Deadly Equines: The Shocking True Story of Meat-Eating and Murderous Horses

Deadly Equines: The Shocking True Story of Meat-Eating and Murderous Horses

September 3 2011

There is widespread belief in a warm and comforting story which states the horse is a gentle herbivore. What if it could be proved instead that throughout history horses have had the biological capability, and desire, to consume a wide variety of meat?

An international multi-million dollar industry serviced by horse whisperers, glossy magazines and popular culture preaches that horses are meek prey animals who fear predators. What if evidence demonstrated horses have slain lions, tigers, pumas, wolves, hyenas, and humans?

Contemporary writers have successfully airbrushed murderous and meat-eating horses out of literature. What if Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and Steve McQueen provided artistic evidence to refute that claim?

Thanks to wide-spread equestrian amnesia, the vital role played by horses in recent history has been lost to mankind. What if vital testimony revealed meat-eating horses had been used to explore the North and South Poles?

What if six thousand years of equestrian wisdom had been misinterpreted or buried? What if a Rosetta Stone had been found to unlock the dark secrets of the horse’s past?

Deadly Equines is a revolutionary departure from equestrian romance. It is a fact-filled analysis which reveals how mankind has known about meat-eating horses for at least four thousand years, during which time horses have consumed nearly two dozen different types of protein, including human flesh, and that these episodes have occurred on every continent, including Antarctica.

Various sources of corroborating data, including legends, literature, cinema, news stories, scientific reports and eyewitness accounts are presented for the reader’s investigation. None of these items had been hidden. They had instead been ignored, misunderstood, or in some cases, censored.

The result is the first exploration of the horse’s hidden history, an alternative equestrian world populated by forgotten facts, overlooked evidence and astonishing stories. Amply illustrated, and containing a map of occurrences, this shocking study challenges the reader to develop a new understanding of the horse, one based upon reason, not fantasy.

What Critics Are Saying

“A thought provoking and challenging insight into an aspect of equine nature that we are unwilling to even acknowledge.”

Garry Ashton-Coulton - Art Editor, Horse & Hound magazine, London.

“The renowned expert CuChullaine O'Reilly offers startling and revelatory insight about equines that appears irrefutable… the horse as herbivore is a matter of conditioning, not necessarily preference.”

Dr. Ruth Carter - Professor of International Studies at Georgia College and State University.

“O'Reilly controversially suggests that many modern-day horse lovers have a sanitised view of the horse and suggests past generations may well have had a better understanding of their nature.”

Neil Clarkson - Publisher of Horse Talk international equestrian news service.

“Deadly Equines' investigation of the historical recurrence of omnivorous horses makes for compelling reading.”

Dr. David R. Dorondo - Department of History, Western Carolina University and author of Riders of the Apocalypse: German Cavalry and Modern Warfare.

“A wonderfully crafted, thought-provoking resource, the book begs a renewed re-examination of the nature of the horse."

Diane Dowling - Director of the equestrian documentary Of Horse & Man.

"What a fantastic story! There is a message here which has been suppressed over the years."

Robin Hanbury-Tenison OBE - Long Rider and author of The Oxford Book of Exploration.

"Deadly Equines was riveting! It contains a vast collection of evidence that proves the existence of meat eating horses throughout history. A must read for all horse lovers."

Dr. Wendy Hofstee - Long Rider FRGS and BVSc MRCVS

"Deadly Equines brings to light a rarely discussed aspect of equine behavior in a fascinating and informative way."

Patrick Holscher - Society of the Military Horse.

“The book's absolutely fascinating. I must admit what it mostly did for me was make me think, surely the ultimate objective of any author. Brilliant.”

Jonathan Hopkins – Author of Walls of Jericho – A Cavalry Tale.

"Deadly Equines is an extraordinary study and an intriguing account."

Jeremy James - Long Rider FRGS and author of The Byerley Turk.

“A stunning book and I mean stunning. It feels like I have been hit over the head.”

Simon Mulholland – Equestrian inventor and social activist.

"This iconoclastic book shatters many cherished assumptions. It is an essential read for anyone with an interest in horses. I highly recommend it".

Douglas Preston - Long Rider FRGS and author of Cities of Gold.

"Deadly Equines depicts a fascinating and barely known aspect of polar exploration history."

The Honourable Alexandra Shackleton - President of the James Caird Society

“With relentless research, O'Reilly has put together a body of evidence on meat-eating horses that should have encyclopedia editors all over the world scrambling to re-edit their chapter on the horse."

Geoff Young - Publisher/Editor, Horse Connection magazine.


To Learn More

If you have additional personal or historical evidence, please contact CuChullaine O'Reilly at longriders@thelongridersguild.com

To learn more about the "Deadly Equines" research project visit http://www.lrgaf.org/deadly_equines.htm

The international news service, Horse Talk, has published an extensive article about this “hidden history” of the horse. http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/features/meateatinghorses-190.shtml

ExWeb, the world’s leading exploration website, has published an article explaining how meat-eating horses were used to explore the Arctic Circle and Antarctica. http://www.explorersweb.com/air/news.php?id=20323

North America’s most popular equine radio program, The Horse Show, recorded a special one hour live interview with the author. To learn more visit http://www.thehorseshow.com/

To participate in the international discussion regarding "Deadly Equines" visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Deadly-Equines-The-Shocking-True-Story-of-Meat-Eating-Murderous-Horses/226312534070463?sk=photos

To purchase Deadly Equines, visit
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deadly-equines-cuchullaine-oreilly/1104580837?ean=9781590480038&itm=1&usri=deadly+equines

Equine Land Conservation Resource Establishes New Education Coordinator Position

August 29 2011

By Yellow Horse Marketing for the Equine Land Conservation Resource

The Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) is proud to announce the establishment of a new Education Coordinator position, and the appointment of Denise O'Meara to this role. The purpose of this newly-created ELCR Education Coordinator position is to develop a comprehensive educational program for a nationwide audience to support local efforts in equine land conservation, including farmland protection, land use planning and zoning, trails, equine economic development, land stewardship/best management practices, and liability issues. As the only national not-for-profit organization advancing the conservation of land for horse-related activity, ELCR serves as an information and educational resource, and establishment of this position is critical to continuing its public mission.

"In conservation of land for equine use, education of the public and getting people involved is essential for success," explains Deb Balliet, CEO of the Equine Land Conservation Resource. "Therefore, our Education Coordinator will be a vital link between ELCR and equine enthusiasts across the country, through expanded outreach efforts, promotion, and development of a volunteer training curriculum and materials."

Appointed to the position of ELCR Education Coordinator is Denise O'Meara of Lexington, KY. A graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture, O'Meara brings 16 years of landscape architectural experience to ELCR. Most recently, as Senior Landscape Architect for RossTarrant Architects in Lexington, KY, she founded the Landscape Architecture service component for the firm, initiated campus master planning services and served as designer and coordinator for the site department team of landscape architects and civil engineers. She is licensed by the Kentucky Board of Landscape Architecture and is affiliated with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Kentucky Chapter, where she has served as an Executive Committee member for 12 years and as Treasurer for five.

Prior to her career in planning and landscape architecture, a decade spent in management of a multi-million dollar Thoroughbred farm gave O'Meara an in-depth knowledge of the equine industry. "Thoroughbreds were my passion for many years, and I look forward to expanding that passion to include many other breeds and equine activities," says O'Meara. "After working extensively in landscape architectural practice, it is exciting to get back to the equine world. This position with ELCR will allow me to combine both interest areas in a very constructive way."

“My role as education coordinator will include the development of learning and communication tools that horsemen and women can use in addressing the myriad of land and trail conservation issues that arise with equine ownership and activities. Subjects will include land use planning, farmland protection, access and stewardship; all critically important elements for horse related activities nationwide. Additionally, similar tools will be developed for the dissemination and use of information regarding the benefits horse activities to the physical and economic wellbeing of people, communities and environments. These tools will be delivered in formats that are meaningful and eminently usable for the wide variety of equine user experiences and needs.”

"I am delighted to have Denise join the ELCR team," notes Balliet. "Her extensive experience in this new position will allow ELCR to significantly advance our educational offerings, and consequently enhance the equine land and trail conservation activity occurring across the country."

About the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR): The Equine Land Conservation Resource is the only national not-for-profit organization advancing the conservation of land for horse-related activity. ELCR serves as an information resource and clearinghouse for land and horse owners on issues related to equine land conservation, land use planning, land stewardship/best management practices, trails, liability and equine economic development. For more information about the ELCR visit our website at www.elcr.org or call (859) 455-8383.

CONTACT: Deb Balliet, CEO, Equine Land Conservation Resource
(859) 455-8383 or dballiet@elcr.org

USEF High School Equestrian Athletes Write From Their Hearts - and Receive Grants

USEF.org

Release: September 02 2011
Author: Stephanie Doyle

Lexington, KY - Skylar Rowan's high school in Knoxville, TN, offers a plethora of sports teams - even bowling and sailing. More than 20. But, there is one missing - the most important one to Rowan: An equestrian team.

"Just like the majority of schools in my area, my school doesn't have the facilities or the budget to support an equestrian team," the 16-year-old says.

But what is more frustrating to this high school sophomore is that most people outside the horse world, she says, don't understand the time, effort, dedication and athleticism - for both horse and rider - that are required to compete in any equestrian discipline.

"It's not just learning how to compete as an individual, or even as a member of a team ... it's forming a partnership with an animal athlete to whom you trust your very existence. And while jumping a course or completing a dressage test looks beautiful to spectators, it is every bit as difficult as the quarterback completing the perfect touchdown pass or the baseball pitcher pitching a perfect game."

Rowan wrote those words when asked, "What does the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete Program mean to you?"

