Release: February 25 2009
Endurance riders from across the U.S. and Canada made their way to Louisville, KY, for the American Endurance Ride Conference’s 2008 convention, held February 20-21 at the Galt House Hotel.
The convention, which included educational seminars, “hot topics” workshops, trade show, meetings for international competitors, a class for veterinarians, and a dance, concluded with a heartfelt and tearful national awards banquet.
Suzy Kelley, a longtime endurance rider from Southern California, was taken by surprise when she was named to AERC’s Hall of Fame. Called to the stage, Suzy could only say, “I’m not a speaker. Bye!” But her tears stood testament to the impact of this major award. Suzy has racked up 16,000 miles of competition, and has an 89% ride completion rate over 24 years of riding.
Suzy is not just a rider, however. As presenter Kim Fuess noted, “Suzy can meet someone on the trail and within a week they are riding one of her horses at an AERC ride.” And while Suzy is competitive, Kim said, “She is always willing to lend a hand, or share her crew, even if you are her closest competitor.”
The equine Hall of Fame award went to Edens Bay Rum, a 17-year-old bay Arabian gelding owned by MJ Jackson of Bluffdale, UT. In 12 years of competition, Edens Bay Rum has racked up 151 completions in 154 starts, and of those 7935 miles, 88% were top 10 finishes.
As presenter Susie Schomburg helped unveil a portrait of AERC’s newest Hall of Fame equine by California artist Laurie Anderson, MJ made her way to the podium, and said of her horse, “He’s a super guy. I hope you can see him on the trail. He is still going.”
AERC’s third major award honors a partnership of rider and equine. The Pard’ners Award was presented to Bailey Rose Eiland and Nimphas Barbi, who have been competing together for 10 seasons, which is remarkable since they were both born in 1990. Bailey Rose and Barbi, who hail from the El Paso area, have started 104 rides together and completed 101. Barbi has been taking it easy of late, having recently foaled BRE Renegade Rose, but should be back to competing soon.
Accepting the honor from longtime family friend Roger Taylor, Bailey Rose said of her registered Arabian mare, “It’s as if we were meant to be together. I can’t wait to go home and share this award with her.”
Other special presentations included the United States Equestrian Federation’s Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award which went to Valerie Kanavy. Valerie, a competitor in the recent World Endurance Championships, received the prestigious trophy for earning the most FEI points in the 2008 season.
AERC installed new officers at their general session meeting, with Connie Caudill of Henryville, IN, taking the reins of the 6,800-member organization. Serving as Vice President is Laura Hayes of Brocton, NY. Roger Taylor, of Albuquerque, NM, is treasurer and the secretary’s post is held by Jan Stevens of Ashland, MT.
Plans are already underway for AERC’s 2010 convention, set for February 19-20 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. For more information about AERC or endurance riding, contact the AERC office, located in Auburn, CA, at (866) 271-2372 or e-mail aerc@foothill.net or visit www.aerc.org.
Troy Smith
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Uruguay - Panamericano application deadline
Deadline for Pan Am Applications for USEF riders is February 28
The Deadline to apply for the Pan American Endurance Championship Team is February 28, 2009. The competition is April 24-26, 2009 40km from Montevideo, Uruguay. Applications must be postmarked, faxed or hand delivered with the appropriate fees by the end of the day on February 28. For more information and the complete selection procedures for the event, go to the USEF website www.usef.org or contact Vonita Bowers at (859) 825-6001.
The Deadline to apply for the Pan American Endurance Championship Team is February 28, 2009. The competition is April 24-26, 2009 40km from Montevideo, Uruguay. Applications must be postmarked, faxed or hand delivered with the appropriate fees by the end of the day on February 28. For more information and the complete selection procedures for the event, go to the USEF website www.usef.org or contact Vonita Bowers at (859) 825-6001.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
re: [RC] France requests change to 2008->2009
From: <Leonard.Liesens@ec.europa.eu>
Date: February 22, 2009 2:46:52 AM MST
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>, <steph@endurance.net>
Subject: RE: [RC] [Endurance Tracks] France requests change to 2008-
>2009
Date: February 22, 2009 2:46:52 AM MST
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>, <steph@endurance.net>
Subject: RE: [RC] [Endurance Tracks] France requests change to 2008-
>2009
Hi,
Come on... It is not just France who is mad about this transitional
regulation from FEI. The Group1 and Group2 National Federations are
against this.
There are also a big list of problems between european federation and
FEI : Showjumping Global Champions Tour, Dressage committee. There
will be a big meeting between European NF and FEI on 10th March in
Deauville. Belgium has put the endurance item on the schedule of the
meeting.
wait and see...
The problem is as follows :
- most of the europeaa federation have got their qualification system
system well before FEI even tought about qualifications were
necessary for horses and riders : 30km==>40km==>60km==>80km==>100km
before being allowed to enter FEI rides
- and now the FEI would come and say "Hi guys, 'm the big brother and
I will tell you how to do endurance..."
- there are in Europe thousands horses already qualified according to
the 2008 system (having completed several CEI**) who would have to re-
enter a CEI** before being allowed to compete on 160km
- without taking into account the horses who are already qualified at
what we call the CEN (national system) level, 120 and even 160km.
Those horses should START ALL OVER AGAIN.
So please, Steph, add this paragraph to the release :-)
Thanks and happy trail
Leonard, www.endurance-belgium.com
Friday, February 20, 2009
France requests change to 2008->2009 Transitional Measures
The French Federation urgently requests that the FEI reconsider it's refusal to accept modifications of the current qualification transitional measures. The Federation requests that all Star/Distance qualifications achieved under the 2008 qualification rules be accepted, for all 2009 competitions as though they had been achieved under the 2009 Star qualification rules. Without this change, it is estimated that 1500-2000 french horses will otherwise not be qualified for 2009 **/*** events.
Read more (PDF)
Read more (PDF)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Chase TheWind AH Named 2008 Arabian Horse Association Distance Horse of the Year
Release: February 12 2009
By Hilary Nixon
The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is proud to name purebred Arabian gelding Chase TheWind AH (El Paso x Wind Sonja), owned by Suzanne Ford Huff of Gardnerville, NV, as its 2008 Distance Horse of the Year. Chase received this prestigious acclaim for his outstanding accomplishments in endurance; he completed nine of nine starts during 2008 and received Best Condition twice.
As the winner of the Distance Horse of the Year Award, Chase TheWind AH's name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy donated by the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation and designed by Joe Staheli. Huff will also receive an engraved plaque.
In 2008 alone, Chase earned himself several accolades, including the Nevada All-State Trail Riders Triple Crown Award, finishing his 15th 100-mile one-day ride. There was more than a six-hour difference between Chase and the second-place finisher. Chase also took third at the Virginia City 100-Mile and first place and Best Condition at the High Desert 50-Mile Ride in Fallon, NV.
"Chase did great in 2008, but has been competing every year since 1997. He has accumulated an outstanding record of 15 wins, 35 top 10s, and nine Best Conditions in the featherweight division. He has accumulated 3,985 endurance miles," said Huff. "He has won 10 AHA Regional Purebred Championships, four reserve championships and two top 10s. He has officially finished 14, 100-mile one-day rides, including three of the toughest rides in the country—Swanton, Bighorn and Tevis. He earned a top 10 at Tevis in 2000 as a 10-year-old and then returned at 17 and took third. He has accumulated $25,000 in sweepstakes prize money," adds Huff.
Huff counts 2006 as one of Chase's best years because he was awarded the American Endurance Ride Council National 100-Mile award and the AHA High Point Award in the 100-mile category.
"What makes this horse and his accomplishments even more amazing is that he does it all with an old, traumatic hock injury. Chase is tough in body and mind. He is one of those special horses that just keeps on giving," said Huff.
For more information on AHA distance programs, visit www.ArabianHorses.org/Distance or contact AHA at (303) 696-4531.
By Hilary Nixon
The Arabian Horse Association (AHA) is proud to name purebred Arabian gelding Chase TheWind AH (El Paso x Wind Sonja), owned by Suzanne Ford Huff of Gardnerville, NV, as its 2008 Distance Horse of the Year. Chase received this prestigious acclaim for his outstanding accomplishments in endurance; he completed nine of nine starts during 2008 and received Best Condition twice.
As the winner of the Distance Horse of the Year Award, Chase TheWind AH's name will be engraved on a perpetual trophy donated by the Arabian Horse Owners Foundation and designed by Joe Staheli. Huff will also receive an engraved plaque.
In 2008 alone, Chase earned himself several accolades, including the Nevada All-State Trail Riders Triple Crown Award, finishing his 15th 100-mile one-day ride. There was more than a six-hour difference between Chase and the second-place finisher. Chase also took third at the Virginia City 100-Mile and first place and Best Condition at the High Desert 50-Mile Ride in Fallon, NV.
"Chase did great in 2008, but has been competing every year since 1997. He has accumulated an outstanding record of 15 wins, 35 top 10s, and nine Best Conditions in the featherweight division. He has accumulated 3,985 endurance miles," said Huff. "He has won 10 AHA Regional Purebred Championships, four reserve championships and two top 10s. He has officially finished 14, 100-mile one-day rides, including three of the toughest rides in the country—Swanton, Bighorn and Tevis. He earned a top 10 at Tevis in 2000 as a 10-year-old and then returned at 17 and took third. He has accumulated $25,000 in sweepstakes prize money," adds Huff.
Huff counts 2006 as one of Chase's best years because he was awarded the American Endurance Ride Council National 100-Mile award and the AHA High Point Award in the 100-mile category.
"What makes this horse and his accomplishments even more amazing is that he does it all with an old, traumatic hock injury. Chase is tough in body and mind. He is one of those special horses that just keeps on giving," said Huff.
For more information on AHA distance programs, visit www.ArabianHorses.org/Distance or contact AHA at (303) 696-4531.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Jay's guideline charts for FEI qualification
The following graphics are flow charts assembled by Jay Randle (Australia) to help riders understand the steps involved in qualifying riders and horses for FEI competitions.
disclaimer: These are NOT official FEI documents, please consult the FEI rules for full qualification rules
Note from Jay: "In Australia, the AERA rules override the FEI rules, so the big difference is that although the FEI says that a horse must do either 1) 2 x 40km rides PLUS 2 x 80km rides, OR 2) 3 x 80km rides, BEFORE it can start in an FEI* ride, our Aussie rules state that a horse must do 3 x 80km rides first. And our rules state that a rider MUST do 2 x 40km rides AND 3 x 80km rides before we can move onto FEI.
So, that's really the only difference here (between AERC and AERC riders)."
FEI Horses Flowchart
disclaimer: These are NOT official FEI documents, please consult the FEI rules for full qualification rules
Note from Jay: "In Australia, the AERA rules override the FEI rules, so the big difference is that although the FEI says that a horse must do either 1) 2 x 40km rides PLUS 2 x 80km rides, OR 2) 3 x 80km rides, BEFORE it can start in an FEI* ride, our Aussie rules state that a horse must do 3 x 80km rides first. And our rules state that a rider MUST do 2 x 40km rides AND 3 x 80km rides before we can move onto FEI.
So, that's really the only difference here (between AERC and AERC riders)."
FEI Horses Flowchart
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Date and Location Announced for 2009 North American Junior/Young Rider Championships Pending Final FEI Approval
US Eventing Association
Updated: 2009-02-05
Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is announcing the following date and location for the 2009 North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). The USEF has received preliminary approval from the FEI and is awaiting final word from the FEI Bureau.
As the competition season is getting into full swing, the USEF is providing the following information so Juniors, Young Riders and their Trainers and Chef d'Equipes can plan their schedules accordingly.
Pending final FEI approval, the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park July 22-26, 2009. This is a unique opportunity to use the venue which has been completely redesigned for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Construction is due to be completed in March.
Andrew Ellis will serve as the overall competition manager.
The discipline managers are as follows:
Dressage: Lloyd Landkamer
Eventing: Mary Fike
Reining: Brad Ettleman
Show Jumping: David Distler
Vaulting will have an exhibition during the Championships and Endurance is running a CEIY3* concurrently in Louisville, KY.
Updated: 2009-02-05
Lexington, KY – Pending final FEI approval, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is announcing the following date and location for the 2009 North American Junior/Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC). The USEF has received preliminary approval from the FEI and is awaiting final word from the FEI Bureau.
As the competition season is getting into full swing, the USEF is providing the following information so Juniors, Young Riders and their Trainers and Chef d'Equipes can plan their schedules accordingly.
Pending final FEI approval, the NAJYRC will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park July 22-26, 2009. This is a unique opportunity to use the venue which has been completely redesigned for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Construction is due to be completed in March.
Andrew Ellis will serve as the overall competition manager.
The discipline managers are as follows:
Dressage: Lloyd Landkamer
Eventing: Mary Fike
Reining: Brad Ettleman
Show Jumping: David Distler
Vaulting will have an exhibition during the Championships and Endurance is running a CEIY3* concurrently in Louisville, KY.
Wickenburg: Endurance ride produces local winner
Original Article - The Wickenburg Sun
Cheri Noel and her horse ‘Blue’ with prize buckleParticipating in her first endurance ride, local businesswoman Cheri Noel rode across the finish line in the 25-mile portion of the Land of the Sun Endurance Ride on Saturday, Jan. 24, tying for first place.
Riding “Blue,” an 8-year-old grade roan gelding, she completed the course in two hours and 30 minutes. Noel purchased Blue from the Kay El Bar Ranch last May after the resort closed for the season and, as far as she knows, this was his first competition as well. For their efforts, she received a gold belt buckle, T-shirt, and a piece of artwork from local artist Tammi Riggs. Blue also received the award for “Best Condition” of all horses in the 25-mile competition.
Lawrence and Maureen Serrano and Cruz Ruiz, other local 25-mile competitors, placed within the top 10 finishers. Brothers Jose Roberto and Benjamin Ruiz also rode in this division, which had 65 participants.
In the 50-mile competition, locals Bruce Rosenthal finished ninth and Cindy Thal finished 18th out of 71 riders. The last competitor in the 50-mile division finished at 7:41 p.m. in total darkness. This rider came from Pahrump, Nev., and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to complete the course even though she was disqualified for being overtime. Special thanks go to the drag riders and rescue crew for accompanying her in her quest for a finish.
This ride has been held here for more than 30 years with the Wickenburg Horsemen’s Association (WHA) sponsoring it for the last seven. It is a sanctioned event by AERC (American Endurance Riding Conference) and riders come from all over the nation and the world to participate. The trails are maintained and groomed by WHA members and on the day of the ride at least 100 volunteers are out in the desert making sure everyone is safe and stays on course. The High Desert Search & Rescue also donates time by providing communications and emergency assistance. Veterinary services are provided by Drs. Jim Lytle, Sid Vargas, Mike Close, Robin Waldron, Joanne Naylor and Rich Kiely as well as the pre-vet students from the University of Arizona. Nancy Halsey, WHA treasurer, served as ride manager again this year.
Everyone had a great time on a beautiful Arizona winter morning. WHA appreciates the assistance of Vivian Helmsworth, DD Western World, Serenity Farms, Bashas’, Sundance Pizza & Tastee Freez, Tom & Tammie Riggs, HorseTrailerMonitor.com, Laura Bovee Photography, Creations in Thread, together with Theresa Capriotti and her crew who prepared the banquet on Saturday and everyone who volunteered their time to help make this ride possible.
Cheri Noel and her horse ‘Blue’ with prize buckle
Riding “Blue,” an 8-year-old grade roan gelding, she completed the course in two hours and 30 minutes. Noel purchased Blue from the Kay El Bar Ranch last May after the resort closed for the season and, as far as she knows, this was his first competition as well. For their efforts, she received a gold belt buckle, T-shirt, and a piece of artwork from local artist Tammi Riggs. Blue also received the award for “Best Condition” of all horses in the 25-mile competition.
Lawrence and Maureen Serrano and Cruz Ruiz, other local 25-mile competitors, placed within the top 10 finishers. Brothers Jose Roberto and Benjamin Ruiz also rode in this division, which had 65 participants.
In the 50-mile competition, locals Bruce Rosenthal finished ninth and Cindy Thal finished 18th out of 71 riders. The last competitor in the 50-mile division finished at 7:41 p.m. in total darkness. This rider came from Pahrump, Nev., and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to complete the course even though she was disqualified for being overtime. Special thanks go to the drag riders and rescue crew for accompanying her in her quest for a finish.
This ride has been held here for more than 30 years with the Wickenburg Horsemen’s Association (WHA) sponsoring it for the last seven. It is a sanctioned event by AERC (American Endurance Riding Conference) and riders come from all over the nation and the world to participate. The trails are maintained and groomed by WHA members and on the day of the ride at least 100 volunteers are out in the desert making sure everyone is safe and stays on course. The High Desert Search & Rescue also donates time by providing communications and emergency assistance. Veterinary services are provided by Drs. Jim Lytle, Sid Vargas, Mike Close, Robin Waldron, Joanne Naylor and Rich Kiely as well as the pre-vet students from the University of Arizona. Nancy Halsey, WHA treasurer, served as ride manager again this year.
