KER.com - Full Article August 22, 2012
What's it like to train for and ride in endurance races? How can an interested rider get started in this discipline? Kelsey Kimbler, an endurance rider sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, shared some information about her favorite sport.
When did you start riding, and how did you become involved in endurance riding?
My sister Kirsten, the oldest of us four girls, got Winnie, our first Arabian. Winnie was five years old and Kirsten was ten. She started showing at local Arabian horse shows and decided she wanted to show at the regional and national level. We started adding horses, and I began showing in walk-trot when I was eight. In 2004 I was the Canadian National Hunter Pleasure Walk-Trot Champion with my horse SR Diamond Lakota. Kirsten and my dad started endurance in 2003 after reading an article in the Arabian Horse Magazine about the Tevis Cup. That article ignited a spark that led us down this endurance path. After a few years of dividing our time between endurance and showing, we decided to focus on endurance! We love riding together as a family and spend our entire summers traveling to endurance rides.
Who are your influences in the sport?
We were very fortunate to cross paths with our family's mentor, Canadian rider Myna Cryderman, in our earliest days of endurance. She lives relatively close to us, about six hours straight north. She is still a great friend and mentor but somewhat retired from competitive endurance, choosing to go at a more leisurely pace now with her granddaughter Lyric, who is just getting started in the sport. I was also truly blessed last summer to get to train with John Crandell who won Tevis the two times I was there. I learned so much from him during that time, and I was able to ride his horse Motyf at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) last year. When I applied for the World Championship, I asked if he would consider coming to groom for me and my horse Cody and was so grateful when he agreed.
What is the most exciting part of endurance competition?...
Read more here:
http://www.ker.com/news/2012/08/9-questions-for-ker-sponsored.html
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Hunterdon rider is highest placed American at World Endurance Championship
NJ.com - Full Article
August 27 2012
By Lillian Shupe/Hunterdon County Democrat
NEWMARKET, UNITED KINGDOM — Margaret “Meg” Sleeper, who was a last-minute substitution, was the highest placed American at the Longines FEI World Endurance Championship on Saturday, Aug. 25.
The day started out pleasant at Euston Park, but throughout the day the weather deteriorated into heavy downpours and severe thunderstorms. Due to the extreme weather, officials had to call the race off for the safety of the horses and riders. In an unusual finish to an endurance race, several riders were placed based on the position they were in at the time that the race was called, but the majority of the riders finished the sixth and final loop.
Sleeper finished 11th but since she was riding as an individual, her score did not count toward the team score. The team finished fourth.
Sleeper and Syrocco Reveille had a ride time of 07:49:11, averaging 20.46 kph...
Read more here:
http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/08/hunterdon_rider_is_highest_pla.html
August 27 2012
By Lillian Shupe/Hunterdon County Democrat
NEWMARKET, UNITED KINGDOM — Margaret “Meg” Sleeper, who was a last-minute substitution, was the highest placed American at the Longines FEI World Endurance Championship on Saturday, Aug. 25.
The day started out pleasant at Euston Park, but throughout the day the weather deteriorated into heavy downpours and severe thunderstorms. Due to the extreme weather, officials had to call the race off for the safety of the horses and riders. In an unusual finish to an endurance race, several riders were placed based on the position they were in at the time that the race was called, but the majority of the riders finished the sixth and final loop.
Sleeper finished 11th but since she was riding as an individual, her score did not count toward the team score. The team finished fourth.
Sleeper and Syrocco Reveille had a ride time of 07:49:11, averaging 20.46 kph...
Read more here:
http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/08/hunterdon_rider_is_highest_pla.html
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Oregon 100 Hosts 50-mile Appy Nat'l Championship
8/19/2012
The Oregon 100 on September 15 near Brothers, Oregon, is also hosting the 50 mile Appaloosa National Championship Endurance Ride (ANCER) running consecutively with the 50 mile ride start. If you have a Registered Appaloosa and your horse is enrolled in the ApHC Distance Program and you have at least 100 distance miles accredited to your horse, then you are AUTOMATICALLY qualified to enter this championship ride.
You can find the ANCER entry form here: http://www.appaloosa.com/trail/national-champ.htm
You must enter BOTH the Oregon 100 ride and the ApHC's ANCER independently. Let's get those Appaloosas on the championship ride and let them SHINE! =) .
The Oregon 100 on September 15 near Brothers, Oregon, is also hosting the 50 mile Appaloosa National Championship Endurance Ride (ANCER) running consecutively with the 50 mile ride start. If you have a Registered Appaloosa and your horse is enrolled in the ApHC Distance Program and you have at least 100 distance miles accredited to your horse, then you are AUTOMATICALLY qualified to enter this championship ride.
You can find the ANCER entry form here: http://www.appaloosa.com/trail/national-champ.htm
You must enter BOTH the Oregon 100 ride and the ApHC's ANCER independently. Let's get those Appaloosas on the championship ride and let them SHINE! =) .
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Downed rider’s home receives upgrade
Auburnjournal.com - Full Article8/15/12
Cool woman adjusting to wheelchair
By Amber Marra, Journal Staff Writer
Friends and family of an injured horseback rider from Cool have come together to bring her ranch up to snuff before she comes home this weekend.