And by answering that question - very well, according to judges - she became one of 15 high school equestrians to win a $1,000 grant from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) as part of its USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program.

"What the (program) has given to me is validation and recognition from those who truly understand this amazing sport," Rowan wrote. "By earning my varsity letter every year, I can also say to the world that I am an athlete... not just the girl who leaves school every day to 'ride horses.' Riding is my life, my passion and my sport. Yes, it would be great if my school was able to recognize me in the way that they do the other student athletes. But because of the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program, I now feel every bit as empowered as those that parade across the stage each May to pick up a letter."

With its third year well underway, the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program continues to grow both in nationwide participation and through offerings for students. More than $20,000 in grants was offered for the first time in 2011 to program participants - there are nearly 4,000 students in the program - as well as to equestrian clubs or schools.

Students who had completed one or more years of the program and were current members of a USEF International or Recognized Breed/Discipline Affiliate Association wrote the essays describing their experiences and opportunities through the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program. One applicant from each of the affiliate essay submissions was selected to receive a $1,000 grant for future academic or equestrian educational pursuits. Rowan is a member of the United States Dressage Federation.

Additionally, 10 equestrian clubs and team were awarded $500 grants for their programs by simply having the most student participation in the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program, based on students advising USEF of their participation in these clubs or teams.

Along with Rowan, the following are the recipients of $1,000 grants, listed with an essay excerpt:

* Rebecca Salberg, Rockaway, NJ (American Connemara Pony Society): "Prior to riding for this program, I was riding for the enjoyment of riding, now I am part of something much larger and it drives me to do my very best in practice and in shows."
* Brianna Ek, Southern Pines, NC (American Driving Society): "The cadence of the four in full gallop and the feeling of oneness with my team are electrifying. My confidence soars and I can feel my tightly pressed lips turn into a big smile. Welcome to my world, and the extreme sport of Combined Driving."
* Ayla Spry, Milaca, MN (American Endurance Ride Conference): "Because of the recognition through USEF and then the High School, I was no longer viewed as one of those horse kids, but as an athlete. I thank USEF for that."
* Kahlie Kroells, Hamburg, MN (American Hackney Horse Society): "The USEF High School program has opened my eyes to all the other industries that the Equine world touches and has given me so many options beyond riding."
* Nancy Merritt, Chapel Hill, NC (American Morgan Horse Association): "Through the USEF High School Athlete program I am able to easily share my commitment and the hard work that I put into my riding with academic leaders and peers, while attaining a greater sense of self-achievement."
* Kathryn Alexander, Morrison, CO (American Saddlebred Horse Association): "Horsemanship. The word itself embodies its spirit: the partnership between a person and their horse. That is what the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program has come to mean to me; my horse and I are the team, competing not only for our own enjoyment, but for my pride as a recognized equestrian at my school."
* Katharine Wick, Hillsborough, CA (American Vaulting Association): "Having the acknowledgement and support from the national governing body of equestrian sport for my hard work and commitment to vaulting throughout my high school career became very important to me in my goal of being admitted to a highly selective liberal arts college."
* Zane Sullivan, Albuquerque, NM (Arabian Horse Association): "Completing the criteria for this program is not what I would consider easy, but by striving to meet the goals placed in front of me it has better prepared me for my future goal of trying out for the Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup Team."
* Thea O'Dell, Whittier, CA (International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association): "In the end, dressage and horses is what I live and breathe and would be nothing without it. The USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program has strengthened my ambitions in my riding and education, rewarded my equestrian accomplishments, and shown my high school that riding in all disciplines is ready to be a widely recognized varsity sport."
* Tynan Morley, Murrieta, CA (International Friesian Show Horse Association): "The USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program provides me an opportunity to interact with other kids our age and talk about the number one thing we love, horses, as well as opening doors of opportunity for me to introduce my non-horse showing or non-horse owning friends how great the USEF program and equestrian competition life is!"
* Laura Orr, Topsail Beach, NC (Paso Fino Horse Association): "It is an avenue through which kids in the equestrian sport can verify the time, sweat, hard work, victories and losses they have experienced as part of the world of horses. It's how the girl who takes her math assignments to every show, the young man that spends his time between classes studying Chemistry, and the homeschooled kid can be part of something bigger than themselves."
* Victoria Kager, Lancaster, PA (United States Eventing Association): "Atop all else, the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program means commitment to my horse, my sport, and my future."
* Devon Conley, Sandy Hook, CT (United States Hunter Jumper Association): "The USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program has afforded me different opportunities outside of the equestrian sport. During the school year on my day off from riding I volunteer for Best Buddies program that helps handicapped kids. I have learned to be patient and have a sense of humor from riding which helps me greatly when working with the kids."
* Mackenzie Kurtz, Sugarloaf, PA (Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America): "Equestrian sports were not recognized in my school, except as a hobby. Now, I feel like I am part of a team or club. I am proud to wear my jacket with the USEF logo and pins I have earned."

The 10 equestrian clubs or teams receiving $500 grants through the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program include:

* Cash Lovell Stables
* Century Mill Equestrian Team
* Concord Equestrian Team
* Dare Equestrian Team
* Essex Equestrian Center Show Team
* Mounds Park Academy Equestrian Team
* Oak Creek Equestrian Team
* Archbishop Spalding Equestrian Team
* Smoke Rise Riding Club
* Stanford Red Barn Equestrian Team

For more information on the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program, please visit http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/Youth/highschool/highschool.aspx or email highschoolequestrianathlete@usef.org.

Pony Express riders galloped through west-central Lyon in pre-dawn darkness

RGJ.com - Full Article

August 29 2011

Written by Karren Rhodes | editor@daytoncourier.com

While the majority of people in west-central Lyon County were sleeping a horse and rider galloped out of Fort Churchill at about 1 a.m. on Aug. 26 carrying a mochila (mailbag) westward to Sacramento.

The annual Pony Express reenactment had the leg of the long journey that passed through the Dayton Valley headed westward through Mound House scheduled in the early morning hours, and for the most part went unnoticed as the horse and rider retraced much of the original trail that passed through the area.

But that wasn't unusual for a Pony Express rider to be riding at that hour of the night.

The mostly teenage riders passed through the area during the 18-month history of the private mail service.

This year the ride began Aug. 17 in St. Joseph, Mo., and ended in Sacramento. The riders were passing through Lyon County headed to Carson City and Genoa --then over the Sierra Nevada range into California.

The national, 10-day 24-hour-a-day event includes more than 600 riders stationed at intervals to relay the-designed leather mailbag during the 1,966-mile ride...

Read more here:
http://www.rgj.com/article/20110831/DAYTON/108310318/Pony-Express-riders-galloped-through-west-central-Lyon-pre-dawn-darkness?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Dayton%20Courier

USDA Forest Service Announced the Grand Opening Dry Creek Trail System

August 23 2011

Chatsworth, GA — The USDA Forest Service recently announced the grand opening of the 26-mile Dry Creek Trail System on the Chattahoochee National Forest in northwest Georgia. After several years of planning, new trails were built from the ground up to create a safer, more maintainable, and ecologically sustainable trail system from an unplanned network of older trails that did not meet current trail standards. Over $448,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds made a project of the size possible, providing a safer and more satisfying experience for horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers.

According to Chattahoochee-Oconee Forest Supervisor George Bain, “the success of this large trails project would not have been possible were it not for this funding and the involvement of our partners, the Back Country Horsemen of America and others. This partnership is a perfect example of the collaboration the forest is striving for in the management its trails program”. Five miles of old trail were closed and rehabilitated and 26 miles of new trail were surveyed, planned, and constructed.

Five years ago, Larry Wheat, President of the North West Georgia chapter of the BCHA, had the inspiration to design and push forward the development of a new 26 mile Dry Creek trail system. Larry spent hundreds upon hundreds of hours laying out, designing and working with the FS to construct a system that met or exceeded new trail construction requirements.  Larry, with his calm demeanor and in-depth knowledge championed this trail system to success and over the hurdles that such projects encounter.

The public was invited to a grand opening celebration on June 25, 2011. Festivities began at the Dry Creek Trailhead at 11AM. Refreshments were served and free, guided trail rides were offered. The Dry Creek Trail System and the connecting Pinhoti Trail are easy to moderate trails open to hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The large trailhead parking area accommodates horse trailers as well as passenger cars.

Back Country Horsemen of America is a volunteer service organization dedicated to: perpetuating the common sense use and enjoyment of horses in America’s back country and wilderness; working to insure that public lands remain open to recreational stock use; assisting the various government and private agencies in their maintenance and management of said resource; educating, encouraging and soliciting active participation in the wise use of the back country resource by horsemen and the general public commensurate with our heritage; and fostering and encouraging the formation of new state Back Country Horsemen organizations.

Since 1995 BCHA members have contributed over $63 million dollars in volunteer value to the US National Forest Service, the Federal Bureau of Land Management, various state land agencies throughout the US. BCHA is the largest volunteer contributor to federal land management agencies. For more information please visit: http://www.backcountryhorse.com
 
CONTACT:
Peg Greiwe
Back Country Horsemen of America
1-888-893-5161
peg@backcountryhorse.com
http://www.backcountryhorse.com

Revised Tevis Application Forms Available

August 22 2011

In consideration of the newly scheduled dates for our 2011 events, participants that have already signed up on the original applications are required to submit a completed Addendum for their respective event. Starting June 1, 2011 only the revised applications of the 2011 Tevis Ride will be considered.

In consideration of the newly scheduled dates for our 2011 events, participants that have already signed up on the original applications are required to submit a completed Addendum for their respective event. Starting June 1, 2011 only the revised applications of the 2011 Tevis Ride will be considered.

8
An Addendum will be emailed to anyone that has supplied a valid email address to the office, or by mailing address otherwise. Your help in expediting this matter is greatly appreciated.

