AERC NC Nuggets: 50-Mile National Champions Sami Browneller and Kaytwo

AERC NC Nuggets are Short Soundbites from the 2017 AERC National Championships!

Story and photos by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
August 28 2017

Even if you're not a mountain climber, you've probably heard of K2, the second highest mountain in the world, thrusting skyward on the China-Pakistan border. What K2 makes up for in height compared with its first-highest counterpart Mt. Everest is that it's considered the world's toughest 8000-meter peak to climb.

That's why Samantha Browneller named her gelding Kaytwo, hoping he'd be the toughest horse around.

He certainly was on the August 18th 50-mile AERC National Championship in La Veta, Colorado. The 6-year-old homebred bay Arabian (HV Suns Heaven and Earth X Royal Damsel, by Monarch AH), owned by Sami's mom Linda, finished first of 34 starters, in a time of 4:32.59, over the tough mountain course.


Their nearest competitors were Cassidy Jaksch and Give Us a Kiss in second place in a ride time of 4:45.04, and Jennifer Poling aboard Eagle Baikal in third place, finishing in 4:45.06.

Sami, 30, broke and trained Kaytwo, and started him in endurance last year. The gelding now has a 10 for 10 record (includes 3 LDs) with 355 miles, all finishes in the top 3, with 7 wins and 3 Best Condition awards. One of Kaytwo's wins - the ride just before the AERC NC - was the Spanish Peaks 50 on July 22 with Sami aboard, over some of the same trails as the AERC NC. Sami started riding endurance in 2000, and now has just over 1300 miles.

"That's fast for this course!" said ride manager Tennessee Lane. "I'm happy for Sami; she was defending her home turf."

From Monument, Colorado, the Brownellers train their endurance horses over very similar terrain. Kaytwo digs this kind of tough, mountain trail, Sami said.

"Put him up against any mountain, and he'll show how tough he is!"



More stories, photos and videos from the ride at:
www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

Barnyard Basics: Remarkable Comeback After Surgery

CDAPress.com - Full Article

August 25, 2017 at 5:00 am | By HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of two parts about an endurance horse’s recovery.

Mike Maul, an endurance rider in Texas, has been campaigning a horse named Rroc (Rroco-My-Sol) for many years, with more than 11,000 career miles on endurance rides.

At one point, however, this horse had a life-threatening emergency.

“In 2004, we were headed out from Houston for a ride west of El Paso in New Mexico,” Maul says. “We got out in the middle of nowhere in west Texas and I stopped the pickup because Rroc was biting at his side and wanting to roll. So I found the closest vet, in a very small town.”

That vet had a mobile practice and gave Rroc the standard medications. These didn’t help, so Maul took Rroc to the nearest vet clinic. That veterinarian worked on Rroc from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.

“He wasn’t making any progress so he recommended we head for Texas A&M for colic surgery. I left my other horse there, loaded Rroc and drove 350 miles to Texas A&M, getting there about 5 in the morning,” recalls Maul...

Read more here:
http://www.cdapress.com/article/20170825/AP/308259982

AERC NC Nugget: Where in the World is Carter Hounsel?

AERC NC Nuggets are Short Soundbites from the 2017 AERC National Championships!

by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
August 25 2017

I arrive in La Veta on Wednesday before the AERC National Championships. Tennessee settles me in a rented house with the V.I.P.s, the non-local veterinarians.

Jim Baldwin, from Oklahoma, is already there and settled in. Head vet Tom Currier, from Montana, should arrive with Carter Hounsel, from Virginia, around 1 AM. They're flying into Denver at night, hooking up there and driving Tennessee's jeep, that she left there for them, to La Veta, a 3 hour drive.

7 AM Thursday morning, my phone wakes me. It's Tennessee. "Seen Carter?" I shuffle out of my bedroom, and I see a bleary-eyed Tom, who says Carter wasn't in Denver, so Tom drove down alone. And Carter hasn't miraculously turned up on his own this morning.

"Ah, the joys of being a ride manager," I comment.

"My stomach hurts," Tennessee says.

She comes to the house in the midst of a whirlwind of ride prep activity, and says she's tracked him down. She talks the airlines into telling her that Carter is on a little plane from Denver to Alamosa, an hour away. "Can you possibly go get him?" she asks. "If you leave in 5 minutes, you should arrive right about the time he lands."

Sure, not a problem; one less unexpected time-consuming thing for a ride manager to do.

I take the pretty drive over La Veta Pass to Alamosa, arriving as the 6 passengers are getting their bags. No Carter. I talk to the nice Tiny Airline guy, who says, "Well, he *might* be on the next plane, which leaves Denver at noon."

I text Tennessee the news.

She texts back:

"O.

M.

G.

Where the #$(& is that man?"

She finally tracks him down, and he is on the next flight, and, after spending some long hours in Alamosa, where there really is not much to do, except walk through J.C. Penneys, and try the one coffee shop that has rather weak Americanos, I pick up Carter and zip him back to La Veta. He's been awake for over 24 hours, but he's still quite cheerful and humor-ful.


It's a good group of veterinarians for this AERC National Championship ride.

I was amazed Tom Currier even came to the ride - there's a fire raging right by his house. He evacuated all the animals and people from it and came down to vet this AERC NC ride. I'd be freaking out if that was my house. He shrugged. "Nothing I can do about it anyway." Tom's an endurance rider and endurance ride vet.

Jim Baldwin's been around forever. He's got a story for every occasion, from recently to forever ago. He originally worked on the racetrack, and he was one of Secretariat's vets when he was racing. One of his goals is to be the oldest vet at Tevis, and he thinks he accomplished that this year.

Many of you know Carter Hounsel as being from Texas, but now he's living in Virginia and is the emergency coordinator for 3 eastern states for the USDA. Carter's a good vet and a good teacher, and will explain anything you have questions about, if you want to learn.

Local vets Laura Blanton (and her assistant Vanilla the golden retriever - or, as I liked to refer to her as, Vanilla Pudding - who could imitate a flying squirrel and a sharpei) and Miranda Andress rounded out the excellent vet team for the Championships.

Good camaraderie, good laughs, good weekend.

More stories, photos and videos from the ride at:
www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

Becky Grand Hart Desert Ride Series

The Becky Grand Hart Desert Ride Series is pleased to announce 4 upcoming FEI rides in Southern California.

Come experience some warm winter riding and no mud.

Proven trails
Git R Done FEI 1*2*3* Nov 4, 2017 Inyokern, CA.

Get that COC done! Or check off another 2*
Fire Mountain FEI 1* and Two day 2* January 13-14, 2018 Ridgecrest, CA

Twenty Mule Team FEI 1*2* February 24, 2018 Ridgecrest, CA

Fire Up FEI 1*2*3* April 21-22, 2018 Ridgecrest, CA same location as Fire Mt with a faster 3* trail.

All rides are subject to approval from AERC, USEF and FEI

Shagya-Arabians Display Endurance and Longevity at the 2017 Tevis Cup Ride

August 2017

The Shagya-Arabians entering The Tevis Cup Ride this year proved true to their heritage of a horse bred to master the rigors and versatility of a good cavalry horse.  The Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry (PShR) congratulates their registered horses Lily Creek Kong, a Shagya-Arabian Sporthorse, ridden by Cameron Holzer and Ninja PFF, a Shagya-Arabian gelding, ridden by Shauna Glorioso on their Tevis completions as they placed 16th and 43rd out of 174 starters August 5-6, 2017.   

The Tevis Cup, a 100 mile endurance ride staged out of Auburn, CA, is considered one of the toughest rides in North America with an average completion rate of only 50%.  Ninja PFF received special recognition this year as a recipient of the Wendell Robie Trophy.  Named after the founder of the Tevis ride this honor is for any horse who has completed five times.   