Crystal Costa's ranch has been alive with activity the last few days as neighbors, friends and family work to make her home handicap accessible.
Costa, 50, of Cool, was thrown from her horse while she was training in July for the Tevis Cup near the Francisco's checkpoint. Her horse was startled when a passing mountain biker's wheel slid out in loose gravel.
The fall broke two vertebrae in Costa's back, her eye socket and her nose. The mountain bike rider, Jon Hyatt, of Granite Bay, was in fifth place in the Tahoe-Sierra 100 at the time, but he stayed with Costa until help arrived and has visited her in the hospital since then.
Costa has been in recovery at a San Francisco rehabilitation center since her fall, but has not regained her ability to walk, according to her friend and neighbor, Dan Schafer. He said she will be home from the center by Saturday.
"Her attitude is as aggressive as ever to get back on a horse," Schafer said.
Schafer said that despite having a positive attitude and working hard at the rehabilitation center, his friend he trained with for the Tevis Cup for so long will be bound to a wheelchair...
Read more here:
http://auburnjournal.com/detail/215467.html?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=crystal&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Back Country Horsemen of America Double Diamond Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2012
Contact: Peg Greiwe, BCHA
1-888-893-5161
Back Country Horsemen of America Double Diamond Award
By Sarah Wynne Jackson
As the United States’ leading organization defending our right to ride horses on public lands, Back Country Horsemen of America are people who pursue excellence in all they do, from clearing trails and repairing bridges to promoting horse-friendly legislation. Appropriately, they go out of their way to recognize those who go above and beyond with the Double Diamond Award.
Recognizing Excellence
Established in 2003 by the National Board of Directors, the Double Diamond Award honors special projects and programs that best exemplify collaborative spirit, community awareness, and devotion to the mission and purpose of BCHA. Eligible projects and programs include, but are not limited to, trail maintenance, trail construction, trailhead construction, educational programs and youth programs.
Applications are judged on the scope and purpose of the project; the ways that the project improved access or benefited the general public or public lands; what was involved in organizing the project; and how the project was accomplished from conception to completion. Applicants may include letters from agencies or private parties that worked with them on the project. Winners are announced at the Back Country Horsemen of America National Board Meeting annual banquet.
Last year, there were six nominations for the Double Diamond Award. As is true every year, all the nominations are outstanding. They demonstrate the broad spectrum of work, dedication to the job at hand, and love of the back country that typifies Back Country Horsemen of America.
Winner of the 2011 Double Diamond Award: John Burns of Salmon River Chapter of BCH Idaho
Demonstrating great initiative, John organized the first annual Heritage Days, a successful two-day event giving participants a taste of back country living, held at Sacajawea Center in Salmon, Idaho. Programs covered many BCH interests such as Leave No Trace, navigating the Rockies without GPS, and packing demonstrations, to illustrate life in the Salmon River area before it was settled.
All Back Country Horsemen activities were held in a camp-like atmosphere, called Camp Discovery. The chapter provided all tents, equipment, handouts, brochures, and maps for the event. The winner of this year’s Double Diamond Award covered all points of the BCHA mission statement: it involved the public (especially youth), was informative to the public, and everyone, volunteer and visitor alike had a fun.
Selway-Pintler Wilderness Chapter of BCH of Montana
The chapter submitted for consideration several projects they worked on this past year, including their Back Country Youth Day. Partnering with Future Farmers of America and 4-H students, this program gave local youth a glimpse into the “back country” lifestyle, such as packing and Dutch oven cooking.
This BCH chapter also provided labor and pack support to Forest Service employees for restoration of the May Creek Cabin on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in western Montana. These hardworking folks used horses and mules to haul 43 loads of shingles, cement, tar paper and native rock, weighing over three tons, a total of 172 miles from the trail head to the cabin site.
John McGray and Annette Howell of Los Padres Chapter of BCH California
Although the Gifford Tank Project required the effort of many volunteers, it was John McGray and Annette Howell’s leadership, very typical of BCH members, that made it happen. John realized that the water tank above the old Gifford Ranch house was seriously dilapidated. Located east of Santa Maria on California Department of Fish and Game land and surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest, it provides water to a system of troughs used by livestock and wildlife.
Annette secured financial assistance from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and a new tank was purchased in 2010. The Forest Service supplied a helicopter to fly the new tank in to the location and fly the old tank out. This project is another great example of how Back Country Horsemen of America folks work with other groups to accomplish a common goal.
Everett Lewis of Traildusters Chapter of BCH Washington
Exhibiting the “can-do” attitude seen in many BCH members, Everett Lewis expanded on a previously produced poster titled “What a Horse Sees,” which educates hikers and cyclists about what to do when they encounter a horse on the trail.
Everett gives many presentations on this topic at cycle shops but did not have visuals, which he felt would explain the message with more clarity. After many hours of preparation and filming, Everett has produced a short video he shows to the public, which is also posted on YouTube. In addition, he created a website and a Facebook page. His efforts have helped make the trails safer for all user groups when coming upon horses on the trail.
