by Shelah Wetter
March 14 2022
Katie Daley, a 15 year old from Washington state, wins the 2021 American Saddlebred High Miles Award from the Equine Distance Riding Association on her horse Three Socks.
Katie started taking lessons at Blue Haven Stable in 2016 from myself,Shelah Wetter, and her parents started leasing horses through the summer months in 2017. I sold Katie her first horse, Three Socks, a petite feisty chestnut mare July 2020. I knew it would be a great fit. But little did I know, the ball that had been set in motion.
Socks had a bright start to her career before Katie bought her. Socks had 50 mile starts and a 100% completion rate that still stands. Eleven year old Socks is now trained exclusively by Katie, and with a winter full of hard work, they came into the endurance scene in 2021 ready.
Socks and Katie completed their first 30 mile ride in May 2021 with a group of six other riders from Blue Haven Stables. Katie’s next ride would be one of the PNW hardest rides, the 50 miler at Renegade Rendezvous in the mountains of southern Washington State. That ride boasts more then 8,000 feet of elevation gains, with very steep ascent and descents. It's challenging mentally and physically for both horse and riders. They came through it with flying colors. Among several other 50 mile rides in 2021, they also completed their first multi day—a 50/30. Both Socks and Katie rocked it.
Katie takes impeccable care of Socks, often working her multiple times a day and cross training through the winter when she is stuck in an indoor arena. Socks has come to expect love and (treats) from all, often hanging out with humans loose more like a dog than a horse.
Katie will be attempting her first 75 mile ride to be completed in 18 hours to start her 2022 endurance season. She will also be taking on her first back to back 50/50 mile rides. Katie will be trying to get Socks her CH-SH, which is a champion sport horse designation through the American Saddlebred Registry. Watch out for these two in the years to come!
Katie and I have spent many hundreds of miles and hours training horses together. I'm very proud of her & I look forward to watching this amazing young womans journey with her American Saddlebred mare.
2021 Renegade Rendezvous 50, photo by Dave Honan
Top photo 2021 Crazy Days 50, photo by Apollos Griffin
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