Articles about astonishing Rides, Rescues and Horse Races

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The Long Riders Guild Academic Foundation-
The world’s first global hippological study

Articles about astonishing Rides, Rescues and Horse Races

Listed here, for the first time, are some of the amazing endurance races and astonishing rescues. Most of them are desperate journeys for help by men and women trying to save the lives of their comrades, or to stay alive themselves. In some cases, the horse takes his rightful place as hero of the hour; in others he is simply a necessary means of transport, and in a very few, sadly, he dies to save people trapped in desperate circumstances.

As most people know, the Turkomen people of Central Asia routinely rode up to 100 miles a day when raiding other tribes. Their horses were then expected to travel 100 miles back again at full speed, carrying the loot, which usually included a woman! These stories show that people of European origin were capable, when necessary, of travelling extraordinary distances too. They are listed in chronological order, with the earliest at the bottom of the page.

1945 - Mules for China - A description of the difficulties that were encountered, and lessons learned, when 900 mules were herded 750 miles from Burma into China in 1945.

The 300 Mile Endurance Ride of 1919

Forgotten Heroes - the 20,000 mile horse trek across the US starting in 1912. This story is on the Internet equestrian news website, Horsetalk, and can also be found on The Long Riders' Guild website.

The Great Horse Race from Evanston, Wyoming to Denver, Colorado in May, 1908.

Four short articles entitled "Pony Race from Chicago to Atlanta" (1895), "Cowboys in Long Race between Deadwood and Omaha" (1902), "President Disapproves of Long Race" (1902), and "Tables Turned on the Cowboys" (1893).

A Contest of Endurance: Horses to run Against Bicyclists for Seventy-two Hours - 1894.

Bicyclist caught Runaway Horse - Rode a Half-Mile Race to Save the Life of a Little Child - 1894.

Calamity Jane's crazy horse race.

Anything goes - America's first Great Endurance Race, from Chadron to Chicago in 1893.

The Horses of Central Asia - a fascinating Russian military study translated by British Military Intelligence in 1883. Click here to go to the section of this document which deals with amazingly long journeys.

Historic Horse Drives.

George Cheney made a wild ride in an attempt to save an entire village when the Williamsburg dam burst in 1874.

Ride for Help! It was 1866: Surrounded, low on food and ammo - the only hope was Fort Laramie, 235 miles away. Could he make it?

Clarintha's Long Ride - The Old West had many courageous and hardy women pioneers, but the ride of this woman surpasses all in female bravery.

The incredible story of "Pony Bob" Haslam - most famous of the Old West Mounted Mailmen.

Remme's Race for a Fortune. For six days he rode relentlessly on, hardly daring to sleep in this fantastic, little-known horseback race against time in 1855.

Ride through the "Journey of Death." In 1851, the Apaches wanted John Cremony's horse, and they were determined to get it.

Juan Flaco - California's Paul Revere. Juan Flaco's 1846 feat remains one of the truly great sagas of American history. He rode 52 hours to carry a message for help for the Los Angeles garrison, covering more than 400 miles.

Dick King's 600-Mile Ride. In 1842 a young Englishman, hunter and wagoner rode 600 miles in ten days on one horse - to get help.

A Message to Kearney. Colonel John Charles Fremont rode from Los Angeles to Monterey and return in 1827 to carry an extraordinary message to General Stephen W. Kearney.

The Tremendous Ride of Post Rider Israel Bissell. In 1775 Israel Bissell went much further, much faster, rode much longer, and was probably responsible for the muster of many, many more patriots than Paul Revere was.

Dick Turpin's Famous Ride from London to York in 1735.

USEF: Valerie Kanavy to Receive Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award

By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY - Endurance legend Valerie Kanavy will be honored at the USEF Annual Meeting during the Pegasus Awards Dinner on January 17, 2009 when she will receive the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award.

Named for international endurance rider Maggy Price, who was a Silver medalist at the 1992 World Championships and a pioneer for the sport, the award honors the athlete who earns the most points in selected Ranking Trials during the ride year. This year, Kanavy will have the distinction of receiving an award that she, her husband Larry and Gold Medal Farm sponsor in honor of Price.

Kanavy earned points in six 160km competitions in 2008, winning four to finish on top of the Ranking List, besting 90 Ranked Riders. Kanavy had a very successful year across the board. She also won the American Endurance Ride Conference 100 mile Championship riding King Ali Gold in October. Shortly thereafter, she rode Flash Flame to a 25th place finish out of 127 competitors at the Endurance World Championship in Malaysia.

The award is presented annually at the Pegasus Awards Dinner during the USEF Annual Meeting and the trophy is on display at the USEF headquarters in Lexington, KY.

