 27th. I have only been riding once a week for the last 5 weeks, so my fitness level is about 10% of what it normally is. Rio is 100% fit...

Read more here:
http://easternsierrarider.blogspot.com/2016/02/20-mule-team-endurance-ride-2016.html

Chase Endurance: Rangers for the Day

Horse-canada.com - Full Story

Chase Endurance | January 20, 2016

Our horses were already saddled and waiting for us when we arrived at the ranch around 10:00 a.m. We both noticed that they had the hard and unforgiving saddles on them. We made a mental note to pick up some heavy duty bike shorts. I was assigned to a tall, narrow bay gelding by the name of Wildfire and Jill was mounted upon a narrow bay mare named Evangeline.

We immediately became aware that we were mounted upon a much different type of horse than the day before. Although their trots were still bouncy, they had wonderful floating canters that were only interrupted by the occasional spook. We were scheduled to ride between 20 and 25 mile today. Darolyn was riding a jumpy Grulla Arab mare. This mare took every chance she could to side step a fence when the angle changed, a patch of sand appeared out of the grass or if Darolyn turned around to provide Jill and I with instruction. Wildfire was living up to his name and was enjoying jumping from here to there, but for some reason I was able to keep my seat. The Sharon Saare I was riding in today was much narrower and shorter than Comrade’s saddle. Actually, I was impressed how secure I did feel even though the leather was hardened and shined to look like (and feel like) chrome.

We took another trail around the airport. You may wonder why we keep riding around the airport, well, I’ll tell you why. There are a trusted few equestrians that are airport rangers in Texas. Darolyn is one of the airport rangers...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/chase-endurance/rangers-for-the-day/

Fire Mountain 50: The Comeback Ride of a Lifetime

Baylor/Gore Photo

Jan 16, 2016
by Nick Warhol 
 
I have 12,000 endurance miles, My Donnie has 5,945 endurance miles, and yet the Fire Mountain 50 held on January 16th, 2016 was the most profound ride in my time together with my horse.   For those who don't know, 2015 was a very bad year for Judy and me.  The whole story is ten pages long, but the short version is that we unknowingly fed our horses hay for over a year that contained a toxic weed called common groundsel.  On May 9th, 2015, it killed our new 8 year old mare, Spice, and made the rest of the herd very sick.  We were about a week from losing Wabi, but he made a miraculous recovery due to the 6 months of medications we administered to him and the rest of the horses, including Donnie.  The rest of the herd survived, including Warpaint, Wabi, Color, and of course Donnie.   Donnie was less affected than the others, but it gave me the scare of my life as the toxic poison worked through his system.  Thanks to medicine, and UC Davis, he made it and has recovered.  I put him back to work on November first, and his first endurance ride back would be the fire mountain ride. 
 
The ride is held in down the So Cal desert in Ridgecrest, and is hosted by the Valley Riders horse club.  Last year and this year the ride was managed by my good buddy Gretchen Montgomery, who lives there in the winter, and in Bridgeport in the summer.  I rode one day at the ride in January 2015, which made Donnie and me a decade team.  He did two more rides until April, when the hay disaster struck, and I could not ride him for 7 months, assuming he survived.   (Man, that's still so hard to say)  The ride camp is a couple of blocks from Gretchen's house, so she graciously gave me a room for the 4 nights, and built a pipe fence pen for my horse in her yard.   I never even went in my camper!  It was like doing an endurance ride from a hotel.  Thanks G! 
 
I went down a couple of days early this year to help Gretchen with the ride a little, and to give Donnie plenty of hang around time after the 8 hour trailer ride.  Help a little?  My job was to bring my dirt bike and go out on Thursday and help mark the trail in the desert.   The nice, wet desert.  60 degrees, sun shine, no wind- these ride managers don't realize that I'd PAY to go out and ride the bike in conditions like that.   What fun!   I hung ribbons, put chalk down, and went over the trail in both directions to be sure it was well marked for the horses.   Six hours of bliss on the bike went by too fast, so we took the horses out for a 90 minute ride.  Me, Gretchen, Peggy Miller riding Jackie Bumgardner's horse Zane, and good old buddy Merri Melde, who is down in the desert for a few weeks with Steph hanging at Jackies house.  Merri rode Gretchen's horse Coquette, since she was planning on riding her in the 50 on day one with us.  We had a nice ride up in the hills, with Donnie feeling absolutely perfect, but on the way back through town, Coquette got a little excited and bucked and reared a bit, enough to unsettle Merri a little.   She stayed on and dealt with it fine, but its still spooky.   Thursday night I bought my hosts dinner at a local Mexican place that had a beer so large it was comical.  On Friday I spent the day with Gretchen's husband Mike putting the water out on the trail for the horses.   Let me tell you, every rider who ever rode a ride owes thanks to these guys who do this thankless task.  It was slow going hauling six 150 gallon tanks out into the middle of nowhere and filling them with water.   (Mike also went back out and refilled them on Saturday night for the second day.)  On Friday afternoon Merri and I collected the horses from the hotel and vetted in; I then moved the rig over to the camp so I could crew from it during the ride.   Coquette was acting up a little, and as a result Merri elected to sit out the ride and remain in camp and play her banjo.  (You should hear her and Gretchen jam on banjos- those guys are getting good!) 
 