Everyone had a great time on a beautiful Arizona winter morning. WHA appreciates the assistance of Vivian Helmsworth, DD Western World, Serenity Farms, Bashas’, Sundance Pizza & Tastee Freez, Tom & Tammie Riggs, HorseTrailerMonitor.com, Laura Bovee Photography, Creations in Thread, together with Theresa Capriotti and her crew who prepared the banquet on Saturday and everyone who volunteered their time to help make this ride possible.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Rider, horse rescued after wilderness ordeal
The Dahlonega Nugget - Full Article
By Matt Aiken
Published: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 10:33 AM EST
An afternoon horseback ride turned into an unexpected survival situation for Elizabeth Burrell as she lost her way in the Chattahoochee National Forest on Saturday.
The Dawson County resident was separated from her group at around 2 p.m. while riding near Winding Stair Gap on Jake Mountain.
"We were going down a real steep incline and my husband got off his horse," said Burrell. "His horse turned around and ran away and disappeared so I left my husband there on foot. I don't know how but [my horse and I] turned around and got lost and could never find the trail again. Nor did I find his missing horse."
Meanwhile as Burrell searched for the trail her husband's horse returned to him.
"The horse returned but she didn't return," said Lumpkin County Emergency Management Director Don Seabolt.
This discovery set off an informal search among friends and volunteers.
Once the sun began to dip below the trees, the authorities were alerted and officials from the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office (LSCO), Lumpkin County Fire Department, Department of Natural Resources and nearby Frank D. Merrill Ranger Camp joined the search effort.
Search dogs from Lee Arrendale State Prison and a thermal-imaging helicopter from Georgia Sate Patrol (GSP) were called in to assist as well.
Meanwhile Burrell and her horse Morning Star, exhausted from hours or searching for the trail, settled in for the night.
"I found a safe spot and I settled my horse down because she was very upset and I stated dragging firewood to this little clearing on the mountain," said Burrell.
More...
By Matt Aiken
Published: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 10:33 AM EST
An afternoon horseback ride turned into an unexpected survival situation for Elizabeth Burrell as she lost her way in the Chattahoochee National Forest on Saturday.
The Dawson County resident was separated from her group at around 2 p.m. while riding near Winding Stair Gap on Jake Mountain.
"We were going down a real steep incline and my husband got off his horse," said Burrell. "His horse turned around and ran away and disappeared so I left my husband there on foot. I don't know how but [my horse and I] turned around and got lost and could never find the trail again. Nor did I find his missing horse."
Meanwhile as Burrell searched for the trail her husband's horse returned to him.
"The horse returned but she didn't return," said Lumpkin County Emergency Management Director Don Seabolt.
This discovery set off an informal search among friends and volunteers.
Once the sun began to dip below the trees, the authorities were alerted and officials from the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office (LSCO), Lumpkin County Fire Department, Department of Natural Resources and nearby Frank D. Merrill Ranger Camp joined the search effort.
Search dogs from Lee Arrendale State Prison and a thermal-imaging helicopter from Georgia Sate Patrol (GSP) were called in to assist as well.
Meanwhile Burrell and her horse Morning Star, exhausted from hours or searching for the trail, settled in for the night.
"I found a safe spot and I settled my horse down because she was very upset and I stated dragging firewood to this little clearing on the mountain," said Burrell.
More...
Arizona Endurance ride produces local winner
The Wickenburg Sun
photo: Cheri Noel and her horse ‘Blue’ with prize buckle
Participating in her first endurance ride, local businesswoman Cheri Noel rode across the finish line in the 25-mile portion of the Land of the Sun Endurance Ride on Saturday, Jan. 24, tying for first place.
Riding “Blue,” an 8-year-old grade roan gelding, she completed the course in two hours and 30 minutes. Noel purchased Blue from the Kay El Bar Ranch last May after the resort closed for the season and, as far as she knows, this was his first competition as well. For their efforts, she received a gold belt buckle, T-shirt, and a piece of artwork from local artist Tammi Riggs. Blue also received the award for “Best Condition” of all horses in the 25-mile competition.
Lawrence and Maureen Serrano and Cruz Ruiz, other local 25-mile competitors, placed within the top 10 finishers. Brothers Jose Roberto and Benjamin Ruiz also rode in this division, which had 65 participants.
In the 50-mile competition, locals Bruce Rosenthal finished ninth and Cindy Thal finished 18th out of 71 riders. The last competitor in the 50-mile division finished at 7:41 p.m. in total darkness. This rider came from Pahrump, Nev., and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to complete the course even though she was disqualified for being overtime. Special thanks go to the drag riders and rescue crew for accompanying her in her quest for a finish.
This ride has been held here for more than 30 years with the Wickenburg Horsemen’s Association (WHA) sponsoring it for the last seven. It is a sanctioned event by AERC (American Endurance Riding Conference) and riders come from all over the nation and the world to participate. The trails are maintained and groomed by WHA members and on the day of the ride at least 100 volunteers are out in the desert making sure everyone is safe and stays on course. The High Desert Search & Rescue also donates time by providing communications and emergency assistance. Veterinary services are provided by Drs. Jim Lytle, Sid Vargas, Mike Close, Robin Waldron, Joanne Naylor and Rich Kiely as well as the pre-vet students from the University of Arizona. Nancy Halsey, WHA treasurer, served as ride manager again this year.
Everyone had a great time on a beautiful Arizona winter morning. WHA appreciates the assistance of Vivian Helmsworth, DD Western World, Serenity Farms, Bashas’, Sundance Pizza & Tastee Freez, Tom & Tammie Riggs, HorseTrailerMonitor.com, Laura Bovee Photography, Creations in Thread, together with Theresa Capriotti and her crew who prepared the banquet on Saturday and everyone who volunteered their time to help make this ride possible.
photo: Cheri Noel and her horse ‘Blue’ with prize buckle Participating in her first endurance ride, local businesswoman Cheri Noel rode across the finish line in the 25-mile portion of the Land of the Sun Endurance Ride on Saturday, Jan. 24, tying for first place.
Riding “Blue,” an 8-year-old grade roan gelding, she completed the course in two hours and 30 minutes. Noel purchased Blue from the Kay El Bar Ranch last May after the resort closed for the season and, as far as she knows, this was his first competition as well. For their efforts, she received a gold belt buckle, T-shirt, and a piece of artwork from local artist Tammi Riggs. Blue also received the award for “Best Condition” of all horses in the 25-mile competition.
Lawrence and Maureen Serrano and Cruz Ruiz, other local 25-mile competitors, placed within the top 10 finishers. Brothers Jose Roberto and Benjamin Ruiz also rode in this division, which had 65 participants.
In the 50-mile competition, locals Bruce Rosenthal finished ninth and Cindy Thal finished 18th out of 71 riders. The last competitor in the 50-mile division finished at 7:41 p.m. in total darkness. This rider came from Pahrump, Nev., and was thrilled to be given the opportunity to complete the course even though she was disqualified for being overtime. Special thanks go to the drag riders and rescue crew for accompanying her in her quest for a finish.
This ride has been held here for more than 30 years with the Wickenburg Horsemen’s Association (WHA) sponsoring it for the last seven. It is a sanctioned event by AERC (American Endurance Riding Conference) and riders come from all over the nation and the world to participate. The trails are maintained and groomed by WHA members and on the day of the ride at least 100 volunteers are out in the desert making sure everyone is safe and stays on course. The High Desert Search & Rescue also donates time by providing communications and emergency assistance. Veterinary services are provided by Drs. Jim Lytle, Sid Vargas, Mike Close, Robin Waldron, Joanne Naylor and Rich Kiely as well as the pre-vet students from the University of Arizona. Nancy Halsey, WHA treasurer, served as ride manager again this year.
Everyone had a great time on a beautiful Arizona winter morning. WHA appreciates the assistance of Vivian Helmsworth, DD Western World, Serenity Farms, Bashas’, Sundance Pizza & Tastee Freez, Tom & Tammie Riggs, HorseTrailerMonitor.com, Laura Bovee Photography, Creations in Thread, together with Theresa Capriotti and her crew who prepared the banquet on Saturday and everyone who volunteered their time to help make this ride possible.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sinatra - In Memory
Sinatra's Endurance Adventures
In Memory
Friday, January 30, 2009
Crysta Turnage
I didn’t even suspect that Tevis 2007 would be my next to last completion with Sinatra. We had been battling squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, on Sinatra’s left upper lip/nose area for the past few years. That summer, the cancer was very much in remission and was nearly gone entirely. Unfortunately, in the Fall it came back with a vengeance. After numerous trips to several local vet clinics, and a trip down to UC Davis for a consult with the equine oncologist, the very hard decision to retire Sinatra to a life of leisure, food and fun out to pasture with a herd of other horses was made. Sinatra enjoyed 4 months of living in horsey paradise before having to be euthanized due to his cancer in December 2008.
I find it fitting that our very last ride together, was also our very first - The Rides of March here in Reno, Nevada. Also, they have now moved to a new ridecamp location, and Sinatra's ashes are scattered among the hills overlooking the new trail. From our very first 30-mile limited distance ride in March 2003, to our last 50-mile completion in March 2008, Sinatra was my partner and friend. He could be a total pain in the butt (heck, be bucked me off on BOTH of those rides), but he could also be my steady-eddy trustworthy trail partner. I'm very blessed with some of the precious memories he left me with:
* The faces he would make when I would scratch in all the right spots. I think he could stick his upper lip out 4" and roll his eyes clear back in his head. How I couldn't ever clean his corral without him "accidentally" backing up and WHOOPS! putting his butt right in my way to be scratched.
* An early morning start at the Tour de Washoo ride, where a coyote stood on a rock at eye-level with me not 50 feet from the trail and watched us trot by.
* Power trotting the California Loop at Tevis after 80 hard miles - so strong and sure in the lead, his dark coat gleaming in the moonlight.
* The time he went down on his knees unexpectedly, with me mounted, to get a drink out of a puddle that was in a deep depression, and forgot to LIFT his head to compensate and scuba dived clear up to his eye balls in mud. He blew mud balls out his nose for hours! I laughed so hard I nearly fell off.
* Having to stand in my stirrups to slow him down coming into camp on our first 100, I was so awed by him that day/night.
* Being asked to have Sinatra sponsor other horse's through a ride, many times! He had "steady chug" down to a science.
* Winning the Hairiest Horse Award at our Spring local schooling show... by a LONG shot!
* How he would go off the trail and plow over the top of taller bushes to scratch his belly and legs when he was sweaty. And how at Sunriver he did it with a small pine TREE and was grunting and groaning with pleasure while rocking back and forth, branches sticking out every which way, me on top. All 3 of us girls riding were laughing so hard, I was in tears.
* Our quiet moments together in the evenings
* His expectant face - waiting for something to eat - everytime I got in my trailer at a ridecamp, and how he wasn't often disappointed.
Good bye my buddy – on your back was accomplished the dream of a lifetime. You will always be in my heart. I miss you... so much!
[...full blog]
In Memory
Friday, January 30, 2009
Crysta Turnage
I didn’t even suspect that Tevis 2007 would be my next to last completion with Sinatra. We had been battling squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, on Sinatra’s left upper lip/nose area for the past few years. That summer, the cancer was very much in remission and was nearly gone entirely. Unfortunately, in the Fall it came back with a vengeance. After numerous trips to several local vet clinics, and a trip down to UC Davis for a consult with the equine oncologist, the very hard decision to retire Sinatra to a life of leisure, food and fun out to pasture with a herd of other horses was made. Sinatra enjoyed 4 months of living in horsey paradise before having to be euthanized due to his cancer in December 2008.
I find it fitting that our very last ride together, was also our very first - The Rides of March here in Reno, Nevada. Also, they have now moved to a new ridecamp location, and Sinatra's ashes are scattered among the hills overlooking the new trail. From our very first 30-mile limited distance ride in March 2003, to our last 50-mile completion in March 2008, Sinatra was my partner and friend. He could be a total pain in the butt (heck, be bucked me off on BOTH of those rides), but he could also be my steady-eddy trustworthy trail partner. I'm very blessed with some of the precious memories he left me with:
* The faces he would make when I would scratch in all the right spots. I think he could stick his upper lip out 4" and roll his eyes clear back in his head. How I couldn't ever clean his corral without him "accidentally" backing up and WHOOPS! putting his butt right in my way to be scratched.
* An early morning start at the Tour de Washoo ride, where a coyote stood on a rock at eye-level with me not 50 feet from the trail and watched us trot by.
* Power trotting the California Loop at Tevis after 80 hard miles - so strong and sure in the lead, his dark coat gleaming in the moonlight.
* The time he went down on his knees unexpectedly, with me mounted, to get a drink out of a puddle that was in a deep depression, and forgot to LIFT his head to compensate and scuba dived clear up to his eye balls in mud. He blew mud balls out his nose for hours! I laughed so hard I nearly fell off.
* Having to stand in my stirrups to slow him down coming into camp on our first 100, I was so awed by him that day/night.
* Being asked to have Sinatra sponsor other horse's through a ride, many times! He had "steady chug" down to a science.
* Winning the Hairiest Horse Award at our Spring local schooling show... by a LONG shot!
* How he would go off the trail and plow over the top of taller bushes to scratch his belly and legs when he was sweaty. And how at Sunriver he did it with a small pine TREE and was grunting and groaning with pleasure while rocking back and forth, branches sticking out every which way, me on top. All 3 of us girls riding were laughing so hard, I was in tears.
* Our quiet moments together in the evenings
* His expectant face - waiting for something to eat - everytime I got in my trailer at a ridecamp, and how he wasn't often disappointed.
Good bye my buddy – on your back was accomplished the dream of a lifetime. You will always be in my heart. I miss you... so much!
[...full blog]
Whitehaven to host horse endurance ride in May
Theitem.com - Full Article
By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com
Whitehaven Plantation in the Turkey Creek community of Lee County will host a major horse endurance ride on May 23, officials announced Wednesday.
Turkey Creek Trot, sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference, will feature endurance rides of 10, 25 and 50 miles, said ride manager Trisha Dingle of Whitehaven Plantation.
Whitehaven is no stranger to endurance rides, as it has been the site of J.D. Fountain's Thanksgiving Ride, Dingle said.
"But due to the increase in deer hunting in the fall, we have lost access to the trails in November," she said. "While using many of the same trails as J.D.'s ride, we are also thrilled to have brand new trails with limited road crossings."
In addition to the endurance ride on Saturday, a number of educational clinics will take place at Whitehaven on Friday, May 22, Dingle said.
Sponsors are needed for the various awards, she said.
The mostly sandy trails meander through cotton fields and pine trees. There are some hills, and very little paved road riding, Dingle said.
"There's excellent footing for barefoot horses," Dingle said.
Whitehaven will serve as the base camp and there will be primitive camping with no electrical hookup. The plantation is located seven miles from Bishopville on S.C. 341, just a half mile from Fountain's Grocery Store and Gas Station.
Whitehaven Plantation, owned and operated by David and Martha Lucas, has been in the Lucas family for more than 100 years. The century-old plantation is home to the Egyptian Arabian, one of the rarest horses in the world. Egyptian Arabians comprise less than 3 percent of all Arabian horses in the world, and are known for their beauty, intelligence and versatility.
Whitehaven Plantation is located on more than 200 acres and features a covered arena, jump course and breeding facilities. At any time, the farm averages 50 horses on the property, 22 of them being Egyptian Arabians owned by Whitehaven.
For more information, visit the Web site: www.whitehavenplantation.com or call Dingle at (803) 428-5656.
Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.
By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com
Whitehaven Plantation in the Turkey Creek community of Lee County will host a major horse endurance ride on May 23, officials announced Wednesday.
Turkey Creek Trot, sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference, will feature endurance rides of 10, 25 and 50 miles, said ride manager Trisha Dingle of Whitehaven Plantation.
Whitehaven is no stranger to endurance rides, as it has been the site of J.D. Fountain's Thanksgiving Ride, Dingle said.
"But due to the increase in deer hunting in the fall, we have lost access to the trails in November," she said. "While using many of the same trails as J.D.'s ride, we are also thrilled to have brand new trails with limited road crossings."
In addition to the endurance ride on Saturday, a number of educational clinics will take place at Whitehaven on Friday, May 22, Dingle said.
Sponsors are needed for the various awards, she said.
The mostly sandy trails meander through cotton fields and pine trees. There are some hills, and very little paved road riding, Dingle said.
"There's excellent footing for barefoot horses," Dingle said.
Whitehaven will serve as the base camp and there will be primitive camping with no electrical hookup. The plantation is located seven miles from Bishopville on S.C. 341, just a half mile from Fountain's Grocery Store and Gas Station.
Whitehaven Plantation, owned and operated by David and Martha Lucas, has been in the Lucas family for more than 100 years. The century-old plantation is home to the Egyptian Arabian, one of the rarest horses in the world. Egyptian Arabians comprise less than 3 percent of all Arabian horses in the world, and are known for their beauty, intelligence and versatility.