Only a small group of elite horses have reached this status with 60 recognized since the beginning of the ride in 1955 according to Deborah Lyon with the Western States Trail Foundation. 
 
When asked about the ride Cameron Holzer, rider and owner of Lily Creek Kong, and Judith Moore, owner of Ninja PFF, both had glowing reports of how their horses handled the ride.   Holzer stated that “Kong never tires, and just keeps trucking along.  Every time I asked him for more speed he would give it to me.  This is an inherent trait for him, he never gives up on me the whole 100 miles.”  Moore had similar comments for Ninja PFF who “has a resting heart rate of 36 beats per minute, so he just breezes through the vet checks.  Ninja makes a 100 mile ride look easy and keeps getting better every time.”  That last statement is reinforced by the fact that despite a potential career ending stifle injury as a 5 year old Ninja has completed Tevis 5 times and currently has 2590 miles recorded in competitions.  Moore said her proudest moment of the day was when Ninja was awarded the Wendell Robie Trophy and stated that it was “nice to have an award recognizing the horse” and that Ninja receiving it made her tear up a little.    

Holzer’s proud moment of the day was how Kong handled the canyons.  “I thought they would be hard on him and he breezed through.  I was the tired one!  I felt like I was holding him back all day.” 

While Shagya-Arabians are less common than other breeds, both Moore and Holzer can’t stop singing the praises of their Shagya-Arabians and are sure that once a person loves a Shagya-Arabian you’re hooked for life.   Holzer says that “you won’t find a tougher or more loyal horse than a Shagya-Arabian.”  Moore said that the number one quality of the horses is “a great temperament, they are very personable, smart and sweet.”  However she also notes that the Shagya-Arabian is “the best all-purpose horse and can do whatever they want to do.”
 
About Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry

The Shagya-Arabian was started in 1789 when the Hungarian military set out to develop a new breed of horse that combined the very best of Bedouin Arabians -- elegance, endurance, hardiness, athleticism, temperament, and devotion to their rider -- with larger size, jumping ability, and riding ease to master the rigors and versatility of a cavalry horse.
The Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry was established to ensure the integrity and legacy of the Shagya-Arabian bred horses in North America.  To accomplish these goals the organization holds regular breed inspections and utilizes performance testing in compliance with internationally established criteria for all horses in the registry.   For more information on the Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry and our horses please visit our website: http://performanceshagyaregistry.org.

For More Information and Photos
Contact: Nicole Mauser-Storer
n.mauserstorer@huskers.unl.edu

A Long Ride for a Long Ride: Vt., Ga. Women Unite for Equestrian Endurance Event

VNews.com - Full Article

By Jared Pendak
Valley News Staff Writer
Thursday, August 24, 2017

Hartland — Elite young equestrian rider Katelyn Baldino enjoys the endurance discipline more than any other, relishing the bond between herself and the horses through miles of natural terrain.

For the upcoming FEI World Championships for Young Riders and Juniors, both Baldino and her horse will be traveling great lengths just to get to the 75-mile course.

Baldino, a University of Georgia sophomore, and Synthetic, a 17-year-old Arabian gelding owned by Hartland rider Melody Blittersdorf, will be flying to Verona, Italy, for the world championships from Sept. 22-24.

It’s not the first time either will have gone to a different continent to compete. Two years ago, Baldino competed in the same event at a venue in Santo Domingo, Chile, the same course where Blittersdorf rode Synthetic at the 2011 Senior Pan Am Games...

Read more here:
http://www.vnews.com/Hartland-s-Melody-Blittersdorf-gunning-for-World-Equestrian-Championships-lends-horses-to-youngsters-11960459

AERC NC Nuggets: Ride Manager Tennessee Lane

AERC NC Nuggets are Short Soundbites from the 2017 AERC National Championships!

by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
August 22 2017

She calls this southwest corner of Colorado "God's Country."

Why?

"You'll know why we call it God's country when you get here," AERC National Championship ride manager Tennessee Lane said.

Indeed, the scenery and terrain of the 2017 AERC National Championships outside of La Veta, Colorado, are impressive. Los Cumbres Espanolos, the two 12,000 and 13,000-foot Spanish Peaks, tower above Ridecamp for the Spanish Peaks endurance rides and this year's AERC National Championships.

National Forest land covers the upper thousands of feet of the peaks, and ranchers own the lower graze-able mesas and grass lands, over which the entire 50-mile and 100-mile AERCNC rides took place, 130 miles of unrepeated trails. Tennessee had to bend over backwards to keep the ranchers happy to use these private trails - over 20 local ranchers allow Tennessee the use of their lands - and one can only ride these trails during her endurance rides.

Tennessee's ridden some 9700 AERC endurance miles since 2006, but she only started hosting endurance rides in God's Country in 2016. Her SoCo Endurance was an ambitious project, putting on a tough mountainous 2-day ride in June and a 25/50/100 in September, and this year a 3-day ride in June and a 2-day in July. It was one of the reasons AERC approached her to put on this year's National Championships in August.


Constricted by hunting dates (bow hunting season started a few days after the NC, and hunters were afraid the horses would scare the game off their game trails), August 18-20 was the only weekend Tennessee could host the National Championships. And the event happened to fall at a very busy time: two weeks after she rode in and won the Tevis Cup, which was 2 weeks after she put on her July ride.

Talk about pressure. "Yeah I'm a little crazy," she said. "But… it should be easier than putting on multi-days rides with multi-distances, right? I'll catch up on my sleep in the winter."

A microbiologist in a former life, Tennessee has returned to her ranching roots. She manages the family's cattle land/leasing operation in the area, manages another family business, and owns and runs her own Remuda Run Ranch, where she breeds/trains/sells endurance horses, and offers endurance clinics, hoof boot consultation and services, and, of course puts on endurance rides.

It's great country for endurance ride training. It's where Auli Farwa - Tennessee's mount for this year's Tevis - trained for a couple of months before the pair took the Tevis Cup win on August 5.

"These endurance rides are a true representation of the Southern Colorado Rockies," Tennessee stated, "with miles of fast, flowing sections broken up by challenging, technical stretches and plenty of up and down.  These rides have been thoughtfully designed to be very enjoyable and safe but also stimulating and demanding on endurance athletes both equine and human. They're tough, technical mountain endurance rides."

It's great country for gasping and gawking, too. Riders and horses would experience the lower flanks of the western Spanish Peak, with vistas of the layers of Rocky Mountains to the West and the Colorado plains to the east, and they'd ride through one of the iconic rock walls that radiate out from the peaks.

Altitudes for the National Championships would range from 7000 to 9000 feet. One particular loop would have a 1000 foot drop. "I ride up it to train," Tennessee said. "but I felt it was safer to take riders down the trail."

The National Championionships in God's Country below the Spanish Peaks would serve up scenery, fun, and a challenging endurance trail that tested a rider's horsemanship.


Tennessee and enthusiastic landowner George Albright, who helped build trails and lent his hay field for Albright vet check

More stories, photos and videos from the ride at:
www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

Thank You to Our Distance Horse National Championship Sponsors!

The Distance Horse National Championships (DHNC), including the AHA Distance Nationals, would not be possible without all of our sponsors!

Our sponsors receive great exposure through Eblasts, the DHNC Program, links posted on our website and other industry advertisements. The great and unique thing about being a sponsor with the DHNC is increased industry exposure due to our efforts of partnering with outside breeds like the Appaloosa Horse Club and the Paso Fino Horse Association. We are still growing and will be adding more breed organizations in the years to come.

Now is the time to show your support for Distance Riding. Click here to fill out a sponsorship form and add your Region, Club, business or farm to the growing list of sponsors of this national multi-breed event.