I slept in the Montgomery hotel again, and at 5:30 am led my horse over to the start.  It was a perfect day in the desert so far- cold in the morning, about 37 degrees, overcast, but most importantly, no wind.  Wind in the dez can make you want to tear your hair out.   The start was moved from 6:30 to 6:45 since it was too dark to see the ribbons.  Good call!   Peggy and I rode out of camp in the middle/end of the pack, I believe 34 horses started the 50 on day one.  Donnie was his old self- walking nicely from the start, with me just smiling.  I did a lot of that on this day.   Once we hit the trail, we started trotting along on the first loop, the green loop, about 15 miles in length.  It starts out climbing to the west up over the hills just south of town, and is the only rocky area on the ride.  We walked the climbs and downhills for a couple of miles, but the trail dumps out into the big wash that leads out in to the desert.  No deep sand problems today- the rain had ended that threat.  The sand sections were that nice, brown, perfect footing that you only get in the wet desert.  Nice!   The trail heads back up over the range to the South, to the first water and hay stop, and then dumps out into the open desert for a few great miles of trotting.  Unlike the 20 mule team trail, where you cover great expanses of the desert and really go places, this ride does loops that stay close to town.   We make the turn north and head back over the range, down the graffiti canyon, (why do idiots do that to the desert?)  and ride on nice trails back to camp for a 30 minute hold.  Donnie led the whole way, happy and strong.   He felt so good I knew he was doing okay.  I know him and how he feels, and he felt really, really good.  His vet check confirmed it- all A's, and CRI of 44/44.  Works for me.  After the quick 30 minute break where he ate like mad, we headed back out onto the orange loop, the best loop in the ride.  It heads up back over the ridge, but sticks to nice trails all the way.  No rocks, no steep climbs, just really neat desert single track trails.  Lots and lots of UN-interrupted trotting takes us back south a few miles, then a gentle turn loops back towards the ridge, and then back down to camp on the second best trail in the ride.  It starts on the ridge and winds down, all over the place, winding through the giant rocks up there (rocks the size of houses and cars, no pads needed!)  twisting, rolling, just a special treat that finally heads down the long valley back to camp.   Donnie led the whole way, moving along at my favorite quick pace.  I showed off a little to Peggy, as I am known to do on occasion when it comes to my horse.  Using my legs I release him and he jumps into a screaming, flying, big, really fast trot, just flying.  She says “whoa, wait for me!”   Then I call him back into his little 3MPH trot that looks like a dressage horse.    He just goes how fast I ask.  Then I let him go back to his working trot.  So nice.   I'll shut up now.
 
Two loops down, 30 miles complete, and our second vet check.  Same result as the first.  He made me smile when he did his normal hour hold routine; he eats for 45 minutes, then falls asleep for 15.   The weather was so good- I was riding in a short sleeve tee shirt, but sitting around in camp you needed a light jacket.   I cleaned him up, treated him to a fresh saddle pad and girth, and gave him his e-lytes.  Peggy and I rode out of camp on the pink loop, 20 miles that lead through the flats and rolling hills.  We had been making pretty good time; we left for the last 20 miles at about 1:15.   I keep mentioning how nice the weather was- off comes the light jacket after starting to trot.  Donnie leaves camp at a brisk trot, with the exact same energy he had at the start.  He would run flat out if I asked him to do so.  The trail heads out of town to the east towards the bustling metropolis of Trona.   Its nice roads and soft desert tails for a few miles, just about all trotable, which we happily did.   After the first water stop, (just past the abandoned recliner, (why do idiots do this to the desert?) about a third of the way in, we come to the best trail in the ride.  Its the furthest part of the loop from camp- we make a right turn on a perfect, flat, soft single track trail that twists through the desert.  It just winds along, up and down slight rises, for a couple of miles that ends way too soon.  We slowed down a bit for a trip through a slightly rocky section, but once clear of that its back to the desert floor and the second water stop.   We let the boys eat the hay that Mike and I had spread out so carefully at each water stop the day before.   Now its a cross country trail for a couple of miles back to the west heading for camp.   The trail had been used by bikes and had some whoops in it, but most were avoidable by scooting off to the edge of the trail, or riding in the desert next to the trail.  We could see camp coming up as we entered town for the final mile or so to the finish.  We crossed the line at about 4pm, with both horses happy.  We let them eat for a bit before vetting out, but I knew that Donnie was all good.  I could feel it in him during our ride on thursday, I knew it all day, and I knew it now.  He was perfect in every way.   All A's again, and CRI of 48/48.   Big, happy trot for the vet, right to the hay to eat.  He ate like a fiend at the trailer, and I suggested to Peggy we go back out and do that orange loop again.  She looked at me kind of funny!   I would have done it!   I certainly had plenty of horse.
 
My ride was a total success, and was made even more sweet due to the fact that 4 months ago I was worried I might lose this horse.   That would  not have been an option.  I spent 6 months doing everything possible to not have him die, and here we are, finishing a ride with him perfect.  As tough as we had it last year, sometimes things work out like they are supposed to.  In this case it did- I still have my Donnie, and with any luck he and I can do rides for another 10 years.  
 
Special thanks to Gretchen and Mike for putting me up in their hotel, to Peggy for a really fun ride,  to Gretchen again and the Valley Riders for hosting a great ride that I'd recommend to anyone.  Most of all, special thanks to my horse, who made it through our disaster, and lives to enjoy more rides as long as he can and wants to.   Next stop- 20 mule team in February! 

Nick Warhol
West Region

It's Not Easy Being.... Green?

Riding Journey Blog - Full Story

by Laura Spear
December 20 2015

When I saw that they were holding a Green Bean Endurance competition I jokingly told Kat that we should join. You needed to have a combined amount of miles- LD and Endurance of under 1,000. As of the beginning of the year I had a whopping 475 endurance miles and 25 LD miles. Yet within those miles there was a 75, a 100 and a 50 mile win. We ended up being on the Turtle Trotters team. We tried to change the name to Tenacious Trotters which would suit all speeds and distances the team members planned to go but it didn't happen. Oh well. Turtle Trotters it was.

I doubt Jacke Reynolds really expected a Green Bean to go out and do what I set out to do with Quick this year- namely Tevis. Other 100s perhaps but Tevis quite frankly needs no introduction to how difficult it is...

Read more here:
http://rarejourney-laura.blogspot.com/2015/12/it-not-easy-being-green.html

2015 Lead, Follow, or Get Out Of My Way

November 14 2015
by Jodie Dukerich & Stephanie DuRoss

The 5th annual Lead Follow Or Get Out Of My Way Ride went well, with only a couple minor hiccups. We had a rider and horse get a little too friendly with the local cactus. A lost horse that was found by a biker who actually left his bike and rode the horse back to base camp. The helpful biker was Mike Bilsky who happens to be a trainer at the barn where Jodie board's her horse. Then we had a fountain of our own, almost as big as the Fountain Hills one that flooded our P & R, In timer, and Ride manager area when the hose pipe broke and it took a while to get the water shut off. Otherwise the weather was fantastic. The 75 mile ride had a good turnout. We had a total of 105 riders, 9 from California, 5 from Colorado, 3 from Utah, 3 from Washington, 2 from Canada and the rest from Arizona.