BCH of Central Arizona
This nomination is a glowing example of how Back Country Horsemen of America members seek to share trails and solve conflicts amicably rather than exclude other trail users. An unfortunate incident between equestrians and mountain bikers on a trail brought attention to the issue of riders and cyclists using the same trails. Some riders believed that horses had priority over cyclists, as equestrians had created, built and maintained these trails.
Jim and Gayle Higgs and other chapter members along with the Prescott Trail Safety Coalition, an organization formed by bikers and hikers, came together to work out solutions regarding trail use amenable to all parties. The two groups were able to resolve the situation and horses remain on the trails.
Bud Bailey of Priest River Chapter of BCH Idaho
This project at Trail Creek Trail, part of the trail system of the northern Cabinet Mountains of Idaho, took three years to complete. The trail head had no amenities, inadequate parking, and horse use was limited due to the lack of a turn-around for rigs and poor connector trail access to the rest of the trail system.
Under the leadership of Bud Bailey, the chapter and members of the community volunteered their time, labor and materials to construct horse corrals, highlines, hitch rails, tent pads, ample parking, and a modern vault toilet. They also refurbished the connector trails. The result is a modern, user-friendly trail head for all trail users to enjoy.
About Back Country Horsemen of America
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes in regards to the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands.
If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com, call 888-893-5161, or write PO Box 1367, Graham, WA 98338-1367. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!
August 14, 2012
Contact: Peg Greiwe, BCHA
1-888-893-5161
Back Country Horsemen of America Double Diamond Award
By Sarah Wynne Jackson
As the United States’ leading organization defending our right to ride horses on public lands, Back Country Horsemen of America are people who pursue excellence in all they do, from clearing trails and repairing bridges to promoting horse-friendly legislation. Appropriately, they go out of their way to recognize those who go above and beyond with the Double Diamond Award.
Recognizing Excellence
Established in 2003 by the National Board of Directors, the Double Diamond Award honors special projects and programs that best exemplify collaborative spirit, community awareness, and devotion to the mission and purpose of BCHA. Eligible projects and programs include, but are not limited to, trail maintenance, trail construction, trailhead construction, educational programs and youth programs.
Applications are judged on the scope and purpose of the project; the ways that the project improved access or benefited the general public or public lands; what was involved in organizing the project; and how the project was accomplished from conception to completion. Applicants may include letters from agencies or private parties that worked with them on the project. Winners are announced at the Back Country Horsemen of America National Board Meeting annual banquet.
Last year, there were six nominations for the Double Diamond Award. As is true every year, all the nominations are outstanding. They demonstrate the broad spectrum of work, dedication to the job at hand, and love of the back country that typifies Back Country Horsemen of America.
Winner of the 2011 Double Diamond Award: John Burns of Salmon River Chapter of BCH Idaho
Demonstrating great initiative, John organized the first annual Heritage Days, a successful two-day event giving participants a taste of back country living, held at Sacajawea Center in Salmon, Idaho. Programs covered many BCH interests such as Leave No Trace, navigating the Rockies without GPS, and packing demonstrations, to illustrate life in the Salmon River area before it was settled.
All Back Country Horsemen activities were held in a camp-like atmosphere, called Camp Discovery. The chapter provided all tents, equipment, handouts, brochures, and maps for the event. The winner of this year’s Double Diamond Award covered all points of the BCHA mission statement: it involved the public (especially youth), was informative to the public, and everyone, volunteer and visitor alike had a fun.
Selway-Pintler Wilderness Chapter of BCH of Montana
The chapter submitted for consideration several projects they worked on this past year, including their Back Country Youth Day. Partnering with Future Farmers of America and 4-H students, this program gave local youth a glimpse into the “back country” lifestyle, such as packing and Dutch oven cooking.
This BCH chapter also provided labor and pack support to Forest Service employees for restoration of the May Creek Cabin on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in western Montana. These hardworking folks used horses and mules to haul 43 loads of shingles, cement, tar paper and native rock, weighing over three tons, a total of 172 miles from the trail head to the cabin site.
John McGray and Annette Howell of Los Padres Chapter of BCH California
Although the Gifford Tank Project required the effort of many volunteers, it was John McGray and Annette Howell’s leadership, very typical of BCH members, that made it happen. John realized that the water tank above the old Gifford Ranch house was seriously dilapidated. Located east of Santa Maria on California Department of Fish and Game land and surrounded by the Los Padres National Forest, it provides water to a system of troughs used by livestock and wildlife.
Annette secured financial assistance from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and a new tank was purchased in 2010. The Forest Service supplied a helicopter to fly the new tank in to the location and fly the old tank out. This project is another great example of how Back Country Horsemen of America folks work with other groups to accomplish a common goal.
Everett Lewis of Traildusters Chapter of BCH Washington
Exhibiting the “can-do” attitude seen in many BCH members, Everett Lewis expanded on a previously produced poster titled “What a Horse Sees,” which educates hikers and cyclists about what to do when they encounter a horse on the trail.
Everett gives many presentations on this topic at cycle shops but did not have visuals, which he felt would explain the message with more clarity. After many hours of preparation and filming, Everett has produced a short video he shows to the public, which is also posted on YouTube. In addition, he created a website and a Facebook page. His efforts have helped make the trails safer for all user groups when coming upon horses on the trail.
