Thursday, July 29, 2010

Getting through the Vet Checks at Tevis

Enduranceridestuff.com - Full Article

by Karen Chaton

One of the most useful pieces of advice I was given prior to riding the Tevis this year was to make sure I got in line to vet as soon as I got my horse’s pulse timed in.

This is good advice. If you stop for even a minute after getting your pulse and in-time to let your horse eat, or for you to run to the restroom – when you come back you could have a half a dozen horses or more in front of you in the line to vet through.

On a ride like Tevis, every minute counts. If you spend five extra minutes at 8 of the vet checks, that is forty minutes that you could have used walking later in the ride rather than trotting if you are pushing the cut-off times.
sara trot out tevis Medium 300x214 Getting through the Vet Checks at Tevis

Sara vetted behind me. I got to the other side and stopped at the hay to let Bo eat while we waited. This is Sarah trotting towards me.

I had luck on my side this year because I never had to wait in a line to vet. Perhaps there would be one horse in front of me but the majority of the time I just walked up to the vet and vetted right through...

Read more here:
http://enduranceridestuff.com/blog/2010/07/vet-checks-tevis/

Agoura's Queen of Equestrian

Agourahills.patch.com - full article

By Mira Reverente

Agoura Hills resident and endurance rider Charisse Glenn is on the road less-traveled to Illinois and Kentucky, galloping her way to the World Endurance Games.

Willowy and lithe, Charisse Glenn moves with the confidence of an athlete. As a female in the not too common sport of endurance racing, she's unperturbed and used to the endless fascination and curiosity.

Training relentlessly for the last three years, Glenn has her sights set on one of five spots in the US Endurance Team. Endurance racing is one of eight disciplines in the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky this September. Since it has not been designated as an Olympic sport, the WEG is considered the pinnacle of endurance racing.

No Horsing Around

Endurance racing is a combination of the skills of one horse and one rider, who compete in 50- to 100-mile races and must finish within a specified amount of time. The Agoura Hills resident is the only rider from Southern California to qualify and be nominated to the World Equestrian Games. Her So Cal-bred horses, Bogart VF and Steel, have also qualified...

Read more here:
http://agourahills.patch.com/articles/agouras-queen-of-equestrian

Equestrian rides off to Kentucky

Simcoe.com - full article

Bruce Hain
Jul 28, 2010

KENTUCKY — A young Springwater woman is in Kentucky this week preparing for an international competition.

Jessica Hendriks has qualified for the North American Young Riders Endurance event being held on July 29. In order to represent Canada, she showed well at the Canadian Long Distance Championships held in New Lowell where she finished 13th. She also rode for Team Ontario and captured a silver medal.

The 20-year-old began training when she was 10 and has collected more than 1,000 competitive miles in hopes of representing Canada on the international stage.

In Kentucky, Hendriks will take part in a 120 km. event.

She started riding when she was only eight years old...

Read more here:
http://www.simcoe.com/community/barrieinnisfil/article/853256

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

MONK: Corydon, Iowa - Part 2

FEIRedhorse blog - Full Story

Friday July 23 2010

Rode MONK on Wednesday, humidity was about 80 and the tempature was about 85, it was overcast with some heavy looking clouds. MONK was ready to go,he was shying at everything, we were booted and were just traveling the edge of these nice country roads. We had just had 6" of rain two days before so everything was nice and soft. We did about 12 miles at a pretty good clip, with a nice warm up and cool down. MONK wanted to go fast on the hilly parts so I let him, but you have to let him ease into it or he will think he can do what he wants and go as fast as he can. Most of the time our speed was somewhere between 12 and 15 miles an hour. When I brought MONK back to the farm we did not go to the barn, we went to where my trailer is parked and there is another very large metal building, probably 50x80 or so. Inside Angle has her two horse trailer parked deep inside the building. I had noticed previously that when I took MONK into the building the big horse fly or the little flies for that matter did not follow us in. The humidity inside the building is very high, kinda like a sauna but without the high tempatures. MONK got a nice bath I parked him inside the building for a couple of hours until the flies went to bed.

So my new plan is to maybe do a high line inside the metal building for the nights when we are going to have torrential rains with thunder and lightning.

I tried putting MONK out with Angie's other horses but they all ganged up on MONK so that did not work. One of Angie's neighbors who keeps her mini arab cross horses at the ranch thought we should try MONK with some of her little horses in the great big pasture. She put 5 of her little horses in the big pasture and I walked MONK out to the pasture gate, right past the mini's who were grazing along the fence line. I opened the gate and MONK ran into the pasture. He ran right past the mini's down towards the fence line where the other horses were…

Read more here:
http://feiredhorse.blogspot.com/2010/07/corydon-iowa-part-2.html

Canada: Equestrian making name for herself in competition

Standard-freeholder.com - Full Article

July 25 2010
ERIKA GLASBERG NEWS@STANDARD-FREEHOLDER.COM


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* Equestrian making name for herself in competition

Equestrian making name for herself in competition
Posted By ERIKA GLASBERG NEWS@STANDARD-FREEHOLDER.COM
Updated 3 days ago

Monica Grundmann has been involved in many competitions with her Morab horse, Excalibur Legend. Together they ve won many different awards including taking home first place in the Canadian National Morab Champianships. The goal is to come out of novice and into the open category doing 80k in a day, said Grundmann.