1st place awards were a nice halter and lead rope combo, B.C was a Zilco snap on trail bridle. Top ten was various types of stowaway saddlebags. Completion was a perfect sized zipper pouch for your vet card and essentials that can clip to your saddle and a tumbler with a lid and straw.

1st place in the 30 mile ride was Caliente ridden by Mary Morrow, Best Condition in the 30 mile ride was Lance ridden by Shery Babyak.

1st place in the 50 mile ride was Hallie Rey Oma (Hallie) ridden by Teresa Waddell, Best Condition in the 50 mile ride was Freda Baskin (Jantar) Ridden by Lancette Koerner.

1st place and Best Condition in the 75 mile ride was TK Tiki (Egypt) ridden by Dennis Summers.

Thank you to all of the fun riders who participated in our ride. Hope to see you at our future rides.

At ride meeting this year we surprised our 5 year volunteers that helped at the last 4 Lead Follow Or Get Out Of My Way Rides and Jodie's 1st ever Endurance ride to manage the AAHA Halloween ride with a award for all their continued help. This includes volunteers Tom Dukerich, Elizabeth Young, Jim Tilman, Debbie Fleming, and A.D. Williams. We also celebrated the riders that completed all 5 years with a personalized framed photo by ride Photographer Susan Kordish of our favorite photos of them. The riders are Aileen Baca, Barb Debi, Greg Rose, Valerie Savino and Bruce Weary. At ride meeting we also had our ever popular horse name drawing that you need to be present to pick out your prize. We like the idea that riders have a chance to win something extra without having to worry about where they place in the ride.

We would like to also send out a huge thank you to head Vet Rick Poteste for vetting all 5 rides as well. We are so lucky to have such experienced, friendly and knowledgeable Vets including head Vet Rick Poteste, Greg Houser, and Mark Anderson.
Thanks again to Kurt and Gina Lander sponsor’s from Renegade Hoof Boots for donating items to our raffle, the winners were Dave Wisniewski with a boot bag, Ellen Rosenberg won a vest, Troy Eckard, Cheryl Johnson, Sandy Dory and Pam Bingham won boots. Also, our additional sponsors: Power RV-Barb & Doug Clausen, The Long Ride, Lucian Spataro, A.D. Williams, Pet Club, Platinum Performance and Jan Mutchler.

This ride would not be the success it is without the help of our volunteers. Volunteers can make or break a ride and are not easily replaceable. We had a grand total of 40 volunteers. We had positive feedback that most the riders were kind and pleasant to our volunteers. We thank the riders for that because it is so hard to get volunteers to help and we need to all be grateful to them.

We were thrilled to have back with us Master timer Steve Powers to help make the vet check run smoothly. He stepped back into the roll like he never was gone.

Trail markers were A.D. Williams, Clydea Hastie, Tammy Gagnon, Andrea Fix, Jacquie Martin, Amy Schnick, and Barb Clausen.
Checkpoint volunteers were Jenny Powers, Amy Schnick, Danny Meeker, Debbie Fleming, Roger Taylor, Paula Prather, Jim Tillman and Jennifer Leckman.

Base camp volunteers were Tom Dukerich, Elizabeth Young Julie Beltz & Mike McClaren, with our emergency horse trailer.
New rider briefing was conducted by Jenny Powers. We are so lucky to have the Pre Vet students from Tucson. They were Kaitlin Dickson, Madie Seltzer, Grace Fell, Aiden Tansey, Melissa Morgan, Alli Meaux, Jasmine Acosta, Caroline Manrubia, Susana Torres, Hayli Burdsal, Ashley Hintze, and Mollie Wiegand. They did In timing, P & R, Vet Scribe and Out timing.
Glow stick trail markers were Phil Martin, Susan Kramer and Bobby Kramer.

Trail take down was Joe Jajack, Julia Lynn Elias, Cristina Winemiller, Cheryl Johnson, Dennis Summers, Sue Summers, Taylor Pashong-Walck, and Barb Clausen.

As always thoughtful ideas of improvement are welcome and appreciated. Criticism and negative feedback are not necessary.
We also want to thank you our riders for supporting our rides. Your rider packet had an entry to fill out for our Bumble Bee ride January 23 rd. Get your entries in soon.
Hope to see you all there.

Thanks Jodie and Stephanie

The Foo: Endurance Horse in Training

Rarejourney-Laura Blog - Full Story

November 18 2015

I have been working with Foo since April of this year. I am actually one of the people responsible for Paula purchasing her as her next endurance prospect, along with her daughter Kathleen. Foo is not actually her registered name, but as we were leaving after looking at her, none of us could remember her name. And she had a lot of foofy hair. It was shorter then and all over the place, so Paula dubed her the Foo.

She was already well ahead of the game from Quick. She had just returned to her breeder and had been in show reining training for a short period of time. She was safe and had three gaits. Did I ever mention that Quick could not canter? It was more of two drunks in a horse suit, legs everywhere.

Foo had some setbacks, probably a couple bouts of ulcers. She would also get angry, and seemly stuck in this angry state. She also started losing her mind, she was just reacting. All the while she was still really safe, no spook none of the issues that Quick had that made him dangerous. Everything was coming to a head with Foo, it seemed as if this downward spiral was out of control. But I always had the feeling that this was the right horse, I just questioned if I could pull her out of where she was.

At first Foo was really good, we had a couple good rides then out of the blue it went south and I couldn't do anything with her. So much discussing with Paula about her, and lots of thinking on my part. In the end there were two options, she pulls through it and becomes Paula's next endurance mount, or she finds a new home. I took on the challenge...

Read more here:
http://rarejourney-laura.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-foo-endurance-horse-in-training.html

Great Britain: Katie Bedwin's Derriere Equestrian Endurance Season Roundup Blog 2015

Derriereequestrian Blog - Full Story

20 November 2015
Derriere Equestrian Endurance Season Roundup Blog

They say time flies when you’re having fun and that can certainly be said about the 2015 endurance season! It seems only yesterday that I was planning the events for the year, and now I’m reminiscing about what a brilliant season 2015 has been, whilst watching my horse’s grazing in the field on their winter break.