BCH of Central Arizona
This nomination is a glowing example of how Back Country Horsemen of America members seek to share trails and solve conflicts amicably rather than exclude other trail users. An unfortunate incident between equestrians and mountain bikers on a trail brought attention to the issue of riders and cyclists using the same trails. Some riders believed that horses had priority over cyclists, as equestrians had created, built and maintained these trails.
Jim and Gayle Higgs and other chapter members along with the Prescott Trail Safety Coalition, an organization formed by bikers and hikers, came together to work out solutions regarding trail use amenable to all parties. The two groups were able to resolve the situation and horses remain on the trails.
Bud Bailey of Priest River Chapter of BCH Idaho
This project at Trail Creek Trail, part of the trail system of the northern Cabinet Mountains of Idaho, took three years to complete. The trail head had no amenities, inadequate parking, and horse use was limited due to the lack of a turn-around for rigs and poor connector trail access to the rest of the trail system.
Under the leadership of Bud Bailey, the chapter and members of the community volunteered their time, labor and materials to construct horse corrals, highlines, hitch rails, tent pads, ample parking, and a modern vault toilet. They also refurbished the connector trails. The result is a modern, user-friendly trail head for all trail users to enjoy.
About Back Country Horsemen of America
BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes in regards to the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands.
If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com, call 888-893-5161, or write PO Box 1367, Graham, WA 98338-1367. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
WEC Bound - Heather Reynolds
ReynoldsRacing.usby Heather Reynolds
Monday, 13 August 2012
Picture above is of the actual container the 3 horses are loaded into before being put on the plane. That is disinfectant in the pic as well.
After Tevis, on Sunday morning just after the Haggin Cup judging, Jeremy and I loaded up Cleo and Stirgess and headed back to Lake Tahoe. We drove 2+ hours East, unloaded and cared for Stirgess and Cleo and then loaded up Kutt, Marvel and Kingley and headed West.
6 hours of heading West later, around 8 pm we arrived in San Jose at our pasture. Kingley got to go out but Kutt and Marvel were offered a drink and saddled up. We couldn't afford to not ride them as we had an 18 mile beach ride scheduled for 7:30 am Monday morning (low tide) and we did not want a tie up. As we cantered along in the dark, I smiled and laughed as I told Jeremy that I bet no one else who rode Tevis the day before was galloping in the dark on Sunday night!
The beach ride went really well on Monday and Wed. Becky and Pete joined us too. Friday we rode once more and then all throughout the week our amazing body worker, Dixie Snyder worked on us and the horses multiple times. Very awesome.
The horses were scheduled to fly on Tuesday. On Friday we were told that it would be a few days delayed! After a lot of back and forth, the horses needed to be at the airport earlier than the original plan. They needed to be at Jetpets at LAX at 3 pm on Sunday. We carpooled and had all three horses in Becky and Judith's rig by 8 am and we were headed South...
Read more here:
http://www.reynoldsracing.us/heathers_blog/view/405/wec_bound
The “Easy Team” Takes Top Four Places in the Western States 100-Mile Trail Ride
Arabianhorseworld.com - Full Article
August 13 2012
by Genie Stewart-Spears
Of the 206 competitors that left the starting line on August 4, 2012, in the 57th Annual 100-Mile Western States Trail Ride (aka Tevis Cup), only 98 would cross the finish line within the 24-hour timeline and receive their well-deserved belt buckle. For most, that was the only quest — to earn the prestigious belt buckle. But for a few, the goal was to win or top ten the event that traverses the rugged and sometimes dangerous and unforgiving Sierra Nevada mountains and canyons.
Past Tevis winners and current U.S. World Championship team members going to Great Britain this month (on different horses), Jeremy and Heather Reynolds were strong contenders but were unable to complete. Jeremy was out within 4 miles of the start when his horse went off the trail and plunged 25-30 feet down a cliff. Reynolds was battered but okay, and his mare Cleopatrah (*Calin De Louve x SRF Calera) required sutures from the fall. His wife Heather was going strong on Stirgess (*Virgule Al Maury x Star Path) with the leaders until 85 miles, when a sudden lameness took her from the competition. Although disappointed, Heather said, “We got rid of any bad luck so London should really be awesome!...”
Read more here:
http://www.arabianhorseworld.com/live/breaking_news/2012/08/tevis-cup/
August 13 2012
by Genie Stewart-Spears
Of the 206 competitors that left the starting line on August 4, 2012, in the 57th Annual 100-Mile Western States Trail Ride (aka Tevis Cup), only 98 would cross the finish line within the 24-hour timeline and receive their well-deserved belt buckle. For most, that was the only quest — to earn the prestigious belt buckle. But for a few, the goal was to win or top ten the event that traverses the rugged and sometimes dangerous and unforgiving Sierra Nevada mountains and canyons.