Whitehaven Plantation is located on more than 200 acres and features a covered arena, jump course and breeding facilities. At any time, the farm averages 50 horses on the property, 22 of them being Egyptian Arabians owned by Whitehaven.
For more information, visit the Web site: www.whitehavenplantation.com or call Dingle at (803) 428-5656.
Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Canada tightens rules over CEM in United States
Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article
January 23, 2009
New restrictions have been imposed for horse imports into Canada from the United States following the outbreak of contagious equine metritis (CEM).
Eight stallions have so far tested positive for CEM and agricultural authorites in about 40 states are tracing 334 horses potentially exposed to the venereal disease.
Revised import requirements announced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) cover all live horses, semen and embryos entering Canada from the US.
No import permits are required for live horses provided the animals have not been on properties where the bacteria responsible for CEM has been detected during the previous 60 days or on premises currently under quarantine or investigation for CEM.
Any mares must not have been bred naturally to, or inseminated with, semen from a stallion positive for CEM, or a stallion living on a property where positive tests have been returned, or under quarantine or investigation for CEM.
Permits are still required for some horses from Florida, due to that state's outbreak of equine piroplasmosis.
Semen collected after December 15 last year will now require an import permit along with certification that the onor stallion has not been on a premises quarantined or positive for CEM in the preceding 60 days.
Requirements for embryos are similar.
January 23, 2009
New restrictions have been imposed for horse imports into Canada from the United States following the outbreak of contagious equine metritis (CEM).
Eight stallions have so far tested positive for CEM and agricultural authorites in about 40 states are tracing 334 horses potentially exposed to the venereal disease.
Revised import requirements announced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) cover all live horses, semen and embryos entering Canada from the US.
No import permits are required for live horses provided the animals have not been on properties where the bacteria responsible for CEM has been detected during the previous 60 days or on premises currently under quarantine or investigation for CEM.
Any mares must not have been bred naturally to, or inseminated with, semen from a stallion positive for CEM, or a stallion living on a property where positive tests have been returned, or under quarantine or investigation for CEM.
Permits are still required for some horses from Florida, due to that state's outbreak of equine piroplasmosis.
Semen collected after December 15 last year will now require an import permit along with certification that the onor stallion has not been on a premises quarantined or positive for CEM in the preceding 60 days.
Requirements for embryos are similar.
National Parks Service Awards Grant to ELCR
January 22, 2009
Contact: Deb Balliet, CEO
Equestrian Land Conservation Resource
(859) 455-8383 dballiet@elcr.org
National Parks Service Awards Grant to Equestrian Land Conservation Resource To Develop a National Equestrian Trails Organization
The National Parks Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (NPS RTCA) has awarded the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) a technical assistance grant to develop a national equestrian trails organization. The terms of the grant include assigning an NPS RTCA staff person to facilitate of process, identify issues and needs of trail riders nationwide, determine an effective organizational structure to represent horse trail users; and provide a contact point for land managers to communicate with trail riders. The determination of the needs and appropriate organizational structure will be developed by conducting a series of meetings with stakeholders in 2009.
An organizing meeting was held in 2008 at the National Trails Conference. In 2009, a series of in-person and conference call meetings are planned. The plans also call for an on-line bulletin board to post the meeting agendas and notes. The on-line forum will also provide an opportunity for trail users and trail organization representatives to share their comments. In addition to ELCR and NPS RTCA representatives, representatives from the following organizations participated in the process: American Horse Council, Back Country Horsemen of America, Southeast Equestrian Trails Conference, Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails Symposium, Pennsylvania Equine Council, US Forest Service, and the US Department of Transportation Recreational Trails Program.
The project goals are to increase to the number of trails open to horses, promote good stewardship of the trails, enhance communication with land managers, develop positive relationships with other trail users groups, and serve in an advocacy role on the above issues and other issues identified during the grant process.
If your organization would like to join our national efforts to save land and trails for horses, visit www.ELCR.org, or call (859) 455-8383 for more information.
Contact: Deb Balliet, CEO
Equestrian Land Conservation Resource
(859) 455-8383 dballiet@elcr.org
National Parks Service Awards Grant to Equestrian Land Conservation Resource To Develop a National Equestrian Trails Organization
The National Parks Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (NPS RTCA) has awarded the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) a technical assistance grant to develop a national equestrian trails organization. The terms of the grant include assigning an NPS RTCA staff person to facilitate of process, identify issues and needs of trail riders nationwide, determine an effective organizational structure to represent horse trail users; and provide a contact point for land managers to communicate with trail riders. The determination of the needs and appropriate organizational structure will be developed by conducting a series of meetings with stakeholders in 2009.
An organizing meeting was held in 2008 at the National Trails Conference. In 2009, a series of in-person and conference call meetings are planned. The plans also call for an on-line bulletin board to post the meeting agendas and notes. The on-line forum will also provide an opportunity for trail users and trail organization representatives to share their comments. In addition to ELCR and NPS RTCA representatives, representatives from the following organizations participated in the process: American Horse Council, Back Country Horsemen of America, Southeast Equestrian Trails Conference, Ohio Valley Equestrian Trails Symposium, Pennsylvania Equine Council, US Forest Service, and the US Department of Transportation Recreational Trails Program.
The project goals are to increase to the number of trails open to horses, promote good stewardship of the trails, enhance communication with land managers, develop positive relationships with other trail users groups, and serve in an advocacy role on the above issues and other issues identified during the grant process.
If your organization would like to join our national efforts to save land and trails for horses, visit www.ELCR.org, or call (859) 455-8383 for more information.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Southeast Equestrian Trails Conference
Info, Contact, Registration
The 2009 Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference has been scheduled for July 9 - 12, in Gainesville, Florida.
Hosted by SEDRA and The Goethe Trail, this year's conference is dedicated to the Heritage Horse of Florida, the Florida Cracker.
Green Horses
Making $ents out of Sustainability is the theme for SETC 2009. We will explore ways to build better trails...protect water quality at creek/river crossings, at horse camps, and at our own farms. Additional topics will be manure management, carbon footprints, invasive exotics, conservation easements and more! If we want to preserve historical use of horses on public lands, we need to educate ourselves to be good (green) stewards. Plan to attend to learn more about policy, planning and politics!
The 2009 Southeastern Equestrian Trails Conference has been scheduled for July 9 - 12, in Gainesville, Florida.
Hosted by SEDRA and The Goethe Trail, this year's conference is dedicated to the Heritage Horse of Florida, the Florida Cracker. Green Horses
Making $ents out of Sustainability is the theme for SETC 2009. We will explore ways to build better trails...protect water quality at creek/river crossings, at horse camps, and at our own farms. Additional topics will be manure management, carbon footprints, invasive exotics, conservation easements and more! If we want to preserve historical use of horses on public lands, we need to educate ourselves to be good (green) stewards. Plan to attend to learn more about policy, planning and politics!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
California Among 39 States Testing Horses for CEM
Thehorse.com
Press Release
January 17 2009
California is among 39 states testing horses that might have been exposed to a highly contagious venereal disease of horses, contagious equine metritis (CEM).
California Department of Food and Agriculture veterinarians have quarantined 14 mares and are working with the USDA and regulatory veterinarians in other states to identify any additional exposed horses as this nationwide disease investigation unfolds. Following a course of negative cultures and treatment, the mares will be released from quarantine.
In mid-December 2008, a CEM-infected Quarter Horse stallion was detected in Kentucky during routine testing for international semen shipment. The USDA and Kentucky animal health authorities quickly initiated a disease investigation, leading to the identification of more exposed horses. To date, nine stallions have been confirmed to be infected: four in Kentucky, three in Indiana, one in Wisconsin, and one in Texas; and a total of 334 exposed stallions and mares in 39 states have been identified and placed under quarantine by state animal health authorities, pending test results.
CEM is considered a bacterial foreign animal disease and has only been detected in the United States on three previous occasions, in 1978 in Kentucky, 1979 in Missouri, and in 2006 in Wisconsin. In all instances, the disease was controlled and eliminated quickly. CEM is not known to affect humans or other livestock. It is spread between mares and stallions during mating or with infected semen used in artificial insemination. It can also be transmitted on contaminated breeding equipment. Stallions do not exhibit any clinical signs, but the infection may cause fertility problems in mares.
Additional national CEM information may be found on the USDA's Web site.
Press Release
January 17 2009
California is among 39 states testing horses that might have been exposed to a highly contagious venereal disease of horses, contagious equine metritis (CEM).
California Department of Food and Agriculture veterinarians have quarantined 14 mares and are working with the USDA and regulatory veterinarians in other states to identify any additional exposed horses as this nationwide disease investigation unfolds. Following a course of negative cultures and treatment, the mares will be released from quarantine.
In mid-December 2008, a CEM-infected Quarter Horse stallion was detected in Kentucky during routine testing for international semen shipment. The USDA and Kentucky animal health authorities quickly initiated a disease investigation, leading to the identification of more exposed horses. To date, nine stallions have been confirmed to be infected: four in Kentucky, three in Indiana, one in Wisconsin, and one in Texas; and a total of 334 exposed stallions and mares in 39 states have been identified and placed under quarantine by state animal health authorities, pending test results.
CEM is considered a bacterial foreign animal disease and has only been detected in the United States on three previous occasions, in 1978 in Kentucky, 1979 in Missouri, and in 2006 in Wisconsin. In all instances, the disease was controlled and eliminated quickly. CEM is not known to affect humans or other livestock. It is spread between mares and stallions during mating or with infected semen used in artificial insemination. It can also be transmitted on contaminated breeding equipment. Stallions do not exhibit any clinical signs, but the infection may cause fertility problems in mares.
Additional national CEM information may be found on the USDA's Web site.
Friday, January 16, 2009
AERC Annual Convention 2009
FEBRUARY 20 & 21, 2009
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
Endurance riders and equestrians interested in checking out the "ultimate distance riding sport" are invited to attend the American Endurance Ride Conference's 2009 convention at the Galt House Hotel Louisville, Kentucky on February 20 and 21.
"We are excited to have our convention in Louisville," said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. "There is no admission charge for the trade show and mini-clinics on the trade show floor, and we are hoping to attract many local riders who may be interested in finding out more about endurance riding."
Highlights of AERC's convention will include a trade show featuring vendors from across the country. Regional awards will be presented at an evening reception on February 20, and the convention will culminate with AERC's national awards the evening of February 21.
The trade show will be located in the Galt House's exhibit hall from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Vendors will display a variety of products for long-distance riders - everything from saddles to jewelry to horse trailers. One feature of interest to local riders is the popular Tack Swap; attendees are welcome to bring their used tack to sell at the show.
Also open to the public is the convention's annual Friday night dance, which begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the convention for $10 per person.
Equine experts from across the U.S. will be featured at several seminar sessions as part of the convention's "Best Condition" theme.
Friday's seminar speakers are:
* Tom Sayvetz, MD, who will discuss pedigrees and performance, including gait efficiency, body and muscle types in horses, metabolic issues and weight-carrying capacity.
* Jim Moore, DVM, whose 3-D horse models and animations, currently used in veterinary schools worldwide, make understanding a horse's gastrointestinal tract much easier. He will discuss anatomical features that result in common causes of colic. Dr. Moore is a professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
* V.R. Maxwell, DVM, will present "Equine Degenerative Joint Disease in the Equine Athlete." Topics covered include healthy joints, the disease processes of degenerative joint disease and therapeutic options.
Saturday's seminar speakers are:
* Duane Barnett, DVM, a longtime AERC veterinarian, will discuss equine performance sports and drug rules. This important seminar focuses on principles and behavior that can be followed by endurance competitors to stay within the intent of AERC's drug rule.
* Laurie Lawrence, PhD, a professor of Equine Nutrition at the University of Kentucky, has authored more than 100 publications on equine nutrition. Her seminar will feature the importance of carbohydrates in the equine diet. Covered will be different types of carbohydrates, how they are digested and absorbed, and which are most important for endurance horses.
* A Veterinary Panel with Drs. Nick Kohut, Ken Marcella, Jeanette Mero and Melissa Ribley will instruct seminar attendees on the convention theme: Best Condition. One of endurance riding's most sought after awards, Best Condition requires speed and stamina from the equine, and this seminar will present ideas for getting and keeping your horse in best condition consideration.
Seminar prices are $45 per day ($25 for each additional family member) if purchased before February 6; the prices go up $10 after the pre-registration period. Seminars begin at 9:00 each day. Tickets are available at the door.
Veterinarians can take part in the seven-credit Continuing Education program on Thursday, February 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Galt House.
Convention registration can be made by phone to the AERC office at 866-271-2372. A complete convention overview and reservation forms are available online at www.aerc.org. The reservation line for the Galt House is 800-843-4258.
For information about AERC's upcoming convention or membership in AERC, visit aerc.org or phone toll-free 866-271-2372.
Contact: Troy Smith
endurancenews@foothill.net
866-271-2372, 530-823-2260
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
Endurance riders and equestrians interested in checking out the "ultimate distance riding sport" are invited to attend the American Endurance Ride Conference's 2009 convention at the Galt House Hotel Louisville, Kentucky on February 20 and 21.
"We are excited to have our convention in Louisville," said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. "There is no admission charge for the trade show and mini-clinics on the trade show floor, and we are hoping to attract many local riders who may be interested in finding out more about endurance riding."
Highlights of AERC's convention will include a trade show featuring vendors from across the country. Regional awards will be presented at an evening reception on February 20, and the convention will culminate with AERC's national awards the evening of February 21.
The trade show will be located in the Galt House's exhibit hall from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Vendors will display a variety of products for long-distance riders - everything from saddles to jewelry to horse trailers. One feature of interest to local riders is the popular Tack Swap; attendees are welcome to bring their used tack to sell at the show.
Also open to the public is the convention's annual Friday night dance, which begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the convention for $10 per person.
Equine experts from across the U.S. will be featured at several seminar sessions as part of the convention's "Best Condition" theme.
Friday's seminar speakers are:
* Tom Sayvetz, MD, who will discuss pedigrees and performance, including gait efficiency, body and muscle types in horses, metabolic issues and weight-carrying capacity.
* Jim Moore, DVM, whose 3-D horse models and animations, currently used in veterinary schools worldwide, make understanding a horse's gastrointestinal tract much easier. He will discuss anatomical features that result in common causes of colic. Dr. Moore is a professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
* V.R. Maxwell, DVM, will present "Equine Degenerative Joint Disease in the Equine Athlete." Topics covered include healthy joints, the disease processes of degenerative joint disease and therapeutic options.
Saturday's seminar speakers are:
* Duane Barnett, DVM, a longtime AERC veterinarian, will discuss equine performance sports and drug rules. This important seminar focuses on principles and behavior that can be followed by endurance competitors to stay within the intent of AERC's drug rule.
* Laurie Lawrence, PhD, a professor of Equine Nutrition at the University of Kentucky, has authored more than 100 publications on equine nutrition. Her seminar will feature the importance of carbohydrates in the equine diet. Covered will be different types of carbohydrates, how they are digested and absorbed, and which are most important for endurance horses.
* A Veterinary Panel with Drs. Nick Kohut, Ken Marcella, Jeanette Mero and Melissa Ribley will instruct seminar attendees on the convention theme: Best Condition. One of endurance riding's most sought after awards, Best Condition requires speed and stamina from the equine, and this seminar will present ideas for getting and keeping your horse in best condition consideration.
Seminar prices are $45 per day ($25 for each additional family member) if purchased before February 6; the prices go up $10 after the pre-registration period. Seminars begin at 9:00 each day. Tickets are available at the door.
Veterinarians can take part in the seven-credit Continuing Education program on Thursday, February 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Galt House.
Convention registration can be made by phone to the AERC office at 866-271-2372. A complete convention overview and reservation forms are available online at www.aerc.org. The reservation line for the Galt House is 800-843-4258.
For information about AERC's upcoming convention or membership in AERC, visit aerc.org or phone toll-free 866-271-2372.
Contact: Troy Smith
endurancenews@foothill.net
866-271-2372, 530-823-2260
Widower's gift sped Refuge approval
Poconorecord.com - Full Article
Opinion - By RALPH "BUD" COOK
January 16, 2009
Thank you for the Record's excellent news coverage and strong editorial endorsement of the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, a milestone in land conservation not only in the Pocono region, but throughout the United States. Refuge funds will complement local and state funding for habitat conservation in the Cherry Valley area. The Refuge will use a willing-seller approach only, i.e., there will be no use of eminent domain by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Many, many local residents and community leaders worked together to bring a National Wildlife Refuge into the mix of conservation opportunities in Cherry Valley. The vast majority of these community-minded people worked inconspicuously, but diligently, to make the Refuge a reality. Their names would fill page after page of the Pocono Record, and it would be wonderful to publicly thank each one of them if space permitted.
I would like to single out one of these unsung heroes, John S. Potter Jr. of Snydersville. Mr. Potter made a major gift to The Nature Conservancy in memory of the late Margaret Price Potter (Maggy). The gift supported the study that looked at the feasibility of creating a new National Wildlife Refuge in the Cherry Valley area.