I always set a main goal for each competition horse at the start of every season so that all of my team now what we are aiming for and how we are going to achieve it. Every horse is different, and I am fortunate to have three current competition horses at different levels.

My aim with my top horse Elayla, was to complete our first CEI *** 160km, which we completed back in April in a respectable 2nd place. Since then Layla has gone above and beyond my expectations, picking up a 1st in a 80km YR class, 2nd in a CEI ** 120km and 3rd in the prestigious Red Dragon 160km...

Read more here:
http://derriereequestrian.blogspot.com/2015/11/katie-bedwins-derriere-equestrian.html?spref=fb

Speed Control

Horse-canada.com Blog - Full Story

by Chase Endurance | November 17, 2015

It wasn’t necessarily my best idea, but it seemed like a good training endeavour (for myself) to let my OTTB (OT) run as fast as he wanted through the single track trail at Golden Ears Park in Maple Ridge, B.C. My initial thought was that I should get used to not having steering or speed control while riding.

On the Adventurists website the author describes the Mongolian riding style as much different than the North American style of complete control. In fact, Mongolians “leave the horse a great amount of freedom in a given situation whilst they perform other tasks. They do not expect to completely control the horse but trust it to do its job and find the best way through. Therefore, if a western rider gets on a Mongolian horse and expects absolute control the Mongolian horses essentially rebel.”
I’ve also watched quite a few videos online about prior race competitors and their first rides on the Mongolian horses. I can only assume that the horses were rebelling from western control by trying to behead their riders by running under the tether ropes at break neck speed. Surely, if the new riders simply trusted their horses, they would have found a better way across the wide open steppe.

Luckily the trail I was training on has a significant elevation gain, which kept OT’s speed to a minimum, which further reduced any other possible risks of harm. It was exhilarating to say the least – dodging branches, suffering knee bruises, scratching my new helmet, getting leaves ground into my sunglasses and destroying stirrups...

Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/chase-endurance/speed-control/?utm_source=Enews+Nov+23%2C+2015&utm_campaign=EnewsNov232015&utm_medium=email

Big South Fork - Heather Reynolds

Reynoldsracing.us - Full Story

6 October 2015
by Heather Reynolds

This is long over due. After our 10,000 mile summer road trip and two weeks of fixing and organizing our property from being gone all summer as well as getting back into a routine with all of the horses that we had left at home, it was time to hit the road again for a measly 11 hour drive. We were heading to Big South Fork Tennessee for the AHA National Championship.

We booted up a few horses as well as putting on the Easyshoe Prototype shoe onto Honor.

We loaded up Rictik and Chachie for Jeremy, (they would do a slow 50 each) and King and Honor for myself (King would do the 100 and Honor the 50). It was an uneventful trip up. When we arrived it had been raining and camp was super muddy. We made some interesting manuevers that required not stopping the rig as we would have gotten stuck right then and there! We stopped rolling at the crest of a small rise and left it there for the weekend.

We got all set up and then visted with friends before the ride meeting. The first day Jeremy and our friend Misty would be riding our mare Kellora in the Ride & Tie. Misty has had Kellora all summer and she had trailered her to the ride. It was to be Misty and Kellora's first R&T. I would be running out to the 1 mile mark for a hand tie and then I would crew the rest of the day.

The next morning I was out on the trail waiting for the herd to come stampeding. It was pretty fun. Kellora led the charge, trotting. I grabbed her and Jeremy took off running. The horses started coming very shortly after that, Kellora was confused but really cool. She watched as riders jumped off and tied their horses and then took off running away from their horses. I can only imagine what she was thinking...

Read more here:
http://www.reynoldsracing.us/heathers_blog/view/531/big_south_fork

Great Britain: Sa’da Sekora meets the Red Dragon

Endurancegb.co.uk - Full Article

20 October 2015
by Gillian Talbot

A week before Red Dragon and Welsh Team Member Hannah Maskell has a lame horse and sadly has to withdraw from the 160km class – Jane Tennant rings me to ask if I would consider riding for Wales as I have an entry in the Red Dragon 160km CER and Sa’da Sekora is slotted into the vacant position.

The Friday before the ride is busy as a team member, but also good fun as we parade around the show ground with the Irish, Scottish & English Teams. Later that evening we welcome the visiting teams to Wales with drinks and canapés followed by wonderful singing from the local Welsh children and a hugely entertaining speech from the local Mayor of Builth Wells.

Saturday morning arrives, the mist is present and it’s cold. There is a good entry of 17 starters in the 160km class this year and we start out in the mist behind the car along the road. Sekora is quite chilled out in this her 2nd CER mass start and quite bemused by some of the antics going on around her. She settles into her wonderful ground covering trot and we are soon striding our way to the top of the first hill. We canter and trot through the mist to the first CP, take a slosh and trot off down the very familiar road...familiar to me that is.... my three companions suddenly veer off to the right, up the hill and away.... I am slightly behind them at this point so a bit bemused as I was not aware of a route change. As I get to the right turn I realise the markers are still taking me to the left so I trot on and shout at the top of my voice that they are going in the wrong direction!

The mist comes and goes which obscures the scenery but the turf rides extremely well, bit slick in places but far less mud around than in previous years. We are soon heading into the first vetgate and riding a section of route completely new to me.

Rob is waiting with a slosh and bucket, we check the pulse as I dismount, dropping nicely and settling well at 59 bpm so we pull off the saddle and head toward the vetting area....we are about to present in first place.....our ‘Team’ is hovering around us, ready to offer assistance if needed.... It is at this point I realise the vetting is to take place in a cow shed...

