Stroh Rides the Shamrock Endurance again

Carla Stroh, riding Spook, finished in the top ten in the 30 mile Shamrock Endurance Ride. Courtesy Photo

Posted: Wednesday, Jul 30th, 2014
BY: Phyllis Hahn


On July 5, Carla Stroh, riding her husband’s Arabian horse named Spook, participated in the annual Shamrock Endurance Ride that takes place on the Dietz Ranch southwest of Wheatland. This is the location where Tom Horn allegedly shot Willy Nichols. Stroh was accompanied by her good friend, Barb Orr of Mesa, Ariz., who had come along to do the all-important job of “crewing”. This involves being ready to take care of the horse when they come in for a vet check after the first loop. They have to sponge the horse down to cool it off and have water or Gatorade for the rider. They have to be willing to do whatever job the rider wants them to do at the last minute. Barb excels in this! The idea is to get the horse’s heart rate down to the required minimum so the vet can test him to see if he is fit to continue to ride. The vet tests for soundness at the trot, heart rate recovery after the trot out, capillary refill time, muscle tone and gut sounds. If the horse fails any of these, he is pulled from the race.

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Stampede! Equestrians compete, riding for a good cause

Bluemountaineagle.com - Full Article

Angel Carpenter
Published: July 29, 2014 3:58PM

Horses and riders compete in Seneca Stampede Endurance Ride.

BEAR VALLEY – Several rough riders kicked it up a notch last weekend for the Seneca Stampede Endurance Ride.

They clipped along several trails, mapped out by ride managers Les and Holly Rouska, enjoying the countryside of the Malheur National Forest while competing.

The Stampede drew out-of-town and local participants for routes that included the Intro Ride, Ride & Tie, a 25-mile and 50-mile ride...

Read more here:
http://www.bluemountaineagle.com/Local_Sports/20140729/stampede-equestrians-compete-riding-for-a-good-cause#.U9j9t4BdWnk

Tevis Trail Update

Teviscup.org

July 29 2014

The trail crew has been working tirelessly on the trail as the ride approaches. Most recently, Steve Hallmark and his crew tackled the Pucker Point section. Reports back are that the trail is clear and in good shape. We thank our many volunteers who have put in countless hours making our trail safe and passable. 

As many of you know, riding the canyons will be a bit different from past years without the Swinging Bridge in commission. In order to ease some concerns, we asked experienced Tevis riders to report back on their training ride. Here is what 7-time finisher and WSTF Board Member, Tony Benedetti had to say about the river crossing when he rode it with Past WSTF President, Kathie Perry:

"I crossed this creek on July 5th. I was third in line of a group of horse. The entrance into the creek was not unsafe. The water is deepest in the middle, a bit of a hole, but it was only belly deep. I didn't get my feet wet. The exit up the bank is a little difficult but not unsafe, nor any worse than other trail obstacles prior to this point in the ride. The worst part is a boulder in the creek in front of the exit. The rider has to decide to go left or right around the boulder to exit the creek. The three of us went left. Overall, this creek crossing is no more dangerous than other sections of the trail.

As far as riders turning around and going back to Last Chance, during the ride this would be very dangerous and no rider should go backwards on the trail until the Sweep Riders have passed."

Tony Benedetti 

Auburn business owner ready to try Tevis Cup for first time

Auburnjournal.com - Full Article

July 28 2014

Victory Velo Bike Shop's Dawn Tebbs training 'on big girl trails'

By: Matthew Kimel, Journal sports editor

Dawn Tebbs loves a challenge.

The 46-year-old Auburn business owner is in for one when she tests the 100-mile Tevis Cup for the first time.

“Being a mother of four boys isn’t challenging enough,” joked Tebbs, who’s always had an interest in the Western States Trail Ride while living in the Endurance Capital of the World. “I have to set the bar pretty high.”

Tebbs, who will begin her journey at 5:15 a.m. in at Robie Park near Squaw Valley on Aug. 9 in hopes of reaching home within 24 hours, will be riding Beylis Comet, a 10-year-old bay mare.

Beylis was first trained by Mark Schuerman, one of five other Auburn equestrian endurance athletes entered in this year’s Tevis Cup...

Read more here:
http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/7/28/14/auburn-business-owner-ready-try-tevis-cup-first-time

Local rider saddling up for world's longest horse race

Photo: The Adventurists WKYC.com - Full Story and video

Susan Moses, WKYC 11:36 p.m. EDT July 15, 2014

If I have to reset my own femur, which is what they teach you how to do, I will cross the finish line.
Stephanie Murray

HINCKLEY, Ohio -- Say "derby" in the sporting world, and it's "Kentucky" that immediately comes to mind. But the world's most grueling horse derby takes place far from Churchill Downs. It's run in the Mongolian Steppe and as we found out a local woman is among a small group of international riders brave enough to try it.