USEF Eligible Athletes Forum

FROM: James Wolf, USEF Executive Director of Sport Programs

DATE: November 21, 2008

RE: USEF Eligible Athlete Forum


A USEF Eligible Athlete Forum has been scheduled to discuss the development of the USEF Athlete Agreement. This meeting will take place at The Tavern on the Green located at 3401 Equestrian Club Rd, Wellington, Florida on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00 PM EST time. This meeting is open to USEF Eligible Athletes from all disciplines and will be hosted by Chester Weber, Chairman of the Athlete’s Advisory Committee; Sonja Keating, USEF General Counsel and James Wolf, USEF Executive Director of Sport Programs.


Please respond to Christy Baxter on your availability by either email: cbaxter@usef.org or by phone: 908-326-1152.

USA: Sleeper gets quite a jolt in Malaysia

NJ.com - Full Article

by Nancy Jaffer/for The Star-Ledger
Saturday November 22, 2008

A night ride through the Malaysian jungle during monsoon season sounds more like an Indiana Jones adventure than the World Endurance Championships -- especially after it became a harrowing cliffhanger for U.S. team member Meg Sleeper of Kingwood Township.

Sleeper, who returned last week from the competition, was riding her homebred Arabian Syrocco Reveille beside another U.S. competitor, Jan Worthington, on Nov. 9 when a bolt of lightning struck the ground by their horses, sending sparks flying as a clap of thunder followed. Worthington's mount, ironically named Golden Lightning, smacked into Reveille as both spooked horses galloped off the trail and into the jungle.

Sleeper's first thought?

"We're dead."


More...

Australia: Lachlan riders complete Shahzada

Cowra Guardian - Full Article

21/11/2008

This year was the 28th anniversary of the Shahzada, a 400km endurance marathon held each year at St Albans near Wiseman’s Ferry.

This ultimate test of endurance riding is run over a 400km course of 80kms a day for five days.

This year was different from the last three, when the McDonald Valley was gripped by drought. There had been good rains and the river was flowing strongly, and together with beautiful sunny days, it was a fantastic scene after last year’s EI-affected event.

The course is varying from flat hard gravel roads, to climbs up and down steep rocky tracks and some lovely sandy trails along the ridges through national parks and private property.

The event this year was held from August 25-29, although riders and horses start to gather at the village of St Albans from the Wednesday before to allow the horses time to settle in and recoup from their sometimes long float trip.

It also allows riders time to relax and socialise before the marathon begins.

This year there were the usual blend of interstate riders, although following the enforced “detention camp” of 2007 due to EI, numbers were down considerably.

More...

Passing: AERC Hall of Famer Jeri Scott

From Julie Suhr:

AERC Hall of Famer Jeri Scott's life was celebrated today at the Santa Clara County Horsemen's Grounds following her funeral services. Jeri was elected to the AERC Hall of Fame in 1989 for her dedicated service as a volunteer treasurer for many years.

The following from a letter she sent about a year ago when she knew her time was limited is quite poignant.

I have so many wonderful memories of all the hours with Pistol and riding with friends, endurance rides, meetings, board meetings, conferences, banquets, parties, QSER and AERC and all that both organizations meant to me. And all the behind the scenes hard work I did with both clubs as a member and a board member. I put in a lot of hours with QSER and even more with AERC crunching numbers. Bill Waters paid for an accountant to help me put together all the QSER paperwork, volumes of paperwork, to apply for non-profit status with IRS. Then there was the thrill of winning the IRS QSER audit. I prepared so hard for that audit and I won. I often wonder if QSER ever really understood that they could have lost their non-profit standing that day. Everything hung on that audit turning out well. I don't think the board members were that impressed at the time which was a bit of a downer for me but later in the week Pistol and I took a trail ride in QS park and we had our very special and rare treat of jelly donuts and I took along a small bottle of Champaign, most of which spilled due to being carried in a saddle bag, and we celebrated winning the audit. I have so many memories of debates over issues in QSER and AERC, the limited distance program, weight issues, juniors, protests, and always the budget and financial problems. It was a wonderful era with many changes going on.

I have so many wonderful memories of the time I spent with Pistol and the special bond we had, trail rides alone in the park where we just rode slow and enjoyed the experience or I just hung around in the pasture and watched him and the other horses interact or spent time grooming him and talking with him. And of course the endurance rides. Him with his front foot on the bumper of the camper bouncing it up and down trying to hurry me along with his hot bran and shredded carrot breakfast. Me calling him on my way back to the camper after a ride meeting and his answering me. All the smells of the morning at the beginning of an endurance ride, hot horse poop and horse sweat and excitement. I close my eyes and I am back there. The pride of finishing ride after ride on a horse no one but me had faith in to begin with. The pride of finishing Tevis. The respect that the vets and riders alike eventually gave the fat little horse who could and did.