Read more here:
http://endurancegb.co.uk/main/news#2015102001

2015 AERC National Championship 100 Mile Ride on the Old Dominion Trail

Full Article

by Nancy Sluys
October 12 2015

The time leading up to the National Championships was filled with question as I tried to decide which horse to ride. Zanie (FYF InZane+/) and Able (R-Kons Able) were both showing that they may be ready. In my original plan Zanie would do the 100 but she had a minor lameness issue earlier in the summer that made me decide to ride Able in the 100 instead. A week before the ride Able developed a cough and had to be treated so fate decided that Zanie would be the one after all . A month earlier she had won reserve champion at the AHA Distance Nationals at Big South Fork in the 2 day 70 mile Competitive Trail Ride so I knew she was fit enough but the question of her previous soundness problem plagued me as the trail would be very tough. She had been feeling great and very sound since Big South Fork so I put my faith in my tough mare and headed to Orkney Springs on Wednesday. Although my ride wasn’t until Saturday I planned on crewing for some in the 50 mile championship on Thursday. This would also give Zanie a few days to get adjusted.
The week leading up to the ride was very rainy and I was concerned about the footing but being mostly on a rocky mountain the trail drained well and held up just fine. The camping field didn’t fare as well and part of it remained unusable throughout the week. Other than that, the camp was beautiful and reflected all the hard work done by the Old Dominion organization to make it ready for this national event. The hospitality was unmeasurable as smiling faces and helpful people were everywhere they needed to be all weekend.

Crewing for the 50 mile ride on Thursday was fun and I was proud of our group of riders and how well they did. Jesse Jarrett won Middleweight Champion, Gina Hagis won third overall and her horse, Lumina, reached her 3000 miles and Tom Hagis won 11th. Roxanne Ciccone did not fare as well as her horse, Mister, stumbled and received a puncture wound causing lameness and earning her a trailer ride back to camp. After the 50 mile awards I had organized a jam session to celebrate the day and treat the hard working riders and volunteers to some good southern music. Being a banjo and fiddle player I couldn’t let this event go by without a little celebrating! A couple of musician friends who lived nearby came to join Bill and I, as well as Paul Sidio from Missouri, who not only brought his acoustic guitar but his electric guitar with battery powered amp! As we searched for common ground we ran through a few fiddle tunes and folk and country songs and we were coming together nicely. As usual a request from the audience for Free Bird came up. Usually I would pass this one by but being a well rounded musician Paul knew it and grabbed his electric guitar and began playing. Everyone joined in and I managed to find my way on the fiddle and we pulled it off nicely!

Friday was filled with preparations for the big ride on Saturday. I organized and packed all the things that would be needed by my crew for the many vet checks along the way. I took Zanie out for a little shake down ride to make sure everything was a go and to stretch her out a little. She felt good to go. Becky Pearman, the ride photographer, was taking complementary portraits of all the horses and riders participating in the National Championship so I brought Zanie over for her picture.

Saturday dawned a little overcast but clear of the rain that fell the night before. The temperature was crisp in the 40s. The horses were eager as the ride started and trotted briskly down the gravel road heading for the right hand turn that would carry us up the mountain. We passed the smelly turkey farm that was now disgusting but later in the night would be would be welcome as it would signal the last half mile before the finish and we all hoped to be smelling it later! The riders were in a big line going up the mountain and I was in the middle of the pack with horses tightly packed in front and behind. Zanie kept her cool and did her job, briskly trotting up the mountain. When we reached the top and the water tank, the sun was just rising over the mountain where a nice view opened up and I was able to snap a good shot with my pocket camera.

The fall colors had intensified with the cool weather and the leaves were breathtaking, especially on the north side of the mountains. The ride was still tightly packed as we made our way into Bird Haven and the first vet check. I was at the end of a big group who were the first to arrive putting me at 16th place as I was timed in. My fabulous crew, husband Bill and friends Holly and Roxanne, started to get to work. Bill pulled the saddle and put the heart monitor on Zanie and her rate was dropping, 78,72,68, the gals put water on her neck and her heart rate shot up. She didn’t like that cold water at all so we quit the water and took her right in to the vetting area. She pulsed in at 58 and by the time we got to the vet her CRI was 56/48 causing the vet, Dr. Jim Baldwin DVM, to ask if I had trailered her into the vet check!! I had been a bit nervous about our fast pace coming into the check, covering the tough 15.7 miles in 1:44, but this information surely eased my mind! We had passed a bunch of horses right then on recovery and went out on the second loop in 11th place. I decided to let her move out and see where it got us.

The second leg to the Laurel Run vet check was 16.4 miles. They had changed the route from previous rides to allow riders to get further along the trail before dark due to the lateness in the year (the Old Dominion ride is in June). Instead of the long excruciating rocky climb we usually had, they replaced it with a shorter climb, less time on the slow rocky ridge and a 6 mile section of gravel road going down into Laurel Run. I was a bit nervous with the long downhill on gravel,worrying about Zanie’s soundness but she was moving well and had no intention of letting me slow her down. She acted like she knew what she was doing so I got out of her way and went with it. The riders were starting to spread out a bit as the trail had it’s challenges. I was still in the front group of riders, a position I am not as familiar with as I am usually more of a middle of the pack kind of rider but Zanie was moving easily and negotiating the mountainous terrain like the pro she is. We were having the time of our lives! By now I was mostly riding with Tom Hagis, Claire Godwin and Trish Juerling.

The horses were moving efficiently and enjoying the cool weather. The trail was sorting things out and the riders were not so tightly packed when we made it to Laurel Run. Once again Zanie’s pulse was down when we arrived so we wasted no time vetting in. She was starting to get really hungry and was looking for food. Since crews are not allowed at this location I was glad I had packed a bag to be sent there with her favorite alfalfa and peanut hays which she started to devour. I was getting hungry too and there was food provided at this stop but being gluten intolerant, I must be careful and they had sandwiches. I extracted the cheese and turkey from the bread, rinsed it off in a water bucket and I was good! After a 40 minute hold we left Laurel Run with Claire and her horse, Merc, and at that point we were in 5th and 6th place! Zane’s fast recoveries were working to our advantage.

