Omakchronicle.com
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008
Kim Black, Tonasket, finished all five days of the Owyhee Canyon lands Endurance Ride Sept. 24-28 in southern Idaho.
Out of four horses that participated in all five days of the ride, Black and her horse, Smooth, finished second. The duo covered the 260-mile course in 31 hours, 37 minutes.
The winner was about 50 minutes faster. Third- and fourth-place finished about an hour later.
The ride drew about 30 riders each day, with many opting to just compete for that day. On the last day only 15 horses started.
Canadian riders took four first places out of the five days, but none of the Canadian teams tried for all five days.
Riders had the choice to enter day by day in either the 30-mile limited distance course or the 50- to 55-mile endurance course.
Riders also had the choice as to whether they wanted to travel slowly and enjoy the canyon land views or move along to try for one of the top 10 finishing positions, reported Black.
“There are time limits for each distance, which include the mandatory veterinary exams to assure every horse is fit to continue,” she said.
Black and Smooth had top 10 finishes on three days - sixth, fifth and seventh.
Black attributed her and Smooth’s success to careful management during the ride as well as to their veterinarian (who also is the horse’s chiropractor) and the horse’s farrier.
“Both are very supportive in helping Smooth reach optimum performance,” Black said.
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