The Conservancy's efforts contributed to the scientific foundation of a report, issued Oct. 31 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which recommended moving forward with establishment of a Refuge, not far from where Maggy found joy in riding her beloved Arabian horses.
More...
Opinion - By RALPH "BUD" COOK
January 16, 2009
Thank you for the Record's excellent news coverage and strong editorial endorsement of the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, a milestone in land conservation not only in the Pocono region, but throughout the United States. Refuge funds will complement local and state funding for habitat conservation in the Cherry Valley area. The Refuge will use a willing-seller approach only, i.e., there will be no use of eminent domain by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Many, many local residents and community leaders worked together to bring a National Wildlife Refuge into the mix of conservation opportunities in Cherry Valley. The vast majority of these community-minded people worked inconspicuously, but diligently, to make the Refuge a reality. Their names would fill page after page of the Pocono Record, and it would be wonderful to publicly thank each one of them if space permitted.
I would like to single out one of these unsung heroes, John S. Potter Jr. of Snydersville. Mr. Potter made a major gift to The Nature Conservancy in memory of the late Margaret Price Potter (Maggy). The gift supported the study that looked at the feasibility of creating a new National Wildlife Refuge in the Cherry Valley area.
The Conservancy's efforts contributed to the scientific foundation of a report, issued Oct. 31 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which recommended moving forward with establishment of a Refuge, not far from where Maggy found joy in riding her beloved Arabian horses.
More...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
USEF News - January 2009
From Vonita Bowers,
Director of Endurance Discipline
USEF - United States Equestrian Federation
Director’s Update January 6, 2009
The Athlete Elections have been completed. The following are the Athletes elected to the Eligible Athletes Committee 2009-2012:
Kathy Brunjes
Carol Giles
Valerie Kanavy
Heather Reynolds
Jeremy Reynolds
Stephen Rojek
Michele Roush
Christoph Schork
Meg Sleeper
Marcia Smith
Stephanie Teeter
Three of these Committee members will be elected by the members to serve on the High Performance Committee as Athlete Representatives.
The AERCI’s Technical Committee Recommendations have been forwarded to Mr. O’ Connor for appointment.
The new FEI Rules for Endurance have been circulated and are on the USEF Endurance page and the FEI website www.horsesport.org . There are also three other documents that are companions to the rules document. Those are posted just below the rules on both websites.
The procedures for the 2009 Pan American Championships are in their final stages of approval. The competition is April 24-26 in Costa Azul, Uruguay. It is a 120km race, and the qualification is the same as that listed for the Junior/Young Rider World Championships on the FEI website. There is no Athlete funding available. This information has been circulated to members of the Rider Ranking List.
The North American Planning is moving forward. The 4* Competition has been dropped, since there is no nations qualifying in the new FEI Rules. The Team Challenge CEI3* is planned for October 14.
The Endurance Committees will meet at the USEF Convention Jan. 16. The meetings are open. The primary agenda items are Selectors and Vet Panel for 2009-2010, Discussion of the past World Championship, and discussion of the High Performance Program going forward. The new Athletes committee will be seated. The new Technical Committee is not seated until March. Any of those new Technical members are invited to sit in on meetings between now and March. In addition to the meetings, the Youth Convention will be going on, and the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Trophy will be awarded to Valerie Kanavy at the Pegasus Awards Dinner Saturday, Jan 17th.
The AERC Convention meetings will be Sunday Afternoon from 1 to 5:00.
The Officials Course will be held beginning Sunday evening and continuing through Tuesday. For more information regarding the course, contact Mary Smith at msmith@usef.org.
Director of Endurance Discipline
USEF - United States Equestrian Federation
Director’s Update January 6, 2009
The Athlete Elections have been completed. The following are the Athletes elected to the Eligible Athletes Committee 2009-2012:
Kathy Brunjes
Carol Giles
Valerie Kanavy
Heather Reynolds
Jeremy Reynolds
Stephen Rojek
Michele Roush
Christoph Schork
Meg Sleeper
Marcia Smith
Stephanie Teeter
Three of these Committee members will be elected by the members to serve on the High Performance Committee as Athlete Representatives.
The AERCI’s Technical Committee Recommendations have been forwarded to Mr. O’ Connor for appointment.
The new FEI Rules for Endurance have been circulated and are on the USEF Endurance page and the FEI website www.horsesport.org . There are also three other documents that are companions to the rules document. Those are posted just below the rules on both websites.
The procedures for the 2009 Pan American Championships are in their final stages of approval. The competition is April 24-26 in Costa Azul, Uruguay. It is a 120km race, and the qualification is the same as that listed for the Junior/Young Rider World Championships on the FEI website. There is no Athlete funding available. This information has been circulated to members of the Rider Ranking List.
The North American Planning is moving forward. The 4* Competition has been dropped, since there is no nations qualifying in the new FEI Rules. The Team Challenge CEI3* is planned for October 14.
The Endurance Committees will meet at the USEF Convention Jan. 16. The meetings are open. The primary agenda items are Selectors and Vet Panel for 2009-2010, Discussion of the past World Championship, and discussion of the High Performance Program going forward. The new Athletes committee will be seated. The new Technical Committee is not seated until March. Any of those new Technical members are invited to sit in on meetings between now and March. In addition to the meetings, the Youth Convention will be going on, and the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Trophy will be awarded to Valerie Kanavy at the Pegasus Awards Dinner Saturday, Jan 17th.
The AERC Convention meetings will be Sunday Afternoon from 1 to 5:00.
The Officials Course will be held beginning Sunday evening and continuing through Tuesday. For more information regarding the course, contact Mary Smith at msmith@usef.org.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Arizona: Wickenburg endurance ride slated for 8th year
Wickenburgsun.com
January 8, 2009
Once again it is time for the Land of the Sun Endurance ride, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24.
This will be the eighth year for this wonderful ride through the desert and surrounding areas of Wickenburg.
The ride consists of two rides -- one a 50-mile ride and the other a 25-mile ride. There are two loops of 25 miles each.
The entire trail is cleaned by members of the Wickenburg Horseman’s Association and friends. All of them volunteer their time and energy to help make this one of the more successful rides in Arizona.
Within a few days of the ride, the trails will start to be marked with a red and white striped ribbon attached to a clothespin. The trails will be unmarked within a few days after the ride. It takes of lot of work to do this, and it keeps riders who are going fast down the trail from getting lost.
The ride committee appreciates people leaving the ribbons on the trails. When the trail-marking ribbons are removed, it causes problems for the endurance riders.
For more information, to participate in the ride, or to help with the preparations, call Nancy Halsey at 684-3415.
January 8, 2009
Once again it is time for the Land of the Sun Endurance ride, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24.
This will be the eighth year for this wonderful ride through the desert and surrounding areas of Wickenburg.
The ride consists of two rides -- one a 50-mile ride and the other a 25-mile ride. There are two loops of 25 miles each.
The entire trail is cleaned by members of the Wickenburg Horseman’s Association and friends. All of them volunteer their time and energy to help make this one of the more successful rides in Arizona.
Within a few days of the ride, the trails will start to be marked with a red and white striped ribbon attached to a clothespin. The trails will be unmarked within a few days after the ride. It takes of lot of work to do this, and it keeps riders who are going fast down the trail from getting lost.
The ride committee appreciates people leaving the ribbons on the trails. When the trail-marking ribbons are removed, it causes problems for the endurance riders.
For more information, to participate in the ride, or to help with the preparations, call Nancy Halsey at 684-3415.
Australia: Microchipping
Australian Endurance Riders Association
At the recent AERA meeting the following motion was passed:
That as from 1st January 2010, all horses qualifying to endurance status must be microchipped to be eligible to compete.
The AERA Veterinary Panel made recommendations to AERA to have all horses microchipped, novice and endurance, including horses currently competing.
The AERA would like to encourage members to have all their horses microchipped irrespective of their status.
More information
At the recent AERA meeting the following motion was passed:
That as from 1st January 2010, all horses qualifying to endurance status must be microchipped to be eligible to compete.
The AERA Veterinary Panel made recommendations to AERA to have all horses microchipped, novice and endurance, including horses currently competing.
The AERA would like to encourage members to have all their horses microchipped irrespective of their status.
More information
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
AERC Election Results - Directors at Large
Congratulations to the following members
for being elected to the Director-at-Large positions
on the AERC Board of Directors.
John Crandell III
Randy Eiland
Kim Fuess
Roberta Harms
Laura Hayes
Susan Keil DVM
Mike Maul
Bruce Weary, D.C.
They will be installed in office at the Saturday meeting at the convention and serve for two years.
Mike Maul
AERC President
for being elected to the Director-at-Large positions
on the AERC Board of Directors.
John Crandell III
Randy Eiland
Kim Fuess
Roberta Harms
Laura Hayes
Susan Keil DVM
Mike Maul
Bruce Weary, D.C.
They will be installed in office at the Saturday meeting at the convention and serve for two years.
Mike Maul
AERC President
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Modern Mustangs and Mustangers Do the Distance
Original Article
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Compiled by Beverley J. Davis
It might seem like the accomplishments of Hidalgo and his kind are now a part of the past, something we only find in books and movies. But modern Mustangs and Mustangers are carrying on the old traditions and proving their mettle in this age of mechanized transportation and supersonic speeds. And in this world of flash and glamour, where the motto is bigger is better, the small Indian ponies of old, who carried the US mail from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California, who followed the war trails with Quanah Parker and Chief Joseph, and taught the US cavalry that size had nothing to do with stamina and heart, are still hitting the trails and going the distance.
Finding a starting place for this journey is not an easy one, but since we must start somewhere, I’ll jump in with the tale Mal de Ojo and Indio Blanco. In the early 1970s, two young adventurers named Nathan and Elly Foote started out of Argentina with the intention of riding across North and South America on their Argentine Criollos, a breed closely related to the Spanish mustang. Unfortunately at the Texas border two of their horses died in quarantine due to a faulty drug administered by the USDA. It might have been the end of the journey, but Gilbert Jones, a Spanish mustang breeder from Oklahoma stepped up and offer them two of his horses, Mal de Ojo and Indio Blanco. Right away the mustangs proved themselves to be as tough and loyal as the horses that they had lost, carrying their new owners from the Rio Grande all the way to Alaska. Elly Foote said that these tough adventurers spent their last years in the green pastures of Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada. No doubt a well-earned reward.
In the world of competitive trail riding, there are two prominent organizations, The AERC, American Endurance Ride Conference, and the NATRC, North American Trail Ride Conference, both of which has regional rides and accumulates points accordingly.
[More ...]
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Compiled by Beverley J. Davis
It might seem like the accomplishments of Hidalgo and his kind are now a part of the past, something we only find in books and movies. But modern Mustangs and Mustangers are carrying on the old traditions and proving their mettle in this age of mechanized transportation and supersonic speeds. And in this world of flash and glamour, where the motto is bigger is better, the small Indian ponies of old, who carried the US mail from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California, who followed the war trails with Quanah Parker and Chief Joseph, and taught the US cavalry that size had nothing to do with stamina and heart, are still hitting the trails and going the distance.
Finding a starting place for this journey is not an easy one, but since we must start somewhere, I’ll jump in with the tale Mal de Ojo and Indio Blanco. In the early 1970s, two young adventurers named Nathan and Elly Foote started out of Argentina with the intention of riding across North and South America on their Argentine Criollos, a breed closely related to the Spanish mustang. Unfortunately at the Texas border two of their horses died in quarantine due to a faulty drug administered by the USDA. It might have been the end of the journey, but Gilbert Jones, a Spanish mustang breeder from Oklahoma stepped up and offer them two of his horses, Mal de Ojo and Indio Blanco. Right away the mustangs proved themselves to be as tough and loyal as the horses that they had lost, carrying their new owners from the Rio Grande all the way to Alaska. Elly Foote said that these tough adventurers spent their last years in the green pastures of Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada. No doubt a well-earned reward.
In the world of competitive trail riding, there are two prominent organizations, The AERC, American Endurance Ride Conference, and the NATRC, North American Trail Ride Conference, both of which has regional rides and accumulates points accordingly.
[More ...]
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Canada launches CEM investigation, 4th stallion infected
Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article
January 1, 2009
Another Kentucky stallion has been found to be infected with contagious equine metritis as the outbreak extends its tentacles north into Canada.
Canada has confirmed that semen from one of the infected stallions was imported into the country and it has launched an inquiry.
In Kentucky, four stallions - three quarter horses and one paint - have been confirmed infected with the venereal disease.
Each of the four stallions stood the 2008 season at a breeding facility in Woodford County that specialises in stallion collection for artificial insemination.
Three of the four infected stallions remain at the original premises with the fourth at another Woodford County address.
More...
January 1, 2009
Another Kentucky stallion has been found to be infected with contagious equine metritis as the outbreak extends its tentacles north into Canada.
Canada has confirmed that semen from one of the infected stallions was imported into the country and it has launched an inquiry.
In Kentucky, four stallions - three quarter horses and one paint - have been confirmed infected with the venereal disease.
Each of the four stallions stood the 2008 season at a breeding facility in Woodford County that specialises in stallion collection for artificial insemination.
Three of the four infected stallions remain at the original premises with the fourth at another Woodford County address.
More...
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Ed Anderson's Thru-Ride on PCT
by Ed Anderson
On Sunday, August 17, 2008 Primo and I arrived at McKenzie Pass near Sisters, Oregon, to complete our 1350-mile thru-journey of the Pacific Crest Trail. We had started from the border of Mexico on April 19. We had traveled through state parks, county parks, a national park, several wilderness areas and national forests, BLM lands, and across easements through private lands.
This account is a very brief description of what I saw and what it is like to solo-ride your horse on the Pacific Crest Trail.
My best friend and dear companion on the trail was TLC Primo Eclipse, my registered Arabian endurance horse. I chose Primo for this trip because he is brave, strong, tough, has excellent feet, is very sure-footed, and is exceptionally agile. All of these qualities would prove crucial on the trail in the weeks and months to follow. Primo would go through places and situations where others might not.
Primo was the only horse in the spring of 2008 to head north from the border of Mexico. There were hundreds of hikers from as far away as Europe and New Zealand. When you travel alone with your horse over such long distances and pass over an around so many challenging obstacles, a very close bond developes. We became best friends. I was the other horse, he the other person. A mutual trust and a real sense if inter-dependance developed between us. Primo bravely faced horse-scary places like fast rushing streams to cross, sand slides, rock slides, down trees, horse-eating stumps and wierd-shaped boulders, tunnels, many types of bridges, the windmills in the Tehachipi area, moving shadows of windmill blades across the trail, and wide, sloped snow banks to cross. In May, we rode through a snow storm in the Angeles Crest - rain had unexpectedly turned into heavy snow. We pushed on to North Fork Ranger Station where the very helpful caretaker let me put Primo in a corral. He even gave him pellets and let me sleep in the barracks. What a luxury after all the snow. Primo would go on, even through a storm, if I asked him to. And he knew that I would not lead him into danger. If the situation looked risky or if it was impassable for us, we would turn back and find another way.
Thanks to the help we got from the Equestrian Center at Warner Springs Resort (they took good care of Primo and gave me a ride down), I was able to attend the annual "kick-off" party at Lake Moreno nearly 100 miles south of Warner Springs. This is a great event, attended by several hundred people, angels, aspiring thru-hikers, past hikers, wanna-be thru-hikers and many others. The atmosphere was friendly and I met many people. There were several informative programs, including a forum, demonstrations, vender exhibits, and a great slide show by Eric Ryback who, at 17, was the first person to thru-hike, in 1970, the Pacific Crest Trail. The BBQ dinner was special as was the breakfast on Sunday morning. It was at this event that I was to learn that I was the only person planning to thru-ride the PCT in 2008. I got a ride back to Warner Springs on Sunday morning, tacked up and packed Primo, and we headed north again. Since we got a late start that day, we only went seven miles and camped alone at a magical spot along Agua Caliente Creek where Indians had camped long ago. I discovered several Indian morters, and to my surprise and delight, one that still had the pestle in it! Primo was hobbled and grazing while I was taking a solar shower. When I dressed and looked for him he was gone. His tracks showed that he was heading back on the trail towards Warner Springs to visit his horse friends there. When I caught up with him I discovered that he had covered about 1/2 mile, hobbles and all. He had been living at Warner Springs for 2 days while I was at the Kickoff Party. From then on I was to always keep his bell on while he grazed and also kept an eye on him. He never wandered far again.
Some have asked me how riding the PCT is different from hiking it. Most think that riding a horse would be much easier. Riding solo on the PCT, compared to hiking it is a very different, and more challenging experience. The hikers can have it really easy because they have so many options. They can easily climb over or duck under downed trees. And slides and boulders are less of a concern for them. Their hiking poles are certainly a lot of help on slides or in snow. Hikers can carry thier water with them and can "dry camp' almost anywhere, while I needed to find camps with graze, water, and trees to highline Primo at night - so, we often camped alone. When the trail crosses a road the hikers often hitch-hike into a town or city and take a day off, a "0-day"'. They can check into a motel, take a shower, resupply at the supermarket, eat in restaurants, visit the laundromat, maybe take in a movie, make phone calls and even use the computers at the local library. A rider with his horse can do none of the above. Mine was much more of a wilderness journey - a journey with very little contact with towns and cities. I like it better that way.