THANK YOU to our current 2017 Distance Horse National Championship Sponsors!

Corporate Sponsors:

Adequan
Awards Recognition Concepts (ARC)

Regional Sponsors:

Region 8
Region 10
Region 11
Region 12
Region 13
Region 14

Club Sponsors:

Rancho California AHA
Green Country AHA
Texas Arabian Distance Riders Association (TADRA)
Knoxville Arabian Horse Club
Minnesota AHA Inc.

Individual Sponsors:

Lisa Blackstone
Micky Hegg
Belesemo Arabians
Cynthia Richardson

Product Sponsors:

Valley Vet Supply
Hammer Nutrition
Riding Warehouse
Schneiders
All Things Equine

ApHC Sponsors:

Tioga Territory
Texas Equine Mercantile
Appaloosa Horse Club
Schneiders

Endurance Rider Turaski earns full scholarship to Georgia Tech

TheDailyTimes.com - Full Article

From Staff Reports
August 21 2017

Local home-schooled student Lily Turaski has been awarded the prestigious Stamps President’s Scholarship to attend Georgia Tech. The scholarship covers the full cost of attendance for four years plus a stipend to be used for additional enrichment activities like study abroad. The scholarship is valued at over $200,000.

The Stamps Foundation invests in 225 students who will attend 43 different universities nationwide. Stamps Scholars are chosen for their strong leadership potential, academic merit, strong work ethic, and exceptional character. At Georgia Tech, Lily plans to study materials science engineering, which combines her love of physics, chemistry and math...

Read more here:
http://www.thedailytimes.com/community/turaski-earns-full-scholarship-to-georgia-tech/article_9ed289c6-cbb8-5358-a029-6e2040f423f9.html

Turaski earns full scholarship to Georgia Tech

Endurance Rider Lily Turaski earns full scholarship to Georgia Tech

Local home-schooled student Lily Turaski has been awarded the prestigious Stamps President’s Scholarship to attend Georgia Tech. The scholarship covers the full cost of attendance for four years plus a stipend to be used for additional enrichment activities like study abroad. The scholarship is valued at over $200,000.

The Stamps Foundation invests in 225 students who will attend 43 different universities nationwide. Stamps Scholars are chosen for their strong leadership potential, academic merit, strong work ethic, and exceptional character. At Georgia Tech, Lily plans to study materials science engineering, which combines her love of physics, chemistry and math.


Turaski graduated with a 4.0 GPA as a Tennessee Scholar with distinction. She earned perfect scores on both the SAT and the ACT, and she is a National Merit Finalist. She represented Tennessee at the National Science Bowl three times, placing first in the nation in 2013 with her team in the engineering design document presentation. She placed in the top ten in the state three times in the Tennessee Mathematics Teacher’s Association (TMTA) High School Mathematics contest and first in the Southeast USA in the Student Math League contest. She was a national semifinalist in both the USABO Biology Olympiad and the USAChO Chemistry Olympiad.

In 2015 Turaski was selected to attend the Governor’s School for the Sciences, where she was voted Ms. Governor’s School. Last winter she entered the Quantum Shorts international essay contest, where she won the People’s Choice prize among entries from 25 countries. Turaski placed first in the state in the 4-H Public Speaking extemporaneous division, and her 4-H Hippology team represented Tennessee at the Eastern National contest last year where the team placed seventh and Lily placed fifth individually.


Turaski is a member of the Cedar Springs Homeschool Association, where she was the captain of her Scholars’ Bowl and Science Bowl teams and coached the middle school Science Bowl team. She has published several articles, including the results of a three-year science fair project about horse temperature regulation.

She has also been awarded the National Merit Scholarship, the Anne Ayala Endurance Horse Racing Scholarship and a Coca-Cola Scholarship.

[More ...]

Gwen Hall and Sizedoesntmatter Win AERC National Championship 100

August 20 2017
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

Gwen Hall, 51, of Woodland Park, Colorado, and her 11-year-old Arabian gelding Sizedoesntmatter won the 100-mile AERC National Championship Sunday in La Veta, Colorado. The duo won by a head over Hannah Pruss and Stuart (the one-eyed horse) in a ride time of 11:21.17. Gwen was also First Featherweight; Hannah was First Middleweight.

The two ladies rode together much of the day. By mile 56, they had outdistanced the next riders by almost an hour, and they increased their lead the rest of the ride to 2 1/2 hours at the finish.

Christoph Schork, of Moab, Utah, aboard GE Stars Aflame, finished third in a ride time of 13:53.20 (*my math is suspect this time of night*). Carla was First Lightweight.

German Carla Lakenbrink, riding Schork's Medina MHF was 4th in 13:53.30*.

Fifth place went to Gunnar Frank, of Vinita, Oklahoma, and Trinity, in a ride time of 15:17.10*. Gunnar was First Heavyweight.

4 riders were still out on course at 10 PM.

Three horses were eliminated in the first mile of the first loop after an unfortunate trail snafu and a couple of unplanned, forced dismounts in the dark: Alanna Frank's Maverick, Connie Caudill's Tans Terminator, and Lois McAfee's Macho Man. Tans Terminator and Macho Man were lost till daylight, but the 3 horses received only minor injuries, and the riders are fine.

Tammy Gagnon and Secret Lover dropped out after the first 24-mile loop. They passed the vet check, but the mare was uncharacteristically ADR - Ain't Doin' Right, so they pulled.

Marcella Hughes and her gelding Oliver Swift made it to 89 miles, the last Gate and Go vet check, before a hind end lameness took them out.

Best Condition judging is at 9:30 tomorrow morning, more to come.

Photos and results and more (videos coming!) from the day, and every day at the AERCNC, at
www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

Rebuilding a community of riders

Hannah Hunsinger Journal staff

“Who else would I want to spend all day with, besides my horse?” Michele Seaman said about why she loves endurance rides.

Seaman and a group of dedicated friends want to build a community of endurance riders by restarting the Fort Meade Remount Endurance Ride, which took place for the second year on Saturday morning at the Fort Meade Recreational Area. Although the ride had taken place for many years under Kerry Greear, it languished after her retirement. With no one else willing to lead the charge, Seaman finally took up the reins.

“The heart (of the event) is to keep the organization to keep going,” said Seaman. “Because so many equestrian events are dying rather than growing.”

This year, 63 riders from six states turned out to test their horses and their skills in three different rides: a 50-miler, a 25-miler and an introductory 12-miler. The 50-mile race, broken into three legs with mandatory one-hour rest periods between, included a loop all the way to Bear Butte Lake.

“Some of the horses love to get out on the trail, and they just like to move,” said Seaman. “It’s like, why does anybody like to do long distance marathon running? The other part is the training … it’s just an amazing partnership that you have with your horse.”

[Full story]

AERC Nat'l Championships: Fun Day, Rest Day, Prep Day

www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

August 19 2017
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

Saturday at the AERC National Championships in La Veta, Colorado, was a day of fun, relaxation, and prep for Sunday's 100-mile Championship.

All day pig roast, fantastic musician/singer Bruce Hayes, an L.D. ride, getting ready for tomorrow's National Championship 100-mile ride.

Loops for the 100-mile ride are:
Loop 1 - 24 miles, in camp gate and go
Loop 2 - 17 miles, out vet check, 1 hour
Loop 3 - 15 miles, out vet check, gate and go
Loop 4 - 15 miles, in camp vet check, 1 hour
Loop 5 - 18 miles, in camp gate and go
Loop 6 - 11 miles, in camp finish

Pulse is 64 all day. Start time is 4:30 AM. Best Condition judging will be at 9:30 Monday morning.