Anyone with questions is encouraged to phone or email the office. Because our office hours are limited at this time, emails will generally receive a response the same day while phone calls may take up to a week.

The new application and addendum for the Western States 100 mile – 1 day Trail Ride are here:
http://www.teviscup.org/news-flash/133-new-ed-ride-and-tevis-application-forms-available

With just over 6 weeks till the rescheduled Tevis Cup on October 8 2011, 191 riders have pre-registered for the ride as of August 2nd:
http://www.teviscup.org/news/2011-tevis-cup/2011-tevis-cup-rider-list

2011 Tevis Educational Ride

August 22 2011

This year's educational ride weekend was rescheduled to July 15th-17th and was a great time. There were 43 total participants, all of whom were able to become familiar with the trail and learn about important topics such as shoe padding, equine massage, horseshoeing, saddle fitting and more. Loomis Basin Veterinary Hospital was also there performing an ulcer study providing further awareness regarding ulcers and preventative measures.

The weekend was an educational experience for everyone involved; with the help of 30 guide riders and numerous other volunteers.

A big THANK YOU goes out to all of the sponsors who helped make this weekend possible: Somewhere Over the Rainbow Lodge, Platinum Performance, Inc., EasyCare, Inc., Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center, Echo Valley Ranch, Inc., LMF Horse Feeds, Vettec Hoof Care Products, Ariat International, Foresthill Divide Chamber of Commerce, Foresthill Joe's Coffee House, Subway-Foresthill, Chefs Orlando Sanchez, Red Dirt Saloon, Worton's Market, Triple Crown Nutrition, Inc., and Sypolt Insurance Services, Inc.

To see the weekend's results please click here.

Chief Joseph Trail riders camp out in West Yellowstone

Westyellowstonenews.com - Full Article

Posted: Sunday, August 21, 2011 3:13 pm
By ABBIE TUMBLESON West Yellowstone News

The Appaloosa Horse Club, which acts as the international breed registry, pulled into West Yellowstone on Aug. 5 as the final stop on their annual Chief Joseph Trail Ride.

The annual ride honors The Nez Perce Indians and the Appaloosas that they rode and bred.

Black, brown and white Appaloosas, some speckled and some with solid blocks of colored markings, trekked across a 100-mile segment of the Nez Perce National Historic Trail with 125 riders on horseback. More than 200 members of the club joined the group this year as they covered another leg of the historic trail, beginning at their assembly camp in Spencer, Idaho. The trip is the biggest trail ride the club has each year.

The Nez Perce National Historic Trail begins in Joseph, Ore., near Wallowa Lake and extends more than 1,000 miles, ending at the Bear Paw Battlefield in Chinook, Mont.

Members of the Appaloosa Horse Club started their annual ride 47 years ago in 1965 to recognize the journey made by Chief Joseph and his fellow Nez Perce Indians after the U.S. government attempted to move them from their homelands near Wallowa Lake to a reservation in 1877...

Read more here:
http://www.westyellowstonenews.com/news/article_2a8c9da8-cc3b-11e0-8016-001cc4c002e0.html

Local Endurance horse races challenge both animals and riders

Idahostatejournal.com - Full Article

Sunday, August 21, 2011

By Vanessa Grieve
vgrieve@journalnet.com - Idaho State Journal

A brief downpour of rain cooled horseback riders as they proceeded to finish the first loop of the Buckskin Challenge Saturday morning.

Event coordinator Kara Yost said the weather was ideal for horses involved in the 25-mile or 50-mile endurance races west of Pocatello that started in Buckskin Canyon.

“We don’t have a lot of endurance races around here,” Yost said. “We’re hoping to build up interest.”

Participants came from Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Oregon. Yost said 20 people competed in the 50-mile event and about 20 competed in the 25-mile event.

After losing her horse, Firth’s Peggy Taysom abstained from endurance riding for several years. This year she participated in the 25-mile event with her gelding, Maynard.

This was her third endurance race.

“It was hard. It was really hard,” Taysom said...

Read more here:
http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/article_493f34a2-cbca-11e0-a775-001cc4c03286.html

West Nile Virus Confirmed in California, Nevada Horses

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Erica Larson, News Editor
August 12 2011, Article # 18674

The 2011 mosquito-borne disease season continues to affect horse owners across the country. The most recent reports indicate Hthat a horse in California and a horse in Nevada have both tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).

In 2010, the USDA's National Animal Health Surveillance System reported 125 confirmed cases of WNV in 28 states.

According to the California West Nile Virus Website (produced by the California Department of Public Health, the University of California Davis Center for Vectorborne Diseases, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California), a horse in Los Angeles county recently became the first horse in the state to be confirmed WNV-positive in 2011.

Additionally, a horse in Lyon County, Nev., was confirmed WNV-positive by the Nevada Department of Agriculture's Animal Disease and Food Safety Laboratory earlier this week...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=18674

Endurance horseman completes Pony Express ride

Boisestatepublicradio.org
Reported by Emily Schwing on August 15th, 2011 in In-depth Local News

Boise, ID – After a near 2000-mile horseback ride on the Pony Express Trail, Idaho resident Tom Noll is back home.

It took eight weeks for Noll and his two horses to cross prairie, mountains, and desert in eight states. Back in May, he said the trip took more than a year’s worth of planning. I sat down with Noll to talk about his journey.

Read Tom Noll’s email dispatches here:
http://ponyexpress2011.blogspot.com/

Listen to Emily's interview with Tom here:
http://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/2011/08/15/endurance-horseman-completes-pony-express-ride/

Reining in my competitive spirit at Fireworks 50

Santacruzsentinel.com - Full Article

August 12 2011
Julie Jag
jjag@santacruzsentinel.com

Like in most races I enter, I had no designs on winning Saturday's Fireworks 50-mile endurance ride. Unlike the rest, I actually had a chance this time.

The route for the 38th running of this marathon horse race wound through trails in Henry Cowell State Park, the Pogonip, UC Santa Cruz and Wilder Ranch State Park, giving me the home field advantage. Furthermore, my steed -- an Arabian-mustang cross named Courage, who was loaned to me for the ride by my friend Steve Shaw -- was in excellent shape, thanks mainly to the conditioning he got while competing in ride-and-tie races all summer.

Most pertinent to our chances at winning, however, was that, unlike me, Courage actually possesses endurance, heart and speed -- qualities I have discovered to be universally held by athletes who win races.

But we weren't going to win. Steve had made that very clear.

If I wanted to continue to ride Courage after this race, I needed to stay in Steve's good graces, and he had warned me that he didn't want me going out and trying to win my very first 50-mile endurance race. But, then again, he didn't want me to soil the horse's reputation in the endurance world by taking last either.

So, in the first race I could actually win, we agreed I was instead going to aim for 10th.

It didn't take long to figure out that in a field of 50 riders, taking 10th was going to be harder than going for the gusto...

Read more here:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/sports/ci_18666958

Hay Shortage Hits Texas

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Erica Larson, News Editor
August 05 2011, Article # 18643

As Texas residents battle extreme drought conditions, horse owners are struggling to get their hands on enough hay to feed their animals.

"The drought is quite widespread and covers nearly the entire state," said Dennis H. Sigler, PhD, a professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M University (TAMU) and the TAMU Extension Horse Specialist. "Although some areas are much worse than others, all but just a couple of counties out of 254 are under a severe drought, with little relief in sight."

Added Travis Miller, professor and associated head of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at TAMU and Extension Program Leader, "We are experiencing the most severe one-year drought in Texas history. June 2011 was the warmest June and the fifth warmest month is our history of recorded weather. July 2011 set the record for the warmest month in recorded Texas history. While we made some good hay in 2010, our hay barns were empty from a very severe drought in 2009. We have been feeding livestock since October, and 2010 hays supplies are gone."

For area horse owners, this means having to make tough decisions, dig deep into resources to find hay to purchase and deep in their pockets to pay for the forage they've found...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=18643

Monmouth Employee to Compete in Mongol Derby

CS.bloodhorse.com - Full Article

25 July 2011

Last summer, when Sophia Mangalee read a story on Equidaily.com about the winner of the 2010 Mongol Derby, she was more than intrigued and entertained. She was inspired.

“I was 100% convinced from the minute I saw (the article) that I would do that race,” said Mangalee, 28, the marketing manager of Monmouth Park. “I thought about it for about a week before I applied, and every night I was having all these dreams of galloping my pony across the Mongolian steppe.”

Mangalee’s aspirations are coming to fruition sooner than she thought. After being accepted as one of the 26 entrants and one of only three Americans in the race, Mangalee began a year-long preparation for the biggest adventure of her life.

The Mongol Derby, a 1,000 km (about 600 miles) horse race across the wilderness of the Mongolian steppe is described on its website as “the longest, toughest horse race in the world.”

While Mangalee has been riding horses the majority of her life, she will have to get accustomed to the semi-wild Mongolian horses on which she will be traveling during her 10-day journey, which begins Aug. 6...

Read more here:
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/beyond-the-blinkers/archive/2011/07/25/monmouth-employee-to-compete-in-mongol-derby.aspx

Endurance Riding: Endurance Riding North America’s fastest-growing equestrian sport is truly a family affair

Horse-canada.com - Full Article

by Judy Andrekson

What is a dream vacation for endurance racing veteran Carol Wadey and her family? Traveling with three horses over 5,000 miles in three weeks to race together on 250 miles of some of the most spectacular trails in Canada and the United States. Sticking closer to home, but enjoying equally beautiful scenery and camaraderie, Mavis Holroyd and her 14-year-old son, Scott, have ridden as a team for the past seven years and have formed an unbreakable bond while racing over 1,000 miles of Alberta’s endurance trails. Between them, these two families have raced over 4,000 miles, regionally, nationally and internationally, and it has been mostly just for fun.

