Ovando's Hayes wins equestrian event

By the Missoulian

Suzanne Hayes of Ovando turned in the fastest overall time last weekend at the Pink Flamingo Classic Endurance Ride, which is an annual equestrian event held south of Cascade.

Hayes was one of more than 120 riders from around Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Montana, California and Canada that attended the two-day competition.

Hayes won the award for the overall fastest ride of the two 50-mile rides, finishing fourth on the first day and first on the following day.

Hayes has logged nearly 18,000 endurance miles and began riding when she was 11 years old with her mother. She has not missed an endurance riding season in 43 years and has also been a member of the U.S. Endurance team in international competitions abroad. Her horse, Tezero's Gold, has nearly 4,000 miles in competition and has completed in 12 100-mile rides.