Monica Grundmann has only lost one competition since she's started competing with her Morab horse, Excalibur Legend 'Legend' and that was only because she helped another competitor.

Grundmann has won multiple awards for the competitions she has entered.

Her walls are covered with coloured ribbons and photos of her and Legend.

Some of her ribbons include a first place for the Canadian National Morab Championship in 2007, Canadian Morab Hall of Fame, 2007, Tulip Arabian Horse Show, 2008, and she has also been in the top five Novice Riders in Ontario for competitive trail riding...

Read more here:
http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2683169

Searle completes Tevis Cup

Examiner.com - Full Article

July 25, 2010 \ Chicago Horse Examiner \ Kimberly Rinker

Rider Debbie Searle, 48, completed her very first attempt at the Tevis Cup, a 100-mile endurance ride that begins at Truckee, CA and ends at Auburn, CA, over some of the toughest and most demanding terrain found anywhere in the United States.

Searle, a resident of Beecher, Illinois, regularly competes on the UMECRA circuit in the Midwest with her 13-year-old Arabian-Quarter Horse cross, Ranger.

“I really enjoy trail riding because of the various types of trails that you encounter,” said Searle. “I’m not as competitive as I am adventurous. I wanted to do the Tevis because it’s a different kind of challenge and to see if I could...”

Read more here:
http://www.examiner.com/x-41133-Chicago-Horse-Examiner~y2010m7d25-Searle-completes-Tevis-Cup

Tevis: New Mexicans halfway finished with endurance horse race

Santafenewmexican.com - Full Article

Staci Matlock | The New Mexican
Posted: Saturday, July 24, 2010

Santa Fean Kathy Myers and her Arabian gelding Blue were more than halfway through the 24-hour, 100-mile Tevis Cup from Lake Tahoe to Auburn, Calif. at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Myers' husband, Pete Myers, who is part of her crew, said Blue "had an enormous amount of energy and was eating like a pig at the last check in. That's what you want to see in an endurance horse."

The crew are waiting for the team to reach the Forest Hills veterinary check point at the 68-mile mark.

The Tevis Cup, held since 1955 on the rugged Western States Trail in California, is considered the toughest horse and rider endurance race. This is Myers' and Blues' first attempt at the event...

Read more here:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/LocalNews/Tevis-update-for-web

2010 Tevis Cup 100 Mile One-Day Ride

Rosevillept.com - Full Article & Slideshow

Fifty-five years of endurance riding tradition

Michael Kirby/Auburn Journal
7/24/10

Over 200 horse and riders saddled up at Robie Park in Truckee for the 2010 Tevis Cup Western States 100 Mile One-Day Ride to Auburn. Testing the endurance of horse and riders, through some tough trails and hot July weather, most will accomplish their goal of riding into the arena in the Gold Country Fairgrounds in under 24 hours. The Tevis dates back to 1955 when Wendell Robie, local businessman and horseman proclaimed that a horse and rider could cover the old Pony Express trail from Lake Tahoe to Auburn in one day...

Article and slideshow here:
http://rosevillept.com/detail/155095.html

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Photographer injured in fall during Tevis Cup

Auburnjournal.com - Full Article

7/26/10

A photographer was airlifted to a Reno hospital after a fall from Cougar Rock on the Western States Trail during the Tevis Cup endurance ride Saturday.

Chris Gonzalez, 41, suffered a broken ankle, two broken wrists and a broken nose, according to Melinda Hughes-Berland, owner of Hughes Photography in Santa Rosa.

“He just stepped backward and all of a sudden he was airborne,” Hughes-Berland said Monday.

It was his first time to cover the ride for Hughes, the official Tevis Cup photographer for 30 years.

On Monday, Gonzalez, a Santa Rosa resident, was recovering at Renown Hospital in Reno and was to be transferred to a Kaiser facility, Hughes said.

Cougar Rock is 23.5 miles into the 100-mile trek, which runs from Robie Park near Truckee to Auburn. The accident happened a little after 9 a.m., ride director Mike Pickett said...

Read more here:
http://auburnjournal.com/detail/155164.html

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Endurance Alaska! - Wilderness ride tests horses, riders

ANNUAL EVENT: This year a record number of people participated.
By K.T. McKEE kmckee@adn.com
Original Article

WASILLA -- Early Saturday morning, in trampled-down hay fields at the foot of Bald Mountain, the horses seemed almost giddy to "giddyup," chatting as they stood next to their trailers, their riders just starting to stir from their campers and tents.The same time the next morning ... silence. Not a whinny nor a neigh. Not even heavy breathing. And they had another 25 miles or so left of tricky trails and even deeper river crossings in the 2010 Bald Mountain Butt Buster Competitive Trail Ride put on by the North American Trail Ride Conference.

K.T.MCKEE / Anchorage Daily News
Lindsay Mearkle became a fish out of water at the Bald Mountain Butt Buster Competititive Trail Ride in the Valley last weekend. Unaccustomed to such difficult trail conditions, her horse Demi refused to carry Mearkle on the first leg of Saturday's 25-mile trek, forcing her to walk the horse across the Little Susitna and nearly being swept down the river.