Past Tevis winners and current U.S. World Championship team members going to Great Britain this month (on different horses), Jeremy and Heather Reynolds were strong contenders but were unable to complete. Jeremy was out within 4 miles of the start when his horse went off the trail and plunged 25-30 feet down a cliff. Reynolds was battered but okay, and his mare Cleopatrah (*Calin De Louve x SRF Calera) required sutures from the fall. His wife Heather was going strong on Stirgess (*Virgule Al Maury x Star Path) with the leaders until 85 miles, when a sudden lameness took her from the competition. Although disappointed, Heather said, “We got rid of any bad luck so London should really be awesome!...”
Read more here:
http://www.arabianhorseworld.com/live/breaking_news/2012/08/tevis-cup/
Friday, August 10, 2012
Crook County hosts world championship ride and tie
Libby Volk photo
Centraloregonian.com - Full Article
July 21 2012
by Lon Austin
Endurance athletes from around the world descend on Ochoco Mountains for event
Eleven-year-old Spencer Wilde held his hat high in the air.
As Wilde swung his hat toward the ground, 35 pairs of runners and horseback riders started out across an open meadow, beginning the 42nd annual Ride and Tie World Championship.
Dust swirled in the air as runners and riders hit a dusty trail starting the 33-mile endurance race high in the Ochoco Mountains.
“I thought it went pretty well,” said Ben Volk, Ride and Tie Association President, and part of the race’s winning team. “It was a good course. We like to have the winning team finish in between four and four and a half hours and we were about 4:20, so that’s about right.”
Teammates took turns running along marked trails, or riding on horseback as racers struggled with the heat along the trails near Bandit Springs.
Volk, 47, and his teammate, Dennis Summers, 53, along with their horse OMR Tsunami, surged to the lead midway through the race, and held on to win in a time of 4:22. Defending race champions Jim (57) and Sarah Howard (20), riding Magic Scirocco, came in second in a time of 4:32, while Mary Tiscornia (67) , and Mark Richtman (57) on Nero finished close behind in third place with a time of 4:36.
At the other end of the spectrum, Jennifer Nunoz (33), and Karen Perkins, (46), riding L.P. were the final team to finish with a time of 10:20. Perkins struggled the entire race, getting lost several times and even breaking a finger in the first mile of the race. She ended up covering an estimated 40 miles over...
Read more here:
http://www.centraloregonian.com/PCOSports7.shtml
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Toth secures Haggin Cup
Auburnjournal.com - Full Article
8/7/12
Photos by Michael Kirby here:
http://auburnjournal.com/detail/214561.html
Fourth-place finisher gets high marks for horse health
By Amber Marra, Journal Staff Writer
Rusty Toth, of Durango, Colo., was awarded the Haggin Cup after last weekend's Tevis Cup.
Toth rode Farrabba, otherwise known as Stoner, an 11-year-old Arabian, to a fourth-place finish Saturday night. After the 100-mile ride, Farrabba was not only deemed able to go on by veterinarians at the finish, he was also determined to be in the best condition, securing the Haggin Cup.
The Haggin Cup is reserved for the one horse in the best condition out of the top 10 finishers of the Tevis Cup, which is an annual endurance ride that draws competitors from around the world.
Kathie Perry, president of the Western States Trail Foundation, said vets look at how the horse has recovered throughout the race and evaluate if it would be able to continue riding.
"The key thing is the horse's soundness, if you could get back on that horse and go another 50 miles," Perry said.
During this year's Tevis Cup, 98 of the 205 riders that started the ride crossed the finish line and 40 of those finishers received their first ever completion buckles, according to the Tevis Cup website.
Garrett Ford, also of Durango, Colo., finished first this year with his wife, Lisa, in close pursuit. Kevin Myers, also of Durango, finished in third place with Toth right behind him.
Shannon Constanti, of Auburn, came in at fifth place a little more than an hour after Toth. This was Constanti's fifth Tevis Cup and has placed in the top 10 three times.
Read more here:
http://auburnjournal.com/detail/214735.html?content_source=&category_id=2&search_filter=&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=
8/7/12
Photos by Michael Kirby here:
http://auburnjournal.com/detail/214561.html
Fourth-place finisher gets high marks for horse health
By Amber Marra, Journal Staff Writer
Rusty Toth, of Durango, Colo., was awarded the Haggin Cup after last weekend's Tevis Cup.
Toth rode Farrabba, otherwise known as Stoner, an 11-year-old Arabian, to a fourth-place finish Saturday night. After the 100-mile ride, Farrabba was not only deemed able to go on by veterinarians at the finish, he was also determined to be in the best condition, securing the Haggin Cup.
The Haggin Cup is reserved for the one horse in the best condition out of the top 10 finishers of the Tevis Cup, which is an annual endurance ride that draws competitors from around the world.
Kathie Perry, president of the Western States Trail Foundation, said vets look at how the horse has recovered throughout the race and evaluate if it would be able to continue riding.
"The key thing is the horse's soundness, if you could get back on that horse and go another 50 miles," Perry said.
During this year's Tevis Cup, 98 of the 205 riders that started the ride crossed the finish line and 40 of those finishers received their first ever completion buckles, according to the Tevis Cup website.
Garrett Ford, also of Durango, Colo., finished first this year with his wife, Lisa, in close pursuit. Kevin Myers, also of Durango, finished in third place with Toth right behind him.