We left Laurel Run by going up the same long gravel road we had come down to get there. The horses weren’t too happy with this plan and we kept having to convince them that it was the right way. We finally reached the turnoff to the right onto a single track trail, giving us relief from the relentless climb up the gravel road. This is one of my my favorite parts of the trail, along the spine of a long ridge, very alpine in nature, with lichen covered rocks. The horses picked up their energy with the change in direction and footing but soon the going became technical as the trail narrowed and became clogged with rocks and boulders. Zanie, being a mountain horse, was handling the terrain very well, placing her feet (which were protected with Easyboot Glue On boots) expertly between the rocks and maintaining a good steady pace. Claire and I were riding together at that point and we soon caught up to the front runners again, picking their way through the boulder and rock strewn trail. The pace here was slowed to a crawl but the scenery was spectacular and we were glad for the break as were the horses. The sun was starting to come out, making the colors pop! After a while the trail opened up a bit and allowed for some trotting. At one point, I’m not even exactly sure how it happened, I found myself at the very front of the ride for about a mile or so, it was a thrilling feeling! Of course Zanie has a way of setting a steady pace and sticking to it that is just a tick slower than most folks think they want to go, so I was soon passed. The 13.5 mile segment From Laurel Run to Bucktail Vet Check was shorter than the previous one in mileage but it took us much longer due to the rough terrain and we were glad to arrive at Bucktail and our longest hold at 50 minutes.

At Bucktail Vet Check, Bill, Holly and Roxanne were waiting for us with food for me and Zanie. She was going for the grain and carrots now, bypassing the beet pulp. The leafy, newly cut alfalfa was also on her menu and she once again chowed down ravenously as there had been very little forage on that last loop. Bill had stopped at a benefit barbecue on the way and had picked up some awesome chicken which hit the spot along with lots of fruit and coconut water. We were at 45.6 miles and I was feeling great. I was also using a new product called Tailwind Endurance Fuel which you can mix in your water bottle or Camelback that contains electrolytes, carbs and everything you need to keep going. It was working great for me and it was easier to keep sipping the drink than to remember to take electrolyte capsules, energy bars, etc. regularly and my stomach was feeling good, which can be a my weak link in a 100. Zanie took a little snooze after she had her fill of food and we were ready to hit the trail again. It would be about 25 trail miles until we would see our crews again with a 10 minute hold and a hospitality stop along the way and one of our longest climbs up and over Little Sluice Mountain.

On the 5.5 mile trail to the Wates Run Gate and Go we passed and were passed by other riders. We joined up for a few minutes with Meg Sleeper, who had been in the lead and had to slow down due to a lost shoe and rode we rode for a while with Lisa Green. Kathy Broaddus and Ann Mebane and Pam Karner passed us just before we came into Wates Run. After having just ridden with just Claire for quite a while the riders were bunched up together again as we came into the gate and go. Meg decided to pull since even with an easy boot as a spare, her horse was a bit off. Some folks took a little longer to pulse so once again we were more spread out when we all left for the 19.2 mile stretch to Big 92 where our crews would meet us. I was still riding with Claire and Merc (the 24 year old wonder pony!) and we were still making good time until Zanie hit her nap time. It’s been very consistent on her previous 100 mile rides that around 60 miles Zanie will slow way down for an hour or two and take a big break. I have learned that it is her self preservation kicking in and just go with it because no matter what you say she is going to just do her thing and she knows best. Claire was getting a little frustrated because Merc had buddied up with Zanie and didn’t want to leave her. She asked if I could convince Zanie to move along a little faster but knowing what Zanie’s answer would be she would have to take it or leave it. About that time we hit the big long climb and Zanie just wanted to walk it. Claire moved down the trail with Merc and soon they were around the curve and gone.

The sun was getting low and with the acute angle of autumn and the changing leaves, the light was golden. We were by ourselves now and the silence took over and I was able to slow myself down too and really take in the beauty of the day. My horse felt good and I was glad to know that she is wise enough to take a break when she needs to. This will be her 9th 100 mile completion and she knows her job. I was also getting a bit weary and needed the break, the tough trail was taking a toll. I got off and walked a ways to stretch my legs and gave Zanie a break from my weight. It seemed like the mountain went on forever but I didn’t mind because we were in the moment, just enjoying the day. After a while I heard some riders catching up to us. We tagged along welcoming the company. About halfway up the mountain we came upon some bear hunters in 4 wheel drives with dog boxes on the back. The dogs had their heads out and were baying at us as we tried to get past them. The trail was too narrow so we had to follow them up the mountain for a long time. We all moved up the hill slowly like a parade and when we finally got to a wide space in the trail they let us go by. We met many more hunters with trucks and dogs. Sometimes we passed them and sometimes they passed us, the dogs baying the whole time. It was a unique experience and a little frustrating at times but it was giving the horses a good break and us a dose of comedy. It was certain that this obstacle was giving the front runners a big advantage as we probably had lost 45 minutes on that mountain navigating the hunters and dogs. When we finally got to the top we took a turn that that pleased Zanie, she felt like it was taking us somewhere worthwhile and picked up a good trot. I guess her nap time was over. We came down a rough washed out logging road and arrived at the hospitality stop. There they had water, hay and grain for the horses. Zanie was famished and I let her eat there for a good while, staying 10-15 minutes after the others had left. I didn’t want to leave when she was so hungry and let her stay as long as she needed to even though I knew our crew at Big 92 was only about 3.5 miles away. Soon we headed off alone down the gravel road.

We came into Big 92 as the sun was setting and was surprised that they had changed the 40 minute hold to 30 minutes. I wasn’t exactly sure why they did that but maybe because it was cooling off they didn’t want the horses cramping up. I was chilly myself and added a jacket to my layers. Bill had heated up some soup and had it waiting for me in a thermos which warmed me right up. I fished around for my headlamp and got it adjusted on my helmet. We were ready to ride alone into the night. I love the night riding for the strong bond you feel with your horse. You really have to depend on each other and the communication runs deep. Zanie had picked up some energy with the rest stop and was moving nicely down the road. I knew we had about 5 miles or more to do on the gravel road and so decided to play some music on my phone. Zanie enjoyed the sounds and it helped with the rhythm of her pace and helped the time go by on the boring road. It seemed as though we climbed, although gradually, for miles and I got off again to stretch my legs and give her a break for a mile or so. When I got back on we developed a system of alternating walking and trotting to keep time on the grade. We turned off the road finally onto a woods trail but soon we were back to road. Suddenly we came upon the Laurel Run Vet Check for the second time that day. The 8 miles from Big 92 had passed quicker than I had expected. Our crews were allowed to meet us there that time.