The scenery along the PCT was varied and often spectacular. The grand forests, the individual trees, the wide variety of the millions of wildflowers, the wildlife, the hundreds of lakes and ponds, the impressive rock formations, the mountains and hills, and the very special horse-friend who was always there, all of these will remain fixed in my memories as long as I live.
Detours were sometimes necessary to get past obstacles or to avoid taking serious risks. We encountered hundreds of down trees during our journey. Detours, taken for various reasons, would take minutes to several hours and sometimes required that I cut trees and branches to clear a way through. I had brought along a folding saw with a very sharp blade 14 1/2" long that could cut from the tip. I could, if necessary, cut trees up to 16" in diameter. I made wedges out of wood. Once, a! 4" diameter tree blocked a narrow trail and had come to rest at a steep angle. The slope above and below the trail was also very steep. Backtracking there would have been difficult, so I decided to cut the tree. It took more than an hour to cut that tree .I had to be very careful not to get my blade pinched and to be sure that when the upper section did fall, there would be enough room for Primo to get past. Primo, tied about 25 feet away, watched. He knew that we would go forward.
Primo came to understand, and accept, that we lived on the PCT, and that there were no other horses. It was interesting that he would sometimes, after his evening graze, come over and "join up" with myself and a group of hikers while we were talking in camp - as though this group of people were other horses, his substitute "human herd".
Primo enjoyed the "smorgasbord' of horse-edible plants that he found along the trail. Once he decided which plants were good, he would spot something that he wanted to eat from 20 feet away and would stop abruptly when we got there. I would always let him graze along the trail because I could never be sure what the graze would be like up ahead or at the next camp. Graze at our camps varied. Often it was excellent or good. Other times it was fair, thin, or none at all, and I would feed Primo extra feed. Arabians are desert horses and can go longer without drinking than some other breeds, and since we were walking, there was very little sweating. So, if Primo had recently had a good drink, and we came to a beautiful meadow off the trail, with lots of graze and nearby trees, but no water, we would make camp.
During our journey we had to trailer around Mt. San Jacento and the Sierra Nevada because of the risks of trying to cross deep snow with a horse. 2008 was a year of hundreds of lighting-started fires in Northern California. There was a long wait in Sierra City. I hoped that the fires affecting the PCT would come under control, and that the closed sections would be reopened. I had become very discouraged because of the fires and smoke. I decided that it would be best to trailer around the closed sections and much of the smoke and then pick up the trail again at Burney Falls, California. I would ride from there to a planned exit at at McKenzie Pass near Sisters, Oregon. I had made a family commitment that I would return home by August 20, and we were to reach McKenzie Pass on August 17, where an endurance rider friend was to pick us up. She brought us down to her beautiful ranch in Sisters and another endurance rider friend trailered us to Ashland where I had left my rig. We made it home with a day to spare. Oregon had no fires going while we were there, and it was a really wonderful part of my trip to see blue skys and dramatic clouds while riding through its grand beauty of the several wilderness areas and Crater Lake National Park .
Some have asked how we resupplied and what Primo ate besides grass while we traveled. To supplement his graze I planned an average of six pounds of processed feed per day. This was sealed in Food-Saver bags without the vacuum so bags would be flexible for easier packing. I packed, three pounds in each bag, always including one five-pound bag that Primo could eat while I packed a resupply into the pommel bags and saddle bags. The air-tight seal of these feed bags prevented smells from attracting bears and other critters.
It was necessary to resupply many times during our journey. This took a lot of planning and I ended up relying on several different approches. The approach that I used most often, especially in Northern California and Oregon , was to drive ahead and hide or, most often, bury our caches near PCT trailheads or road crossings. All of our food was pre-packed in air-tight plastic bags as described above. I would bury a cache well away from the trail or trailhead. I would first carefully peel back the ground cover and then dig a shallow trench about three feet long, eight to ten inches deep and about ten inches wide. Primos food bags, and my main food bag (a 12 1/2" x 20" OPSAK with several Ziploc freezer bags containing different catagories of food), would be placed in along with exactly ten mothballs on top. Then the soil went in with the original ground cover on top, with leaves, pine needles, and branches over for camouflage. When we arrived at a cache, sometimes weeks later, I would, saving the original ground cover, dig up the cache with my digging trowel and recover the food bags and all ten moth balls for reuse in my "bear charms" (it would not be environmentally acceptable to leave them). I would then refill the hole and replace the ground cover and camoflage. My criteria was to leave that spot so that if a person were to pass by he would not notice that a hole had been there. What are bear charms? In parts of the Yukon cotton tobacco sacks with mothballs inside are known as "bear charms" To discourage bears I used them in camp around my main food sack (the OPSAK) and surrounding my tent. I would like to comment that no bear ever got into my caches or came into my camps.
The second method of resupply was directly from my well-stocked horse trailer. When we reached where I had left it parked. I would, leaving Primo in good care, drive my rig ahead, caching along the way. To return to Primo I would hitch a ride, take public transportation (if available), or get a pre-arranged ride back offered by an angel. I would have always obtained permission in advance to park the rig in a safe place.
The third approach to resupply required angels who would let me park my rig in a safe place on their property, or drop off my resupplies with them so I could pick them up when we passed through or near. Or, angels could meet us at pre-planned locations. This assumed that cell phone service was available. My wonderful wife, Jereen, met us several times while we passed through Southern California.
The following is my sincere thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, to all of those fellow endurance riders (members of the AERC - American Endurance Ride Conference), Back Country Horsemen, and other angels who helped in so many ways to make our journey possible. In this e-mail message I am including others who would want to know about our adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail. Next year I hope to return to McKenley Pass and continue north to Canada.
Ed Anderson aka "MendoRider" on the trail.
On Sunday, August 17, 2008 Primo and I arrived at McKenzie Pass near Sisters, Oregon, to complete our 1350-mile thru-journey of the Pacific Crest Trail. We had started from the border of Mexico on April 19. We had traveled through state parks, county parks, a national park, several wilderness areas and national forests, BLM lands, and across easements through private lands.
This account is a very brief description of what I saw and what it is like to solo-ride your horse on the Pacific Crest Trail.
My best friend and dear companion on the trail was TLC Primo Eclipse, my registered Arabian endurance horse. I chose Primo for this trip because he is brave, strong, tough, has excellent feet, is very sure-footed, and is exceptionally agile. All of these qualities would prove crucial on the trail in the weeks and months to follow. Primo would go through places and situations where others might not.
Primo was the only horse in the spring of 2008 to head north from the border of Mexico. There were hundreds of hikers from as far away as Europe and New Zealand. When you travel alone with your horse over such long distances and pass over an around so many challenging obstacles, a very close bond developes. We became best friends. I was the other horse, he the other person. A mutual trust and a real sense if inter-dependance developed between us. Primo bravely faced horse-scary places like fast rushing streams to cross, sand slides, rock slides, down trees, horse-eating stumps and wierd-shaped boulders, tunnels, many types of bridges, the windmills in the Tehachipi area, moving shadows of windmill blades across the trail, and wide, sloped snow banks to cross. In May, we rode through a snow storm in the Angeles Crest - rain had unexpectedly turned into heavy snow. We pushed on to North Fork Ranger Station where the very helpful caretaker let me put Primo in a corral. He even gave him pellets and let me sleep in the barracks. What a luxury after all the snow. Primo would go on, even through a storm, if I asked him to. And he knew that I would not lead him into danger. If the situation looked risky or if it was impassable for us, we would turn back and find another way.
Thanks to the help we got from the Equestrian Center at Warner Springs Resort (they took good care of Primo and gave me a ride down), I was able to attend the annual "kick-off" party at Lake Moreno nearly 100 miles south of Warner Springs. This is a great event, attended by several hundred people, angels, aspiring thru-hikers, past hikers, wanna-be thru-hikers and many others. The atmosphere was friendly and I met many people. There were several informative programs, including a forum, demonstrations, vender exhibits, and a great slide show by Eric Ryback who, at 17, was the first person to thru-hike, in 1970, the Pacific Crest Trail. The BBQ dinner was special as was the breakfast on Sunday morning. It was at this event that I was to learn that I was the only person planning to thru-ride the PCT in 2008. I got a ride back to Warner Springs on Sunday morning, tacked up and packed Primo, and we headed north again. Since we got a late start that day, we only went seven miles and camped alone at a magical spot along Agua Caliente Creek where Indians had camped long ago. I discovered several Indian morters, and to my surprise and delight, one that still had the pestle in it! Primo was hobbled and grazing while I was taking a solar shower. When I dressed and looked for him he was gone. His tracks showed that he was heading back on the trail towards Warner Springs to visit his horse friends there. When I caught up with him I discovered that he had covered about 1/2 mile, hobbles and all. He had been living at Warner Springs for 2 days while I was at the Kickoff Party. From then on I was to always keep his bell on while he grazed and also kept an eye on him. He never wandered far again.
Some have asked me how riding the PCT is different from hiking it. Most think that riding a horse would be much easier. Riding solo on the PCT, compared to hiking it is a very different, and more challenging experience. The hikers can have it really easy because they have so many options. They can easily climb over or duck under downed trees. And slides and boulders are less of a concern for them. Their hiking poles are certainly a lot of help on slides or in snow. Hikers can carry thier water with them and can "dry camp' almost anywhere, while I needed to find camps with graze, water, and trees to highline Primo at night - so, we often camped alone. When the trail crosses a road the hikers often hitch-hike into a town or city and take a day off, a "0-day"'. They can check into a motel, take a shower, resupply at the supermarket, eat in restaurants, visit the laundromat, maybe take in a movie, make phone calls and even use the computers at the local library. A rider with his horse can do none of the above. Mine was much more of a wilderness journey - a journey with very little contact with towns and cities. I like it better that way.
The scenery along the PCT was varied and often spectacular. The grand forests, the individual trees, the wide variety of the millions of wildflowers, the wildlife, the hundreds of lakes and ponds, the impressive rock formations, the mountains and hills, and the very special horse-friend who was always there, all of these will remain fixed in my memories as long as I live.
Detours were sometimes necessary to get past obstacles or to avoid taking serious risks. We encountered hundreds of down trees during our journey. Detours, taken for various reasons, would take minutes to several hours and sometimes required that I cut trees and branches to clear a way through. I had brought along a folding saw with a very sharp blade 14 1/2" long that could cut from the tip. I could, if necessary, cut trees up to 16" in diameter. I made wedges out of wood. Once, a! 4" diameter tree blocked a narrow trail and had come to rest at a steep angle. The slope above and below the trail was also very steep. Backtracking there would have been difficult, so I decided to cut the tree. It took more than an hour to cut that tree .I had to be very careful not to get my blade pinched and to be sure that when the upper section did fall, there would be enough room for Primo to get past. Primo, tied about 25 feet away, watched. He knew that we would go forward.
Primo came to understand, and accept, that we lived on the PCT, and that there were no other horses. It was interesting that he would sometimes, after his evening graze, come over and "join up" with myself and a group of hikers while we were talking in camp - as though this group of people were other horses, his substitute "human herd".
Primo enjoyed the "smorgasbord' of horse-edible plants that he found along the trail. Once he decided which plants were good, he would spot something that he wanted to eat from 20 feet away and would stop abruptly when we got there. I would always let him graze along the trail because I could never be sure what the graze would be like up ahead or at the next camp. Graze at our camps varied. Often it was excellent or good. Other times it was fair, thin, or none at all, and I would feed Primo extra feed. Arabians are desert horses and can go longer without drinking than some other breeds, and since we were walking, there was very little sweating. So, if Primo had recently had a good drink, and we came to a beautiful meadow off the trail, with lots of graze and nearby trees, but no water, we would make camp.
During our journey we had to trailer around Mt. San Jacento and the Sierra Nevada because of the risks of trying to cross deep snow with a horse. 2008 was a year of hundreds of lighting-started fires in Northern California. There was a long wait in Sierra City. I hoped that the fires affecting the PCT would come under control, and that the closed sections would be reopened. I had become very discouraged because of the fires and smoke. I decided that it would be best to trailer around the closed sections and much of the smoke and then pick up the trail again at Burney Falls, California. I would ride from there to a planned exit at at McKenzie Pass near Sisters, Oregon. I had made a family commitment that I would return home by August 20, and we were to reach McKenzie Pass on August 17, where an endurance rider friend was to pick us up. She brought us down to her beautiful ranch in Sisters and another endurance rider friend trailered us to Ashland where I had left my rig. We made it home with a day to spare. Oregon had no fires going while we were there, and it was a really wonderful part of my trip to see blue skys and dramatic clouds while riding through its grand beauty of the several wilderness areas and Crater Lake National Park .
Some have asked how we resupplied and what Primo ate besides grass while we traveled. To supplement his graze I planned an average of six pounds of processed feed per day. This was sealed in Food-Saver bags without the vacuum so bags would be flexible for easier packing. I packed, three pounds in each bag, always including one five-pound bag that Primo could eat while I packed a resupply into the pommel bags and saddle bags. The air-tight seal of these feed bags prevented smells from attracting bears and other critters.
It was necessary to resupply many times during our journey. This took a lot of planning and I ended up relying on several different approches. The approach that I used most often, especially in Northern California and Oregon , was to drive ahead and hide or, most often, bury our caches near PCT trailheads or road crossings. All of our food was pre-packed in air-tight plastic bags as described above. I would bury a cache well away from the trail or trailhead. I would first carefully peel back the ground cover and then dig a shallow trench about three feet long, eight to ten inches deep and about ten inches wide. Primos food bags, and my main food bag (a 12 1/2" x 20" OPSAK with several Ziploc freezer bags containing different catagories of food), would be placed in along with exactly ten mothballs on top. Then the soil went in with the original ground cover on top, with leaves, pine needles, and branches over for camouflage. When we arrived at a cache, sometimes weeks later, I would, saving the original ground cover, dig up the cache with my digging trowel and recover the food bags and all ten moth balls for reuse in my "bear charms" (it would not be environmentally acceptable to leave them). I would then refill the hole and replace the ground cover and camoflage. My criteria was to leave that spot so that if a person were to pass by he would not notice that a hole had been there. What are bear charms? In parts of the Yukon cotton tobacco sacks with mothballs inside are known as "bear charms" To discourage bears I used them in camp around my main food sack (the OPSAK) and surrounding my tent. I would like to comment that no bear ever got into my caches or came into my camps.
The second method of resupply was directly from my well-stocked horse trailer. When we reached where I had left it parked. I would, leaving Primo in good care, drive my rig ahead, caching along the way. To return to Primo I would hitch a ride, take public transportation (if available), or get a pre-arranged ride back offered by an angel. I would have always obtained permission in advance to park the rig in a safe place.
The third approach to resupply required angels who would let me park my rig in a safe place on their property, or drop off my resupplies with them so I could pick them up when we passed through or near. Or, angels could meet us at pre-planned locations. This assumed that cell phone service was available. My wonderful wife, Jereen, met us several times while we passed through Southern California.
The following is my sincere thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, to all of those fellow endurance riders (members of the AERC - American Endurance Ride Conference), Back Country Horsemen, and other angels who helped in so many ways to make our journey possible. In this e-mail message I am including others who would want to know about our adventure on the Pacific Crest Trail. Next year I hope to return to McKenley Pass and continue north to Canada.
Ed Anderson aka "MendoRider" on the trail.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Topanga Ride and Tie
Topanga Messenger Online
By Jessica Jacobs
My favorite sport brought me to Topanga and keeps me here.
I was living in Northern California and competing in Ride and Tie events. I was at the 2006 Championship in San Diego and asked a fellow competitor if she recommended any communities in Southern California where I might move and gave her my list of requirements: commuting distance to Hollywood, near the ocean, near running trails for me, my dog, and my horse, and why not make it a liberal community. The woman laughed, "You have no choice, you have to live in Topanga." That was Topanga resident Kirsten Seyforth and now two years later we have trained and competed in several races together along with fellow Topangan Jennifer Siegel.
From Left to Right: Brioso (horse), Melanie Weir, Jessica Jacobs, Jennifer Siegel, Kirsten Seyforth, and Hoolie (horse), saddle up for another Ride and Tie event. photo by RUFUS SCHNEIDER
Okay, what the heck is Ride and Tie?
Ride and Tie is an extreme sport that combines endurance horse riding with endurance running. One team consists of two people and a horse. One person starts off on the horse while the other begins running on foot. Obviously the guy on the horse goes faster so when he gets far enough ahead, he gets off and ties the horse to a tree and takes off running. Meanwhile, the other person catches up to the horse, unties it and rides until she catches her partner, at which point they switch again. This "leapfrog" continues for about 35 hilly miles and usually, you can't walk very well the next day. Got it? The sport was started by Bud Johns in the early 70s as a publicity stunt for Levi Strauss and continues to challenge men, women and children (of all ages and sizes) every year.