"It was dead quiet, the horses were so tired after Saturday's ride!" laughed event volunteer and Valley resident Tina Victory Sunday night while helping feed prime rib and potatoes to dozens of wet, worn-out riders gathered for the awards ceremony at the end of the 60-mile trek across park lands and at least 25 private properties.

For many local horses and riders, it was old hat -- just part of the thrill of testing your horsemanship skills, discipline and fitness in an annual event that brings teachers, doctors, nurses, accountants, writers, software engineers and their children together for a weekend in either Wasilla, Palmer or Fairbanks.

RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRANTS
This year there was a record number of entrants -- 50 -- some coming from as far away as Tok, Fairbanks and Soldotna to pay at least $120 for the privilege to bust their butt and share some giggles along the way. In past years and in most similar competitions in the states, maybe 30 riders showed up.

"I don't know what it was that brought so many this year, but we love it -- even if it did offer some unusual challenges," said ride coordinator Nancy Williams, who diagnoses learning disabilities for Mat-Su schools when she's not doing horse-related activities.

Twenty first-time riders meant maps would be misinterpreted, riders would get lost and horses would be pushed to their limits because they weren't properly conditioned. For a few novice participants, it also meant having to scratch because of rule violations, such as walking a quarter horse mare across the Little Susitna River and nearly getting washed down with the frigid current.

PENALTY POINTS

"One thing that really caught us off guard this year was constantly having to change our schedule because of the number of riders coming into camp late on Saturday," ride manager Diane Sullivan of Chugiak said Monday. "Riders only get a window of 30 minutes late into camp before they receive a penalty point for each minute they were late. Two riders had 112 penalty points!"

Such an unexpected shift makes it difficult to make sure the event's two judges, flown in from out of state, are where they need to be as each rider goes through the various obstacles on the course, such as managing rocky river crossings where king salmon might swim between their horse's legs, or being able to walk their horse in a figure eight backward around a bush.

SHOCKING EXPERIENCE

Or avoid a rather shocking experience, as one experienced rider working as a safety official managed to do.

"The funniest thing I heard about was when one of our safety riders backed her horse into an electric fence, thus doing a pirouette-type fall off the back of her horse as he shot forward," Sullivan recalled Monday.

"As she hit the ground, he hit the river, crossed it and stood on the other side looking at her as if to say 'Lady, are you nuts? I'm not hanging out with you anymore!' "

One of the first-timers in this year's event was Soldotna nurse Jane Faulkner, who was confident she could handle the trail after finishing this year's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race -- 53rd out of 55 mushers.

She had come with three other nurses and a pediatrician, all a little unsure of what to expect as they prepared to head out of camp Saturday morning.

"It's the only endurance ride in Alaska," Faulkner, 49, said as she tightened the saddle on her horse.

"I asked the organizers if there's any way to prepare for this and they told me you just have to do it once to find out you're not really prepared. But I like long distances. I may not be fast, but I get there eventually," she said.

Faulkner was riding a horse she had rescued 16 years ago.

She said she was able to put a couple hundred pounds on the horse in only eight weeks, he was that malnourished.

She said she was attracted to the event because of its emphasis on horse care and proper riding techniques.

Palmer High science teacher Susan Dent, a former veterinarian who runs Wildwood Farm in Meadow Lakes with Rae Arno, said she never would have gotten involved with the competitive trail rides in the early 1990s if she thought they weren't beneficial for horses and riders.

"It's a fun (event) name, but it's a misnomer because if you're riding correctly, your butt shouldn't get hurt because you're sitting lightly in your saddle, using your legs and taking your weight off your horse," said Dent, whose horse "Cheval" took top honors in her division and helped Dent garner enough points to win a first-place ribbon in the overall combined class.

LIFESTYLES THING

She has consistently placed high in these events over the years because she doesn't just train a couple of months before they start as many might do.

"It's a lifestyle thing," she said Monday from her home off Pittman Road, explaining that she takes her horses on several long trail rides throughout the year, as well as making sure they are kept in good condition with some sort of exercise ritual throughout the year -- even in winter.

"The first time I did one of these rides I was so ignorant. But I learned so much about what they were looking for, behaviors and habits along the way. Now I just do what they've taught me as an everyday thing. That's why I keep doing it -- it makes daily riding so much more fun and safe. I don't do it to win a blue ribbon."

Monday, July 19, 2010

Horses and Divorces (Tevis 2010)

Sacramento Bee - http://www.sacbee.com/2010/07/18/2893585/horses-and-divorces.html
Tevis Cup rider Robert 'Potato' Richardson has had plenty of both, plus lots of friends and foes who agree he's quite the character
By Sam McManis
smcmanis@sacbee.com
Published: Sunday, Jul. 18

A man named Potato needs a sense of humor. A thick skin, too.

He needs to do his name proud by being unconventional. Needs to abide the mockery, scorn, even jealousy spawned by his outsized behavior. Needs to thrive on the attention, live for the good times, good booze, good women, the unceasing quest for kicks.

And Potato must look the part: the leathery Old West sage, no buttoned-down Bob afraid to get his boots dirty. He must be part scoundrel, a lover of women and mares (not necessarily in that order), and know life in the saddle and in the hoosegow.

Robert Fordney "Potato" Richardson, 67 going on 13, is a throwback – "I could see him living in the 1800s," said friend Rho Bailey – yet too quirky to be a traditional Marlboro Man.