Last year's 100-mile Spanish Peaks ride was won in a ride time of 17:40. It's a true mountainous 100-mile ride!

Updates of the ride (crossing my fingers!!!!!) will come at each vet check:

Endurance.net:
www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

Ridecamp:
http://www.endurance.net/RidecampFriend/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/endurancenet @endurancenet

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/wwwendurancenet/

Colorado: AERC National Championship 100-Mile Start List

www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC/

#100 MW Christoph Schork - Stars Aflame
#101 — Carla Lakenbrink - Medina MHF
#102 FW Tammy Gagnon - Secret Lover
#103 HW Gunnar Frank - Mi Clever Ansata
#104 FW Alanna Frank - Maverick
#105 HW Neil McLaughlin - Hastyflyer Zeus
#106 FW Gwen Hall - Sizedoesntmatter
#107 FW Hannah Pruss - Stuart
#108 FW Marcelle Hughes - Oliver Swift
#109 FW Kerry Redente - AM Great Othello
#110 FW Connie Caudill - Tans Terminator
#111 FW Lois McAfee - Macho Man
#112 FW Kelsie Lewis - IA Donovan
#113 FW Jennifer Poling - Prado CF

14 starters

Updates will be posted (fingers crossed!!!!!) from each vet check.
Start time 4:30 AM.

Distance Nationals Right Around The Corner!

www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AHAOwyheeCanyonlands/

August 18 2017

The Distance Horse National Championships is returning to Steph Teeter's Ranch this year in Oreana, Idaho from Oct. 6 to 8. We are very excited to have the Appaloosa Horse Club again this Fall, along with the Paso Fino Horse Association an additional partner.

There are several ride opportunities at the Distance Horse National Championships, including the AHA Competitive Trail Ride (CTR) National Championship starting on October 6; AHA Open CTR; American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC); Open Limited Distance and 50 Mile rides. Rides on October 7 will be the AHA 50 Mile National Championship; Appaloosa National Championship Endurance Ride; Paso Fino National Championship Endurance Ride; AERC Open Limited Distance and 50 Mile rides. Rides on October 8 will be the AHA 100 Mile National Championship; AERC Open Limited Distance; 50 Mile and 100 Mile rides.

All Open CTR, 50 Mile, 100 Mile and Open Limited Distance rides are open to ALL BREEDS and are recognized by both AHA and AERC.

As a reminder, if you own a Half-Arabian that is also a registered Appaloosa, you may enter both 50 Mile National Championship rides.

Make your plans now to attend the 2017 Distance Nationals in beautiful Oreana, Idaho! It is never too early to enter the National & Open Rides. To enter, please click here.

Sami Browneller and Kaytwo Win AERC National Championship 50

August 18 2017
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

Local riders took 3 of the 4 top spots in the AERC National Championship 50 mile ride in La Veta, Colorado, on August 18, 2017.

Sami Browneller, 30, of Monument, Colorado, and her mom's 6-year-old Arabian gelding Kaytwo won the 50 miler in a ride time of 4:32.59. Sami was also first Lightweight. 16-year-old Cassidy Jaksch, from Sedalia, Colorado, finished second aboard her 10-year-old Arabian gelding Give Us a Kiss in a ride time of 4:45.04.

Third place Jennifer Poling and her 12-year-old Arabian gelding Eagle Baikal travelled to Colorado from West Virginia for the Championship. They finished in 4:45.06. Jennifer was first Featherweight.

Fourth place went to Sami's mom Linda Browneller and her 18-year-old Arabian gelding Khaaruso in 4:51.06. Linda was first Middleweight.

Fifth across the finish line was Jessica Woolery and WA Borkata, who was unfortunately pulled at the final vet check.

Fifth place went to Cheryl Van Deusen of Dayton, Florida, riding Jeff Stuart's 10-year-old Arabian gelding DWA Malik, in a ride time of 5:14.30. This pair *just* nipped Canadian Elroy Karius and his 15-year-old Arabian gelding Jolly Holiday at the finish line.

Seventh place went to Jeff Stuart of Utah and his 13-year-old Arabian gelding JV Remington in 5:14.33. Jeff was first Heavyweight.

Eighth place was Bill Fuller and Emmie Lou in 5:14.40; ninth was Tammy Gagnon and Ginger Rogers in 5:26.15; tenth was Carla Lackenbrink, riding Christoph Schork's RR Jazz Dancer in 5:28.29.

First and only Junior finisher was Taylor Fisher of Aurora, Colorado and Kenlyn Kourvy. Her sponsor was Steve Downs riding Kenlyn Porsche.

Best Condition went to Jennifer Poling and Eagle Baikal.

31 out of 34 starters finished the ride. 4 open riders completed. Of the 3 pulls, 1 was a Rider Option, 1 was Metabolic, 1 was Lame.

Photos of the day, and more stories and photos at:
www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

AERC National Championship 50-Miler Tomorrow

www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC/

August 17 2017

Starting tomorrow (Friday) at 7 AM, 35 riders will leave the starting line of the 50-mile ride near La Veta, Colorado. We have one Junior riding (Taylor Fisher). 4 of the riders are Open riders, who will start after the Championship riders (and will pick up Taylor anywhere along the way, if her sponsor can't continue).

First loop is 17 miles, with an out vet check and hold of 1 hour, then a 15-mile loop back to camp for a 45 minute hold, then a final 18 mile loop back to camp for the finish.

"It's a tough, technical trail," said ride manager Tennessee Lane. "You'll have some steep climbs and steep descents, and some places you'll be able to move out on. Go slow where you need to go, and move out where you can.

"And have fun. We do this because we enjoy it."

"Ride safe, ride smart," head veterinarian Tom Courier said. "This ride is in the true spirit of endurance. Take care of your horses."

I'll try to send out updates and keep you up to date of at least the top ten throughout the day, and the pulls. Updates will be at:
www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

Ridecamp:
http://www.endurance.net/RidecampFriend/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/endurancenet @endurancenet

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/wwwendurancenet/

AERC National Championships: A Big Venture

www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

August 16 2017

Ride Manager Tennessee Lane's got a lot on her plate right now. In case you didn't notice, she won Tevis less than 2 weeks ago. She's back in La Veta, Colorado, putting the finishing touches on this year's National Championships course.

It's only her second year putting on rides, so what on earth would possess her to put on a National Championship? "Yeah," she said. "I'm a little crazy." But AERC actually approached her about putting on a challenging National Championship ride at this venue.

Tennessee has created some 130 miles of trails, so nothing but the ins and outs of camp repeat, and it's all on private land. She's worked very hard with the local ranchers to get their permission to put on her rides over trails on their land. You can't ride these trails except at Tennessee's rides.

The trails are stunningly beautiful (the twin Spanish Peaks dominate the southern skyline); ridecamp is at 8,000 feet, and it will indeed be a challenging mountain trail. "This is a true representation of the southern Colorado Rockies and I don't intend to butter that up for you," her SoCoEndurance website says. There's plenty of diverse terrain, with climbs and descents and technical stretches to slow you down (so you can enjoy the magnificent scenery) and plenty of flat miles to cruise on.

Currently there are about 20 signed up for the 100 mile ride on Sunday, and about 40 for the 50 on Friday.

More to come at:
www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

AERC National Championship Coverage

www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC

Endurance.net will be bringing you daily reports from the AERC National Championships in La Veta, Colorado, beginning this evening.

The 50 mile championship is Friday (7 AM start time) and the 100 mile championship is Sunday (5 AM start time). Updates will be hopefully be posted during the day (depending on reception), and if not, definitely at night!

Tune in for stories, photos and more!