Endurance racing is one of the world’s fastest growing equestrian sports, and with all it has to offer, there is little doubt why. It is an ‘anybody’ sport – there are no age limits, no breed restrictions, no dress code (except for approved helmets for juniors), and no special tack is required. It is becoming very popular as a family sport. It is challenging and exciting, but serious accidents are rare, trails are usually well marked and easy to follow, and it is one of the only equestrian sports that is strictly monitored by veterinarians – the horse’s well-being comes first at all times. Riders of all ages learn excellent horsemanship skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship as they test themselves and their tough mounts against 25, 50, and even 100 miles of rugged trail. Surprisingly, even the youngest of riders quickly become hooked on this challenging sport, making it a perfect family affair.

For ten-year-old Rae-Anne Wadey and her seven-year-old sister, Robyn, endurance racing has always been a part of their lives...

Read more here:
http://horse-canada.com/archives/endurance-riding/

Horses, riders forge distance bonds at Firework 50

Santacruzsentinel.com - Full Article

By Vidur Malik
Posted: 08/07/2011

SANTA CRUZ -- The first time Ruth-Diane Trefethen rode in the Fireworks 25 & 50 Endurance Ride, a long-distance equestrian event, in 1985, she was too tired to enjoy the music of the live band playing after the race.

But after winning the 28th running of the race on Saturday, the 69-year-old from Mariposa said she would dance to the sounds of "Bluegrass By Default" -- the very same band that played after her first race some 26 years ago.

Trefethen didn't show any signs of fatigue after this race, though it came nearly three decades and one knee replacement after her first one.

"Tired is in the mind," she said after her victory with a purebred Arabian nicknamed Peekaboo.

While the more skilled or competitive participants rode the 50-mile course, those who wanted to train their horses for longer runs or were simply looking for a long, relaxing trot took part in the recreational 25-mile course. Riders who finished in the middle or end of the 50-mile pack received awards, while all 25-mile riders left with prizes for themselves and their horses.

"It's pretty inclusive so that every rider has a chance to do well," said Debbie Boscoe, an organizer for the event. "It's not just how fast you go."

The race, which had about 100 participants according to Boscoe, is sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference, and was created by members of the Santa Cruz County Horsemen's Association who wanted to ride on the town's scenic trails...

Read more here:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/sports/ci_18633222

Sandy man talks about joining Pony Express ride re-enactment

Berenice Tynan photo

Oregonlive.com - Full Article

August 5 2011
By Special to The Oregonian The Oregonian
Berenice Tynan

On April 3, 1860, the first Pony Express rider left St. Joseph, Mo., with the U.S. mail in his saddle pack, heading for California. A hundred and fifty-one years later, on May 24, 2011, Max Merlich of Sandy, along with 35 other riders, left St. Joseph to re-enact that maiden ride and pay homage to those hardy pioneers.

"I've been asked why I would take on such a trip," Merlich said on his return to Sandy two months later. "I can only say it was the experience of a lifetime."

The 21st-century riders covered 250 miles each week as they rode through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada. California was the final stop on the original Pony Express route, but the state denied permits for the modern ride because the route went through wilderness terrain.

"We traveled along the original route through plains, deserts and over mountains as much as possible," Merlich said, "and stopped at the few Pony Express stations still standing." Time and civilization have obliterated much of the trail and stations.

Merlich traveled the 1,900-mile route with a support crew that included his ride partner, Dave Rabe; a lady wrangler; two farriers; a veterinarian; a mechanic for the pickups that followed; and a massage therapist, plus two mules and one horse...

Read more here:
http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2011/08/sandy_man_joins_pony_express_r.html

This Week in International Disciplines

USEF.org

4 August 2011

Euston, England- U.S. endurance rider Heather Reynolds stepped up and took the win at the 100-km Endurance Test Event Pre-Ride for the 2012 World Endurance Championship in Eustone Park, England, on July 24, 2011. Reynolds guided Opium Lord in the FEI CEI2* to cross the finish line in a time of 5 hours: 26 minutes: 03 seconds, averaging 22.45 km/hr. She was followed only eight seconds later by the United Arab Emirates Khalifa Ghanem Al Marri riding Taita. Team USA's Cheryl Van Deusen finished in 20th place aboard Dacora in a time of 8 hours: 23 minutes: 37 seconds. Thirty-eight riders started, 21 finished and 17 were eliminated during the ride.

In the 160-km race, Team USA's Becky Hart crossed the finish line in 13th place aboard Oued El Kebir Larzac, averaging 18.33 km/hr on a time of 8 hours: 43 minutes: 57 seconds.

For more information, visit http://eustonparkendurance.co.uk/default.aspx, or http://www.cso-scores.net/ for additional results.

Coast-to-coast horseback ride honors wounded warriors

Newstrib.com - Full Article

By Craig Sterrett
ntlocal@newstrib.com

Magnolia resident Laurie Glenn was more than happy to provide a nice place to stay for a group of hot, tired men and women on a coast-to-coast horseback ride.
On Sunday, the five riders raising money and awareness for the Wounded Warriors Project had pitched tents and spent the night in a barrel-racing ring near downtown Wenona beside their horses, trailer and donated U-Haul truck carrying feed, water and all their gear. Often in their 3,000-mile trip that started June 10 at King George, Va., they’ve stayed in parks or behind churches where there’s grass for horses.
Glenn received a call from a friend, Claudette Halloran, who had told the group they might be able to stop for the night Monday near Magnolia at Glenn’s place, where she has four horses and six dogs. Glenn gladly opened her doors to the group to give them a chance to clean up and get inside into air conditioning. She offered a pasture for grazing for the horses, and offered the riders some grub.
“I didn’t feed them. They brought their own tonight,” Glenn said.
One of the riders, 20-year Army veteran Mike Proscia — a genuine wounded warrior who was in vehicles or injured nine different times in roadside bomb explosions in Iraq — cooked supper for the group. He made red beans and rice by adding more rice and Cajun seasonings to a previous batch of chili, but appreciated Glenn’s hospitality nonetheless.
“We’re really lucky Laurie volunteered to let us stay out here tonight,” Proscia said.
The group has been trying to ride as far as 20-25 miles per day. Usually three riders are on the road at a time, with the other two driving the van that pulls the horses in the trailer to keep them fresh.
Proscia’s goal is to make it the entire trip as a rider or driver to Camp Pendleton near San Diego, Calif...

Read more here:
http://www.newstrib.com/articles/news/nci/default.asp?article=28869&aname=Coast-to-coast+horseback+ride+honors+wounded+warriors

Thistle Down Run horse event slated Aug. 20-21 near Frazee

Frazeeforum.com

August 3 2011

The Thistle Down Run endurance horse run will be held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21 near Frazee. There will be camping and endurance rides throughout the weekend.

Camping is available for $25 a night or $20 a night with two or more night's stay. Early camping is available so call ahead. There is a 15-mile novice ride for locals who would like to try the sport.

Local landowners Les and Pat Kertscher, Ron Kertscher, Vinton and Joyce Vogler and Scott and Lisa Piche have donated their land use for the Thistle Down Run for four years. There is hard work involved behind the scenes of the run including grooming the trails and keeping it new and exciting each year.

Location: Coming from the east on US Hwy 10 - 3 miles west of first Frazee exit/State Hwy rest area. Coming from the west on US Hwy 10 - 5.5 miles east of the Detroit Lakes Holiday Inn. Site is right off the highway on south side and will be marked. Info: Teresa and Dale Fett or Sandy Fett, 320-247-0433, or sandra.fett2010@gmail.com.

Mary and her accomplished Arabians 'endure'

Mineralwellsindex.com - Full Article

By Mary Sikes Fields | Special to the Index

In Mineral Wells, Texas, a sea of Quarter Horses, there is a small Arabian island south of town. Our family moved here in 1993, when I began training my first gelding for endurance (50- and 100-mile rides). We entered our first 25-mile ride in 1995 and our first 50 in 1996.

Vincent Keis wrote the first article in the Mineral Wells Index about my Arabian gelding, Christiansen, aka, Pippy, in May of 1997. Pippy had just won Reserve Champion Purebred in the Region IX Texas Bluebonnet Classic Championship Endurance Ride, held in Decatur. My goal was to complete the Western States Trail Ride, aka, Tevis Cup Ride, in California in 1998.

Pippy’s accomplishments were chronicled in the Index by Lela Abernathy and Craig Holamon over the ensuing years. We completed the Tevis Cup ride in August of 1998. He was chosen to be part of the United States Equestrian Team, Central Zone, to compete in the North American Endurance Championship in Canada in 1999. We went to the National Championship Endurance Ride in 2000. He placed in the top five in the Region IX Endurance Championship again in 2001. For each of six consecutive years, 1997-2002, Pippy placed in the Region IX top 10 for the year in overall miles and points in endurance, completing 500-655 miles a year.

Pippy survived many injuries and EPM, a life-threatening disease. He had surgery on his right hind leg in May of 2004. After recovery, he finished two more 50-mile rides in 2007, but I could tell that his leg was not the same. I retired him from competition. He still does pleasure rides at the Lake Mineral Wells State Park, where we have done all of our training. Pippy completed 3,840 miles in his endurance career. If we count the miles of training and the rides from which we pulled after some miles, I would guess that we have ridden close to 10,000 miles together...

Read more here:
http://mineralwellsindex.com/local/x1328584625/Mary-and-her-accomplished-Arabians-endure

BLM to Require Use of Weed-Free Hay on Public Lands in Idaho

August 2 2011

BOISE, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today published new rules
requiring the use of certified weed-free hay, straw and mulch on all
BLM-managed lands in Idaho. The supplementary rules, which were published
in today’s Federal Register, require all visitors, permittees and operators
to use certified weed-free hay, straw or mulch when visiting or conducting
authorized activities on BLM-managed lands in Idaho. The rules become
effective on August 20, 2011. The BLM will begin enforcing the new
requirement on September 19, 2011, to allow time for public outreach and
education.

