Ed Anderson Completes Pacific Crest Trail to Canada

Hello Folks,

On 09-9-09 Primo and I reached Monument 78 located at the border of Canada. It is the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. We had left the border of Mexico on April 19, 2008. The scenery along this trail is beautiful and sometimes spectacular. This was especially true of the North Cascades of Washington - absolutely awesome. There the trail can sometimes be challenging. There was a tragedy about three weeks ago when a woman from Georgia lost both of her horses down a vertical cliff. They died on impact. Fortunately she had been leading. She pressed the 911 button on her SPOT and was rescued by helicopter. She had taken a part of a detour section that was considered dangerous to horses. I had bypassed that place. I am thankful that Primo is a relatively small horse (14.3 hands and about 900 pounds). He is very agile and sure-footed. He knows where to put his feet - and also where not to put them. We trusted each other and took care of each other.

The picture that I am attaching was taken on my camera by a thru-hiker from Finland who arrived at the border a few minutes after we did.

MendoRider - - - aka Ed Anderson in the other world

Rush Creek Reunion Endurance Race featured good terrain and weather for riders and horses

Thefencepost.com - Full Article

September 26, 2009

By Jo Chytka
Hemingford, Neb.

On a crisp September morning with the temperature at 56 degrees and the skies totally overcast 18 endurance racers were preparing to compete on the first day of the Rush Creek Reunion Endurance Race. Both days presented ideal racing conditions for both horse and rider with cool temperatures and a light wind until after 1:00 p.m. when it warmed a little and skies became partly cloudy through the finish of race time.

The location was a beautiful meadow alongside Rush Creek, surrounded by huge cottonwood trees creating a horseshoe shaped area for campers along with ride headquarters, staging areas for vetting the race, P & R (pulse and respiration) stations and a large area for cooling, resting and feeding horses during their mandatory downtime between each leg of their race.

The Rush Creek Land and Livestock's Arabian Horse Ranch, located one mile east of Lisco, Neb., hosted the AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) sanctioned race the weekend of Sept. 5 & 6. Horse Ranch Manager and Ride Manager Lyle Sherfey, along with his wife Teresa and 15 volunteers worked long hours on both days to provide a 25- and 50-mile race on both Saturday and Sunday along with a barbecue followed by an awards banquet each evening after completion of the races.

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Grahams grind it out on horseback

Mother-daughter duo excels in endurance events
Friday, September 25, 2009

Riding Chris Martin’s 7-year-old chestnut Arabian gelding, Monk, the Napa resident finished the technical course in 9 hours and 58 minutes. Graham, 27, finished 35 minutes ahead of the runner-up, Brad Green of Auburn, Calif., who rode his 10-year old Arabian cross gelding, Pawnee.
“I kept a very steady pace all day. People always passed me downhill, but I passed them uphill, and let (Monk) canter on the flats,” said Graham. “He has a very easy big canter and his heart rate drops significantly.”

The win came as a surprise to the Graham, who has 2,275 miles of endurance competition under her belt.
“The day just came together the way people dream of,” she said. “The Monk Man never slowed down. He gave me an incredible ride.”

A total of 61 horse-and-rider teams started the 100-mile competition at 5:30 a.m. Sept. 11 in the town midway between Redding and Reno. The trail varied from 3,800 to 6,100 feet in elevation, with spectacular views of Walker Lake and Lake Almanor. When the 24-hour time limit was up early the next morning, 42 teams had crossed the finish line.
“A 69 percent completion rate for such a high-level competition means that riders were really taking care of their horses,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. “It was a hot day, but the horses did great.”

At the Best Condition judging on Saturday morning, Graham’s horse was awarded top honors by the team of veterinarians who examined the top 10-placing horses.

“Monk looked great — bright-eyed, eating and drinking well, and just looked like a happy horse,” Graham said. “I am on cloud nine.”

Graham’s mother, Susan Graham Seibert, mounted her horse Phoenix Affair two days later to compete in the AERC’s 50-mile championship ride. Phoenix, who at 22 is one of the oldest competing horses in endurance, has racked up 4,120 endurance miles since 1993.