Stephanie "Stevie" Murray has ridden most of her life, but much of it has been in the show ring on her dependable mount Gilbert. Murray's horseback riding experience is about as far removed from the Mongol Derby as you can get...

Read more and watch the video here:
http://www.wkyc.com/story/life/2014/07/15/local-rider-taking-part-in-mongol-derby/12483987/

In Khan’s steps

Suffolknewsherald.com - Full Article

July 25 2014
by Matthew Ward

An adventurer will carry leatherwork created in Suffolk across the steppes of Mongolia when she sets out in the world’s longest horse race.

The intricate work of Miguel Aguilar, owner of The Saddle Barn on Pruden Boulevard, was discovered by 32-year-old Rose Sandler on Instagram.

“I called them up one morning, and I decided to come and visit because it’s (Aguilar’s work) really cool,” Sandler, of Culpeper, said.

Aguilar says he’s been a leathersmith essentially “my whole life,” and is the third generation of his family to practice the art.

Born in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, his family moved to Texas in 1995, when he was 14. He opened the Suffolk shop a year ago...

Read more here:
http://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2014/07/25/in-khans-steps/

Two Weeks till the 59th Tevis Cup

July 25 2014

With 2 weeks till the 59th Tevis Cup, 193 riders from 12 countries have pre-entered the ride. Foreign riders are from France, Ecuador, Australia, UK, Austria, Germany, Japan, Norway, Canada, Israel, and The Netherlands. The field includes 8 juniors who have taken advantage of the Juniors Ride Free promotion, sponsored by EasyCare.

For more information on the Tevis Cup and an entry form, see:
http://teviscup.org/

For a detailed list of rider/horse entries, see:
http://teviscup.org/tevis-2014/tevis-rider-list

Hannah Pruss and Krusador win 2014 Big Horn 100

12 July 2014

Hannah Pruss and Krusador won the legendary Big Horn 100 in Shell, Wyoming on July 12th, in 14:05, finishing in the daylight. Just 7 minutes behind her were husband-wife team of Dennis and Sue Summers, riding AH Bantiki (aka "Bogart") and Oh Susanna (aka "Peach"), respectively. Bogart won the Best Condition award.

It's a tough ride, "around 15,000 feet of climb and descent through some of the most scenic, and rocky country I have ever seen," Dennis Summers said. "At any pace this trail presents huge challenges… Anybody who reaches the finish line knows they are a serious endurance rider aboard a serious endurance horse."

Sami and Linda Browneller and Christina Long finished 1-2-3 in 7:30 on the 50-mile ride, with Best Condition going to Long.

Riders praised the volunteers, ride management and organization, and trail markings for the successful ride. "Spectacular company, horsemen, trails, ride management," said 10th place finisher and 3-time buckle winner Roxi Welling.

For complete (unofficial) results and stories by Dennis Summers and Roxy Welling, see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2014BigHorn/

North American Junior and Young Rider Endurance Championship on July 18

July 15 2014

The North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians vie for team and individual FEI medals in several disciplines. The competition is run under rules of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale), the international governing body for equestrian sport, and is the only FEI championship held annually on this continent.
 
The 2014 Endurance Championship will be held on July 18, 2014.

Definite Entry List
 
USA Central Combined
Chef d' Equipe: Jeremy Olson
 
Mary Kathryn Clark - Chasing The Wind
Emilynn DiBassie - MK Spyder
Christina Kimery - Noslo’s Selket Da
Jessica DiCamillo - SHA Strike Two
 
 
USA Southeast Combined
Chef d' Equipe:  Lynn Kenelly
 
Mallory Capps - SA Belshazzar
Michael Bishop - Thundering Overtime
Morgan Watson - My Lords Elisha
Josie Whelan - FFC First Csea Lord
Cassandra Roberts - Golden Lightning
 
 
USA Northeast Combined
Chef d' Equipe:  Natalie Muzzio
 
Katie Baldino - Questafir
Hunter Green - Spotless Summer Magic
Maria Muzzio - Laconic
Taylor Stine - Wonder Witch
 
 
Canada West
Katya Levermann - TEF Sunflash

For more information see:
http://usequineendurance.org/2014-najyrc.html

Endurance.net's Book of the Month: A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains

http://www.endurance.net/market/bookstore/

by Isabella Lucy Bird

Talk about a long distance rider!