Follow stories and twitter updates at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC/

Ridecamp:
http://www.endurance.net/RidecampFriend/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/endurancenet @endurancenet

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/wwwendurancenet/

Paradise teen completes 100-mile, 24-hour horse ride

Orovillemr.com - Full Article

By Eli Stillman, Paradise Post
POSTED: 08/11/17

The 100-mile race known as the Tevis Cup provides horsemen with some of the toughest terrain to traverse and only 24 hours to do it.

Jakob Gregory, a 15-year-old Paradise resident, has been competing in endurance races like these since he was young, but this was the first year he was complete the course which is known as one of the toughest in the world.

Sponsored by Echo Valley Ranch, a feed store in Auburn, Gregory and his crew traveled to Tahoe in anticipation of the 5 a.m. start time on Aug. 5.

Beginning at Squaw Valley, the riders embark on the Western States Trail that leads them across tall peaks and through hot valleys until they arrive at the finish line Auburn.

Along the way there are checkpoints and rest stops for the riders and their horses. Known as vet stations, the stops examine the horses’ health by taking their pulses, checking muscle soreness and levels of hydration. If a horse’s wellness is below the acceptable level in any of the criteria, it is pulled from the race.

Each year, nearly half of the horses and their riders drop out.

For Gregory, an incoming sophomore at Paradise High School, the endurance races provide a different kind of challenge than the three sports he plays a year...

Read more here:
http://www.orovillemr.com/general-news/20170811/paradise-teen-completes-100-mile-24-hour-horse-ride

One Week Till the AERC National Championships in Colorado

August 10 2017

"Holy mother of distractions! #Tevis #WorthIt," AERC National Championship Ride Manager Tennessee Lane posted. For those of you who missed it (!), Tennessee and Auli Farwa won the Tevis Cup last weekend, August 5th. But she's back in Colorado, putting the last minute touches on the organization and trails for the AERC Nat'l Championship 50-mile ride (Friday August 18) and 100-mile ride (Sunday August 20).

You can still sign up for the rides (click here)

Veterinarians will be: Head Vet: Dr Tom Currier. Treatment Vet: Dr Laura Blanton. Vet Panel: Dr Carter Hounsel, Dr Jim Baldwin.  Assisting Vets: Dr Miranda Andress, Dr Larry Moore.

Base Camp will be primitive camping; horse water will be provided at the tanks in camp (RV-hookups are coming in the future!) There will be porta-potties and a trash dumpster available to you. Please spread your manure and fill in any holes your horse digs. Dogs are allowed in camp, any aggressive dogs should be left at home or kept on a very short leash. Any dogs that bark incessantly or instigate fights will be given a large bowl of spicy chili and a king-size snickers, and then locked in your LQ.

Be prepared for any weather, as Colorado is known for packing 4 seasons into a day. Highs are predicted in the mid-to-upper 70's, wth lows expected in the mid-50's. Thundershowers are possible in the afternoons.

Endurance.net will be onsite to report and keep you up to date as possible, and, upon finding internet each night, will send short titillating stories. 

Follow along at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC/

and on Ridecamp:
http://www.endurance.net/RidecampFriend/

and on Twitter @endurancenet with the hashtag #AERCNationalChampionships :
https://twitter.com/endurancenet

and on Facebook - Endurance Net
https://www.facebook.com/wwwendurancenet/

Elayne Barclay's Missing Horse in Three Sisters Wilderness

NetPosse.com

8/2/17

Fletch is missing in the Three Sisters wilderness not far from Whispering Pines horse camp. He was last seen at Milican Crater Trail. He is an appoloosa/paso fino gelding and is an Endurance horse, capable of 50-100 miles a day.

Incident Details

Incident Date: 8/2/2017
Location: Sisters (Deschutes County), OR, 97759, USA Rider stopped to have lunch on the trail, and when she want to get back on the horse, he escaped and ran away.
Fletch was wearing red tack. US Forest Land near Whispering Pines Horse Camp, 3 Sisters Wilderness Area, Oregon. Last Seen Millican Crater Trail.

Equine Name: APP Flecha de la Estrella
Nickname:Fletch
Color:Bay/Roan
Breed:Appaloosa - Paso Gender:Gelding
Age:13 years
Height:14.3 hands
Weight:800 lbs
Microchip:No
All Markings
Face: Star
Details: White across forehead with brown markings mottled in.
Leg Markings: Left Front Leg - Sock • Left Rear Leg - Sock • Right Front Leg - Stocking • Right Rear Leg - None •
Other Details: Bay roan with mixed white in tail and body.
Temperament:
Friendly
Skills:
Endurance Riding, Trail Riding: Recreational

Registry:Appaloosa

For more information see:
https://netposse.com/view_report.asp?reportid=5296

Venable pair wins Ride & Tie world championship

Dailypress.com - Full Article

by Jim McGrath
Correspondent

Augut 6 2017

Rhonda and Dave Venable of Toano won the 47th annual Ride and Tie World Championship held July 22 in Orkney Springs, in Shenandoah County.

Twenty-eight teams from across the country participated in the 35-mile race, which was held on the East Coast for the first time. Ride and Tie has a long history in the West, where it was first sponsored by Levi's in 1971.

In eight years of competition, the Venables had won yearlong point championships three times, as well as the past two East Coast championships. However, this was their first world title.

Rhonda Venable, a former cross-country coach at Bethel High, is a teacher at Crittenden Middle School in Newport News. She and husband Dave relocated from Yorktown to Toano in June, and trained at York River Park for the final six weeks leading to the event.

Participants alternate between endurance riding on horses and trail running on their own. Each team must get all three members (two humans and one horse) across the cross-country course by alternately riding and running.

A favorite strategy is for the rider, being faster, to gallop ahead and tie the horse to a tree before beginning his/her running portion of the race. Subsequently, the team member who started off running on foot will reach the horse, untie it, mount and begin riding, all the way past the first runner. The leapfrog type of activity continues throughout the race...

Read more here:
http://www.dailypress.com/sports/dp-spt-community-notebook0809-20170808-story.html

2017 August's Endurance Horses in the Morning

Horsesinthemorning - Listen

08-08-2017 Endurance Day – Tevis Winner Tenney, Haggin Cup Winner Reynolds, Farkas Completes Again

Aug 8, 2017

On today’s Endurance episode with Karen Chaton we chat with Tevis Cup winner Tenney Lane, Haggin Cup winner Jeremy Reynolds and Molly Farkas shares her adventures riding this year’s race on her Appaloosa Spotted Wap; 49 years after her first Tevis Cup. Listen in...

http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/08-08-2017-endurance-day-tevis-winner-tenney-haggin-cup-winner-reynolds-farkas-completes-again/

2017 Appaloosa Nat'l Championship Endurance Ride in Idaho, October 7

www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AHAOwyheeCanyonlands/

2017 Appaloosa National Championship Endurance Ride, Oreana, Idaho, October 7. The 2017 Appaloosa National Championship Endurance Ride (ANCER) will be held in conjunction with the Arabian Horse Association Distance Nationals in Oreana, Idaho on October 7, 2017. The ride is called "Owyhee Canyonlands Pioneer" and is an AERC-sanctioned 50-mile ride.

ANCER has been held in locations across the country from Maine to California. It is rotating to the Western U.S. this year. The Arabian Horse Association and Appaloosa Horse Club are partnering for the second year to hold a multi-breed National Endurance Championship ride. Registered Appaloosas that are also registered with AHA as ½ Arabian may enter both National Championships.
Go to http://www.appaloosa.com/trail/national-champ.htm to download forms.

The ANCER will be held in conjunction with the Arabian Distance Horse National Championships.