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The Nation’s Best Equine Athletes Race in Stillwater

SWHorsetrader.com

September 24, 2009

For the first time ever, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) will combine the National Endurance Ride and National Competitive Trail Ride into one week of exciting competition for the National Distance Championship set for October 27-31 at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Competition begins Tuesday, October 27, with the AHA National Championship 100-Mile Endurance Ride, coupled with three coinciding American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) sanctioned rides. The AHA National Championship competitive trail ride (CTR) spans two days, October 28-29. The last two days of competition will feature the AHA National Championship 50-Mile Endurance Ride on October 30 with Open rides on October 31. The Ozark Country Endurance Riders (OCER) will host a Halloween special, Witch Way Ride, on October 31.

Distance riding combines stamina, endurance and athleticism in ways few other equine disciplines do. Endurance rides are best described as a cross-country contest of 50 or more miles. Horse and rider cover a measured course within a specified maximum time at any pace they choose. Near every 20-mile mark, horses are examined by a veterinarian who has the power to pull a horse from the competition or put a hold on a horse-and-rider team, allowing time for the horse to rest and recover. An endurance ride is won by the horse-and-rider team that crosses the finish line first, although an award is also awarded to the horse that is in the best condition after finishing, as determined by a veterinarian.

In contrast to endurance riding, a competitive trail ride (CTR) is usually shorter, normally 25-50 miles. Riders are required to complete the ride within a certain window of time based on a speed of 6-8 mph and adjusted for difficult terrain and weather conditions. Riders who do not complete the ride within the time window will be either disqualified or penalized. The horse deemed winner is one that completed the course in the allotted time, while also maintaining the best condition, as determined by a post-ride exam.

The National Distance Championship is free and open to the public. Spectators are invited to base camp where the veterinarian check point is located and horses and riders transition from one leg of the race to the next.

The dates of the National Distance Championships coincide with that of the U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, about an hour and half away, giving horse lovers in Oklahoma plenty to watch in October. Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians, known for their versatility and athleticism will be on display at the National Distance Championships and U.S. Nationals for the public to enjoy everything from the grueling 100-mile endurance ride to the glitz and glamour of English pleasure and the excitement of working cow classes.

For more information visit ArabianHorses.org/competitions or call (303) 696-4500.

AHA is a major equine association serving 35,000 members across North America. It registers and maintains a database of more than one million Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses and administers approximately $3 million in annual prize money. AHA produces championship events, recognizes close to 600 Arabian horse shows and distance rides and provides activities and programs that promote breeding and ownership. For information about Arabian, Half-Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, call 303-696-4500, e-mail info@ArabianHorses.org or visit www.ArabianHorses.org.

Bear attacks horse at Aurora facility

Durangoherald.com - Full Article

The Associated Press
Monday, September 21, 2009

AURORA - A 500-pound black bear attacked a horse at a private boarding facility in the southwest Denver suburbs, wildlife officials said.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife said the horse suffered deep cuts on its neck and claw marks on its side early Friday morning.

DOW spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill said the bear likely will not stay in the area and that it may have gone back to the mountains where it came from.

Churchill said this type of attack is rare, and the animals may have spooked each other in the dark.

Wildlife officials said they found paw prints near the area leading toward the boarding facility and other prints leading toward the mountains.

"We don't think at this time this bear is going to stay in that area or go after livestock; it's a rare kind of situation," she said. The horse, named Cody, is expected to recover.

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AHC Supports Bill to Complete America's National Scenic Trails

September 21, 2009

The American Horse Council is pleased to announce its support of the Complete America's Great Trails Act (H.R.1912). This bill was introduced by Representative Gerry E. Connolly (D-VA) and Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) On April 9, 2009.

Hundreds of thousands of Americas enjoy recreational riding. Whether these recreational riders participate in short trail rides or much longer pack trips they often rely on public trails. It is important for the horse community to look for opportunities to increase the number of trail miles available to equestrians.