When I think back I have a panorama, a smorgasbord, of the most wonderful thrilling memories anyone could have. I could write a book. In fact I always was going to write a book but I waited to long.

I shared everything with Pistol. My problems, my wins, my loses. We had a bond like no other and it spilled out and overflowed into my life and my work with both clubs. Well, now I've made myself cry and crying is not good. It makes my incision hurt. It has to be remembered that without Pistol I would never have become involved with QSER or AERC. Pistol was the glue that put it altogether.


I know Pistol was her first horse and when he died, I don't think she ever rode again. His saddle and her boots were at the services.

Julie Suhr

2009 FEI Rider and Horse Registration and Renewal Information

Release: November 14 2008

Lexington, KY— Following the decision of the General Assembly FEI Registration has been mandatory for all riders and horses competing in FEI competitions since January 1, 2006. Beginning January 1, 2009, any points acquired at a Competition where the rider or horse are not registered for that Competition year will not be included in the cumulative points. Competitions may not let these riders and/ or horses compete.

However, registration is not required for riders and horses who participate only in the FEI Children’s Competition and Challenges. Since October 2006, ranking points for rider and/or horses not registered are no longer taken into account.

FEI Registrations are Mandatory and must be renewed before entering your first FEI Competition each year. You must have this registration if you are competing in the following:
• CSI: Jumping
• CCI or CIC: Eventing
• CDI: Dressage
• CAI: Driving
• CRI: Reining
• CEI: Endurance
• CVI: Vaulting
• Para Equestrian

To renew your current FEI Rider Registration or complete a new FEI Rider Registration:
• The Rider must be an active USEF Member
• The Rider must be a U.S. Citizen

To renew a current FEI Horse Registration or complete a new FEI Horse Registration:
• The horse must:
1. Have an active USEF Life Recording
2. Be recorded with the correct owners
3. Have a current FEI or National Passport on Record with the USEF
4. Have an active USEF Member as an owner that is also a U.S. Citizen

To locate the FEI Registration Application:
http://www.usef.org/contentPage2.aspx?id=formspubs

FEI Registrations are Mandatory for All Riders and Horses competing in any FEI International Event. This number is free for riders that are under the age of 18 as of January 1, 2009 or riders competing in Para-Equestrian events only. For all other competitors, the Rider Registration is $15 and the Horse Registration is $15. It may take 4 weeks to process the FEI Registration. A Rush Fee of $30 will apply if the registration is received one week or less before the competition.

Please note: The FEI does not issue cards for FEI Registrations.

You may find your FEI Rider Registration Number when you sign-in through “My USEF Account” (also known as Authorized User Account) at www.usef.org. If you have registered for FEI since 2006 your number will appear along with the status of your renewal. The FEI Horse Registration Number will appear under the owner’s “My USEF Account” (or Authorized User Account) along with passport information regarding the status of the passport. These numbers will also be listed under Searches/ FEI Registrations on the USEF website. Please check to see if your registration is listed prior to leaving for the competition.

You may also find the Registrations on the FEI Registration lists at www.horsesport.org under FEI Registration Lists. If your registration has been completed, your number will appear on the website.

FEI Registration Number Searches: Competition Management can now go to www.usef.org under searches and locate the FEI Registration Number for Any or All USA FEI Horse and Rider Registrations.

Please note, as of December 1, 2007, a Current FEI Passport or a USEF National Passport is mandatory for any 1* or 2* Event except Endurance Competitions within the United States. All other FEI Passport Rules apply.

For more information, please contact Andrea Kimmel at akimmel@usef.org.

Trio conquer the Arizona Trail

Kingmandailyminer.com - Full Article

Sunday, November 09, 2008

800-mile trek "validating," Jackson says.

Traveling 800 miles across the state on horseback can do a lot to an individual.

For Dr. Ken Jackson, Molly Johnson and Kevin Morgan, the experience of following the Arizona Trail has changed them. They have learned more about themselves and each other than they ever have in the past.

"It's very validating for myself," Jackson said. "I'm different, even though I didn't expect to be."

Joined by family and friends during various parts of the 800-mile Arizona Trail, the three rode continuously for six weeks.

Part of the purpose of the trip was to honor the Arizona Trail, Jackson said.

"It's a magnificent state," Jackson said. "It's a magnificent trail."