In 1872, Isabella Bird, daughter of a clergyman, set off alone to the Antipodes 'in search of health' and found she had embarked on a life of adventurous travel. In 1873, wearing Hawaiian riding dress, she rode her horse through the American Wild West, a terrain only newly opened to pioneer settlement. The letters that make up this volume were first published in 1879. They tell of magnificent, unspoiled landscapes and abundant wildlife, of encounters with rattlesnakes, wolves, pumas and grizzly bears, and her reactions to the volatile passions of the miners and pioneer settlers. A classic account of a truly astounding journey.

AERC Nomination Time!

July 13 2014 

Nominate a worthy AERC member for: Hall of Fame Member, Hall of Fame Equine, Pard'ners Award, Volunteer Service Award, and Ann Parr Trails Preservation Award, this year's highest honors.

Nominations are due August 1, 2014 -- send to Vice President Lisa Schneider (see form for details).

Award Descriptions:

Hall of Fame, Equine & Member:
Honors lifetime achievements by recognizing outstanding performances or outstanding contributions to the sport or to AERC.

Pard'ners Award:
Rider and horse perform together as a mutually bonded team. Rider and horse engender a spirit of friendship, enthusiasm and championship that makes those around them glad to have attended the ride. However competitive they may be, good sportsmanship remains their first priority. Horse and rider take care of each other. Together horse and rider personify the prevailing and abiding goal of AERC "To Finish is to Win." This award was established in honor of the late Mae Schlegel.

AERC Volunteer Service Award:
This award is established to honor an AERC member who has devoted an extraordinary amount of volunteer effort, time and service on behalf of the AERC for many years. This award may not be given every year.

Ann Parr Trails Preservation Award:
This award, first given in 2012, honors the member who has worked tirelessly for equine trails. This award may not be given every year

Click here for the nomination form.

Fireworks Endurance Ride returns Saturday

Santacruzsentinel.com - Full Article

by Wire Services
July 10 2014

The world's prettiest equestrian athletes will be parading through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Upper UC Santa Cruz and Wilder Ranch State Park this Saturday.

The Fireworks Endurance Ride, hosted by the Santa Cruz County Horsemen's Association, will see endurance horses and their riders taking on 25- and 50-mile routes beginning at 6:30 a.m. Typically these are Arabian horses, which are gorgeous to look at and known for their stamina, but this year Santa Cruz gets a special treat: spotted horses, there for the Appaloosa National Championship Endurance Ride taking place simultaneously...

Read more here:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_26129414/outside-roundup-fireworks-endurance-ride-returns-saturday

Endurance Day on Horses in the Morning Radio Show with Jordan Rae and Jeremy Reynolds

www.horsesinthemorning.com

Tune in to http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/ tomorrow for Endurance day.

Karen Chaton's guests are 17-year-old junior Jordan Rae who is entered in Tevis this year on a Rocky Mountain horse that she trained and conditioned herself, and Jeremy Reynolds, who will talk about what he thinks about the differences between running the WST 100 and riding it (he's won the Tevis Cup 3 times) and then will also talk about the USA team selection process for WEG coming up in August.

To listen live, go to http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/ and add the phone app to your smart phone if you have one, otherwise you can listen through a web browser on Tuesday - 6 to 7:30 a.m. PST (9 to 10:30 EST).

Tevis Cup Entry Fee Increases July 12th

Teviscup.org

July 5 2014

With just under 5 weeks till the 59th annual Tevis Cup, you can still enter the ride for the normal ride entry fee. Traditional ride entry is $400, which includes drug testing, Robie Park camping, one ticket to the Friday Night Dinner, and one ticket to the Sunday Awards Banquet. First time finishers may choose to receive a Legacy Buckle for no charge. Award buckle is $150.00 when reserved pre-ride and is nonrefundable. Buckles are $199 when purchased post ride.

Signature Ride Entries cost $1500, and include raditional ride entry plus a generous donation to the Western States Trail Foundation. This entry package ncludes a buckle upon completion of the ride, a Signature Entry jacket and horse sheet, an invitation to
the VIP/Foreign Rider dinner, Wednesday evening barbeque, reserved seating at the Sunday Awards Banquet, two nights of stabling for your horse, Easyboots, and additional items. To make the weekend more relaxed, the Signature Rider also receives CalStar
helicopter insurance for the weekend and parking assistance at the Robie Park ride camp and Foresthill vet check. Signature Entries are limited to 15 riders.

Junior Entries are free to the first ten juniors who enter with an adult sponsor. Easy Care’s generosity makes
it possible for this program, which includes a Legacy Buckle for first time junior finishers, to be offered again
in 2014.