Shannon Constanti, of Auburn, came in at fifth place a little more than an hour after Toth. This was Constanti's fifth Tevis Cup and has placed in the top 10 three times.
Read more here:
http://auburnjournal.com/detail/214735.html?content_source=&category_id=2&search_filter=&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=
Friday, August 03, 2012
SOS - Sweep Riders of the Sierra's
SOS.wstrail.orgAugust 3 2012
Sweep Riders Of the Sierra’s (SOS), is an all-volunteer riding group established to provide safety and on-trail communications for endurance events on the Western States Trail and other Northern California locations.

Our responsibility during these events is to "sweep the trail," that is, to follow the last few runners or riders and assure that no one is lost or injured.
Each sweep team is comprised of 2 to 3 riders, sweeping one section of the trail from 7 to 20 miles in length before being relieved by a fresh team. Over some parts of the course, we also deploy a second mounted team in the middle of "the pack" to provide added coverage.
SOS Team Leaders are experienced riders who are also licensed amateur radio operators. Using hand-held HAM equipment, they keep contact with the central Event Control station while traversing the sometimes remote and otherwise inaccessible trail. GPS equipment is also carried so as to provide accurate location information to emergency rescue units, such as MedEvac helicopters.
Team Members each carry a full pack of survival and first aid supplies. In the event of an incident on the trail, involving injuries or otherwise, teams also gather informationfor review by Event management, Comm management and SOS itself.
SOS riders will participate in the Tevis Cup on August 4.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Volunteers help hold together Tevis Cup
Auburnjournal.com - Full Article
8/1/12
Some have been involved for more than 20 years
By Amber Marra, Journal Staff Writer
Judy Suter knows that the Tevis Cup isn't just about the horses and riders; it's about the army of volunteers that help make the whole event happen.
Suter is the head volunteer coordinator for the Western States Trail Foundation and oversees the 800 volunteers it takes to make the 100-mile race happen every year.
Of those 800 volunteers there are 40 head volunteers stationed throughout the various checkpoints throughout the race.
Horses have to be checked by a veterinarian at each stop to ensure they can continue on. If they can't, the horse and rider are pulled from the race.
Each checkpoint has around 30 volunteers and usually four veterinarians. Some of the busier checkpoints can have up to 70 volunteers, according to Suter.
Volunteers are responsible for giving riders their timecards so they can know when they were in and out of the checkpoint and at some stops giving weary horses and riders food and water.
Suter, who has two Tevis buckles of her own, knows how exhausting the ride can be and how important the stops are.
"I may ride again someday, but I was doing so many endurance rides at one time I ended up deciding to help with the ride instead," Suter said...
Read more here:
http://auburnjournal.com/detail/214296.html
8/1/12
Some have been involved for more than 20 years
By Amber Marra, Journal Staff Writer
Judy Suter knows that the Tevis Cup isn't just about the horses and riders; it's about the army of volunteers that help make the whole event happen.
Suter is the head volunteer coordinator for the Western States Trail Foundation and oversees the 800 volunteers it takes to make the 100-mile race happen every year.
Of those 800 volunteers there are 40 head volunteers stationed throughout the various checkpoints throughout the race.
Horses have to be checked by a veterinarian at each stop to ensure they can continue on. If they can't, the horse and rider are pulled from the race.
Each checkpoint has around 30 volunteers and usually four veterinarians. Some of the busier checkpoints can have up to 70 volunteers, according to Suter.
Volunteers are responsible for giving riders their timecards so they can know when they were in and out of the checkpoint and at some stops giving weary horses and riders food and water.
Suter, who has two Tevis buckles of her own, knows how exhausting the ride can be and how important the stops are.
"I may ride again someday, but I was doing so many endurance rides at one time I ended up deciding to help with the ride instead," Suter said...
Read more here:
http://auburnjournal.com/detail/214296.html
Enroll in AMHA's Newest Program and Win Prizes!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Christina Koliander
chris@morganhorse.com
(802) 985-4944 ext. 402
SHELBURNE, VT—Do you compete with a half Morgan? Are you beating others in the open arena? If your answer is yes, consider enrolling in AMHA's newest competition recognition program dedicated solely to half Morgans!
Patterned after AMHA's Open Competition Program, the Half Morgan Competition Program (HCMP) is divided into five distinct divisions: Open Show, Dressage, Carriage/CDE, Eventing, and Endurance/Competitive Trail. Horses are accepted in the program with an initial enrollment fee, with nominal renewal fees annually thereafter.
As part of enrollment, the sire or dam of the half Morgan must be registered with AMHA and the name must be known and will be verified. Full-blooded Morgans are ineligible for this program. All horses, owners, and those who compete with the horse must be AMHA members. Points are accumulated following each competition and submitted for year-end awards in each division.
"The Half Morgan Recognition Program was established in the fall of 2011 because AMHA perceived a need to honor horses with Morgan breed crossings," said AMHA Executive Director, Julie Broadway. "We wanted to recognize the beauty and fine traits that the Morgan horse passes on to its offspring, regardless of the cross. Half Morgans frequently have characteristics similar to their Morgan parent--big hearts, strong work ethics, intelligence, and versatility."