There's that world-class droopy mustache that makes him seem in a constant smirk. His wiry, 5-foot-7 frame may belie the stereotype of the tall, strapping cowboy, but it's a key to his horse-riding skill. A director casting the Potato biopic would choose the late Dennis Hopper – and give him Sam Elliott's 'stache.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/07/18/2893585/horses-and-divorces.html#ixzz0uA97Rmrf
-

Friday, July 16, 2010

Australia: Horse riders to flock to Putty for second endurance

Singletonargus.com.au - Full Article

13 Jul, 2010 11:10 AM
PUTTY Valley Endurance Ride 2010 Putty Valley will be home to over 100 riders and their horses on July 17 to 18 as they compete in the second Putty Valley Endurance Ride.

A presentation at the Putty Hall ride base at 11.30am on Sunday, July 18, will enable spectators to understand the rules governing the sport of endurance riding.

The lead riders are expected to arrive at the hall around 12 noon after a ride of up to 100km. The horses walk to the finish line and then tension mounts as the vet testing begins.

An endurance ride is won by the first rider to complete the 100km course with a fit horse.

The horse’s welfare is of prime importance and their temperature, pulse, and respiration are checked by vets throughout the ride.

Read more here:
http://www.singletonargus.com.au/news/local/sport/athletics/horse-riders-to-flock-to-putty-for-second-endurance/1883799.aspx

New Zealand: Awards incentive for rider to go the distance

Findarticles.com - Full Article

July 10, 2010

Saddle soreness is not something Toko teenager Amanda Walton complains about, despite spending more time on the back of a horse in a day than most people would spend in their lives.

The 18-year-old is pretty good, too, having picked up the majority of junior titles at the national endurance horse riding prizegiving in Christchurch, being awarded rider of the year, while her horse, Sir Cae, was judged the best distance horse in the junior ranks.

The young farmhand has been involved in endurance riding for the past three years after being encouraged by her grandfather Trevor Walton, who used to take his young charge away to help with the strapping of the horses...

Read more here:
http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/taranaki-daily-news-new-plymouth-zealand/mi_8060/is_20100710/awards-incentive-rider-distance/ai_n54425147/

Australia: A sensational partnership

Mudgeeguardian.com.au - Full Article

BEN HARRIS
14 Jul, 2010 09:07 AM
Rochelle Knihinicki rides horses for the love of it, but not in a lifetime did she thought she would achieve one of the greatest achievements in endurance riding.

Following the Tom Quilty Gold Cup ride late last month, Knihinicki was presented with her 10,000-kilometre Scroll for completing 10,000km in endurance rides on board her Purebred Arabian horse Tuldar Ronnie.

Knihinicki became the 12th Australian to receive the 10,000km scroll, and at 20 years of age, she is also the youngest.

She completed the milestone at the St Albans endurance ride in early June but was not presented with her scroll until after the Tom Quilty event.

“It was pretty exciting, pretty emotional,” Knihinicki said.

“Dad cracked a bottle of champagne in the veterinarian area. He was dying to do it... I got drenched. It was something I haven’t done before and probably would never do again..."

Read more here:
http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/news/local/sport/equestrian/a-sensational-partnership/1884667.aspx

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Back Country Horsemen of America Leads the Way in Preserving Public Lands Trails

Horsecity.com - Full Article

by Sarah Wynne Jackson
Posted: Tuesday, July 13, 2010

During these tough economic times when many folks have tightened their budgets and are spending less, Back Country Horsemen of America members have been donating more of their time, effort, and resources to preserving our heritage of equine use on public lands.

BCHA is proud to announce that its national volunteer value for 2009 was $7,500,000. That includes 345,700 hours of manual work; skilled labor; use of heavy equipment; hauling equipment, animals, and people to work sites; as well as Leave No Trace education and attendance at public meetings. What did BCHA members accomplish in all that time? Lots!

Making a Difference

Central Kentucky Back Country Horsemen have been working hard with the Kentucky Horse Council on the White Sulphur Horse Camp in the Daniel Boone National Forest. This primitive camp with 20 sites was started but never maintained. CKyBCH members eliminated a stagnant watering tank and laid a water line from a pond to the center of camp, providing clean, fresh water for campers' horses. Further improvements are planned for completion in 2010...

Read more here:
http://horsecity.com/stories/071310/pre_backcountry.shtml

Canada: Endurance riders put in long miles at Horse Creek Ranch

Barrheadleader.com - Full Article

July 13 2010

Ian Kucerak
Leader Staff
Excellent athleticism from both horse and rider were on display during the second annual Horse Creek Ranch ride, held near Fort Assiniboine July 10-11.

Riders from across Alberta and British Columbia came out to compete under cloudy skies, which is the perfect weather to practice a sport that pushes horses and riders to their limits.

The Endurance Riders of Alberta sanctioned the ride, which had 50 registered adults riders and six junior riders. Riders took to the four-stage courses in four distance classes, including 25, 50, 75 and 100 mile distances.

Brenda Hendrikson and Joan Harris managed the ride alongside a staff of volunteers and veterinarians who took times and conducted horse health checks. Harris said they make sure the animals are in the proper shape after each leg of the race...