Topanga trails, both the state park and the Old Canyon trails, are perfectly suited for Ride and Tie.
Jennifer, Kirsten, my partner, Melanie, and I just finished a race at Tejon ranch (pictured). It was 34 gruelling miles but we came in 5th and 6th place. The 2009 Championship will take place in Humboldt next summer and we would love for more Topanga folks to join us. If you like to run or ride or both, check out www.rideandtie.org, or call Jessica at (310) 455-1987, and we will set up a training ride (you don't need to have your own horse)
By Jessica Jacobs
My favorite sport brought me to Topanga and keeps me here.
I was living in Northern California and competing in Ride and Tie events. I was at the 2006 Championship in San Diego and asked a fellow competitor if she recommended any communities in Southern California where I might move and gave her my list of requirements: commuting distance to Hollywood, near the ocean, near running trails for me, my dog, and my horse, and why not make it a liberal community. The woman laughed, "You have no choice, you have to live in Topanga." That was Topanga resident Kirsten Seyforth and now two years later we have trained and competed in several races together along with fellow Topangan Jennifer Siegel.
From Left to Right: Brioso (horse), Melanie Weir, Jessica Jacobs, Jennifer Siegel, Kirsten Seyforth, and Hoolie (horse), saddle up for another Ride and Tie event. photo by RUFUS SCHNEIDEROkay, what the heck is Ride and Tie?
Ride and Tie is an extreme sport that combines endurance horse riding with endurance running. One team consists of two people and a horse. One person starts off on the horse while the other begins running on foot. Obviously the guy on the horse goes faster so when he gets far enough ahead, he gets off and ties the horse to a tree and takes off running. Meanwhile, the other person catches up to the horse, unties it and rides until she catches her partner, at which point they switch again. This "leapfrog" continues for about 35 hilly miles and usually, you can't walk very well the next day. Got it? The sport was started by Bud Johns in the early 70s as a publicity stunt for Levi Strauss and continues to challenge men, women and children (of all ages and sizes) every year.
Topanga trails, both the state park and the Old Canyon trails, are perfectly suited for Ride and Tie.
Jennifer, Kirsten, my partner, Melanie, and I just finished a race at Tejon ranch (pictured). It was 34 gruelling miles but we came in 5th and 6th place. The 2009 Championship will take place in Humboldt next summer and we would love for more Topanga folks to join us. If you like to run or ride or both, check out www.rideandtie.org, or call Jessica at (310) 455-1987, and we will set up a training ride (you don't need to have your own horse)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Three Time Tevis Winners Now Barefoot and Riding in Renegades!
Renegade Hoofboots
2008 December 11
by renegadenews
Jeremy Reynolds using Renegade Glue-ons at Desert Gold won the two day hundred/two days of AERC 50’s and received AERC Best Condition on the first day and FEI Best Condition for the 2 day 100.
Jeremy’s horses have been barefoot for a year and he says that he will never go back to shoes since he now has horses sound now that he could never keep going at the speeds he and Heather ride.
Jeremy’s comments about Renegade boots: “They work”.
2008 AERC Ride Season Results:
Heather and Jeremy Reynolds 1,990 miles
Top tens: 20
Wins: 13
BC’s: 8
More...
2008 December 11
by renegadenews
Jeremy Reynolds using Renegade Glue-ons at Desert Gold won the two day hundred/two days of AERC 50’s and received AERC Best Condition on the first day and FEI Best Condition for the 2 day 100.
Jeremy’s horses have been barefoot for a year and he says that he will never go back to shoes since he now has horses sound now that he could never keep going at the speeds he and Heather ride.
Jeremy’s comments about Renegade boots: “They work”.
2008 AERC Ride Season Results:
Heather and Jeremy Reynolds 1,990 miles
Top tens: 20
Wins: 13
BC’s: 8
More...
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Great Britain: Star brings Nikki some enduring title success
Yorkshirepost.co.uk - Full Article
Published Date: 12 December 2008
By Jill Armstrong
It was a brilliant occasion for 12-year-old Nikki Brown when her pony Bleachgreen Star of India, otherwise known as Star, became the Endurance GB National novice champion for 2008.
Nikki, who lives near Whitby, was awarded the MIRA trophy for the champion novice horse or pony gaining the most points in graded rides of less than 45km in its first season of competition.
The presentation was made at the Endurance GB awards dinner held at Kegworth, Derbyshire.
Endurance riding is a growing competitive sport and riders covered more than 249,000km in rides organised by Endurance GB during the 2008 season.
More...
Published Date: 12 December 2008
By Jill Armstrong
It was a brilliant occasion for 12-year-old Nikki Brown when her pony Bleachgreen Star of India, otherwise known as Star, became the Endurance GB National novice champion for 2008.
Nikki, who lives near Whitby, was awarded the MIRA trophy for the champion novice horse or pony gaining the most points in graded rides of less than 45km in its first season of competition.
The presentation was made at the Endurance GB awards dinner held at Kegworth, Derbyshire.
Endurance riding is a growing competitive sport and riders covered more than 249,000km in rides organised by Endurance GB during the 2008 season.
More...
Friday, December 12, 2008
Horses and Invasive Weeds in Western USA
Are horses responsible for introducing noxious weeds onto trails and adjacent ecosytems in the western USA?
With the help of an AERC grant, Tom Gower of the Department of Ecology and Management, University of Wisconsin, begins to answer this question.
http://www.endurance.net/aerc/EnduranceNews_West_Weed_Study.pdf
Click here to download pdf file
With the help of an AERC grant, Tom Gower of the Department of Ecology and Management, University of Wisconsin, begins to answer this question.
http://www.endurance.net/aerc/EnduranceNews_West_Weed_Study.pdf
Click here to download pdf file
Thursday, December 11, 2008
FEI and AERC Rules Comparisons for 2009
AERC November Veterinary Newsletter contains an article written by Tom Timmons, DVM . Pages 8 and 9 of this document explain differences between the new 2009 FEI Rules for Endurance and the AERC Rules, and potential confusions for competitors and managers of dual sanctioned rides.
November Veterinary Newsletter (download pdf)
November Veterinary Newsletter (download pdf)
Terri Tinkham and Oliver Twist WIn 2008 XP Gold Medal Award
XPRides.com - Full story
Is that a Mustang??? Is that horse gaited??? What kinda horse is thaaaaat??? Well, no, yes and he’s a Tennessee Walker, Standardbred cross.
And, it is not just his appearance that baffles. To look at him you wouldn’t have a clue! Not only about his breed but that he just finished this year with 1925 Endurance miles; earning 2nd place in the AERC National Mileage Standings. Last year with 1120 miles, when we tied with Dave Rabe for 10th , I thought, “hey, we are really doing something” ! 2007 was our first year of doing serious 50 mile Endurance rides; in my three previous years in this sport, I was content to mostly ride LDs. But once you get hooked on the multi-day rides and especially the Duck rides, there is no going back ….. ever. I have become so addicted that I drove almost 14,000 miles last year to attend these rides.
More...
Is that a Mustang??? Is that horse gaited??? What kinda horse is thaaaaat??? Well, no, yes and he’s a Tennessee Walker, Standardbred cross.
And, it is not just his appearance that baffles. To look at him you wouldn’t have a clue! Not only about his breed but that he just finished this year with 1925 Endurance miles; earning 2nd place in the AERC National Mileage Standings. Last year with 1120 miles, when we tied with Dave Rabe for 10th , I thought, “hey, we are really doing something” ! 2007 was our first year of doing serious 50 mile Endurance rides; in my three previous years in this sport, I was content to mostly ride LDs. But once you get hooked on the multi-day rides and especially the Duck rides, there is no going back ….. ever. I have become so addicted that I drove almost 14,000 miles last year to attend these rides.
More...
Monday, December 08, 2008
Girl-horse team makes comeback after near death experience
SCNow.com - Full Article
By David Green
The Weekly Observer Editor
Published: December 8, 2008
PATRICK - As the girl exited the arena on her Arabian gelding, a huge smile came over her face. She leaned down, hugged her horse, and told her trainer “I love my horse.” She had just had a spectacular ride, and was rewarded with an incredibly high score of 71% and a blue ribbon. By the end of the day, the teenager and her 9-year-old would have won all three classes they entered.
A sweet, but not unheard of story in the horse world—except that the horse was WH Gibraltar, who just 8 months before had undergone intensive abdominal surgery and was near death.
Flashback to March, 2008: Anna Caroline Chinnes, a 16-year-old Hemingway native, was doing what she enjoys most—competing in the sport of endurance with her horse Gibraltar. Endurance riding entails the same horse and rider competing over a course ranging in length from 50 to 100 miles. The trail is broken up into “loops”, with veterinary checks in between to ensure the well being of the horse. “AC”, as she is known to her friends, was competing for the Region 12 50-Mile Championships held at the Sand Hills Stampede in Patrick, SC.
Gibraltar was the fittest he’s ever been, and he covered the 50 miles effortlessly. They earned a coveted “Top 5” award for the Regional Championships, and AC and her trainer Trisha Dingle were busy preparing Gibraltar for the Best Condition judging. However, something was wrong—once the adrenaline from the ride wore off, Gibraltar acted “colicky”—he had a tummy ache.
More...
By David Green
The Weekly Observer Editor
Published: December 8, 2008
PATRICK - As the girl exited the arena on her Arabian gelding, a huge smile came over her face. She leaned down, hugged her horse, and told her trainer “I love my horse.” She had just had a spectacular ride, and was rewarded with an incredibly high score of 71% and a blue ribbon. By the end of the day, the teenager and her 9-year-old would have won all three classes they entered.
A sweet, but not unheard of story in the horse world—except that the horse was WH Gibraltar, who just 8 months before had undergone intensive abdominal surgery and was near death.
Flashback to March, 2008: Anna Caroline Chinnes, a 16-year-old Hemingway native, was doing what she enjoys most—competing in the sport of endurance with her horse Gibraltar. Endurance riding entails the same horse and rider competing over a course ranging in length from 50 to 100 miles. The trail is broken up into “loops”, with veterinary checks in between to ensure the well being of the horse. “AC”, as she is known to her friends, was competing for the Region 12 50-Mile Championships held at the Sand Hills Stampede in Patrick, SC.
Gibraltar was the fittest he’s ever been, and he covered the 50 miles effortlessly. They earned a coveted “Top 5” award for the Regional Championships, and AC and her trainer Trisha Dingle were busy preparing Gibraltar for the Best Condition judging. However, something was wrong—once the adrenaline from the ride wore off, Gibraltar acted “colicky”—he had a tummy ache.
More...
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Spain: CEI*** Santa Susana
Madrid, Dec. 4, 2008. - Tomorrow begins the first race of the 56th edition of the traditional Santa Susana Raid, the last big European Raid 2008. The first test will begin at 7:30 pm in the Parc de Colomer of the town of Barcelona. In the list of participants are 14 Spanish riders.
This classic, in addition to being the oldest rallies in Europe, has the honor of being the only one in Spain which is held in two days: the stage tomorrow is composed of 99 kilometers demanding in a scenario that is characterized by great difficulty, because it has a gap of more than 500 m. The final stage will take place on Saturday, and will consist of 99 km also Each of the two days will be divided into three stages of 40, 33 and 26 km.
Yesterday was the first veterinary review. It is planned that tomorrow at 15:00 am the review will be held on the first day of competition. Similarly, when finishing the final race on Saturday, will be held two further revisions: the very tender and will determine the award of "Best Fitness"
The celebration of the Santa Susana Raid closes a season in which this discipline has once again become a major player in the riding of our country, mainly thanks to the results obtained in the recently disputed World Championship, which has been repeated individual gold and has achieved a creditable 5th placed teams.
This classic, in addition to being the oldest rallies in Europe, has the honor of being the only one in Spain which is held in two days: the stage tomorrow is composed of 99 kilometers demanding in a scenario that is characterized by great difficulty, because it has a gap of more than 500 m. The final stage will take place on Saturday, and will consist of 99 km also Each of the two days will be divided into three stages of 40, 33 and 26 km.
Yesterday was the first veterinary review. It is planned that tomorrow at 15:00 am the review will be held on the first day of competition. Similarly, when finishing the final race on Saturday, will be held two further revisions: the very tender and will determine the award of "Best Fitness"
The celebration of the Santa Susana Raid closes a season in which this discipline has once again become a major player in the riding of our country, mainly thanks to the results obtained in the recently disputed World Championship, which has been repeated individual gold and has achieved a creditable 5th placed teams.
FEI - 2009 Rules - Explanation of changes
OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO FEI RIDERS AND THOSE PLANNING TO DO FEI RIDES IN 2009
compiled by Anne Ayala
Endurance riders interested in FEI should go to the FEI website and go to Endurance/Rules and download a copy of the 2009 Rules for Endurance. Below I have tried to point out the most important changes in the Rules and offer some advice based on clarification received from Vonita Bowers at USEF.
In 2008 (before the new rules go into effect on Jan. 1), a rider should compete any horse that has not successfully competed in FEI within the last 24 months at the highest distance (50,75,100) that they are comfortable with. Successful completion is more important at this date than getting a COC. Then in 2009 the horse will be able to move up in the Star Qualifying system to the next level (i.e. FEI 50 completed, horse can then do an FEI 75, and with successful completion at that distance (2*), can attempt an FEI 100, and with completion of an FEI 100 can continue at that distance.
Rider’s FEI experience is lifetime, so if you have done FEI in the past, you are qualified at the next distance level. If, as a rider, you have not successfully completed an FEI ride, try to do so at a 50 or 75 or 100 mile level before January, 2009. Then you as a rider will be eligible to move up to the next Star level or continue at the 3* level.
To compete at the FEI 50 and 75 mile distances, you need: Descriptive Coggins papers that clearly identify the horse, and Veterinary papers confirming the two equine influenza vaccines. At the 100 mile level the horse must have an FEI Passport. All competitors must have: Competition Membership in USEF, USEF Horse Annual or Lifetime Registration, and FEI Horse and Rider Registration. All of these are done through the USEF office.
These levels do not need to be a horse/rider combination as the horse and rider are separately qualified. The only time there must be a combination is when a horse/rider team is trying to get a COC to qualify for an upcoming event (usually a Championship or World Cup event).
If you are just beginning either as a horse or rider in FEI competition after January 2009, each must first complete or verify Novice Qualifying rides before you can register you or your horse for the first FEI 1* (50 mile or 80 km ride). You will be able to count AERC rides for this experience. Transitional rules state: “Riders and Horses that have already successfully completed at least 3 National Events (AERC) within 2007 and 2008 at distances up to and including 90 km (56 miles), not subject to time restrictions, will not need to re-qualify prior to competing within FEI competitions. After, January, 2009, Article 816 of the 2009 rules explains what you need have on your record before doing an FEI 1* --- 2 LD rides and 2 50-mile rides no faster than 10 miles per hour (i.e. ride time of 5 hours or more on a 50 or 2.5 hrs or more on an LD). OR 3 50-mile rides at speeds 10 mph or less, meaning 5+ hours). You should look up your record for the past 2 years and be prepared to enter these qualifying rides on any FEI entry form in 2009.
New rule on horse age: Horse must be at least 5 yrs to qualify as Novice. One Star (50) and Two Star (75) must be 6 yrs. Three Star (100) must be 7 yrs and Four Star Championship horse must be 8 yrs old. USA horses are deemed to have their birthday on Jan. 1. That is, any horse born in 2004 is considered to be 5 yrs. old as of Jan 1, 2009. (Article 812)
Same rule on rider age: A rider is eligible to participate in a CEI from the year in which they reach their 14th birthday (any time within that year) and who has paid the required USEF membership and FEI registrations.
Rest periods: Once you begin the FEI Star Qualifying system, your horse must be given certain rest periods after a competition (Article 815.3): 13 days rest after an FEI 50 and 20 days rest after any distance above 50 miles. Likewise there are new rules regarding longer rest periods for a horse that is eliminated for metabolic reasons which require immediate invasive treatment at a CEI event (see Article 815.3).
Championships: For those of you who are interested in competing at the Championship (4*) level, please read Article 816.3 carefully for the requirements, noting in particular the number of CEI 2* events or higher required for horse (3) and rider (5).
FEI Endurance Log: It is anticipated that each horse shall have an official log that accompanies the Passport (Article 820.8) in which the results of each FEI competition undertaken will be recorded, including any details of treatment and required rest period. These entries will be made by the Vet Delegate or the President of the Ground Jury.
Weight of rider: At senior CEI 3* events the minimum riding weight may be between 75kg (as in the past) or 70 kg; however to serve as a qualifying event for Championships the minimum riding weight of 75 kg. must be in place. At 1* and 2* events other weight divisions may be allowed, if specified in the Definite Schedule.
Dress Code: For riders, the dress code for competition remains much the same: protective headgear, safe footwear with heels or boxed stirrups/equestrian safety stirrups, shirt with collar, appropriate riding gear.
compiled by Anne Ayala
Endurance riders interested in FEI should go to the FEI website and go to Endurance/Rules and download a copy of the 2009 Rules for Endurance. Below I have tried to point out the most important changes in the Rules and offer some advice based on clarification received from Vonita Bowers at USEF.