For more information on this exciting new program, visit www.morganhorse.com/competitions/hmcp or contact Taylor Royals at (802) 985-4944 ext. 401, email taylor@morganhorse.com.
Founded in 1909, the American Morgan Horse Association is a non-profit organization serving more than 50,000 Morgan horse owners, breeders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts throughout the United States. AMHA serves as a parent organization to more than 90 recognized Morgan horse clubs and national service organizations.
For more information on America’s original horse breed, contact the American Morgan Horse Association, Inc., 4066 Shelburne Road, Suite 5, Shelburne, Vermont 05482; (802) 985-4944; www.morganhorse.com.
Contact: Christina Koliander
chris@morganhorse.com
(802) 985-4944 ext. 402
SHELBURNE, VT—Do you compete with a half Morgan? Are you beating others in the open arena? If your answer is yes, consider enrolling in AMHA's newest competition recognition program dedicated solely to half Morgans!
Patterned after AMHA's Open Competition Program, the Half Morgan Competition Program (HCMP) is divided into five distinct divisions: Open Show, Dressage, Carriage/CDE, Eventing, and Endurance/Competitive Trail. Horses are accepted in the program with an initial enrollment fee, with nominal renewal fees annually thereafter.
As part of enrollment, the sire or dam of the half Morgan must be registered with AMHA and the name must be known and will be verified. Full-blooded Morgans are ineligible for this program. All horses, owners, and those who compete with the horse must be AMHA members. Points are accumulated following each competition and submitted for year-end awards in each division.
"The Half Morgan Recognition Program was established in the fall of 2011 because AMHA perceived a need to honor horses with Morgan breed crossings," said AMHA Executive Director, Julie Broadway. "We wanted to recognize the beauty and fine traits that the Morgan horse passes on to its offspring, regardless of the cross. Half Morgans frequently have characteristics similar to their Morgan parent--big hearts, strong work ethics, intelligence, and versatility."
For more information on this exciting new program, visit www.morganhorse.com/competitions/hmcp or contact Taylor Royals at (802) 985-4944 ext. 401, email taylor@morganhorse.com.
Founded in 1909, the American Morgan Horse Association is a non-profit organization serving more than 50,000 Morgan horse owners, breeders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts throughout the United States. AMHA serves as a parent organization to more than 90 recognized Morgan horse clubs and national service organizations.
For more information on America’s original horse breed, contact the American Morgan Horse Association, Inc., 4066 Shelburne Road, Suite 5, Shelburne, Vermont 05482; (802) 985-4944; www.morganhorse.com.
FOSH Gaited Distance Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2012
Contact Person: Teresa Bippen
Tbippen1957@yahoo.com
Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) is pleased to announce the first distance recognition program for gaited horses beginning in 2013. The Gaited Distance Program promotes FOSH Sound Principles by recording mileage of the gaited distance horses competing in veterinarian sanctioned endurance, limited distance or competitive trail events and recognizes, honors and rewards the work of that horse. Each year’s program will run from January 1 through December 31.
The FOSH Gaited Distance Program (GDP) includes Competitive Trail Riding and Endurance Riding, Year-End High Mileage Awards, 1,000 Mile Awards, and the FOSH Commemorative Award Program. Winners will be announced in the FOSH Sound Advocate magazine, on the FOSH website and in press releases.
Many gaited horse breeds have provided smooth comfortable rides for their riders while successfully competing in distance riding programs. Some of these breeds include the Tennessee Walking Horse, Spotted Saddle Horse, Missouri Fox Trotting Horse, Racking Horse, Paso Fino, Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses, Rocky Mountain Horse and more.
The FOSH Gaited Horse Distance program rules and forms are currently available at the website for individuals wishing to register their horses for 2013 competition. The website is open in advance of the January 1, 2013 start date to allow visitors to view the site and offer comments.
The FOSH Gaited Distance Program (GDP) is the first division under the FOSH Gaited Sport Horse initiative with the other divisions under development being Gaited Dressage and Gaited Equine Agility. As awards, eligibility and rules are developed for these divisions, they will be posted at www.foshgaitedsporthorse.com.
FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or e-mail data@fosh.info .
July 31, 2012
Contact Person: Teresa Bippen
Tbippen1957@yahoo.com
Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) is pleased to announce the first distance recognition program for gaited horses beginning in 2013. The Gaited Distance Program promotes FOSH Sound Principles by recording mileage of the gaited distance horses competing in veterinarian sanctioned endurance, limited distance or competitive trail events and recognizes, honors and rewards the work of that horse. Each year’s program will run from January 1 through December 31.
The FOSH Gaited Distance Program (GDP) includes Competitive Trail Riding and Endurance Riding, Year-End High Mileage Awards, 1,000 Mile Awards, and the FOSH Commemorative Award Program. Winners will be announced in the FOSH Sound Advocate magazine, on the FOSH website and in press releases.