Read more here:
http://www.barrheadleader.com/news/2010/0713/sports2.htm

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Mighty Amigo back under saddle

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

July 13, 2010

by Neil Clarkson

Endurance horse Amigo, given only a two per cent chance of survival after a terrible impaling injury, is back under saddle.

The purebred Arabian got the all-clear for light riding on July 2 and excited owner Gary Sanderson saddled Amigo up that day and took him for walk around the 110-acre farm the horse grazes in Luttrell, Tennessee.

It has been a remarkable journey for Amigo, who overcame a series of life-threatening problems during his recovery, watched by a growing legion of fans on Facebook.

Amigo handled the ride well and the pair have since been out again.

Gary told Horsetalk that Amigo's vet bills amounted to $US35,000. He said that an anonymous donor who gave $US11,600 towards Amigo's care continued to meet the vet bills as the costs climbed well beyond his means.

The accomplished endurance horse accidentally impaled himself on a large branch in his paddock in mid-January...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/07/090.shtml

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Long Riders

Dailyinterlake.com - Full Article

July 8, 2010
JIM MANN/Daily Inter Lake

A horseback endurance race in the upper Thompson River area is expected to attract more than 50 competitors from across the region July 17 and 18.

“We had quite a few last year so we’re hoping for 50 or more this year,” said Sherrie Calaway, manager of the Hooves and Co. Endurance Ride. “They are coming from everywhere.”

Riders are expected from Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, North Dakota and Canada.

Among the competitors are former Iditarod champion Doug Swingley and Suzie Hayes, a well-known endurance rider from Ovando who competes internationally.

The 50-mile race is sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference and is a qualifier for prestigious endurance races such as The Tevis Cup in California.

Calaway said there will be a 35-mile race and the 50-mile race, both starting on July 17 at the Thompson River Ranch just off U.S. 2 west of Kalispell...

Read more here:
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/featured_story/article_e1654838-8a36-11df-803c-001cc4c03286.html

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Back Country Horsemen of America Leads the Way in Preserving Public Lands Trails

June 29 2010

By Sarah Wynne Jackson
 
During these tough economic times when many folks have tightened their budgets and are spending less, Back Country Horsemen of America members have been donating more of their time, effort, and resources to preserving our heritage of equine use on public lands.
 
BCHA is proud to announce that its national volunteer value for 2009 was $7,500,000. That includes 345,700 hours of manual work; skilled labor; use of heavy equipment; hauling equipment, animals, and people to work sites; as well as Leave No Trace education and attendance at public meetings. What did BCHA members accomplish in all that time? Lots!
 
Making a Difference
 
Central Kentucky Back Country Horsemen have been working hard with the Kentucky Horse Council on the White Sulphur Horse Camp in the Daniel Boone National Forest. This primitive camp with 20 sites was started but never maintained. CKyBCH members eliminated a stagnant watering tank and laid a water line from a pond to the center of camp, providing clean, fresh water for campers’ horses. Further improvements are planned for completion in 2010.
 
Back Country Horsemen of Alabama and Show Me Missouri Back Country Horsemen worked together to clean up trails in the Mark Twain National Forest after an inland hurricane. Most BCH units across the country do their best to get out on the trails as soon as possible after storms to clear aside fallen trees and branches, fix washed out trails, and replace bridges that have been swept away.
 
Members of the Skagit and Whatcom chapters of Back Country Horsemen of Washington State worked alongside the Department of Natural Resources to complete a monumental task that was sorely needed: using GPS equipment, they mapped the 76 trails (nearly 100 miles) of the Les Hilde Trails in the Harry Osborne State Forest. To assist users until DNR is able to post permanent signs, BCHW members posted over 200 temporary signs.
 
In addition to trail maintenance and watching over the ecosystem, the Chloride Chapter of Back Country Horsemen of Arizona assisted large ranchers and the BLM with needs local to their area. They helped gather cattle in the very rough mountainous terrain, as well as packing in water for workers.
 
The lovely Spanish mustangs in the Cerbat Mountains of Arizona are still protected, and the Chloride Chapter of BCHAZ keeps an eye on them, counting the herds and tracking their condition, as well as making sure the watering holes are usable.
 
Back Country Horsemen of Idaho also had a busy year. The High Desert Chapter partnered with the Off Road Association and the Geocache Club in cleaning the North Rim. They filled five dumpsters with trash. They were also involved with a work project at the Porcupine Springs Campground with the U.S. Forest Service, where, in addition to regular trail maintenance, they built a horse riding loop and constructed four horse corrals for overnight camping. 
 
The North Central Idaho Chapter conducted the U.S. Forest Service Defensive Horsemanship Training at the rodeo grounds in Grangeville, Idaho. They also sprayed unwanted weeds on the Moose Creek Ranger District and the Lochsa Ranger District in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness; and in the Seven Devils/Windy Saddle area, they constructed a hitch rail, cleaned up the campground, and removed hazardous trees.
 
Buffalo River Back Country Horsemen of Arkansas have been battling their own “right to ride” issue on Buffalo National River lands. The general management plan is scheduled to be rewritten within the next five years, and BRBCH is determined to preserve our heritage of using pack and saddle stock on public lands. At public meetings held in various area towns, they encouraged other horse users to voice their opinions to the National Park Service regarding horse use on public lands.
 