Auli Farwa and Tennessee Lane Win 2017 Tevis Cup

Photo: Ron Osborn

Thehorse.com - Full Article

By Marsha Hayes Aug 7, 2017

At 10 p.m. on Aug. 5, Tennessee Lane and the 17-year-old Arabian gelding Auli Farwa (or “Farr”) crossed the finish line 12 minutes ahead of their nearest competitors to win the 62nd Tevis Cup.

The iconic endurance challenge requires each horse and rider team to cover 100 miles within 24 hours. Multiple veterinary checkpoints, including a final vetting after finishing, are designed to keep equine athletes healthy and safe throughout the competition. Of this year’s 174 starters, 92 finished the course for a 52% completion rate.

This win brought Farr’s life-time endurance competition record to 74 starts with 74 finishes, now including eight Tevis completions...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/articles/39522/auli-farwa-and-tennessee-lane-win-2017-tevis-cup

A Brief Look at the AERC National Championship Trails in Colorado

August 7 2017

With less than 2 weeks to go till the AERC National Championships in Colorado, here's a quick overview of the trails you'll ride on the 50 mile ride (Friday August 18) and the 100 (Sunday August 20).

This is a true representation of the Southern Colorado Rockies and I don’t intend to butter that up for you. If you are worried about it being too challenging or technical, then ride the LD, I will make sure the LD is geared back so that inexperienced riders and horses can enjoy a less challenging but equally beautiful ride. The awesome geology around here makes for diverse terrain, with lots of climbs and descents as well as a few flat easy miles to cruise on. There will be some brief technical stretches to keep you entertained, so dismount when prompted if you are nervous. As for the endurance riders (50+ miles,) yes, this will be a challenging ride interspersed with technical stretches that will slow you down, so be smart with your pacing, make up time on the easy stuff and take your time in the tough stuff. I have designed the loops to mix it up, nice easy fast stretches interspersed with slow challenging climbs, descents, and fun technical stuff to keep you awake and give you something to write home about. The scenery is truly unbeatable, the ride camp setting is gorgeous, and as I said, the trails are diverse, with footing varying from flat, canterable-sandy-loam, to steep, walk-it-rocky. The land we are riding across is cattle country – there will be gates. I’m doing my best to minimize the number of gates, and improve the functionality of the ones we must keep closed. There is ample water on the trail, mostly cow tanks but also natural streams and ponds. Altitude: Camp is at >8000′ and the ride will range from 7000′ to a little over 9000′. Please remember that we just got through our FIRST YEAR, we want you guys to be safe and have a BLAST, we are still building trails.  Please feel free to give us constructive comments, advice, and recommendations, we’re doing our best for you!

To sign up for the ride, go to:
https://socoendurance.com/sign-up/

Ride coverage will be at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017AERCNC/

Fast Lane

Auburnjournal.com - Full Article

Saturday Aug 05 2017
62nd annual Tevis Cup

Colorado rider surges past front-runner in final stretch to make a two-time winner out of her horse, Auli Farwa

By: Jeff Nicholson, Sports Editor

Some good old-fashioned whiskey took down fine wine.

Tennessee Lane, riding Auli Farwa, nipped at Napa resident Lindsay Fisher’s heels from the Soda Springs start on Saturday and surged past her in the homestretch to finish at 10 p.m. and win the 62nd annual Tevis Cup Ride.

Fisher, aboard Monk, held the slimmest of leads at the Francisco’s checkpoint, but Lane pulled even by River Crossing and eventually won the race by 12 minutes.

This is the second time Auli Farwa has won the Tevis Cup; Jennie Smith rode him to victory in 2015.

The two finished well ahead of the rest of the pack. Jeremy Reynolds, riding Treasured Moments, looked to be solidly placed for third, with a lead of at least 15 minutes, but the rider chasing him was defending champion Dr. Karen Donley, again riding Royal Patron, who surged up the leaderboard in the last third of the race but ran out of time to chase down the front-runners...

Read more here:
http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/8/05/17/fast-lane

Jeremy Reynolds and Treasured Moments Win 2017 Haggin Cup

August 6 2017
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

Third place Tevis Cup finisher Jeremy Reynolds and the Reynolds' 7-year-old Arabian mare Treasured Moments have won the 2017 Haggin Cup award, the horse in "most superior physical condition" of yesterday's Top Ten Tevis finishers. The pair finished 1 hour 9 minutes behind the winners, Tennessee Lane and Auli Farwa.

Treasured Moments, by DA Adios X Hidden Treasure, by RD Five Star, has an 11 for 11 AERC finish record. This was her first 100 mile ride. Jeremy is a 3-time Tevis Cup and now 3-time Haggin Cup winner.

Complete finish is here:
http://webcast2017.teviscup.org/standings

More stories from the 2017 Tevis Cup are here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017Tevis/

Auli Farwa and Tennessee Lane Win Tevis Cup

Auli Farwa: 8th Tevis Buckle, 74th Completion, Zero Pulls

August 6 2017
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

The amazing endurance horse Auli Farwa completed the Tevis Cup for the 8th time yesterday, finishing his 74th ride without a pull. Ridden by Tennessee Lane, of La Veta, Colorado, the pair crossed the finish line at McCann Stadium at the Auburn (California) Fairgrounds at 10 PM, in first place.

The race was a close, exciting one from Foresthill (68 miles) on, with Lindsay Graham and Monk leaving that hour hold 3 minutes ahead of Tennessee and "Far." Jeremy Reynolds and Treasured Moments, and Heather Reynolds and Grand Ku were close to the leading pair at this point, having moved steadily forward all day, but the 20 minute gap got bigger the rest of the race. Jeremy/Treasure Moments would finish 3rd at 11:09, and Heather/Grand Ku were pulled at Francisco's at 85 miles for lameness.

Tennessee and Far left the last checkpoint, the Lower Quarry at 94 miles, two minutes ahead of Lindsay and Monk, and ultimately arrived at the finish line 12 minutes ahead of Lindsay and Monk.

It was Tennessee's first endurance ride on Far. Over his 4500 miles and 11 seasons of endurance, the now-17-year-old gelding has carried 4 riders to the Tevis finish line: Kevin Myers in 2009. 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; Jenni Smith in 2015; Rusty Toth in 2016, and Tennessee this year. 4 of those were Top Ten finishes, and all but 1 were in the top 15. Far won the Haggin Cup in 2015 with Jenni Smith.

Now owned by Rusty Toth, Far was previously owned by Kevin Myers, who took his life last year. This year's Tevis was a sweet win for all of us who remember and miss Kevin.

Fall Special for New Endurance Riders from the American Endurance Ride Conference

August 5 2017

When you think of endurance riding, you may conjure up images of 100-mile rides across rocky terrain or multi-day rides across the high desert. In reality, endurance riding careers can begin with a relatively easy 10-mile introductory ride or a 25-mile limited distance ride—not so forbidding for those new to distance riding.

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) is making those first steps to endurance riding a little easier with their 2017 Fall Special promotion.

Beginning now, new members can join for the remainder of the 2017 ride season and all of the 2018 ride season, which runs through November 30, 2018, for the discounted price of $88.75. Additional adult family members are $57.50; those 17 or younger are $27.

“Autumn is a great time to get started in endurance riding, with cooler weather and spectacular fall foliage,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel, from AERC’s national office in Auburn, California. “If you’ve been riding regularly, your trail horse may already be ready for a 25-mile ride.”

Many endurance rides also offer 10 to 15 mile “intro” rides, just for equine and rider teams to get acquainted with ride procedures and etiquette. Each equine, even at fun rides, will be checked by a veterinarian before and after the ride, with a check that includes heart rate, limb soundness, hydration and gut sounds, to ensure the horse is deemed “fit to continue.”