In 1968 the National Trail System Act was signed into law. This law allows Congress to designate a trail of particular natural beauty as a National Scenic Trail (NST). To date Congress has created eight NSTs, several of which are open to equestrians along all or part of their length.

Most sections of the eight NSTs are managed by the various federal land agencies and are open to the public. However, some sections cross private land to which access is limited or prohibited. Though the combined lengths of the NSTs are 14,600 miles, 3520 miles of these trails remain closed to the public.

This bill would create a new tax credit for private landowners who grant a conservation easement to a NST which crosses their property. It is hoped that this tax credit will encourage land owners to establish easements and complete the NSTs. Such conservation easements will ensure that many more miles of NSTs will be open to the public and users of NSTs will always have access to those portions of NSTs.

"More equestrians each year are riding NSTs like the Pacific Crest trail and the Continental Divide trail. NST are national treasures and they provide equestrians with a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of America just as early explorers and settlers did," said AHC President Jay Hickey. "We are happy to support a bill to that will help complete existing NSTs and make establishing future trails much easer."

"I encourage recreational riders who are interested in promoting this bill or in other efforts to expand recreation opportunities for equestrians to sign up for the AHC's grassroots program, the Congressional Cavalry. The Congressional Cavalry is composed of individuals who will contact their federal elected officials when national issues that impact the horse community arise. It costs nothing and requires little time, but such impute from constituents is very important your Representatives, Senators and the legislative process," said AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass.

To sign up for the Congressional Cavalry program, please email Ben Pendergrass at Bpendergrass@horsecouncil.org .

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Bridget Harrison
bharrison@horsecouncil.org

Edie Lehman Memorial Service

Edie Lehman, longtime Arabian horse trainer, judge, mentor and all around great gal passed away August 26, 2009 from a battle with cancer.

Known to all as a true horsewoman, Edie "was a rare and precious commodity: a horse trainer who put the welfare of the horse first. She left us too soon."

The memorial service for Edie Lehman will be a celebration of her life, starting at 2pm Sunday October 18th in the covered arena at Loomis Basin Equestrian Center in Loomis, California.

Crews airlift horse out of canyon

Photo by Ben Furtado

Auburnjournal.com - Full Article and more photos

By Jenifer Gee Journal Staff Writer

Owner says words cannot describe her relief

Emergency crews flew a 1,100-pound horse out of the canyon near Cool Thursday after the horse and its owner were trapped overnight.

Owner Alicia Hutcheson's voice quavered as she described the terrifying ordeal she and her 8-year-old paint-thoroughbred-cross horse Natasha endured when they were caught in the American River's strong current.

On Thursday, Hutcheson and Natasha were on firm ground surrounded by the crews that rescued them.

Hutcheson said Wednesday afternoon she and a friend decided to go for a ride in the canyon. She was sitting atop Natasha, who was about knee deep in the river to cool her legs, when the ground below gave away.

Hutcheson said Natasha was spooked and lunged forward, taking them both into the current as Natasha thrashed in the water until she was trapped in branches. It was at that point Hutcheson said she was certain death was imminent.

"She started flopping sideways," Hutcheson recalled. "Then I saw the sparkle go out of her eyes."

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Chile: Explore Chile's Most Striking Wilderness by Horseback

Luxurytravelmagazine.com - Full Article

September 17, 2009

There are many ways to take in the towering majesty of Patagonia and the lunar landscapes of the Atacama Desert. Led by first-rate guides and native gauchos who know the territory as well as their mounts, explora's Equine Experiences are an exquisite combination of natural beauty and adventure as only the back of a fine horse can provide.

If you've never had the pleasure of a wilderness adventure on horseback, you don't know what you are missing. Few modes of touring offer the same intimacy with the landscape or potential for excitement. From the warm, breathing mass beneath your saddle to the brush of trailside foliage on your skin to breathtaking canters up sand dunes, riding is a full-on experience – whatever your pace. Sure you'll be sore. But for a sensual take on the natural beauty of Chile, nothing beats a horse.

explora Equestrian Experiences are geared for riders novice through advanced. Guests delve deep into the Atacama Desert or Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia on English and Chilean saddles. The latter, designed for comfort by explora founder, Pedro Ibanez, is affectionately known as "the couch."