BRBCH also packed out a variety of scrap from an old hunters’ camp in Rae Valley. Ten horses, six volunteers, and three park employees carried out rolls of old barbed and welded wire to Elephant Head, where a Park boat floated the load away.
 
Your Voice for Horse Use on Public Lands
 
As the leading organization in saving public lands trails for equestrian use, each one of these Back Country Horsemen of America groups is happy and eager to accomplish all these tasks and more; not just for users of pack and saddle stock, but for everyone who loves wild lands as much as they do.
 
It’s an unfortunate truth that federal, state, and local public lands managers simply don’t have the budget to maintain the majority of the trails under their jurisdiction. That means that the burden falls on the backs of dedicated and hard working volunteers across the country such as Back Country Horsemen of America.
 
Another difficult reality is that more trails, properties, and whole wildernesses are being designated “No Horses.” Without a unified voice such as that of Back Country Horsemen of America, our heritage of equine use and our right to ride on public lands is in serious jeopardy.
 
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 in regards to 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!

Contact:  Peg Greiwe
peg@backcountryhorse.com
1-888-893-5161
www.backcountryhorse.com
 
 

USRider criticizes proposed digital license plates

(06/30/2010)

For immediate release
 

Lexington, KY (June 30, 2010) - Advertising is everywhere these days. Flyers mysteriously appear on your front door as well as your windshield. At the filling station, blaring announcements attempt to entice you to go inside and spend more money. Even in the restroom, ads are strategically placed on the back of the stall doors. Now the California government is seeking to profit off what they consider the next prime piece of real estate for marketing efforts - license plates.

The idea is to show advertising on new digital license plates when a vehicle stops.

Facing $19 billion in debt, California is exploring the option of selling advertising on electronic license plates as a way to generate revenue. 

As reported by InformationWeek.com, the idea is contained in Senate Bill 1453, which has already passed the state Senate and is now before the Legislature. The proposal by Sen. Curren D. Price Jr. (D-Los Angeles) would give the California Department of Motor Vehicles the authority to investigate the emerging "digital electronic license plate" technology as a viable means for advertising and other communication. The idea is that when a vehicle is stopped for longer than four seconds, the license plate would transform into digital ad-space for which companies would pay to display an ad. 

“This proposal is totally irresponsible on behalf of the California legislature and will only serve to create more distractions and a more dangerous driving environment for drivers who face enough distractions already,” said Mark Cole, managing member for USRider, the national provider of roadside emergency assistance for equestrians.
 

Statistics show that driving while distracted is a factor in 25 percent of police reported crashes. Driving is an activity that demands close attention. Not only do drivers need to watch what they’re doing, but they also have to keep an eye on other drivers and road conditions.

“We urge the residents of California to contact their legislators and voice opposition to this proposal,” said Cole. “This is a no-brainer: drivers should be looking at the road - NOT at an advertisement on another vehicle's license plate.”
USRider provides roadside assistance and towing services along with other travel-related benefits to its members through the Equestrian Motor Plan. It includes standard features such as flat-tire repair, battery assistance and lockout services, plus towing up to 100 miles and roadside repairs for tow vehicles and trailers with horses, emergency stabling, veterinary referrals and more. For more information about the USRider Equestrian Motor Plan, visit www.usrider.org online or call (800) 844-1409.
 

For additional safety tips, visit the Equine Travel Safety Area on the USRider website at www.usrider.org.

Tevis: We're Looking For Volunteers!

July 2, 2010

Be the proud owner of a 2010 Volunteer Tevis T-shirt!

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Tevis Cup Ride, and we are so appreciative of everyone who helps out each year. About 800 people participate each year on Ride Day - a ratio of about four per rider! Being a volunteer is fun, adventurous, exciting - and you get a commemorative t-shirt!

This year we need your help!

Check the Latest News Bulletin page for postings by Ride/Checkpoint Officials who may actively be recruiting for volunteers. If you are uncertain which type of assistance you would like to offer, take a look at the list of functions shown in Ride Organization page of this site. If you know what you'd like to do, or if you just want to help wherever needed, fill out our online Volunteer Sign-up form.

Thanks for your help!
Mike Pickett
2010 Ride Director

For further information, see the Tevis Cup page at:
http://www.teviscup.org/

Friday, July 02, 2010

Heraldic And Crandell Make A Triumphant Return At Old Dominion 100

Cronofhorse.com - Full Article

June 24 2010
By: Coree Reuter

After a potentially career-ending injury, John Crandell’s mount is back at the top of his game.

“He’s a freak of nature,” John Crandell III said of Heraldic after winning his sixth and Heraldic’s second Old Dominion 100 on June 12 in Orkney Springs, Va. “He’s not the easiest personality in the world to get along with, but physically, athletically, he’s a freak of nature. That’s the best way to describe him. He’s just athletic in every way you can imagine.”

Crandell, 48, was the first to finish in the 100-mile race, crossing the line in 13:32:58, and claimed the AERC best condition award and Old Dominion Trophy. About 13 minutes later, Sandra Conner and Elegant Pride finished second in 13:45:23. Crandell’s wife, Ann, finished third aboard HH Saba Shams in 14:30:26.

“This is his forté because he just has endless adrenaline,” said John...

Read more here:
http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/heraldic-and-crandell-make-triumphant-return-old-dominion-100

How to get to the World Equestrian Games

Horsebytes blog - Monica Bretherton

July 1 2010

"He's a rock star!" I said.