In 2008 (before the new rules go into effect on Jan. 1), a rider should compete any horse that has not successfully competed in FEI within the last 24 months at the highest distance (50,75,100) that they are comfortable with. Successful completion is more important at this date than getting a COC. Then in 2009 the horse will be able to move up in the Star Qualifying system to the next level (i.e. FEI 50 completed, horse can then do an FEI 75, and with successful completion at that distance (2*), can attempt an FEI 100, and with completion of an FEI 100 can continue at that distance.
Rider’s FEI experience is lifetime, so if you have done FEI in the past, you are qualified at the next distance level. If, as a rider, you have not successfully completed an FEI ride, try to do so at a 50 or 75 or 100 mile level before January, 2009. Then you as a rider will be eligible to move up to the next Star level or continue at the 3* level.
To compete at the FEI 50 and 75 mile distances, you need: Descriptive Coggins papers that clearly identify the horse, and Veterinary papers confirming the two equine influenza vaccines. At the 100 mile level the horse must have an FEI Passport. All competitors must have: Competition Membership in USEF, USEF Horse Annual or Lifetime Registration, and FEI Horse and Rider Registration. All of these are done through the USEF office.
These levels do not need to be a horse/rider combination as the horse and rider are separately qualified. The only time there must be a combination is when a horse/rider team is trying to get a COC to qualify for an upcoming event (usually a Championship or World Cup event).
If you are just beginning either as a horse or rider in FEI competition after January 2009, each must first complete or verify Novice Qualifying rides before you can register you or your horse for the first FEI 1* (50 mile or 80 km ride). You will be able to count AERC rides for this experience. Transitional rules state: “Riders and Horses that have already successfully completed at least 3 National Events (AERC) within 2007 and 2008 at distances up to and including 90 km (56 miles), not subject to time restrictions, will not need to re-qualify prior to competing within FEI competitions. After, January, 2009, Article 816 of the 2009 rules explains what you need have on your record before doing an FEI 1* --- 2 LD rides and 2 50-mile rides no faster than 10 miles per hour (i.e. ride time of 5 hours or more on a 50 or 2.5 hrs or more on an LD). OR 3 50-mile rides at speeds 10 mph or less, meaning 5+ hours). You should look up your record for the past 2 years and be prepared to enter these qualifying rides on any FEI entry form in 2009.
New rule on horse age: Horse must be at least 5 yrs to qualify as Novice. One Star (50) and Two Star (75) must be 6 yrs. Three Star (100) must be 7 yrs and Four Star Championship horse must be 8 yrs old. USA horses are deemed to have their birthday on Jan. 1. That is, any horse born in 2004 is considered to be 5 yrs. old as of Jan 1, 2009. (Article 812)
Same rule on rider age: A rider is eligible to participate in a CEI from the year in which they reach their 14th birthday (any time within that year) and who has paid the required USEF membership and FEI registrations.
Rest periods: Once you begin the FEI Star Qualifying system, your horse must be given certain rest periods after a competition (Article 815.3): 13 days rest after an FEI 50 and 20 days rest after any distance above 50 miles. Likewise there are new rules regarding longer rest periods for a horse that is eliminated for metabolic reasons which require immediate invasive treatment at a CEI event (see Article 815.3).
Championships: For those of you who are interested in competing at the Championship (4*) level, please read Article 816.3 carefully for the requirements, noting in particular the number of CEI 2* events or higher required for horse (3) and rider (5).
FEI Endurance Log: It is anticipated that each horse shall have an official log that accompanies the Passport (Article 820.8) in which the results of each FEI competition undertaken will be recorded, including any details of treatment and required rest period. These entries will be made by the Vet Delegate or the President of the Ground Jury.
Weight of rider: At senior CEI 3* events the minimum riding weight may be between 75kg (as in the past) or 70 kg; however to serve as a qualifying event for Championships the minimum riding weight of 75 kg. must be in place. At 1* and 2* events other weight divisions may be allowed, if specified in the Definite Schedule.
Dress Code: For riders, the dress code for competition remains much the same: protective headgear, safe footwear with heels or boxed stirrups/equestrian safety stirrups, shirt with collar, appropriate riding gear.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Australia: Successful year for endurance
MudgeeGuardian.com - Full Article
4/12/2008 6:02:00 PM
It has been a successful year for the Mudgee Endurance Club with riders putting in outstanding performances across the state and internationally.
Local rider Paddy Smith was awarded the top spot for heavy weight division rides and his horse, Talisman was awarded fittest horse in each ride.
The pair placed second in the Q 60 100-kilometre ride at Colo, as well as best managed horse.
Mette Sutton placed in the middleweight competition in the 160-kilometre state championship in Manilla.
Sutton completed the course in a total time of 11 hours and three minutes.
During the year Sutton placed equal first and ride winner in both The Rock and Gundagai rides.
She took home the ride winner at Mudgee...
More...
4/12/2008 6:02:00 PM
It has been a successful year for the Mudgee Endurance Club with riders putting in outstanding performances across the state and internationally.
Local rider Paddy Smith was awarded the top spot for heavy weight division rides and his horse, Talisman was awarded fittest horse in each ride.
The pair placed second in the Q 60 100-kilometre ride at Colo, as well as best managed horse.
Mette Sutton placed in the middleweight competition in the 160-kilometre state championship in Manilla.
Sutton completed the course in a total time of 11 hours and three minutes.
During the year Sutton placed equal first and ride winner in both The Rock and Gundagai rides.
She took home the ride winner at Mudgee...
More...
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
USEF: High Performance Fees Rule Change
Attention All Athletes (including Life Members) Competing in Foreign FEI Competitions
From: United States Equestrian Federation
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Please note that competitors (including Life Members) competing in FEI competitions will no longer be charged a $200 High Performance due. However in accordance with GR207 (attached), effective December 1, 2008, competitors competing in FEI competitions will be required to pay a $35 High Performance fee per horse for each FEI competition in which they enter. The fee is capped at $420 per horse per year. Please refer to the USEF website for policy and instructions on requesting reimbursement for payments over $420 in the same competition year. Please note that horse owners are no longer required to pay a High Performance fee.
Please contact our Customer Care Department in Kentucky at 859-258-2472 for any questions regarding the High Performance fee.
Thank you.
Cindy Stys, Director of Athlete Services
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc
From: United States Equestrian Federation
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Please note that competitors (including Life Members) competing in FEI competitions will no longer be charged a $200 High Performance due. However in accordance with GR207 (attached), effective December 1, 2008, competitors competing in FEI competitions will be required to pay a $35 High Performance fee per horse for each FEI competition in which they enter. The fee is capped at $420 per horse per year. Please refer to the USEF website for policy and instructions on requesting reimbursement for payments over $420 in the same competition year. Please note that horse owners are no longer required to pay a High Performance fee.
Please contact our Customer Care Department in Kentucky at 859-258-2472 for any questions regarding the High Performance fee.
Thank you.
Cindy Stys, Director of Athlete Services
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc
Horse worth $10,000 recovered
The Arizona Republic
by Heidi Homa and Alyson Zepeda
Dec. 2, 2008 12:00 AM
A missing horse worth at least $10,000 was found by a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office mounted search and rescue unit around 4 p.m. Monday after he went missing Saturday.
During the two days the horse was missing, his owner was willing to give a $10,000 reward to the person who found his horse.
Lucian Spataro, 50, and Masquerade, the 7-year-old white Arabian, were competing in an endurance ride Saturday morning at McDowell Mountain Regional Park when the horse tripped and fell.
"He got up and was disoriented, I'm sure," Spataro said. "There's adrenaline rushing through your veins, so you don't know what's going on. He was hyped and probably went in the wrong direction."
Spataro, also filled with adrenaline, was able to run about 5 miles to a base camp, despite severe injuries.
About 20 family members, friends, and other riders and horses from the competition searched for the horse since Saturday.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office provided a helicopter when Masquerade first went missing and volunteer Sheriff's Posse members continued to help.
Irene Murphy, endurance-ride manager, was coordinating the search.
"In endurance rides, there are many incidents where horses do get lost," Murphy said. "A lot of times, the horse returns the same day."
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office officials said they were assisting park rangers due to the increased amount of activity in the park. They were able to escort the horse out but were not sure if he sustained any injuries over the two days he was missing.
by Heidi Homa and Alyson Zepeda
Dec. 2, 2008 12:00 AM
A missing horse worth at least $10,000 was found by a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office mounted search and rescue unit around 4 p.m. Monday after he went missing Saturday.
During the two days the horse was missing, his owner was willing to give a $10,000 reward to the person who found his horse.
Lucian Spataro, 50, and Masquerade, the 7-year-old white Arabian, were competing in an endurance ride Saturday morning at McDowell Mountain Regional Park when the horse tripped and fell.
"He got up and was disoriented, I'm sure," Spataro said. "There's adrenaline rushing through your veins, so you don't know what's going on. He was hyped and probably went in the wrong direction."
Spataro, also filled with adrenaline, was able to run about 5 miles to a base camp, despite severe injuries.
About 20 family members, friends, and other riders and horses from the competition searched for the horse since Saturday.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office provided a helicopter when Masquerade first went missing and volunteer Sheriff's Posse members continued to help.
Irene Murphy, endurance-ride manager, was coordinating the search.
"In endurance rides, there are many incidents where horses do get lost," Murphy said. "A lot of times, the horse returns the same day."
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office officials said they were assisting park rangers due to the increased amount of activity in the park. They were able to escort the horse out but were not sure if he sustained any injuries over the two days he was missing.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Endurance Horse Missing in Arizona
A search party is combing the desert around Arizona's McDowell Mountain Park, after a 7-year-old grey Arabian horse competing in an endurance event lost his rider and disappeared, according to Phoenix television station KNXV-TV.
Rider Lucian Spataro fell off Masquerade when the horse tripped and fell about 20 miles into the race Saturday morning. Spataro was injured, but managed to walk more than five miles to get help, KNXV-TV reported.
Searchers are now using four-wheelers and helicopters to survey the area. Spataro told KNXV-TV that he is offering $10,000 for the horse's return.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Scottsdale Police Department at 480/312-5000.
Rider Lucian Spataro fell off Masquerade when the horse tripped and fell about 20 miles into the race Saturday morning. Spataro was injured, but managed to walk more than five miles to get help, KNXV-TV reported.
Searchers are now using four-wheelers and helicopters to survey the area. Spataro told KNXV-TV that he is offering $10,000 for the horse's return.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Scottsdale Police Department at 480/312-5000.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Articles about astonishing Rides, Rescues and Horse Races
From:
The Long Riders Guild Academic Foundation-
The world’s first global hippological study
Articles about astonishing Rides, Rescues and Horse Races
Listed here, for the first time, are some of the amazing endurance races and astonishing rescues. Most of them are desperate journeys for help by men and women trying to save the lives of their comrades, or to stay alive themselves. In some cases, the horse takes his rightful place as hero of the hour; in others he is simply a necessary means of transport, and in a very few, sadly, he dies to save people trapped in desperate circumstances.
As most people know, the Turkomen people of Central Asia routinely rode up to 100 miles a day when raiding other tribes. Their horses were then expected to travel 100 miles back again at full speed, carrying the loot, which usually included a woman! These stories show that people of European origin were capable, when necessary, of travelling extraordinary distances too. They are listed in chronological order, with the earliest at the bottom of the page.
1945 - Mules for China - A description of the difficulties that were encountered, and lessons learned, when 900 mules were herded 750 miles from Burma into China in 1945.
The 300 Mile Endurance Ride of 1919
Forgotten Heroes - the 20,000 mile horse trek across the US starting in 1912. This story is on the Internet equestrian news website, Horsetalk, and can also be found on The Long Riders' Guild website.
The Great Horse Race from Evanston, Wyoming to Denver, Colorado in May, 1908.
Four short articles entitled "Pony Race from Chicago to Atlanta" (1895), "Cowboys in Long Race between Deadwood and Omaha" (1902), "President Disapproves of Long Race" (1902), and "Tables Turned on the Cowboys" (1893).
A Contest of Endurance: Horses to run Against Bicyclists for Seventy-two Hours - 1894.
Bicyclist caught Runaway Horse - Rode a Half-Mile Race to Save the Life of a Little Child - 1894.
Calamity Jane's crazy horse race.
Anything goes - America's first Great Endurance Race, from Chadron to Chicago in 1893.
The Horses of Central Asia - a fascinating Russian military study translated by British Military Intelligence in 1883. Click here to go to the section of this document which deals with amazingly long journeys.
Historic Horse Drives.
George Cheney made a wild ride in an attempt to save an entire village when the Williamsburg dam burst in 1874.
Ride for Help! It was 1866: Surrounded, low on food and ammo - the only hope was Fort Laramie, 235 miles away. Could he make it?
Clarintha's Long Ride - The Old West had many courageous and hardy women pioneers, but the ride of this woman surpasses all in female bravery.
The incredible story of "Pony Bob" Haslam - most famous of the Old West Mounted Mailmen.
Remme's Race for a Fortune. For six days he rode relentlessly on, hardly daring to sleep in this fantastic, little-known horseback race against time in 1855.
Ride through the "Journey of Death." In 1851, the Apaches wanted John Cremony's horse, and they were determined to get it.
Juan Flaco - California's Paul Revere. Juan Flaco's 1846 feat remains one of the truly great sagas of American history. He rode 52 hours to carry a message for help for the Los Angeles garrison, covering more than 400 miles.
Dick King's 600-Mile Ride. In 1842 a young Englishman, hunter and wagoner rode 600 miles in ten days on one horse - to get help.
A Message to Kearney. Colonel John Charles Fremont rode from Los Angeles to Monterey and return in 1827 to carry an extraordinary message to General Stephen W. Kearney.
The Tremendous Ride of Post Rider Israel Bissell. In 1775 Israel Bissell went much further, much faster, rode much longer, and was probably responsible for the muster of many, many more patriots than Paul Revere was.
Dick Turpin's Famous Ride from London to York in 1735.
The Long Riders Guild Academic Foundation-
The world’s first global hippological study
Articles about astonishing Rides, Rescues and Horse Races
Listed here, for the first time, are some of the amazing endurance races and astonishing rescues. Most of them are desperate journeys for help by men and women trying to save the lives of their comrades, or to stay alive themselves. In some cases, the horse takes his rightful place as hero of the hour; in others he is simply a necessary means of transport, and in a very few, sadly, he dies to save people trapped in desperate circumstances.
As most people know, the Turkomen people of Central Asia routinely rode up to 100 miles a day when raiding other tribes. Their horses were then expected to travel 100 miles back again at full speed, carrying the loot, which usually included a woman! These stories show that people of European origin were capable, when necessary, of travelling extraordinary distances too. They are listed in chronological order, with the earliest at the bottom of the page.
1945 - Mules for China - A description of the difficulties that were encountered, and lessons learned, when 900 mules were herded 750 miles from Burma into China in 1945.
The 300 Mile Endurance Ride of 1919
Forgotten Heroes - the 20,000 mile horse trek across the US starting in 1912. This story is on the Internet equestrian news website, Horsetalk, and can also be found on The Long Riders' Guild website.
The Great Horse Race from Evanston, Wyoming to Denver, Colorado in May, 1908.
Four short articles entitled "Pony Race from Chicago to Atlanta" (1895), "Cowboys in Long Race between Deadwood and Omaha" (1902), "President Disapproves of Long Race" (1902), and "Tables Turned on the Cowboys" (1893).
A Contest of Endurance: Horses to run Against Bicyclists for Seventy-two Hours - 1894.
Bicyclist caught Runaway Horse - Rode a Half-Mile Race to Save the Life of a Little Child - 1894.
Calamity Jane's crazy horse race.
Anything goes - America's first Great Endurance Race, from Chadron to Chicago in 1893.
The Horses of Central Asia - a fascinating Russian military study translated by British Military Intelligence in 1883. Click here to go to the section of this document which deals with amazingly long journeys.
Historic Horse Drives.
George Cheney made a wild ride in an attempt to save an entire village when the Williamsburg dam burst in 1874.
Ride for Help! It was 1866: Surrounded, low on food and ammo - the only hope was Fort Laramie, 235 miles away. Could he make it?
Clarintha's Long Ride - The Old West had many courageous and hardy women pioneers, but the ride of this woman surpasses all in female bravery.
The incredible story of "Pony Bob" Haslam - most famous of the Old West Mounted Mailmen.
Remme's Race for a Fortune. For six days he rode relentlessly on, hardly daring to sleep in this fantastic, little-known horseback race against time in 1855.
Ride through the "Journey of Death." In 1851, the Apaches wanted John Cremony's horse, and they were determined to get it.
Juan Flaco - California's Paul Revere. Juan Flaco's 1846 feat remains one of the truly great sagas of American history. He rode 52 hours to carry a message for help for the Los Angeles garrison, covering more than 400 miles.