Jackson, 60, has his own medical practice in Kingman and is known as the Cowboy Baby Doctor. During the last 30 years, he has served the Apache Tribe on the Whiteriver Reservation, the Hualapai Tribe at Peach Springs and the Havasupai Tribe in the Grand Canyon.

Jackson has known Morgan for more than 10 years. The pair had talked about making the voyage from the Utah border to the Mexico border for the past eight years, Jackson said.

More...

Nevada Day Parade

Washoevalley.org

Nov 8th, 2008

More from the Nevada Day parade. East Washoe Valley resident Jacquelyn participated in this years parade and I asked her about their cool group and the beautiful costumes and she sent this in:

The Parade Arabians were established by a local Vet and her Husband
and have been participating in parades for over 10 years to
highlight the Arabian breed, wearing native costumes. (ex: Lawrence of Arabia)
They are mostly a group of endurance riders (endurance rides take place in natural-rural
settings whereby the horse & rider compete for time for 20 miles, 50 miles, 75 and sometimes
100 mile rides. There are Vet checks during endurance rides to ensure the horse
is fit enough to continue.
Great group of folks!
We will be participating/riding in the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Reno this Tuesday.

Thanks Jacquelyn and we’ll see you at the next parade!

Memorial gift Helped Fund Cherry Valley Analysis

Nature.org

Gift in Maggy Price Potter name supported study of the valley she loved

Snydersville, Pa. - Oct. 31, 2008 - A major gift in memory of the late Margaret Price Potter (Maggy), of Snydersville, to the Nature Conservancy supported a study that looked at whether the environmental and economic conditions are right for a new national wildlife refuge in Pennsylvania's Cherry Valley.

The Conservancy's efforts contributed to the scientific foundation of a report, issued Oct. 31 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that recommends moving forward with establishment of a refuge in the Monroe County valley, not far from where Maggy found joy in riding her beloved Arabian horses.

The gift by John S. Potter Jr. in memory of his late wife supported a year-long study evaluating the biological value of the natural communities within Cherry Valley, and the environmental and socio-economic feasibility of establishing a national wildlife refuge in the area.

"I wanted to do something outdoors, something that would have a real impact on the land in northeastern Pennsylvania," said Potter, noting that Cherry Valley is just 15 minutes from the 189-acre farm where Maggy raised and rode her horses. She was well known through out the area as a champion endurance rider.

Potter, a retired international banker, said he wasn't aware of the status of the long-standing effort to establish a new national wildlife refuge before he contacted The Nature Conservancy about a gift in his late wife's memory, but "Cherry Valley turned out to be the kind of thing we wanted to do."

"Cherry Valley is a lovely area and it’s well worth preserving," commented Potter, who traces his relationship with the Conservancy back to the 1980s and his native Colorado.

If approved, the refuge at Cherry Valley will be the first national wildlife refuge in the Northeast states in at least a decade and only the third federal refuge in Pennsylvania.

U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski (Pa.-D-11th) and Rep. Charles Dent (R-15) co-sponsored a bill in 2005 to consider Cherry Valley as a prospective national wildlife refuge. A year later Congress approved the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Study Act, which required the completion of the study by this month.

In a report based on that study and released today, the service evaluated the potential and offered three alternatives, including the "preferred alternative" of establishing a refuge protecting up to 20,000 acres in Cherry Valley. The other alternatives include a smaller refuge or taking no action on the proposal.

The service worked closely with the Conservancy to establish the scientific foundation for the study. The full study team also included representatives from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Monroe County Conservation District, Monroe County Planning Commission, National Park Service, East Stroudsburg University, Northampton Community College, and Pocono Avian Research Center.

The Cherry Valley area harbors several federally endangered species, including northeastern bulrush and dwarf wedge mussel. Endangered bog turtles also inhabit the valley. Rare plants in the valley include spreading globeflower, a member of the buttercup family, and grass-of-Parnassus.

The southern edge of the valley is formed by the Kittatiny Ridge, a globally important flyway for birds of prey, including bald eagles and broad-winged hawks during their annual fall migration. Numerous neo-tropical songbird species, such as Cerulean warbler, nest in the forests along Kittatinny Ridge.

While Maggy didn't ride her Arabian horses in the Cherry Valley, it was the type of place she valued as an outdoorswoman and champion endurance rider.

Maggy was a member of the U.S. Equestrian Team that in 1992 brought home a silver medal in endurance riding from the World Equestrian Games in Barcelona, Spain. She personally captured a bronze medal. She also was a past president and long-time member of the board of directors of the American Endurance Ride Conference, the governing body for the sport in the U.S.

Monroe County residents also knew her as the widow of the late Ray Price, of Ray Price Motors in Stroudsburg.