Chris Martin grinned in agreement.

His face took a more reflective cast as he acknowledged his good
fortune, "He's a once-in-a-lifetime horse."

After my burst of enthusiasm, I felt a twinge of unease. Several horses I had been rooting for were already out of the ride. I glanced over at Monk, who was standing, one hoof cocked, outside the EZ-up canopy that sheltered his crew from the high desert sun. He had the physical attributes - a deep chest, short back, a strong hind end, straight, well angled legs and sturdy feet - a structure that had carried rider Lindsey Graham through the first three loops of the selection trials for the US Endurance team for the Western region. No obvious reason to worry there.

"The hardest thing is finding ways to get him fit," Chris said. He ponies Monk off a Quad, but that alone isn't enough.

Unlike a racetrack conditioner, Chris is not limited to workouts on a
level surface and uses the steep hills near his home for mounted
workouts too. "I'm 190 pounds," he pointed out. Even so, he has
trouble driving Monk's heart rate up into the zones that are
considered cardio-building. He has done most of the conditioning on
Monk, hauls him to rides, takes pictures and promotes him through his
blog - a combination trainer and stage dad...

Read more here:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/horsebytes/archives/213193.asp

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Manilla Tom Quilty 2010 - Booted Horses are More Likely to Finish!

Easycareinc blog - Full Story

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by Duncan McLaughlin

Last weekend saw endurance riders from all over the Australia and from around the world gather at Manilla, NSW for this years Quilty. The Quilty is Australia's oldest and most prestigious endurance ride. 11 booted horses were entered in the event and 8 were successful, for a 73% completion rate (compared to the 54% completion rate overall). The successful combinations were:

* Carol Layton on Omani Mr Squiggle;
* Deanna Trevena on Warr of the Roses;
* me on Jupiter Mikeno;
* Virginia Dodson on Qmriya Raheema;
* Ann Batt on Roxborough Nato;
* Donna Tidsdale on Karrana King;
* Jane Martin on Blake's Heaven Dubbonet; and
* Rebecca Hayes on Summerzar M'zigye.
* (Commiserations to Rachel, Colleen and Darryl)

Read more here:
http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/easycare/0/0/manilla-tom-quilty-2010-booted-horses-are-more-likely-to-finish

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

2010 WEG - USA: This Week in International Endurance

USEF.org

June 29 2010

Over the last week the USEF hosted three Regional Selection Trials for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, paring down the number of eligible horse/rider combinations for the US Endurance Team from 62 to 47.

The Central Selection Trial was held in Danville, IL on June 19. Athletes and horses faced hot, humid and muddy conditions, turning a fast course into true test of endurance. At the East Selection Trial held in Fair Hill, MD on June 22 there was a repeat of the heat and humidity which plagued the Central Selection Trial, but no mud to contend with. The third selection trial took place in Prineville, OR on June 26, the conditions were perfect and the course was fast.

The horses and riders who attended one of these trials will be eligible to attend the Observation Trial August 8-11, in Danville, IL. Following the Observation Trial, the top ten horse/rider combinations will be named to the nominated entries, from which the final five horse/rider combinations will be selected to represent the US on the Endurance Team in September at the World Games.

2010 WEG - USA: Smells like Team Spirit

Horsebytes -- A blog for Seattle-area horse folks
Posted by Monica Bretherton at June 29, 2010 2:04 p.m

"I'm like a duck, calm above the water and paddling madly underneath," said Darolyn Butler about her state of mind on Friday, June 25th.

It iss the day before the Western region selection trials for the U.S. Endurance team. 17 of 19 horses presented had vetted through, and Darolyn had a double reason to worry. She had a hopeful member of the Namibian team, Anna Wucher, riding her second qualified horse, DJB Cherry's Juliet.

She was not the only one who was preoccupied with the upcoming ride. "You think about it every waking hour," said California rider, Kassandra DiMaggio.

The pressure comes not just from the rigors of the 80-mile ride they'll be attempting, but from the fact that every move will be scrutinized by the Enduramce Chef d'Equipe, Becky Hart and her five selectors, all endurance riders with international experience: Roger Yohe, Cathy Davis, Anne Stuart, Alex North and Linda Howard. Even if you have years of experience or have ridden on teams with the selectors, there are no givens, because they have to chose the horses and riders with the best chance of winning a medal.

"I have a crisis going on at home," Darolyn said, "but you have to put that all aside."

Home is a long way away. She's based in Texas at Cypress Trails Equestrian Center. Other riders have come from Utah and California, as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest states, and they have been traveling to FEI qualifying rides since 2008.

I thought of the distinction ride vet Dr. Mike Foss drew for me at the PNER convention between the average AERC endurance rider and a typical FEI rider, who is aiming at international competition. "Most of you enjoy endurance riding as a part of their life. For the FEI riders, it IS their life."

That is especially true because most top level riders run businesses around their endurance riding in order to sustain their activities. I chatted with Christoph Schork and Tennessee Mahoney as they hand-grazed their horses, Stars Aflame and TC Moonshine.

"I'm usually on Facebook between midnight and two a.m.," he said.

"That's because the other twenty-two hours you are on your horses," Tennessee pointed out - only a slight exaggeration.