Laurel Run was another 30 minute hold and the temperatures were dropping now into the upper 30s. Bill put a blanket around my shoulders so I wouldn’t get chilled and Zanie got a heavy wool blanket for her rump. I ate some more soup but Zanie wasn’t eating. We watched her closely but she seemed fine and had a good look in her eye so we decided that she was just taking a nap and didn’t get worried. I had stopped several times to graze on grass on the side of the trail before getting there so her belly was full. The 30 minutes seemed to fly by and soon we were getting ready to go again. As we were leaving camp I was told that we were still in 9th place.

We headed out of Laurel Run for the 13.4 mile stretch to Bird Haven. The trail has many technical areas and I knew the going would be slow so I warned my crew that it could be up to 3 hours before they would see me again. We followed a road for several miles and the climbs felt like they just kept coming. It was starting to feel like we had done twice as much up as down that day, could that be possible? I got off and walked a little more and just about the time I finished taking a pottie break and was getting back on my horse I saw a light coming and Tom Hagis had caught up to me. He had dropped back earlier in the day when Mustafa was slow to recover but they were picking up steam and he had made up 30 minutes since Big 92 to catch me. At that point, though, Mustafa only wanted to walk the hills there were lots of hills! Both horses were glad to see each other as they had been camp neighbors all week and they gave each other the motivation to continue at a faster pace. I had been riding alone for about 35 miles and I know Zanie was glad for the company and so was I. We trotted the flat sections and walked the hills, keeping our pace just a tick above 5 mph. We were almost to Bird Haven and our last vet check by that time and we were still running 9th and 10th with the nearest riders about 15-20 minutes behind us. Soon after we met up with Tom the trail turned rough and we had to pick our way through rocks and mud. Every time we thought we could trot for a ways an obstacle would slow us down. The horses were picking up strength but we had no where to go with it. We did end up making better time that I had predicted as we made it to Bird Haven in less than 2 and a half hours.

Bird Haven was just a short 20 minute hold and the vet advised us to get out on time and keep the horses moving down the trail so they would not stiffen up from the cold. Holly, Roxanne and Bill were getting really cold too and had spent the time in the truck trying to stay warm until I got there. Bill did have the camp stove set up and Roxanne had made some hot cider. I heated up some chicken from earlier in the day to give me a boost for the rest of the night. The hot food tasted really good! Before long we were mounting the horses again ready for our last 6.5 miles to the finish. About this time the next riders were arriving, we realized that if we just kept our forward motion going we would make it in to the finish and keep our placings. The horses were doing well. The trail for this last section is very technical with lots of rocks, mud, creeks and other obstacles to negotiate in the dark. I was thankful that I had packed a second head lamp as mine was fading. The going was slow but we kept pressing on, trotting wherever we could even if it was just a few strides. We came by the water tower we had passed in the morning and knew we were about 2 miles from camp. Pretty soon we started smelling it, the disgusting odor of the turkey farm we passed in the morning became the best smell ever as it meant that we were about to hit the gravel road and the last half mile before the finish line. As we trotted down the road we saw the lights of the finish line in the distance, we decided that we should tie and held hands as we crossed the finish line. There was a good sized crowd to cheer us as we ended our ride. Bill threw a blanket over Zanie and we hurried on to the final vet check before the cold set in. Zanie and Mustafa both looked good although understandably a little tired and both received their completions. Unfortunately one rider in front of us got pulled at the finish which made us now 8th place. We had done it, finished the 100 mile National Championship on the Old Dominion Trail and in the top ten!

For me it was a dream ride, everything just came together for us and flowed! I have my fabulous crew to thank for taking such good care of me and my wonderful mare. They went above and beyond, anticipating what we would need at any moment and they were truly a part of the team! Many thanks also go to the Old Dominion organization and the numerous volunteers who put together a first class event and made everyone feel well cared for and important. Every detail was considered and taken care of, it was just amazing. I was truly proud to be a part of it!

Happy trails, Nancy Sluys

Detours, Diversions and Transitions

Enduranceintrospection.com - Full Story

By Patti Stedman | September 19th, 2015

Life is a journey with almost limitless detours. (Ken Poirot)

This has been an unusual endurance season for me.

It started with a fairly abrupt end to any official involvement with the AERC organization. I dare you to find any non-profit, volunteer-driven organization that is without dysfunction, but the foibles and the characters within it were triggering my own shortcomings. I needed out.

This left me to focus on re-finding my mojo for 100-mile rides. I was just on the cusp of grasping, a ride in my sights, when my 100-mile horse, Ace, took a few wrong steps on a conditioning ride. Once, then again. Diagnostics. Ringbone. A month or two of clinging to the hope of a fairly simple fix, some shoeing changes, some joint support in the form of pharmaceuticals and a sad realization that it was not to be. It was too much to ask. I often spend a good deal of time worrying about imagined ‘off’ steps on perfectly sound horses; to ask one who might actually limp, whose retirement might be less comfortable, to carry me to some ego-induced goal? No. Just no.

My husband’s new horse was a bright and sparkly distraction from my disappointment. So much potential, some training and tack issues to resolve. Wynne and I kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a conditioning ride that started with me smugly “fixing” what I perceived as the holes in his training; it finished with a rough fall and a concussion when I pushed him past his tipping point.

Needless to say, I began to question my own competence...

Read more here:
http://enduranceintrospection.com/detours-diversions-and-transitions/

Lincoln Trail 2015

Shawneesunrisefarm.net - Full Story

by Keith Kibler
September 13 2015

The names of Endurance races/rides or whatever you feel compelled to call them, always make me tilt my head like a dog trying to figure out a tricky math problem.

Dead Dog Creek has a Creek but it is not “Dead Dog Creek” nor is a dog involved. “Barefoot Run” is decidedly not a good event to run barefoot. You get the idea.

“Lincoln Trail” used to be somewhere else but it moved to “Kinmundy” which is actually “Omega”, which is a beer sales one room package store (that also has great ice cream, about 12 residents and a dog that barks enough to entice campers to consider deadly force.) Actually, the nearest town is Salem Il. Illinois claims to be the “Land of Lincoln”, but Lincoln was actually from born in Kentucky. But, I digress, Lincoln Trail is in extreme Southern IL. It is on a trail, but Lincoln was never there.
It is also a fantastic ride and, I believe, a ride everyone needs to check out. Ruth Stewart has been putting it on since forever. The Mowrer family who have been hosting endurance rides for most re years than I know also help her.