“This measure is needed to help slow the alarming spread of noxious and
invasive weeds on public lands,” said BLM Idaho State Director Steve Ellis.
“It’s consistent with existing policies of the State of Idaho and the U.S.
Forest Service, so in following these new rules, public land users will
join the growing effort in Idaho and other Western states to combat the
spread of weeds.”

Noxious and invasive weeds are a serious problem in the American West.
They spread an estimated 2,300 acres per day on BLM-managed lands and 4,600
acres per day on all Western public lands. Species like perennial
pepperweed, purple loosestrife, yellow starthistle, hoary cress (whitetop),
leafy spurge, diffuse knapweed, spotted knapweed, Russian knapweed, Scotch
thistle, Canada thistle, and rush skeleton weed are non-native to the
United States and have no natural competitors to keep them in ecological
balance.

“These weeds create all sorts of problems - from reducing grazing capacity
to damaging wildlife habitat and altering fire regimes,” Ellis said. “The
rules will standardize regulation for all users of public lands in Idaho
and allow coordinated and complementary management across jurisdictional
lines.”

Use of non-certified hay, straw or mulch on BLM-managed lands in Idaho
carries a penalty of fines of up to $1,000, prison sentences of as many as
12 months, or both. Under the new rule, only hay, straw and mulch
certified by the State of Idaho as free of prohibited weed seed will be
allowed for use on public lands in Idaho.

Ellis said the 2 months between today’s publication and when the rules will
be enforced will give public land users time to become familiar with the
new requirement and to learn where to purchase weed-free products. “The
Forest Service and Idaho state agencies already require the use of
weed-free forage on lands they manage, so there are suppliers standing
ready to provide certified straw, hay and mulch.”

For more information about availability, vendor locations, and price of
certified weed-free hay, straw or mulch, contact BLM Idaho botanist Roger
Rosentreter, (208) 373-3824 or Roger_Rosentreter@blm.gov .


LINKS:
List of Idaho growers of weed-free forage and straw (by county):
http://www.idahoweedawareness.org/netcenter/library/weedfreeforage.html

Idaho Agriculture Dept.’s Noxious Weed-Free Forage and Straw Certification
program:
http://www.idahoweedawareness.org/netcenter/library/weedfreeforage.html#

Canada makes inroads into China horse market

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

July 28, 2011

Four Canadian endurance riders have completed a race in China as part of a trade mission to Zhaosu County in the country's northwest.

The four were part of a group of six individuals representing Equine Canada's Export Market Development program (EC Export) whose objective was to experience firsthand, a Chinese-run equestrian sporting event, gain knowledge of China's current horse husbandry practices and demonstrate that Canada has the expertise to partner with China as it strives to develop a contemporary horse industry.

The event was run in Zhaosu County, in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of northwest China.

In a different format from previous trade missions, four endurance riders, who took on the role as "Canadian Equestrian Ambassadors" represented Canada in a four-day equine festival called the Invitational Tournament of 2011 "Xinfadi Cup" the Second National Equestrianism Endurance Racing and Speed Competition in Pasture of Zhaosu County. Along with a flat racing meet for Chinese-owned thoroughbreds and native horses, the festival was comprised of three days of riding over 260km in the area's grasslands, which included an 80km endurance race on July 1...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/07/196.shtml

Team USA Takes Double Golds in First-Ever North American Young Rider Endurance Championship at the 2011 Adequan/FEI North American

Endurance photo finish on a hot Kentucky summer day. Photo: SusanJStickle.com

USEFNetwork.com

RELEASE: July 30, 2011
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: Erica Larson for USEF

Lexington, KY - For first time in the event's history, the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North played host to the North American Young Rider Endurance Championship. The competition included both CEI2* and CEI4* divisions which were completed yesterday, and team medals were presented today in both divisions.

CEI4*

In the CEI4* divisions, Team USA took home the Gold medal after accruing a collective ride time of 25 hours, 25 minutes, and 31 seconds. The team was made up of Lindsay Bean and Tektonic, Devan Horn and DJB Sameill, Kyle Gibbon and Missu Koran, and Kelsey Russell and My Wild Irish Gold, who successfully negotiated the 75-mile track despite the intense heat and humidity of the Kentucky summer.

Individually in the CEI4*, Russell took home the Gold, Bean the Silver, and Gibbon the Bronze.

"I just took it slow and easy," Florida-resident Russell said. "I tried to let the
horse pace themselves because they're good at knowing how fast they can go.

"They were really nice trails, really well marked," she said, adding that although the grass was "a little slippery," she used a combination of Renegade boots and mud nails to gain traction.

Russell was able to preserve "Irish" well throughout the course and by the end, the horse still had enough steam to give Russell a memorable finish: "We trotted all the way until the last turn and then cantered around the last turn. There were horses behind us, and the horses just wanted to race, so we let them."

Bean, who hails from Maine, said the terrain at the Kentucky Horse Park was different than the mountainous ones she's used to riding on at home, but due to warm summer weather, she was glad for the change: "It was really hot, so the harder terrain would have made it difficult."

She also explained that leading up to the 75-mile ride, she used other competitive rides to prepare, as well as lots of walking and hill work in warm temperatures to build up Tektonic's endurance.

The rolling hills of Kentucky were also a change of scenery for Vermont-resident Gibbon, but he enjoyed his ride through the Bluegrass.

"It was a really pretty course...nice scenery," he said. "[The track] was really well marked; there was no way to make a wrong turn. That gives you a lot of confidence for the course."

Gibbon said in preparation for the NAJYRC, he and Missu Koran have been competing on a regular basis and did a few 100-mile rides, but interspersed adequate rest and some interval training for a rounding training program.

Also in the CEI4* division, Tektonic received the Best Conditioned Horse Award, which was decided earlier this morning.

CEI2*

In the CEI2* class, the Team Gold medal was awarded to Team USA Northeast A, whose collective ride time totaled 25 hours, 40 minutes, and 57 seconds. Team members included Bean and Tektonic, Gibbon and Missu Koran, Forest Green and LR Amana Tabi, and Steven Hay and Khalil Asam.

"[The track] was easy to follow," Hay said. "The heat was a big deal. It required smart riding."

The Team Silver was awarded to Team USA Southeast with a collective ride time of 25 hours, 49 minutes, and 19 seconds. Riders included Russell and My Wild Irish Gold, Mallory Capps and Precious Beaunita, Mary Kathryn Clark and DA Al Capone, and Cassandra Roberts and SA

Capps said that the heat influenced how the competitors cooled their horses out after each loop, and also the pace at which the ride was completed.

"We did lots of electrolyting and lots of ice water," she explained. "People took it slow. Usually we have faster times but we had a lot of people go slow."

Unfortunately for Capps, the heat was too much to handle: "The ride was too hard for me and the horse, but the one loop was nice. It was out in the sun and you just get pounded with heat all day long."

Conversely, Roberts said that her horse handled the heat well and that she enjoyed riding the well-marked trails.

Finally, Clark said she used a heart monitor during the ride to keep close tabs on her horse's heart rate. She also said, like many other competitors in the ride, she used a cell phone to keep in touch with her crew during her ride.

"I used a Bluetooth headset," she explained, adding that her crew called regularly "to check in, see how the horse is doing, and know what they have to have ready" for when she arrived from a loop. She also said she kept in touch with the team veterinarian throughout the ride and updated them on Al Capone's condition.

"That helped a lot," she said.

Individually in the CEI2*, the Gold medal was awarded to Sophia Bashir from Team USA Central and Dazed and Amazed, the Silver was presented to Roberts, and the Bronze to Hay.

Bashir, a Texas native, travelled to Virginia to train with Dazed and Amazed with lots of "fast walking in mountains and hills and intervals." Additionally, she was pleased with how her horse handled the heat.

"He handled the heat well," she said. "The first loop was better because it was cooler. We started slowing down throughout the day. I tried to keep a consistent pace and that seemed to help us out."

Bashir added that this competition was her first 75-mile ride, and that while she isn't sure what she'll do next, she'd like to continue and try a 100-mile ride.

Sir Valient, who represented Colombia in partnership with Camilo Andres-Villa, received the Best Conditioned Horse Award in the CEI2* division.

For more information, visit http://www.youngriders.org.

For photos, videos and more, visit USEFNetwork's NAJYRC page at:
http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/NAJYRC2011

North American Junior & Young Rider Championships begin today

Horsechannel.com - Full Article

Top young equestrians in five disciplines compete this week at the Kentucky Horse Park.
July 27, 2011


Up-and-coming riders from dressage, endurance, eventing, show jumping and reining are competing today through Sunday at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC). Teams and individuals between the ages of 14 and 21 come from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean Islands and all regions on the United States.

The NAJYRC began as a Canadian/American eventing competition in 1974. Dressage and show jumping were added in the early 1980s and reining joined the competition in 2008. This year marks the first NAJYRC that includes an endurance championship. Para-dressage is also featured this year as a non-championship event...

More, with video:
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-news/2011/07/27/north-american-junior-young-rider-championship.aspx

NAJYRC Stars on the Rise at the Kentucky Horse Park

USEF.org

Release: July 26 2011
Author: Brian Sosby

Lexington, KY - It's "all hands on deck" as the final touches are being made and the horses and riders are arriving at the Kentucky Horse Park for what has become a celebrated annual event - the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North. And for the 2011 competition, there are some exciting additions to this highly-regarded series of international championships.