The ride entry fees increase by $100 on July 13.

For more information or to fill out your ride entry, see:
http://www.teviscup.org/images/docs/2014/2014_Entry_Standard.pdf

More Than the Finish Line

WhyEndurance Blog - Full Story

Mike LaRoux

Ten years ago I made a conscious decision to live my life outside of my comfort zone. I had held in my grasp for a fleeting few seconds the feeling that I could do the things I thought were impossible, and it was intoxicating. It was the start of a lifelong adventure which has taken me to the jungles of Papua New Guinea, the sand dunes of the Moroccan Sahara, the remote outback of Australia, up and over the unforgiving hills of the Comrades marathon in South Africa, over staggering altitudes in the Rockies, swimming 6 miles in the ocean off Hawaii and now riding five back to back 50 mile days on horse back in Utah.

Over the years as I pushed and explored the boundaries of my comfort zone, or discomfort zone as I came to know it, I developed a philosophy I called More Than The Finish Line, which effectively focused on my journey, allowing me to live outside of my comfort zone but in a way that made sense of the set backs and managed my expectations. It allowed me to let go of finish lines and showed me the value and the joy of the journey. When I look back 15 years I could never have imagined that I would be where I am now, a South Africa born, naturalized Australia, living in the Coloradan Rockies on a property, with horses and dogs, and plenty of local wildlife, riding the trails on horseback and working for a not for profit that encourages kids to get off the couch and outside.

On our wedding day in October 1999, I weighed a hefty 253 lbs, all of which I attributed to my Rugby Union playing background, and the requirement to stop a charging athlete dead in his tracks. Over the past 15 years I have spent all of my energy and focus on trying to become as efficient as possible over long distance. Being a bigger framed athlete (6.3ft) I have always found that longer, harder and tougher has tended to suit me, by bringing everyone back to a level playing field.

Over the years I have competed at the highest level in Ironman Triathlon, run a multi-day race across the Moroccan Sahara desert and run competitively at the half-marathon, marathon, 50 mile and 100 mile distances. In 2010 I was fortunate enough to cross the finish line first at the Ultraman World Championships in Hawaii, a 3-day endurance triathlon, and decided that I had spent a long career in triathlon, and that it was time to pursue something different. At the time I was working for a global engineering firm in Australia, while studying to be a coach and personal trainer. To walk the talk I needed to follow my passions in life and get out from behind a desk.

In 2011 my focus became on gaining qualification status for the Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley...

Read more here:
http://whyendurance.blogspot.com/2014/06/more-than-finish-line.html

Endurance.net's Book of the Month: The Egyptian Alternative: Breeding the Arabian Horse, Vol. 1

July 3 2014

http://www.endurance.net/market/bookstore/

The Egyptian Alternative: Breeding the Arabian Horse, Volume 1, by Philippe Paraskevas

The author challenges many current notions about breeding and showing. He also questions whether Western breeders should continue to set the parameters for “Egyptian” breeding or whether breeders in Egypt will reclaim their history and take responsibility for safeguarding the Egyptian Arabian horse for the future. A book to challenge the thinking of all Arabian horse breeders.

Review
As the source and foundation of Egyptian Arabian breeding, it is important for breeders to learn as much as possible about the E.A.O. and breeding in Egypt. El Zahraa is at the core of many of the key issues. The Egyptian Alternative presents a well thought out approach to preserving all the bloodlines and to utilizing them in a careful way that will insure they remain an integral part of our cultural heritage. --Ahmed S. Hamza, Former Chairman, E.A.O.

Through the years there have been many books and publications about the Egyptian Arabian horse but few have been written by an Egyptian. We now have The Egyptian Alternative which has been written by a local breeder who maintains a breeding philosophy that remains close to the traditional approach and does not follow the current strategy of adding specific refinement to the basic characteristics. He believes that many of the trends introduced by the West into the show ring have deviated from the original principles. Paraskevas also presents a different interpretation on the history of the Egyptian Arabian as published by several researchers, historians and breeders. He has done his research and homework in a very thorough manner and while occasionally controversial, the book will trigger discussions and debates for some time. As such it is a must read work. --Dr. Nasr Marei, Ph.D., Al Badeiya Stud Farm

I have known Philippe for over 25 years and have always felt that he is a real lover of the Arabian and a true breeder. In this time we need devoted people like him who still love and care about El Zahraa. Serious Arabian horse people should read this book to learn what is a real Arabian and how to live with this noble creature. --Dr. Ibrahim Zaghloul, Director E.A.O. (Retired)