Unlike many equine operations throughout Chile and around the world, explora maintains its own horses at Hotel de Larache in Atacama and Hotel Salto Chico in Patagonia. Guests can look forward to well-bred, well-trained horses tended by caring hands and stabled on site or nearby.

Indeed, the professionalism is part of the draw. Gaela Hourcq, a French-born equestrian with 15 years of international experience at guiding, breeding, training and stabling – including winning the first-ever Torres del Paine National Park endurance competition in 2005 – oversees stable operations at both properties. In Patagonia, she is joined by gauchos who not only live the South American cowboy lifestyle but also portray it to their guests.

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THS '08 grad now tackling long, hard trails on horseback

Bethelcitizen.com - Full Article

September 17, 2009

By Alison Aloisio

When Lindsay Bean was a child, she owned her own pony and rode draft horses on her family's dairy farm.

But when she tried her hand at endurance trailriding at age 14, her casual love for equines turned into a drive for excellence.

Lindsay, a 2008 Telstar High School grad who is now studying biology at the University of Southern Maine, lived in Dixfield during her childhood.

She sometimes came to Bethel to visit her aunt and uncle, Tim and Joanne Korhonen. The Korhonens live just up the road from Tom Hutchins and Kathy Brunjes, who are both accomplished equestrians.

They offered Lindsay a chance to try out trailriding around their horse farm. And after a couple of months, they took her on a competitive ride.

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The Natchez Trace Endurance Ride

Mid-South Horse Review

September 26, 2009

By Karen Dely

Come ride with us at the Right Lead Endurance Ride on September 26, 2009. The trails are moderately difficult with some rock and hill, and ample water. There are great camping sites with a bathhouse, dump station and electrical hookups. Trails are shady and beautiful for a fall ride. This sport is open to any breed of well-conditioned trail horse and athletic riders.

In 1977 the Natchez Trace State Park held its first endurance ride. This ride started with 54 mile and 25 mile rides. The Natchez Trace ride was considered one the best rides in the country, drawing riders from as far as South Dakota, Australia, and Illinois. Al Stokes, Joan Hunt, Marie Threadgill, Pat Pugh, Ronnie McCollugh and Rudy Watkins were mentors of these rides, which continued until 1998. Back then this was considered a male dominated sport, but women are increasingly taking the lead on these rides. Dane Frazier rode this ride on an 1100 lb Quarter Horse with a 65 lb roping saddle with saddlebags on the back.

For more information, contact Karen Dely at 731-614-0902. Ride entry forms and more information available at www.aerc.org. Proceeds donated to the Equine Rescue and Protection Humane Society Inc.

Karen Chaton's Bryce Canyon 5-day report

Karen Chaton's Bryce Canyon 5-day report

I had a hard time deciding how many days to ride Chief. I really wanted to ride him all five days but then in the end decided that I really should ride Bo a day. I was glad that I did, because after I finished Bo was a little sore on a splint that he has on a front leg. When the vet palpated it, he made it noticeably sore. Fortunately it didn’t bother Bo by the next day but I still decided that I better not take him on the Virginia City ride.

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Over 200 horses evacuated as Los Angeles 'station fire' rages

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Nick West, H&H news desk

7 September, 2009

Over 200 horses have been evacuated from fire threatened areas of Los Angeles County, USA, as the so-called Station fire continues to threaten properties in the tinder dry hills.

Mary Lukens, Emergency Coordinating Officer for the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control, said: "I've got 115 volunteers and 3 rescue sites for the horses, spread over a 60 mile area.

"We have a very active horse community here with all types of horses from leisure, hunter jumpers, endurance to cattle horses. I run the equine response team. All our volunteers, evacuating the horses, are horse people."

The Station fire, so-called by the fire service because it started near a ranger station in La Canada Flintridge, has burned over 144,000 acres and is the largest conflagration in Los Angeles County history.