In addition to championships being contested in dressage, eventing, and show jumping, for the first time at the NAJYRC, the discipline of endurance will contest a CEI4* 100-mile championship race (a CEI2* 75-mile, non-championship race will also be run concurrently). Additionally, reining, which joined the championships in 2008 for the first time, will have two divisions for the first time in 2011. Non-championship events will also take place in the form of a vaulting demonstration during the Opening Ceremonies and a pair of para-dressage freestyles prior to the dressage freestyle championships on Saturday.

In all, some 250 riders spanning six countries have made the pilgrimage to the Kentucky Horse Park to battle for medals. Among them include:

•174 riders from the U.S. (57 dressage, 19 endurance, 39 eventing, 52 jumping, 7 reining)
•59 riders from Canada (21 dressage, 3 endurance, 9 eventing, 12 jumping, 14 reining)
•10 riders from Mexico (3 endurance, 3 jumping, 4 reining)
•2 riders from Columbia (endurance)
•1 rider from Germany (endurance)
•1 rider from Spain (endurance)

Endurance - CEI2*
U.S. Central (Sophie Bashir, McKinzie Flanagan, Kelsey Kimbler, and McCamey Kimbler)
U.S. Northeast (Meghan Delp, Katherine Gardener, Forest Green, Steven Hay, Liz Morgan, and Alayna Wagner)
U.S. Pacific South (Frances Chase-Dunn)
U.S. Southeast (Mallory Capps and Cassandra Roberts)
Canada (Jessica Yavis and Emma Webb)
Columbia (Francisco Quintana Barrera and Camilo Andres Villa)
Germany (Pauline Wadewitz)
Mexico (Mariana Meixueiro Guzman, Gabriel Mendoza Gagnier, and Christopher Ugarte)
Spain (Maira Capdevila de Chopitea)

Endurance - CEI4*
U.S. Central (Devan Horn)
U.S. Mountain (Jessica DiCamillo)
U.S. Northeast (Kyle Gibbon and Lindsay Bean)
U.S. Southeast (Mary Kathryn Clark and Kelsey Russell)
Canada (Lee Hutten)

NAJYRC: Canadian Endurance Riders Set to Compete

Horse-canada.com

July 25 2011

Endurance Canada is pleased to announce the riders representing Canada at the 2011 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Riders Championships. Presented by Gotham North, these Championships will be held July 27–31 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Riders will compete for top honours in two divisions—NAJYRC-CH 4* FEI Championship, where horses must be eight-years-old or older and the CEIJY 2* Championship, where horses must be six-years-old or older. All riders must be qualified to enter a CEI2*

Lee Hutton of Chesterville, ON, riding I Bee Jazzin, her own 10-year-old Anglo Arabian mare, will compete in the NAJYRC-CH 4* FEI Championship race.

Competing in the CEIJY 2* Championship race is Jessica Yavis of Winfield, AB, riding Kit, a 10-year-old Arabian cross gelding owned by Jaye Yavis, and Emma Webb of Flesherton, ON, who will ride Nancy Beacon’s CWM Felen Zillary, a seven-year-old Arabian cross gelding.

All three riders will also compete together in the team competition as all 4* entries will be considered entered in the 2*, and eligible to be on 2* teams and win 2* awards.

Schedule
July 28, 2011 - Jog
July 29, 2011 - Race day
July 30, 2011 - Endurance Team Medals and Best Conditioned Horse

The North American Junior/Young Riders’ Championships are held annually under the rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale—the international governing body for equestrian sport. The 2011 competition hosts the Olympic disciplines of eventing, dressage and show jumping as well as FEI disciplines of reining and endurance. Many of the world’s top event riders, including many Olympic gold medalists, began their careers at the NAJYRC.

For more information on NAJYRC, please visit www.youngriders.org.

Entries for North American Jr/Young Rider Championship Announced

July 24 2011

Entries have been announced for the North American Junior/Young Rider FEI Regional Endurance Championship 4* & CEI 2* to be held on Friday July 29, 2011 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky

Sponsored by Equine Monitors and Distance Depot, the Endurance Championship will be held in conjuntion with the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships Presented by Gotham North July 27-31.

The NAJYRC is the premier equestrian competition in North America for junior and young riders, age 14-21. Young equestrians come from the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands to vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing and the FEI World Equestrian Games disciplines of reining and endurance. The competition is run under rules of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale), the international governing body for equestrian sport, and is the only FEI championship held annually on this continent.

Entries and updates on the ride can be seen at
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2011NAYRER/index.html

Endurance Ride to take place in Bridger Valley this weekend

Bridgervalleypioneer.com - Full Article

Posted: Friday, Jul 22nd, 2011




By RANDY GARNER

Pioneer Sports Reporter



Horseback riders in Uinta county will have a chance to compete in the �I Know You Rider� endurance ride this weekend in Bridger Valley.

�This is our first, hopefully, annual endurance ride that we have managed,� said Beth Beuzis, Ride Manager.

She said the event, sanctioned American Endurance Riders Conference and the Arabian Horse Association, will be held on Friday and Saturday.

"We have a 15-mile loop on the BLM which is good, two track footing. It's a little bit rough, but not bad. It's really sandy footing," she said.

Beuzis said the event would be open to all ages, though junior riders (age 16 and under) are required to wear helmets as per AERC rules and regulations.

"There are rides all over nationally through the American Endurance Riders Conference. They sanction the rides, and keep track of a horse's mileage and rider's mileage. They give awards for milestones that are reached," she said..

Read more here:
http://www.bridgervalleypioneer.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&page=81&story_id=1726

To finish is to win for these horseback riders

Nancy Haughian of Grande Prairie gives her 13-year-old horse named Buckaroo a cooling bath after completing their 50-mile endurance race on July 16 at Horse Creek Ranch.
Barrheadleader.com - Full Article

Horse Creek Ranch hosts endurance race that covers 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles
Jul 19, 2011 06:00 am | Chris Ribau

Endurance riders have been descending on a secluded ranch just east of Fort Assiniboine for the past four years.

The annual Horse Creek Ranch Endurance Ride brings out riders of all ages to compete in either a 25-, 50-, 75- or 100-mile endurance race.

"Our motto is 'to finish is to win.' Your first goal when you do an endurance race is to finish it. You're taking your horse and you're spending a lot of time with them, and you're trying to ensure your horse finishes the race healthy," said ride organizer Brenda Henrikson.

The fun race is competitive, but the primary focus is horse husbandry and looking after the horse out on the trails.

"Endurance races require a lot of horse conditioning. You just don't go out and decide I'm going to ride 50 miles today. It takes months and months of conditioning to get them to that point," said Henrikson.

The allure of endurance races comes in the form of the close contact a rider has with their horse for hours on end, the competition and the speed...

Read more here:
http://www.barrheadleader.com/article/20110719/BAR1101/307199992/0/bar

Still Time for Ranch Riders in Endurance Competition

Rapidcityjournal.com - Full Article

By Milo Dailey BCP staff Rapid City Journal | Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2011

BELLE FOURCHE - Three days of horse endurance ride competition is scheduled for the BLM-administered Fort Meade Recreation Area located east of Sturgis, July 29 through 31, 2011.

The primary camping areas at Alkali Creek Recreation Site and Alkali Horse Camp have been reserved for event participants from July 27 through Aug. 1.

The Centennial Trail Fort Meade Trailhead will be used as an event staging area and veterinary check-point on all three days. The public is invited to watch the competition. There will be 25 and 50 mile events on Friday and Sunday; on Saturday there will be 30, 55 and 75 mile events.

Kerry Greear of Whitewood is ride manager.

It's not the first modern endurance ride in the Fort Meade area where once the U.S. Cavalry trained on maneuvers and trail riding.

Greear calls the combination of events the Fort Meade Remount Ride.

"The idea for the ride at this site came from my mom, Millie Humphrey, an avid horse and mule rider who rode cavalry horses in this area in the 1940s," she said. "Anyone who loves history will love riding The Remount."

"The last time we had it two years ago, we had people from 17 states, Germany and Canada," Greear said of the potential turnout. "I am planning to have 50 riders a day..."

Read more here:
http://rapidcityjournal.com/buttecountypost/sports/still-time-for-ranch-riders-in-endurance-competition/article_a314240e-b27c-11e0-a4b6-001cc4c03286.html

Road to NAJYRC - Endurance - Post 1 - Devan Horn

USEFNetwork.com/blogs

7/19/2011 By: Devan Horn

My name is Devan Horn, and I am an 18-year-old Endurance competitor from Kingwood, Texas. This will be my third year competing in the Young Rider Endurance event held annually in July, but as this is the first time we’ve been welcomed into the official Championship FEI event, this year is certainly special! I’m helped along this path by my loving parents, (Mom who pays, Dad who crews!), my friends, and my mentor, boss, and friend Darolyn Butler-who’s amazing horses I ride in all of my competitions. DJB Sameil and I have definitely worked hard to get here, and are looking forward to proving ourselves, and our sport, worthy of notice!

To qualify for the Endurance 4 Star event, my horse and I had to meet the standard age criteria, and qualify through other FEI competitions. We both had to have 3 events ranked 2 star or higher, and for endurance riders, that means a lot of miles! Endurance riders at this competition will have at least 200 competitive miles to their names, and many of us have a lot more. And honestly, that is only a drop in the bucket compared to our conditioning hours (yesterday, Sameil and I got in a good 5 hours of continuous, slow flatwork on our Texas trails). Our journey began at last year’s Young Rider competition, where Central Team earned the silver medal. I decided right then and there to start planning for next year’s ride!