“Our Fall Special has been very popular each year,” said Henkel. “During the summer, there is a lot of publicity about some of AERC’s big rides, like the Tevis Cup in California, the National Championships (this year in Colorado), the Biltmore ride in North Carolina and multi-day rides across the U.S. The Fall Special gives people a chance to get their new member educational packet and get the ‘lay of the land’ before the next ride season begins.”

AERC members receive a monthly magazine, Endurance News, in the mail every month, as well as an endurance riding handbook, rule book and educational materials that come along with their membership card. Fall Special members will receive both 2017 and 2018 AERC ID cards.

Online Fall Special signups may be made at https://aerc.org/aerc_fallspecial.

If interested in receiving more information about AERC and endurance riding, request a copy of AERC’s Discover Endurance Riding booklet here: https://aerc.org/aerc_inforequest. The booklet shares the adventure and camaraderie experienced by members of the nonprofit organization.

About AERC

In addition to promoting the sport of endurance riding, AERC has encouraged the use, protection, and development of equestrian trails, especially those with historic significance, since 1972. Many special events of four to six consecutive days take place over historic trails. The founding ride of endurance riding, the Western States Trail Ride or Tevis Cup, covers 100 miles of the famous Western States and Immigrant Trails over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These rides promote awareness of the importance of trail preservation for future generations and foster an appreciation of our American heritage.

The American Endurance Ride Conference, established in 1972, is headquartered in Auburn, California, “The Endurance Capital of the World.” For more information please visit us at www.aerc.org.

2017 Tevis - Who to Watch For

August 4 2017
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

With 1 day to go for the 2017 Tevis Cup, 171 riders signed up as of August 2. Who will make the Top Ten this year, and who will the winner be? Here are a few horses and riders to watch, if you're a betting man.

Last year's Tevis Cup winners, Karen Donley, of Mountain Center, California, and her 15-year-old Arabian mare Royal Patron, return to the course. Karen will be riding with her son JJ Donley, aboard his 8-year-old Arabian gelding MMF Aragorn. Karen and JJ have ridden the Tevis together 5 times, but they have never both completed the ride. Maybe this will be the year it happens.

The Reynolds, of Dunnellon, Florida are back. Jeremy (4th place last year) will be riding their 7-year-old Arabian mare Treasured Moments. Jeremy is a 3-time Tevis Cup and 2-time Haggin Cup winner. Heather will ride their 8-year-old Arabian gelding Grand Ku. Heather is a 2-time Tevis Cup and 1-time Haggin Cup winner.

Lindsay Fisher, of Napa, California, and Chris Martin's 15-year-old Arabian gelding Monk are back. The pair finished 8th in 2015 and 5th in 2016.

The Blakeley family from Terrebonne, Oregon, who consistently finish in the Top Ten or 15 of Tevis are back. This year parents Gabriela and Wasch will ride. Gabriela will ride their 8-year-old Arabian gelding LLC Pyros Choice, and Wasch will be aboard their 8-year-old gelding Ra Ares Bey. Son Barrak won the 2014 Haggin Cup.

Tony Benedetti, of Santa Rosa, California, who finished 9th last year, will ride his 11-year-old Arabian gelding TCF Arowdy Knight.

Last year's 10th place finisher, Suzy Hayes of Arlee, Montana, and her 14-year-old Anglo-Arabian Greenbriar Al Jabal, return this year to the trail.

The 'two Jennies' will ride again this year. Jennifer Waitte, of Napa, California, will ride her 7-year-old half Arabian gelding De La Cruz. Jenni Smith, of Moraga, California, will ride the 10-year-old Arabian gelding French Fry. Jenni won the Haggin Cup aboard Auli Farwa in 2015

The phenomenal 17-year-old Arabian gelding Auli Farwa, owned by Rusty Toth, will be ridden by Tennessee Lane, of La Veta, Colorado. Far won the Haggin Cup (2015 with Jenni Smith), and has a perfect 73-73 record, including 7 Tevis Cup finishes.

2009 Haggin Cup winner Melissa Ribley (riding LD Monique that year) will be riding her 7-year-old Arabian gelding Ever Ready.

Keep an eye on Leah Cain, of Gypsum, Colorado, and her homebred 10-year-old Arabian gelding OT Dyamonte Santo. This pair won last year's AERC National 100-mile Championship.

Another Championship pair are Christoph Schork, of Moab, Utah, and his 15-year-old Arabian mare GE Stars Aflame. This pair have won numerous national awards, including the 2013 50 mile championship, the 2011 100-mile championship, and the 2010 War Mare award.

You might also want to watch out for young Bryna Stevenson, from Newton, New Jersey, and her Arabian cross mare Whisperstreams Atropine, winner of the 2014 100-mile Old Dominion, and the 2015 AERC National 100-mile Championship. I'm just sayin'.

If you're a Mule fan, Frank Smith, of Grass Valley, California, is riding his 16-year-old gelding Raptor. Jani Collins, from Sheridan, California, is aboard her 7-year-old mare mule Wide Awake. Brian Reome of Grass Valley, California will ride his 15-year-old gelding Hondo, all mules doing their first Tevis.

You can pick your own favorites: start list is here:
http://teviscup.org/2017_tevis_rider_list

and you'll be able to follow your riders tomorrow at various sources:
http://tracks.endurance.net/2017/08/streaming-tevis-cup-2017.html

Are You Qualified for the AERC Nat'l Championships?

August 3 2017

With 15 days to go to the AERC National Championships in La Veta, Colorado, there's still time to sign up for the 50 (August 18) or 100 milers (August 20).

Riders Must Be Qualified To Enter the Championship 50 & 100!!!

a) All entrants must be current full members of AERC
b) All riders must ride in the declared weight division
c) Riders will be eligible* to participate in this event by qualifying under the AERC-NC criteria defined as follows:

The QUALIFICATIONS:

50-mile ride: 300 lifetime AERC miles (horse) AND 300 lifetime AERC miles (rider) with at least 100 miles together. The mileage requirements must be met with endurance competitions of 50 miles or more only – no limited distance miles count towards qualification criteria.

100-mile ride: 500 lifetime AERC miles (horse) AND 500 AERC lifetime miles (rider) with at least one 100 mile, one day ride together. The mileage requirements must be met with AERC endurance competitions of 50 miles or more – no limited distance miles count towards qualification criteria.

Alternative qualifications for 100 mile ride: Horse/rider as a team have completed 1,000 AERC endurance miles together (rides of 50miles or more only).

Horse and rider being ranked as a team in the overall top 10 of their AERC region in the year preceding the National Championship Ride they are entering

d) Only eligible members under the AERC NC qualifications will be able to ride at this ride with the exception of riders who are designated to sponsor qualified junior entrants. This sponsoring rider will receive career lifetime mileage only for the unqualified horse and sponsoring rider, but will not affect the overall placement standings for the RIDE. The RM may choose to allow several unqualified riders to enter as eligible sponsors for riders whose sponsors may be pulled during the ride. These unqualified riders will be reported in the results as lifetime mileage only.

*If you do not meet qualification criteria for the NC ride but still want to participate in the event, then you can enter and ride for miles and completion only (no placing) and you must promise to sponsor a Junior rider in the case that a Junior rider’s sponsor is pulled.  Also, a qualified Junior rider may start off with a sponsor who is not qualified (the junior will place, but the sponsor will get completion miles only) – ALL finisher will be treated equally when it come to completions awards, however only NC competitors will receive NC buckles.  

*AERC is providing completion buckles for the National Championship 100 (included in entry fee,) anyone who would like a Spanish Peaks 100 buckle in addition to that may purchase one at the finish for $100, they will be available on site.  It has been accepted that the AERC National Championships is its own, unique event, but it is in fact on the Spanish Peaks 100 course, so we want to first and foremost recognize AERC, but also give you the opportunity to sport the coveted SP100 buckle upon completion of the course.