To say they make you feel welcome would be an understatement. You can ride 50 miles, 30 miles, 100 miles, a novice 15 mile ride or do CTR. To say you have choices would be an understatement. Saturday night features a great potluck with wonderful deserts than Linda slaves over. Seriously, have you had a berry cobbler that is slow cooked in cast iron over a wood fire? The ride is worth going to for the desert alone. The trail is technical and almost always muddy in places. It is what it is. Slow down or you will wish you had.
I usually do the 100 here but my top mare, (Kate the twh really likes this course) is in foal. I sold my second 100 mile TWH, and I recently sold the standie, twh cross I had ready for this 100. So, I was out of 100 mile horses. My next in line horse was Southern Honey, a smokey black 6 year old twh mare. She had one 50 under her belt.

I really want to support this ride and have taken as many as 5 horses to it but this time I only competed one. I did take two others to play with so that my super crew (my friend David) could have something to ride after crewing. It has been about 90 degrees in southern IL but the night before the ride had the temperature drop to about 60.

My bride of 35 years was getting ready for a womens week of camping and riding in the Ozarks and she said that my taking the live aboard would leave her with a “less than clean” trailer. She coyly suggested I take the stock trailer and sleep in the truck. Yup, stock trailer time for me.

Southern Honey is a Pusher bred mare. I know these horses and have trained and competed three of them. They are, well, “emotional” and athletic. You can not bully one of them. If you fight with them you will both get tired and stuff will get broke and you might end up rolling around on the ground together. Seriously, you don’t need the wreck. But, if you can connect with their emotional side and win their trust, you end up with one super duper gaited endurance mount. I had BC’s with both the other ones I trained...

Read more here:
http://shawneesunrisefarm.net/wordpress/?p=425

2015 Canada NAETC - Heather Reynolds

Reynoldsracing.us - Full Story

Sunday, 30 August 2015

After Tevis we rested up for about a week at the Shackelford's house. During this week we also made a trip to the Tamberbey Winery in Calistoga to visit Barry and Jennifer Waitte. We had a very fun time seeing the beautiful winery and getting the full walk through of how things work. Amazing wine and great friends. We stayed in Yountville at the Waitte's house. It was a very enjoyable time. The next morning we had breakfast with one of my other moms, Jacqueline. It was fun catching up and visiting. The cameo visit from my highschool friend, Alethea was also amazing! We hadn't seen each other in over 20 years and we picked up right where we had left off.

After doing all of the paperwork for the Canadian border crossing with the horses and dogs and doing all of the summer planning it felt odd to be pulling out of CA. We had an excellent summer staying with Mike and Janet. We also made and stregthened some incredible friendships, old and new.

Onwards... we left in the early evening on Wednesday as the weather through the NV desert is brutal this time of year. Jeremy is an amazing driver and drove all through the night. In the early AM as the sun was rising I took the wheel. Our layover spot was Nebraska, we arrived there around 3 pm. The four horses were really happy to get out and relax. The horse hotel was queit and clean and run by a very nice lady. We stripped the trailer out, refilled mangers and took care of the horses. When all was done we unhooked the truck and drove to "The Restaurant". It was alright. We were seriously zoning out by this point. We went back to our trailer and crashed. Sleep was instant.

We got out of there for another long day to Iowa to stop at the Olson's for the weekend. We arrived on Friday. It was great to get out of the truck for a few days. The horses were happy too...

Read more here:
http://www.reynoldsracing.us/heathers_blog/view/519/canada_naetc

2015 Tevis - Heather Reynolds

Reynoldsracing.us - Full Story

Sunday, 30 August 2015

Tevis was great up until when it wasn't. My day started off perfectly with King behaving himself very well. He trotted along. King doesn't have a very fast trot as he is more of a cantering horse. The trot pace in general for the morning was around 10 mph, King is really comfortable around 8.5. My choices were trot faster than he goes naturally or canter bouncing around on a horse that was worried he was being left. I opted for the trot. I didn't feel the trot was so big that I was risking a strain or anything like that but it was bigger than ideal for King.

I was lucky that when I got to Granite Cheif I was in front of my group so I got to take my time through this section. King was a perfect gentleman. I did cause a bit of traffic by the end of it as many people were choosing to go faster through that rough section than I wanted to go. Just after the Wilderness area the trail opens up and the Cavalry charged on past us. It turned in to total mayhem for several miles. People were passing by galloping down steep, REALLY rocky sections. Impressive...not in a good way.

King trotted on like a professional. We reached the cabin trot-by and we had gone from somewhere in the top ten to somewhere around 30th I'd guess, after the stampede:)...

Read more here:
http://reynoldsracing.us/heathers_blog/view/518/tevis

Crewing Tevis 2015: It Ain’t Over til It’s Over

Redheadedendurance.com - Full Story

AUGUST 3, 2015 / REDHEADED ENDURANCE

This was my fourth year crewing Tevis and as ever there was much to see, plenty to learn, and lots of strategic waiting to do. The weather also threw a nice curveball, as Tevis is always hot but this year it was literally raining en route to Robie, as well at Robinson Flat on Tevis morning. Eventually the sun came out and upped the humidity factor nicely, too. If it wasn’t a big tasty bowl of challenges it wouldn’t be Tevis, right!

This year there were 10 Rushcreeks vetted into Tevis on Friday, here’s a fun group picture. Also interesting to note, 50% completed, in accordance with overall Tevis completion average.

I did my usual gathering of crew bags (including Dr. Lydon’s this year), dialing in of rider wishes (what do you want specifically met with, tack/clothes changes, highlighting small details not to be overlooked), and met my crew buddy. It was still impressively cool and grey as I headed back down to Auburn to my old friend Motel 6–aaand promptly proceeded to lock my keys in the truck while shuffling gear. Fortunately I’d just devoured a #2 Animal Style from In n Out so I was chuckling instead of raging when I called AAA. That was sorted out easily enough and before I knew it the alarm was pinging in the wee hours and it was time to head for Robinson Flat!...

Read more here:
http://redheadedendurance.com/2015/08/03/crewing-tevis-2015-it-aint-over-til-its-over/