But what started out as an easy process (get qualified and go!) turned into a wild ride. My barn was furnishing 4 horses to compete in the 2011 World Equestrian Games, and it became our job to obtain the qualifying rides for our overseas clients. Completely by accident, I obtained a Certificate of Completion on Sam, whom I was qualifying for Mauricio Gaitan, a Columbian rider in the WEG. When my main endurance horse, whom I had planed to compete on this year , was sold by my farm, I found myself only qualified for the 4 Star competition on Sam! Glad to have a horse to compete on, I transferred all of my plans and attention to him.


And then things got even better! I was granted the opportunity to attend the Test Event in Euston Park, England-the Pre-WEG, a week before Young Riders. I found out that USEF was going to allow me to go and represent America about a week ago, and have been scrambling ever since. Sam’s conditioning has been thrown into overdrive, the trailer’s being scrubbed and readied, and my whole team is rushing to get everything done-because I’ll be flying directly from the Pre-WEG into Lexington for Young Riders! My trainer, Darolyn, will be attending as well in both locations, and we’re both working hard to ensure everything runs smoothly. These days have been full of frantic packing for both events, and tons of preparation. With all the hard work out of the way, Sam and I are concentrating on having fun and enjoying ourselves before the race!

Photo: Completing last year's Young Rider Endurance championship on DJB Deste Jazzman. Photo provided by Devan Horn.

Flett and Bandit are quite a pair

Siskiyoudaily.com - Full Article

July 19 2011

Siskiyou County —

Montague V Bandit is a tall (16:2 hand) 11-year-old bay Arabian Gelding who, together with his partner, Laura Flett, have entered and completed 200 miles of 50-mile endurance races.

The American Endurance Rider’s Conference (AERC) sanctions endurance races all over the United States. To enter a race the horse first must pass a pre-ride Veterinary check in which they are examined for heart, capillary refill, respiratory, hydration, muscle tone, leg soundness, lack of back soreness, gut sounds and general attitude. The rider is given a ride card (much like a report card) grading all of the above which must be presented throughout the ride and upon completion. A problem in any of the above areas may result in horse and rider being “pulled” from the ride.

Very early the following morning, the race is underway and has been flagged in advance by the ride committee. The rides are “very beautiful,” Flett said, and consist of a course that will lead the horse and rider to a number of veterinary checks along the way.

At each check, the horse must first have a recovery heart rate of 60 beats per minute at which time a mandatory hold time of 15 or 30 minutes up to one hour starts. During that time the horse must again pass another thorough vet check, similar to the pre-ride check, have food and water, cool down and then be ready to leave on the next loop. Thus, a horse that is fast on the trail and fast to recover in heart rate tends to make its way to the front of the pack. Fitness is obviously key. Any horse not fit to continue is immediately “pulled” by the staff of veterinarians (or in some cases by rider option).

Upon completion of the ride and a final vet check, the top 10 finishers are then checked for the “Best Condition” award. The AERC motto is “To Finish is to Win”. Riders tend to help one another when in trouble and find a niche of horses that have a similar traveling speed throughout the day. In a 50-mile race, the finish time can be as soon as five hours of riding. If horse and rider have not crossed the finish line by the 12-hour mark then the team is “pulled” for overtime. One hundred mile rides generally allow 24 hours for completion.

Whiskeytown Chaser
In April, Bandit and Laura completed the Whiskeytown Chaser in the mountains surrounding Whiskeytown Lake, riding in with a Redding horse four minutes off of the first place time for a tie for second place and a ride time of 7 hours 14 minutes...

Read more here:
http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/sports/x1259730684/Flett-and-Bandit-are-quite-a-pair

Easycare Announces the Much-Anticipated Launch of the New Easyboot Glove Wide

July 13 2011
Tucson, Arizona

EasyCare announced today the much-anticipated launch of the new Easyboot Glove Wide.

"This is the perfect time to bring this boot to market," said Garrett Ford, president and CEO of EasyCare. "Since its launch in 2009, the Easyboot Glove has proved itself as the most reliable horse hoof boot in the world. The addition of the new Easyboot Glove Wide caters to the horse whose feet are wider than long."

A limited number of boots will be available directly from EasyCare starting on August 1, 2011, with a second wave of product becoming available by the end of that month.

"We've spent a lot of time working with our customers and our worldwide dealer network in order to properly understand the size and shape of hooves in this market segment," said Brian Mueller, EasyCare's director of sales. "The dimensions of this boot have been determined through analysis of a massive database of hoof profiles."

The Glove Wide is available in half sizes from 0 through 3.

Review the Easyboot Glove Wide size chart to see if this boot is for your horse.

Place your Easyboot Glove Wide order online or call our one of our customer service representatives at 1-800-447-8836. Customers who wish to purchase this boot should place their orders immediately.

For more information on horse hoof boots, please visit the EasyCare website and the EasyCare blog. For questions from dealers, please contact Brian Mueller , Director of Sales. For all additional questions, contact Kevin Myers, Director of Marketing.

EasyCare Inc. Vision: We will be the global innovator in hoof care solutions that enhance the horse/human relationship.

Problem Solving Horse Clinic to Benefit Monument Fire Victims

Heidi Vanderbilt is hosting a benefit clinic on July 23 in Benson, Arizona, for victims of the Monument fire that burned the mountains near Sierra Vista last month. That fire and others in the area affected a lot of endurance riders, some of whom had to evacuate. Many of their conditioning trails burned--some are still smoldering. The clinic is to help all victims of the fire, especially evacuated and abandoned horses. Some of the horse rescues burned. Some folks had to leave their animals behind.

The benefit at LuckyPup Ranch is in the form of a clinic (see flyer link). Five trainers will work with horses and owners on any problems they have. The trainers are each donating about 30 hours (!) over five clinic dates to help out. We also have wonderful items donated for raffles--Kevin Meyers  and Easyboot have donated FOUR PAIRS of boots! --with more items coming.

If anyone wants to donate items to raffle or sell, or donate money to help with feed, it will be appreciated.

Heidi Vanderbilt
luckypupranch@mac.com

Riders4Helmets to host 2nd Helmet Safety Symposium

July 11 2011

Helmet Safety Topics to be Discussed by Leading Equestrians and Representatives from Equestrian Organizations and Corporations.

Lexington, KY (July 11th, 2011)—The popular helmet awareness campaign Riders4Helmets will be hosting the 2nd Riders4Helmets Helmet Safety Symposium on July 23rd, 2011, at the Kentucky Horse Park (theater room), Lexington, KY, from 8.30am to 5pm. The symposium is being sponsored by Tipperary, Troxel Helmets, Charles Owen, Samshield, Ovation, Equestrian Professional and the Equestrian Aid Foundation.

The Helmet Safety Symposium has been organized to bring together representatives from various corners of the equestrian world to discuss the importance of wearing helmets, rider safety and to improve helmet designs, rules and more. The event will provide a series of lectures and panel discussions throughout the day. Many in attendance will also sit on the panels, including equestrians, representatives from the helmet safety testing authorities, helmet manufacturers, equestrian organizations, and neurosurgeons. The hosts of the meeting will be Dr. Craig Ferrell, physician to the United States Equestrian Team and Chair FEI Medical Council, and, Lyndsey White, co-founder Riders4Helmets.

“We are very excited to be hosting the 2nd Riders4Helmets Helmet Safety Symposium and to see it continue to expand,” said Lyndsey White, co-founder Riders4Helmets. "Since US Olympian Courtney King Dye’s accident in 2010, awareness of the importance of helmets has grown significantly and we are delighted to be bringing together individuals, corporations and organizations all in one place, to continue important discussions of equestrian safety related to helmets.”

Symposium topics will include the following: Expect The Unexpected, A Parents Perspective On Helmets, Traumatic Brain Injury in Equestrian Sport, Helmet Use In Equestrian Sports – We Are ALL Role Models, A Strapping Success: Understanding and Promoting Helmet Use with Performance Psychology, Current Helmet Rules – A Discussion, and, Cowboy Hat To Cowboy Helmet: The Transition. Speakers include: Equestrian Sports Psychology Consultant Tonya Johnston, Neurosurgeon Lola Chambless M.D, Barrel Racing and Extreme Mustang Makeover Competitor Mary Miller Jordan, USEF CEO John Long, and, a special video presentation by US Olympian Courtney King Dye. To view the full symposium agenda and speakers, please visit www.riders4helmets.com/2nd-riders4helmets-helmet-safety-symposium.

A fashion show sponsored by Equisafety and Equestrian Collections will be held during the lunch break of the symposium. Models will wear items from the UK based Equisafety high-viz apparel range, in addition to the Riders4Helmets logo wear collection available through equestrian retailer Equestrian Collections.

Attendance to the symposium is open to any member of the public, but individuals who plan to attend are requested to either pre-register in advance, or, will need to register upon arrival at the symposium. To pre-register, please visit www.riders4helmets.com/2nd-riders4helmets-helmet-safety-symposium.

For information on sponsoring the Helmet Safety Symposium, or, for more information on the Riders4Helmets campaign, visit www.riders4helmets.com or contact admin@riders4helmets.com. You can also follow the campaign at www.facebook.com/riders4helmets and http://twitter.com/riders4helmets. Riders4Helmets logo wear is available for purchase at www.equestriancollections.com with all proceeds supporting the campaign.

Riders4Helmets was founded in early 2010 after Olympic dressage rider Courtney King Dye was seriously injured in a riding accident. King Dye, who remained in a coma for a month following her accident, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident and continues to undergo rehabilitation. The goal of the Riders4Helmets Campaign is to educate equestrians on the benefits of wearing a properly fitted and secured, certified helmet.

Wanted: Your Problem Horse

Stephenville, Texas (July 8, 2011) – Are you fed up, frustrated or downright scared of your horse’s disrespectful behavior and bad habits? Clinician Clinton Anderson is on the hunt for the country’s worst problem horses to showcase on his award-winning television show “Downunder Horsemanship” that airs on Fox Sports Net and RFD-TV. Whether your horse is dangerous on the ground, reckless under saddle or uncontrollable on the trail, Clinton wants to help – for free!