Bring it on!  Good luck!!!

To sign up, and for more information, see:
https://socoendurance.com/sign-up/

2 Upstate NY women to compete in world’s longest horse race

WSPA.com - Full Story

By Diane Lee
Published: July 28, 2017

The most famous horse race may be the Kentucky Derby. But for the last 8 years, the world’s longest and toughest horse race according to the Guinness Book of Records has been the Mongol Derby.

This year, four women from the Carolinas were accepted into the grueling competition through the Mongolian Countryside.

Two of those riders are from the Upstate, and 7News got a chance to talk to them before they leave on the journey of a lifetime.

A 21 year age difference, makes no difference when you share a passion.

In 2015, it took 59-year-old Claire Summers, with grown kids and grandkids, and 38-year-old Rachel Land, with one of her four kids still in diapers, no time to become fast friends.

“I think we are just great for each other, we get along great we have a lot of the same values, we are both very upbeat,” said Summers...

Read more here:
http://wspa.com/2017/07/28/chasing-a-dream-two-upstate-women-to-compete-in-worlds-longest-horse-race/

Lyons letter: The passing of Chance

IdahoStatesman.com - Full Story

by Joan Lyons, Eagle, Idaho

AUGUST 01, 2017 10:49 PM

About 27 years ago the Idaho Statesman ran a story about a man and his horse. The man is Bob Lyons and the horse was Chance, an Arabian Stallion. The original story told of Bob and his favorite pastime, endurance riding. Bob was a very experienced endurance rider who has completed thousands of miles on his horses, and won many awards doing so.

If you have ever ridden a horse or gone on a long drive through the Eagle foothills, you may have passed by Chance in his pasture. The Lyons moved into their Eagle foothills home 41 years ago. Then, this was one of the very few houses in Eagle. Five years later, they brought baby Chance home to join them in this Eagle residence. Now Eagle has grown and the house where Chance lived is one in a sea of houses...

Read more here:
http://www.idahostatesman.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article164904542.html

Streaming the Tevis Cup 2017

Teviscup.org

July 28, 2017

The Western States Trail Foundation has a loyal group of volunteers that will be working hard to bring you up to date information during the ride weekend. When the ride starts, there will be a link on the main website http://www.teviscup.org/ to the LIVE WEBCAST. That link will allow you to search the progress of a specific rider, information status by checkpoint, current leaders, and a list of pulled riders. New this year, you can even save a list of Favorites to make checking on their progress throughout the day more streamlined!

You can also find updates, live streaming videos and photos during the course of the ride on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TevisCup/ We have webcast photographers and crew at MORE checkpoints than ever this year. We will be doing our best to provide continual coverage, upload pictures and video live during the event. Live streaming was a big hit last year. We plan to have even more if possible this year!

Additionally, this year we have a totally new feature of optional live GPS tracking for riders! For $40 riders can elect to carry a live tracker, which will send pings to update the riders’ status on the trail every 5 minutes. There may be locations on the trail where GPS signal is too weak to successfully send a ping, the unit will try three times before waiting for the next 5 minute interval. You can follow along with those riders who have elected this service here: http://trackleaders.com/teviscup17 We’re also working to have individual riders GPS unit tracking linked to their “Where’s My Rider” webcast page.

All of the people helping to man our EIGHTEEN various checkpoints are volunteers, typically working long hours for nothing more than the love of the event and a spiffy Tshirt. They do their best. Several new innovations have been introduced to provide updates as quickly and error-free as possible. Most stops are either direct internet uploading from the check point or through technology called Winlink which enables emails to be sent over short wave radio. These two things allow us to be more accurate than in the past. We will do our best to keep everyone up to date on their rider.

You can imagine how hard it is to not transpose numbers, either verbally when reading/calling them out (especially for tired riders), or while writing them down/typing them in (think of 3-4 people having to hear/write the number for each instance), especially when you've been awake 20+ hours. Keep in mind it's possible to miss a rider # if they all come in in a big group. If your rider shows up pulled or in a strange place - check again later and don't automatically take it as gospel. There are automated tools to help the webcast volunteers find and correct a mistake at the next update. With the batch uploading process, and some of the remote locations, they may take up to an hour to fully upload.

Also just because your rider stops at a particular location for longer than usual/planned, it's not necessarily significant. It could be that the spotters missed their number going out, or perhaps they stayed longer than planned to let their horse eat or rest for the upcoming trail segment. There will be volunteers in Foresthill with computers if you need assistance in looking up a rider.

Summary of how to follow us online:

Main Tevis Website: http://www.teviscup.org/

Official Tevis Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TevisCup

Event GPS tracking: http://trackleaders.com/teviscup17

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/tevisnews

Flickr Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/teviscup/albums

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tevisfeed/

PLEASE CROSS POST AND FORWARD ON. Thank you.

~ Crysta Turnage

WSTF BOG Member, Webcast Volunteer

Locals participate in the Shamrock Endurance Ride

LuskHerald.com - Full Article

By: For The Herald - Updated: 12 hours ago

On July 30, Carla Stroh and Barb Orr went to the Shamrock Endurance Ride near Wheatland. Carla and her horse, Spook, we’re entered in the 30 mile race on Saturday morning. Barb would work as her ‘pit crew’. They had discussed strategy for the race on the drive down because Carla felt Spook was not in his best condition due to the wet spring and lack of riding time. They decided if they went at a slow controlled pace everything should be fine. Spook vetted in with straight A’s though he was a bit on the heavy side.

Saturday morning the race started at 8:00 with about 45 horse and riders from Wyoming, Minnesota, Colorado and New York! Carla tried to keep Spook mid-pack as the race started but after the first quarter mile but he was pulling hard and wanted to catch the front runners so she let him go. Once there he settled in. The pace was fast, 7-10 miles an hour. The first 19 miles went by in just over two hours and Barb met us at the vet check with water and sponges to cool Spook down...

Read more here:
https://luskherald.com/article/locals-participate-in-the-shamrock-endurance-ride

MSU Collects Research Data at Big Horn 100

GreybullStandard.com - Full Article

July 27, 2017 Greybull Standard

Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine has been a leader in research on colic in the long-distance endurance horse for a while.

Dr. Harold C. Schott II DVM, PhD, DACVIM, a member of the AERC Research Committee, and professor at MSU large animal clinical sciences, in association with the American Endurance Ride Conference, published a report in 2015 regarding 71 horse fatalities among the 270,070 starts in AERC-sanctioned rides during the years of 2002-14.

Schott found that fatality rates in endurance rides are low overall but increase with the length of the ride. The risk in limited-distance rides of 25-30 miles was 0.14 fatality per 1,000 starts. The risk increased by 10 to 1.46 fatalities per 1,000 starts in the 50- and 100-mile rides. Schott further reported that 75 percent of the horses that had a necropsy done had developed colic prior to their deaths.

Aware of this data, MSU is financing a team of researchers to collect data, including ultrasounds, on the horses in 100-mile rides. The research team was present — with equipment and staff — at the Big Horn 100 on July 15.

Dr. Melissa Esser, DVM and assistant professor at MSU, heads the team that also includes Dr. Lisanne Gallant, DVM and medicine resident at MSU, and Madison Dale, an undergraduate student.

Esser stated, “I chose five rides to do over the summer of 2017, the Big Horn of course, we’re here, the Bitmore Challenge Endurance race (Asheville, N.C) we did that in May, The Old Dominion (northern Virginia) in June, and of course we’ll be going to the Tevis Cup (Placer County, Calif.) and Virginia City (Virginia City, Nev.)...”

Read more here:
http://www.greybullstandard.com/2017/07/27/msu-collects-research-data-at-big-horn-100/