Many gaited horse breeds have provided smooth comfortable rides for their riders while successfully competing in distance riding programs. Some of these breeds include the Tennessee Walking Horse, Spotted Saddle Horse, Missouri Fox Trotting Horse, Racking Horse, Paso Fino, Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses, Rocky Mountain Horse and more.
The FOSH Gaited Horse Distance program rules and forms are currently available at the website for individuals wishing to register their horses for 2013 competition. The website is open in advance of the January 1, 2013 start date to allow visitors to view the site and offer comments.
The FOSH Gaited Distance Program (GDP) is the first division under the FOSH Gaited Sport Horse initiative with the other divisions under development being Gaited Dressage and Gaited Equine Agility. As awards, eligibility and rules are developed for these divisions, they will be posted at www.foshgaitedsporthorse.com.
FOSH is a national leader in the promotion of natural, sound gaited horses and in the fight against abuse and soring of Tennessee Walking Horses. For more information about FOSH or to become a member, please visit www.fosh.info or e-mail data@fosh.info .
Horse Health Research Abounds at 2012 Tevis Cup
Thehorse.com - Full Article
by: Marsha Hayes
July 31 2012, Article # 20407
When the 2012 Tevis Cup begins at dawn Aug. 4, more than 200 horses will leave Robie Park near Lake Tahoe, Calif., and proceed toward a finish line 100 miles away in Auburn, Calif. For some competitors it is a race for the cup; for others it's a personal challenge to simply complete the ride in the allotted 24 hours. But for the 15 ride veterinarians and two treating veterinarians, this year's renewal of the Tevis Cup offers a fertile research opportunity.
Head treating veterinarian Langdon Fielding, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, of Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, in Loomis, Calif., will lead a study during the ride titled "Creation of a Metabolic Score Based on Basic Laboratory Parameters." In Fielding's letter to ride participants he explained his objective was "to create a metabolic score using basic blood electrolyte and hydration parameters that can be used to identify endurance horses that are metabolically compromised." Tevis treating veterinarian Gary Magdesian, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC, ACVCP, associate professor at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, and head ride veterinarian Greg Fellers, DVM, have partnered with Fielding for the project.
For each horse that reaches the 36-mile check point, veterinarians will collect a small (1-3 milliliter) sample of blood into a heparinized syringe and analyze it on site. They will do this immediately after the horse has reached the required heart rate of 60 beats per minute or less and before starting the mandatory one-hour hold, or rest period. Anticipated collection time will be approximately five to 10 seconds per horse so as not to delay horses at the check point...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20407
by: Marsha Hayes
July 31 2012, Article # 20407
When the 2012 Tevis Cup begins at dawn Aug. 4, more than 200 horses will leave Robie Park near Lake Tahoe, Calif., and proceed toward a finish line 100 miles away in Auburn, Calif. For some competitors it is a race for the cup; for others it's a personal challenge to simply complete the ride in the allotted 24 hours. But for the 15 ride veterinarians and two treating veterinarians, this year's renewal of the Tevis Cup offers a fertile research opportunity.
Head treating veterinarian Langdon Fielding, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, of Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center, in Loomis, Calif., will lead a study during the ride titled "Creation of a Metabolic Score Based on Basic Laboratory Parameters." In Fielding's letter to ride participants he explained his objective was "to create a metabolic score using basic blood electrolyte and hydration parameters that can be used to identify endurance horses that are metabolically compromised." Tevis treating veterinarian Gary Magdesian, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, ACVECC, ACVCP, associate professor at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, and head ride veterinarian Greg Fellers, DVM, have partnered with Fielding for the project.
For each horse that reaches the 36-mile check point, veterinarians will collect a small (1-3 milliliter) sample of blood into a heparinized syringe and analyze it on site. They will do this immediately after the horse has reached the required heart rate of 60 beats per minute or less and before starting the mandatory one-hour hold, or rest period. Anticipated collection time will be approximately five to 10 seconds per horse so as not to delay horses at the check point...
Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=20407
Going the distance with endurance riding
Bill Gore Photo
SFGate.com - Full Article
Stephanie M. Lee
Published 06:19 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, 2012
As the saying goes, Nick Warhol knows how to ride a horse into the sunset - for 50 or 100 miles at a time. An endurance horseback rider, Warhol has raced 10,400 miles over two decades' worth of competitions. He couldn't do it, of course, without his trusty steed Donnie, who has 4,300 miles under his metaphorical belt. (Vets check the animals' health periodically during races.) For more information, check out the American Endurance Ride Conference at www.aerc.org.
Name: Nick Warhol
Age: 55
Residence: Hayward
Occupation: Vice president of operations at Vigilent Corp. in El Cerrito
Obsession: Endurance riding
How you got started: I was never a horse person and did not ride a horse until I was 33 years old. I got my wife a horse for a college graduation present in 1990, thinking it would give her a real hobby of her own, since I had so many. I had no idea what a horse really was, or that they were individuals. My plan backfired, and I got sucked in. I got my first horse in 1991, and the rest is history.
Essential equipment: You need a horse (preferably an Arabian), a saddle, a truck, trailer, camper and more horse tack and supplies than you could ever imagine. Having a 10-acre ranch also really helps...
Read more here:
http://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Going-the-distance-with-endurance-riding-3751775.php
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