We are specifically looking for horses with the following problems:

On the Ground and Under Saddle:

* Bites
* Can’t Worm
* Aggressive in the Stall
* Afraid of Fly Spray
* Aggressive at Feed Time
* Can’t Blanket
* Spooky
* Kicks out when Groomed
* Bathing Problems
* Leading Problems
* Can’t Handle Legs
* Won’t Stand Still for Mounting
* Head Shy
* Buddy/Barn Sour
* Hard to Bridle
* Arena Sour
* Pulls Back when Tied Up
* Bolts
* Hard to Catch
* Rears
* Trailering Problems
* Cinchy/Saddling Problems
* Afraid of Clippers
* Can’t Give Vaccinations
* Won’t Stop
* Won’t Go Forward


On the Trail:

* Trouble Crossing Obstacles – Water, Logs, Gullies, Bridges, etc.
* Spooky at Objects – Other Animals, Vehicles, etc.
* Bites other Horses
* Kicks out at other Horses
* Races Ahead when Ridden in a Group
* “Fresh” when Ridden on Trails
* Jigging
* Grass Snatching

Selected horses and their owners will be invited to the Downunder Horsemanship Ranch in Stephenville, Texas to work one-on-one with Clinton while cameras roll. Renowned for his step-by-step instruction, no nonsense approach to horsemanship and ability to get inside a horse’s mind, Clinton has worked with thousands of horses and their owners to help them build a mutually safe and enjoyable partnership.

To apply, visit the Downunder Horsemanship website www.downunderhorsemanship.com and click on the “Problem Horse TV Application” link on the lower right hand of the screen. All applications must be accompanied with a short video illustrating the horse’s problem at its worst. The better able you are to catch your horse’s dangerous behavior in action, the better chance you have of getting Clinton’s help at no cost to yourself. Act quickly, only a selected number of horses will be chosen for this unique opportunity.

To hear Clinton explain what he’s looking for, follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ghU875xMzo.

No phone calls please. Only applicants chosen will be contacted.

Riders retrace Pony Express route

Terrell Williams/For the Capital Press
Horse trainer and endurance rider P.J. Blonshine of Gooding, Idaho, is riding her purebred Arabian, Pasha, cross country along the Pony Express route. She says a good endurance horse needs to be strong-willed to be ridden 50 to 100 miles in a day.
Capitalpress.com - Full Article

July 7 2011

Club follows the original trail, participates in races

By TERRELL WILLIAMS

For the Capital Press

GOODING, Idaho -- In 1860 and 1861, Pony Express riders made a relay run from St. Joseph, Mo., to Sacramento, covering 2,000 miles in nine days and 23 hours.

This month a riding club of 35 riders is on the same trail, feeling the accomplishment -- and pain -- of those hardy, historic mail carriers.

"It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime deal," said retired businessman Max Merlich of Sandy, Ore., who is riding the cross-county route. "What would possess a person to do something like this, I have no idea. ... The Pony Express only lasted 18 months before telegraphs took over, but there's a huge amount of folklore."

Merlich has read numerous books on the Pony Express era, and was always fascinated by this brief but dramatic events. So he decided to take his endurance riding hobby to a new level.

His riding club, called XP, left from St. Joseph over Memorial Day weekend, and is covering an average of 50 miles a day, five days a week, for about eight weeks.

The ride's manager has worked hard to secure the trails, Merlich said, so the riders can travel on back roads and across wide open space most of the way.

Each rider has a support crew to drive trailers and campers. They are following the original route from Missouri, across Kansas and Nebraska, through Wyoming and Utah, then into Nevada, where the ride will end in Virginia City, since they cannot get permits to continue into California...

Read more here:
http://www.capitalpress.com/idaho/tw-pony-express-w-art-060311

'I love my life as a lady long rider'

Dailyinterlake.com - Full Article

July 6 2011

Woman talks about her adventures after 16,000 miles in the saddle

KRISTI ALBERTSON/Daily Inter Lake Daily Inter Lake

Even after several years and 16,000 miles on the trail, Bernice Ende isn’t sure why she became a long rider.

She withstands shin splints, horrific weather and swarms of bugs that make the local mosquito population hardly worth mentioning. She has been hungry and thirsty. She has lost four-legged friends along the way.

But Ende has also seen breathtaking places as she, her horses and dog plod across the country. She has been the recipient of boundless generosity more times than she can count. And while she can’t explain why she rides, she knows she’s lucky to get to live a life she loves.

“I’m just captivated by this,” she said. “In my tent it says above my head, ‘I love my life as a lady long rider.’”

Ende shared photos and stories from that life during a recent presentation in Kalispell. About 25 people attended her talk at the Flathead County Library.

That day, Ende had wrapped up her fourth long ride, a 6,000-mile circuit from Trego to Oregon to Texas to Minnesota to Montana. The trip, Ende’s fourth long ride, took two years, three months and 10 days...

Read more here:
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_73ed16f6-a77b-11e0-941c-001cc4c03286.html

Back Country Horsemen of America Welcomes Minnesota Trail Riders as Advocacy Partner

July 5 2011

By Sarah Wynne Jackson

Back Country Horsemen of America is the major advocate for preserving our right to ride horses on public lands. Accomplishing that goal takes a unified effort of pooled resources, networking, and shared information, which is why BCHA created their Advocacy Partnership Program.

Back Country Horsemen of America welcomes the Minnesota Trail Riders Association as their newest Advocacy Partner. MTRA shares BCHA’s mission in promoting, developing, and maintaining trails for equestrian use, and providing assistance to public land managers in the performance of their stewardship responsibilities to provide the public with safe and well-maintained equine trail systems.

Minnesota Trail Riders Association

A statewide 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, MTRA was originally formed in 1978 to identify rides and ride sites sponsored by groups and individuals across Minnesota. Although that communications effort is still an essential mission, the group has since then moved into the promotion of trail development, management, and assistance to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources with the vision of maintaining and gaining trails for riding. All of MTRA’s Officers and Board of Directors donate their time and skills to benefit the organization.

Since 2000 MTRA has channeled over $250,000 to trail and campground maintenance and improvement projects in local, county, state, and national forests and parks. These projects include trail maintenance, erosion control, map printing, trail signing, and campground improvements such as corrals, picnic tables, fire rings, picket lines, electrical hookups, and assistance with new campground development. As an added bonus, MTRA partners with the Minnesota DNR to secure matching funds from the Federal Recreational Trail Program for all MTRA dollars used on trails and campgrounds.

Minnesota Trail Riders Association’s Board of Directors is active with the MN Trail Pass Advisory Committee and Parks & Trails Council. They also work closely with the MN Horse Council and MN DNR. They strive to keep their members updated with current affairs that affect our right to ride horses on public lands. MTRA’s 600 memberships represent families, which translate to over 2000 riders.

MTRA advocated for a long time for the MN Horse Trail Pass, an annual pass for access with horses to any DNR managed lands. Once it was enacted in 2008, they found land managers far easier to work with because there was more money to support the care and maintenance of their park.

Also in 2008, the citizens of Minnesota adopted the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment which authorized 3/8 of one percent of all sales tax revenues for certain environmental concerns such as protecting wildlife habitats and water quality. Of that amount, 14.25% is dedicated to parks and trails.

This funding mechanism is carried outside of the normal conservation efforts sponsored by the legislature. The Minnesota Trail Riders Association sees this as a major step forward in preserving our right to ride horses on public lands.

With the Legacy Fund moneys, MTRA would like to build loops and connecting trails across about 150 miles of the Minnesota River Valley and promote another 150 to 250 miles of DNR managed trails.

MTRA also supports the Minnesota DNR Volunteer Campground Host Program and will work with any forest or park management that would like to have a Campground Host at their facility. Volunteers greet visitors, pass out self-registration envelopes, offer information and trail maps, and help maintain camping and parking areas.

Partner Up

Formed in 2008, BCHA’s Advocacy Partnership Program seeks to share strengths, information, and support with horse groups of any size and any focus, as long as they believe in the mission of preserving trails for horseback riding.

As Advocacy Partners with BCHA, groups have a stronger voice on all issues – local, state, and national. They can also contact the BCHA national office with their concerns and receive advice, support, and information for dealing with right to ride battles in their area.

Partnering with Back Country Horsemen of America makes your group part of a nationwide network of folks who keep up with the happenings that affect your experience as a trail rider. They pass on information and updates to the BCHA national office so this vital information can be dispersed to the rest of the BCHA family and the issues handled in a timely manner.

Advocacy Partners also get a link on BCHA’s popular and informative website; a business card advertisement in BCHA’s quarterly newsletter; and recognition in BCHA’s annual report to the membership. Partners also receive a 25% discount on all advertising in the newsletter or on the website for the first year of partnership, and a 20% discount on all BCHA publications and merchandise.

Back Country Horsemen of America’s Advocacy Partnership Program gives the national organization an increased number of constituents, which broadens their influence and strengthens their voice when working with land management agencies. BCHA hopes the program will additionally expand the volunteer base locally as state BCHA organizations and their chapter’s network with Advocacy Partners in their area and include them in volunteer projects.

About Back Country Horsemen of America

BCHA is a non-profit corporation made up of state organizations, affiliates, and at large members. Their efforts have brought about positive changes regarding the use of horses and stock in the wilderness and public lands.

If you want to know more about Back Country Horsemen of America or become a member, visit their website: www.backcountryhorse.com; call 888-893-5161; or write PO Box 1367, Graham, WA 98338-1367. The future of horse use on public lands is in our hands!

For Additional Information Contact: Peg Greiwe
Back Country Horsemen of America
1-888-893-5161
www.backcountryhorse.com