Dick King's 600-Mile Ride. In 1842 a young Englishman, hunter and wagoner rode 600 miles in ten days on one horse - to get help.
A Message to Kearney. Colonel John Charles Fremont rode from Los Angeles to Monterey and return in 1827 to carry an extraordinary message to General Stephen W. Kearney.
The Tremendous Ride of Post Rider Israel Bissell. In 1775 Israel Bissell went much further, much faster, rode much longer, and was probably responsible for the muster of many, many more patriots than Paul Revere was.
Dick Turpin's Famous Ride from London to York in 1735.
Monday, November 24, 2008
USEF: Valerie Kanavy to Receive Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award
By Joanie Morris
Lexington, KY - Endurance legend Valerie Kanavy will be honored at the USEF Annual Meeting during the Pegasus Awards Dinner on January 17, 2009 when she will receive the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award.
Named for international endurance rider Maggy Price, who was a Silver medalist at the 1992 World Championships and a pioneer for the sport, the award honors the athlete who earns the most points in selected Ranking Trials during the ride year. This year, Kanavy will have the distinction of receiving an award that she, her husband Larry and Gold Medal Farm sponsor in honor of Price.
Kanavy earned points in six 160km competitions in 2008, winning four to finish on top of the Ranking List, besting 90 Ranked Riders. Kanavy had a very successful year across the board. She also won the American Endurance Ride Conference 100 mile Championship riding King Ali Gold in October. Shortly thereafter, she rode Flash Flame to a 25th place finish out of 127 competitors at the Endurance World Championship in Malaysia.
The award is presented annually at the Pegasus Awards Dinner during the USEF Annual Meeting and the trophy is on display at the USEF headquarters in Lexington, KY.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
USEF Eligible Athletes Forum
FROM: James Wolf, USEF Executive Director of Sport Programs
DATE: November 21, 2008
RE: USEF Eligible Athlete Forum
A USEF Eligible Athlete Forum has been scheduled to discuss the development of the USEF Athlete Agreement. This meeting will take place at The Tavern on the Green located at 3401 Equestrian Club Rd, Wellington, Florida on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00 PM EST time. This meeting is open to USEF Eligible Athletes from all disciplines and will be hosted by Chester Weber, Chairman of the Athlete’s Advisory Committee; Sonja Keating, USEF General Counsel and James Wolf, USEF Executive Director of Sport Programs.
Please respond to Christy Baxter on your availability by either email: cbaxter@usef.org or by phone: 908-326-1152.
DATE: November 21, 2008
RE: USEF Eligible Athlete Forum
A USEF Eligible Athlete Forum has been scheduled to discuss the development of the USEF Athlete Agreement. This meeting will take place at The Tavern on the Green located at 3401 Equestrian Club Rd, Wellington, Florida on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 2:00 PM EST time. This meeting is open to USEF Eligible Athletes from all disciplines and will be hosted by Chester Weber, Chairman of the Athlete’s Advisory Committee; Sonja Keating, USEF General Counsel and James Wolf, USEF Executive Director of Sport Programs.
Please respond to Christy Baxter on your availability by either email: cbaxter@usef.org or by phone: 908-326-1152.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
USA: Sleeper gets quite a jolt in Malaysia
NJ.com - Full Article
by Nancy Jaffer/for The Star-Ledger
Saturday November 22, 2008
A night ride through the Malaysian jungle during monsoon season sounds more like an Indiana Jones adventure than the World Endurance Championships -- especially after it became a harrowing cliffhanger for U.S. team member Meg Sleeper of Kingwood Township.
Sleeper, who returned last week from the competition, was riding her homebred Arabian Syrocco Reveille beside another U.S. competitor, Jan Worthington, on Nov. 9 when a bolt of lightning struck the ground by their horses, sending sparks flying as a clap of thunder followed. Worthington's mount, ironically named Golden Lightning, smacked into Reveille as both spooked horses galloped off the trail and into the jungle.
Sleeper's first thought?
"We're dead."
More...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Australia: Lachlan riders complete Shahzada
Cowra Guardian - Full Article
21/11/2008
This year was the 28th anniversary of the Shahzada, a 400km endurance marathon held each year at St Albans near Wiseman’s Ferry.
This ultimate test of endurance riding is run over a 400km course of 80kms a day for five days.
This year was different from the last three, when the McDonald Valley was gripped by drought. There had been good rains and the river was flowing strongly, and together with beautiful sunny days, it was a fantastic scene after last year’s EI-affected event.
The course is varying from flat hard gravel roads, to climbs up and down steep rocky tracks and some lovely sandy trails along the ridges through national parks and private property.
The event this year was held from August 25-29, although riders and horses start to gather at the village of St Albans from the Wednesday before to allow the horses time to settle in and recoup from their sometimes long float trip.
It also allows riders time to relax and socialise before the marathon begins.
This year there were the usual blend of interstate riders, although following the enforced “detention camp” of 2007 due to EI, numbers were down considerably.
More...
21/11/2008
This year was the 28th anniversary of the Shahzada, a 400km endurance marathon held each year at St Albans near Wiseman’s Ferry.
This ultimate test of endurance riding is run over a 400km course of 80kms a day for five days.
This year was different from the last three, when the McDonald Valley was gripped by drought. There had been good rains and the river was flowing strongly, and together with beautiful sunny days, it was a fantastic scene after last year’s EI-affected event.
The course is varying from flat hard gravel roads, to climbs up and down steep rocky tracks and some lovely sandy trails along the ridges through national parks and private property.
The event this year was held from August 25-29, although riders and horses start to gather at the village of St Albans from the Wednesday before to allow the horses time to settle in and recoup from their sometimes long float trip.
It also allows riders time to relax and socialise before the marathon begins.
This year there were the usual blend of interstate riders, although following the enforced “detention camp” of 2007 due to EI, numbers were down considerably.
More...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Passing: AERC Hall of Famer Jeri Scott
From Julie Suhr:
AERC Hall of Famer Jeri Scott's life was celebrated today at the Santa Clara County Horsemen's Grounds following her funeral services. Jeri was elected to the AERC Hall of Fame in 1989 for her dedicated service as a volunteer treasurer for many years.
The following from a letter she sent about a year ago when she knew her time was limited is quite poignant.
I have so many wonderful memories of all the hours with Pistol and riding with friends, endurance rides, meetings, board meetings, conferences, banquets, parties, QSER and AERC and all that both organizations meant to me. And all the behind the scenes hard work I did with both clubs as a member and a board member. I put in a lot of hours with QSER and even more with AERC crunching numbers. Bill Waters paid for an accountant to help me put together all the QSER paperwork, volumes of paperwork, to apply for non-profit status with IRS. Then there was the thrill of winning the IRS QSER audit. I prepared so hard for that audit and I won. I often wonder if QSER ever really understood that they could have lost their non-profit standing that day. Everything hung on that audit turning out well. I don't think the board members were that impressed at the time which was a bit of a downer for me but later in the week Pistol and I took a trail ride in QS park and we had our very special and rare treat of jelly donuts and I took along a small bottle of Champaign, most of which spilled due to being carried in a saddle bag, and we celebrated winning the audit. I have so many memories of debates over issues in QSER and AERC, the limited distance program, weight issues, juniors, protests, and always the budget and financial problems. It was a wonderful era with many changes going on.
I have so many wonderful memories of the time I spent with Pistol and the special bond we had, trail rides alone in the park where we just rode slow and enjoyed the experience or I just hung around in the pasture and watched him and the other horses interact or spent time grooming him and talking with him. And of course the endurance rides. Him with his front foot on the bumper of the camper bouncing it up and down trying to hurry me along with his hot bran and shredded carrot breakfast. Me calling him on my way back to the camper after a ride meeting and his answering me. All the smells of the morning at the beginning of an endurance ride, hot horse poop and horse sweat and excitement. I close my eyes and I am back there. The pride of finishing ride after ride on a horse no one but me had faith in to begin with. The pride of finishing Tevis. The respect that the vets and riders alike eventually gave the fat little horse who could and did.
When I think back I have a panorama, a smorgasbord, of the most wonderful thrilling memories anyone could have. I could write a book. In fact I always was going to write a book but I waited to long.
I shared everything with Pistol. My problems, my wins, my loses. We had a bond like no other and it spilled out and overflowed into my life and my work with both clubs. Well, now I've made myself cry and crying is not good. It makes my incision hurt. It has to be remembered that without Pistol I would never have become involved with QSER or AERC. Pistol was the glue that put it altogether.
I know Pistol was her first horse and when he died, I don't think she ever rode again. His saddle and her boots were at the services.
Julie Suhr
AERC Hall of Famer Jeri Scott's life was celebrated today at the Santa Clara County Horsemen's Grounds following her funeral services. Jeri was elected to the AERC Hall of Fame in 1989 for her dedicated service as a volunteer treasurer for many years.
The following from a letter she sent about a year ago when she knew her time was limited is quite poignant.
I have so many wonderful memories of all the hours with Pistol and riding with friends, endurance rides, meetings, board meetings, conferences, banquets, parties, QSER and AERC and all that both organizations meant to me. And all the behind the scenes hard work I did with both clubs as a member and a board member. I put in a lot of hours with QSER and even more with AERC crunching numbers. Bill Waters paid for an accountant to help me put together all the QSER paperwork, volumes of paperwork, to apply for non-profit status with IRS. Then there was the thrill of winning the IRS QSER audit. I prepared so hard for that audit and I won. I often wonder if QSER ever really understood that they could have lost their non-profit standing that day. Everything hung on that audit turning out well. I don't think the board members were that impressed at the time which was a bit of a downer for me but later in the week Pistol and I took a trail ride in QS park and we had our very special and rare treat of jelly donuts and I took along a small bottle of Champaign, most of which spilled due to being carried in a saddle bag, and we celebrated winning the audit. I have so many memories of debates over issues in QSER and AERC, the limited distance program, weight issues, juniors, protests, and always the budget and financial problems. It was a wonderful era with many changes going on.
I have so many wonderful memories of the time I spent with Pistol and the special bond we had, trail rides alone in the park where we just rode slow and enjoyed the experience or I just hung around in the pasture and watched him and the other horses interact or spent time grooming him and talking with him. And of course the endurance rides. Him with his front foot on the bumper of the camper bouncing it up and down trying to hurry me along with his hot bran and shredded carrot breakfast. Me calling him on my way back to the camper after a ride meeting and his answering me. All the smells of the morning at the beginning of an endurance ride, hot horse poop and horse sweat and excitement. I close my eyes and I am back there. The pride of finishing ride after ride on a horse no one but me had faith in to begin with. The pride of finishing Tevis. The respect that the vets and riders alike eventually gave the fat little horse who could and did.
When I think back I have a panorama, a smorgasbord, of the most wonderful thrilling memories anyone could have. I could write a book. In fact I always was going to write a book but I waited to long.
I shared everything with Pistol. My problems, my wins, my loses. We had a bond like no other and it spilled out and overflowed into my life and my work with both clubs. Well, now I've made myself cry and crying is not good. It makes my incision hurt. It has to be remembered that without Pistol I would never have become involved with QSER or AERC. Pistol was the glue that put it altogether.
I know Pistol was her first horse and when he died, I don't think she ever rode again. His saddle and her boots were at the services.
Julie Suhr
2009 FEI Rider and Horse Registration and Renewal Information
Release: November 14 2008
Lexington, KY— Following the decision of the General Assembly FEI Registration has been mandatory for all riders and horses competing in FEI competitions since January 1, 2006. Beginning January 1, 2009, any points acquired at a Competition where the rider or horse are not registered for that Competition year will not be included in the cumulative points. Competitions may not let these riders and/ or horses compete.
However, registration is not required for riders and horses who participate only in the FEI Children’s Competition and Challenges. Since October 2006, ranking points for rider and/or horses not registered are no longer taken into account.
FEI Registrations are Mandatory and must be renewed before entering your first FEI Competition each year. You must have this registration if you are competing in the following:
• CSI: Jumping
• CCI or CIC: Eventing
• CDI: Dressage
• CAI: Driving
• CRI: Reining
• CEI: Endurance
• CVI: Vaulting
• Para Equestrian
To renew your current FEI Rider Registration or complete a new FEI Rider Registration:
• The Rider must be an active USEF Member
• The Rider must be a U.S. Citizen
To renew a current FEI Horse Registration or complete a new FEI Horse Registration:
• The horse must:
1. Have an active USEF Life Recording
2. Be recorded with the correct owners
3. Have a current FEI or National Passport on Record with the USEF
4. Have an active USEF Member as an owner that is also a U.S. Citizen
To locate the FEI Registration Application:
http://www.usef.org/contentPage2.aspx?id=formspubs
FEI Registrations are Mandatory for All Riders and Horses competing in any FEI International Event. This number is free for riders that are under the age of 18 as of January 1, 2009 or riders competing in Para-Equestrian events only. For all other competitors, the Rider Registration is $15 and the Horse Registration is $15. It may take 4 weeks to process the FEI Registration. A Rush Fee of $30 will apply if the registration is received one week or less before the competition.
Please note: The FEI does not issue cards for FEI Registrations.
You may find your FEI Rider Registration Number when you sign-in through “My USEF Account” (also known as Authorized User Account) at www.usef.org. If you have registered for FEI since 2006 your number will appear along with the status of your renewal. The FEI Horse Registration Number will appear under the owner’s “My USEF Account” (or Authorized User Account) along with passport information regarding the status of the passport. These numbers will also be listed under Searches/ FEI Registrations on the USEF website. Please check to see if your registration is listed prior to leaving for the competition.
You may also find the Registrations on the FEI Registration lists at www.horsesport.org under FEI Registration Lists. If your registration has been completed, your number will appear on the website.
FEI Registration Number Searches: Competition Management can now go to www.usef.org under searches and locate the FEI Registration Number for Any or All USA FEI Horse and Rider Registrations.
Please note, as of December 1, 2007, a Current FEI Passport or a USEF National Passport is mandatory for any 1* or 2* Event except Endurance Competitions within the United States. All other FEI Passport Rules apply.
For more information, please contact Andrea Kimmel at akimmel@usef.org.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Trio conquer the Arizona Trail
Kingmandailyminer.com - Full Article
Sunday, November 09, 2008
800-mile trek "validating," Jackson says.
Traveling 800 miles across the state on horseback can do a lot to an individual.
For Dr. Ken Jackson, Molly Johnson and Kevin Morgan, the experience of following the Arizona Trail has changed them. They have learned more about themselves and each other than they ever have in the past.
"It's very validating for myself," Jackson said. "I'm different, even though I didn't expect to be."
Joined by family and friends during various parts of the 800-mile Arizona Trail, the three rode continuously for six weeks.
Part of the purpose of the trip was to honor the Arizona Trail, Jackson said.
"It's a magnificent state," Jackson said. "It's a magnificent trail."
Jackson, 60, has his own medical practice in Kingman and is known as the Cowboy Baby Doctor. During the last 30 years, he has served the Apache Tribe on the Whiteriver Reservation, the Hualapai Tribe at Peach Springs and the Havasupai Tribe in the Grand Canyon.
Jackson has known Morgan for more than 10 years. The pair had talked about making the voyage from the Utah border to the Mexico border for the past eight years, Jackson said.
More...
Sunday, November 09, 2008
800-mile trek "validating," Jackson says.
Traveling 800 miles across the state on horseback can do a lot to an individual.
For Dr. Ken Jackson, Molly Johnson and Kevin Morgan, the experience of following the Arizona Trail has changed them. They have learned more about themselves and each other than they ever have in the past.
"It's very validating for myself," Jackson said. "I'm different, even though I didn't expect to be."
Joined by family and friends during various parts of the 800-mile Arizona Trail, the three rode continuously for six weeks.
Part of the purpose of the trip was to honor the Arizona Trail, Jackson said.
"It's a magnificent state," Jackson said. "It's a magnificent trail."
Jackson, 60, has his own medical practice in Kingman and is known as the Cowboy Baby Doctor. During the last 30 years, he has served the Apache Tribe on the Whiteriver Reservation, the Hualapai Tribe at Peach Springs and the Havasupai Tribe in the Grand Canyon.
Jackson has known Morgan for more than 10 years. The pair had talked about making the voyage from the Utah border to the Mexico border for the past eight years, Jackson said.
More...
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Nevada Day Parade
Nov 8th, 2008
More from the Nevada Day parade. East Washoe Valley resident Jacquelyn participated in this years parade and I asked her about their cool group and the beautiful costumes and she sent this in:
The Parade Arabians were established by a local Vet and her Husband
and have been participating in parades for over 10 years to
highlight the Arabian breed, wearing native costumes. (ex: Lawrence of Arabia)
They are mostly a group of endurance riders (endurance rides take place in natural-rural
settings whereby the horse & rider compete for time for 20 miles, 50 miles, 75 and sometimes
100 mile rides. There are Vet checks during endurance rides to ensure the horse
is fit enough to continue.
Great group of folks!
We will be participating/riding in the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Reno this Tuesday.
Thanks Jacquelyn and we’ll see you at the next parade!
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