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Slow and steady wins this horse race

Santafenewmexican.com - Full Article

Horse's health a key factor in Caja del Rio endurance ride

by Staci Matlock

9/6/2009 - 9/5/09

Winning a 50-mile endurance ride depends a lot on knowing when to go slow.

The first horse and rider across the finish line is the victor, but only if the horse stays healthy.

The 17 horseback riders in Sunday's sixth annual Caja del Rio endurance event west of Santa Fe knew coming into the veterinary checkpoint too fast would raise their mount's heart rate and cost them valuable time. Marcelle Abbott and Philip Langenscheidt of Alamogordo finished the first 21-mile loop in two hours, but walked their gray Arabian horses toward the end and dismounted 100 yards from the check-in at base camp.

Their horses quickly met the "60 in 60" required pulse rate (60 beats in a minute). They were given a time 45 minutes later to start the next loop of the 50-miler. Horses that don't meet the test have to wait until they do, delaying the start time for their next leg of the race. "That penalizes a rider who comes in too hard," said Larry Nolen, a Pojoaque-based equine veterinarian who checked the horses as they came through.

Abbott and her 13-year-old gelding, Natta Lotta Gold — aka "Junior" — finished two 55-milers back to back in mid-August at the six-day Fort Stanton Pioneer endurance race. This was her first time at the Caja del Rio event. "I ride conservatively," she said, after Nolen had checked Junior over for any signs of lameness, dehydration, and digestive or heart problems.

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Ina Robinson lived Auburn history but stays grounded in today

Auburnjournal.com - Full Article

9/3/09

Community Portrait

By Michael Kirby

Ina Robinson's roots run deep in the Auburn area. You could best describe her as "Old Auburn," if there is such a description.

Robinson is a Robie — her grandfather was E.T. Robie, Placer County pioneer and founder of Auburn Lumber who, with a partner, formed the Placer County Bank.

E.T. Robie came out west to work for his uncles, the Towle brothers.

"The Towle brothers came out from Vermont and set up a lumbering business supplying timber for the western section of the Transcontinental Railroad and my grandfather came out to work for them," Robinson said.

E.T. Robie was Wendell Robie’s father and Robinson is Wendell's niece. Wendell Robie is the founder of the Tevis Cup 100 Mile Endurance Race.

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13 Fires Burning in California, Horse Evacuation Sites Available

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Jennifer Walker
September 01 2009

It's fire season in California, where a shortage of rainfall has resulted in dry conditions. As of Monday evening, there were 13 fires burning throughout the state.

In Southern California, the Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest near Flintridge had already burned more than 100,000 acres and was only 5% contained as of Monday evening. It destroyed 53 structures and threatened thousands of others.

Mandatory evacuations are in effect in several areas, with large animals being directed to Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. Pierce College is also accepting horses, donkeys, and mules.

In San Bernardino County, just over 1,000 acres have succumbed to the Oak Glen Fire. Although thousands of structures have been threatened, only one home has been damaged. Those under mandatory evacuation orders are directed to take horses to the Yucaipa Equestrian Center.

In Northern California, the 49er Fire in Auburn has burned 275 acres, much of which is residential. Fifty residences and 10 commercial buildings have been destroyed, and the fire was 70% contained as of Monday evening. Although mandatory evacuation orders were previously in place, they have now been lifted.

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Rush Creek Reunion endurance race planned Sept. 5-6

The Fence Post
By Jo Chytka
Hemingford, Neb.

Lyle Sherfey, horse ranch manager for Rush Creek Arabians out of Lisco, Neb., anticipates about 30 riders will compete in the upcoming endurance races to be held September 5 and 6, 2009. The beginning point of the races will be halfway between Lisco and Oshkosh on the south side of the highway; roads will be marked.

Four races will be run over the two-day event; two 50 mile races and two 25 mile races. Each day the 50 mile race will be started at 6:30 a.m. and the 25 mile race will follow at 7:30 a.m.

“Rush Creek Arabians has raised horses for the sport of endurance racing for over 50 years and have held the Reunion races for the past three. Lyle said, “All the races are AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) sanctioned. Riders may sign up from now until the morning of the race.

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