The relationship with the horse that develops is critical to success. "When you spend that much time with them," Christoph said, "it's different than a show jumping rider, who is on each horse for an hour a day. "

[...more at http://blog.seattlepi.com/horsebytes/archives/212812.asp?from=blog_last3]

Monday, June 28, 2010

2010 WEG Selection Trials: Mum's The Word



Sunday June 27 2010

Just returned home from an interesting weekend as *CREW* for a friend of mine at the west coast selection trials for the World Endurance Championship (at the World Equestrian Games) in Kentucky on September 26th. There will be 5 US horses and riders in the race.

Charisse Glenn has two horses qualified for the WEC; she asked me, along with several of her other friends, to come crew for her this weekend, and we happily jumped at the chance.

It really wasn't a selection trial anyway, more of an early exhibition trial of what the horses and riders are capable of, with the Chef d'Equipe, the Team Veterinarian and a couple of other veterinarians and several selectors watching the horses and all their parameters before, during and after the ride. Three 'trials' happened this week, in Maryland, Illinois and Oregon, with all qualified horses and riders hoping to make the WEC team required to attend one of these. Riders were asked to take their horses certain distances at certain speeds... and that's all I can say.

Even though I was wearing my Malibu Endurance team crew Tshirt and hat, and though I crewed all day Saturday for Charisse (and everybody else who needed help), I was approached by more than one selector saying: "You're that reporter aren't you?" ("Yes, but I'm CREWING this weekend.") "Good. That's good." I was practicing crewing for Tevis, and I figured crewing for a high stress event leading up to the World Endurance Championship would be a good prep for me.

So, I am unable to tell anybody anything about what happened at the 'selection trials', other than no horses were 'selected' for anything. I can say that any rider and horse that came to either of the 'trials' in Oregon, Maryland or Illinois this past week are welcome to go to Illinois in a couple of weeks, to stay there for 6 weeks to train and exhibit their horses' abilities again, from which the 5 team members will eventually be chosen some weeks before the WEC. It's a big commitment of money and time - i.e. your life - to pursue a dream of representing your country in what we might call the Olympics of horse sports. It's certainly a shame, with all the talented horseflesh and riders, that only 5 will be chosen for the endurance race. (Previously in other World Endurance Championships held in other countries, the home country was allowed up to 11 horses/riders - Malaysia in 2008 and UAE in 2004 - I haven't been able to get a definitive answer as to why this was changed this year.)

I can also say it was a fun, and interesting weekend, and I learned a few things I can safely share.

Double check that your horse's heart monitor is accurate by comparing it with the reading you get with a stethoscope. You might be surprised at the difference. (This does me no good however... I can't hear a heartbeat through a stethoscope - it's like the can't-hear-thunder syndrome. And I ride slow enough that I don't need a heart monitor.)

This isn't a secret, because this is the second time I've seen this, though for a different reason. I saw people backing a horse up a few steps before trotting it out for a vet at a vet check. In this instance, it was done to get the horse to balance and collect itself better, instead of starting all strung out.

Try putting boots on your horse's hind legs at home first. Then try putting ice boots on your horse's hind legs at home first. Walk him around in them so he knows they are on his legs. And if you have to rip them off, don't get kicked in the head! (Nobody was, but that's a good thing to know.)

If you really want to desensitize your horse to any situation that might arise on a ride, arrange for a staked-down tent to get caught in a whirlwind and rip straight up into the air right near your horse. If he doesn't have a heart attack or run away to China, your horse might possibly be on his way to becoming bomb proof.

It's a good skill to be able to convert miles per hour into minutes per mile. I, of course, can't do this without a calculator. (Or, just buy a GPS that will tell you that.)

And most of all, if you want to have fun during a stressful time, have a good crew.

We did.

If you want more information about the US endurance trials, and would like to start cheering for some horses and riders, sorry, I can't help you... You might check out Monk's blog at: FEIRedhorse - I'm sure Chris will have an update soon.

I'll post a few photos from the weekend tomorrow.

A tribute to Granite Chief after sharing 10,000 miles together

http://enduranceridestuff.com/blog/2010/06/tribute-granite-chief-10000-miles/
Karen Chaton

Instead of spending much time writing about Chief, I’ve been spending time with him. He is really a kind and gentle soul who has impacted my life in so many wonderful ways that I can’t even think of the words to describe how fantastic a journey we have shared so far.

DSCF7223 Medium 150x150 A tribute to Granite Chief after sharing 10,000 miles togetherToday I shampooed Chief’s tail. OMG, it was dirt brown in color – I was happy with the results. When finished, his tail was returned to it’s normal silver, black and blond color. I have so enjoyed seeing him transform from being nearly black and charcoal grey with black mane and tail to a fleabitten grey with a silver mane and silver, blond and black tail.

We also went for another walk on the trail today. I realized why my arm is sore – from Chief stopping to grab bites of grass constantly! I guess he knows I’m a sucker and will let him get away with it, which I do. The old dog tries to weave her way in between Chief’s hind legs as he walks and sometimes manages to get through. Chief just picks his legs up higher to avoid knocking her head with a hoof. The other dog gets in front of Chief and slows down or completely stops. Chief just weaves around her, or else uses it as another excuse to grab a bite of grass.

This is kind of cheating, but I’m copying what I wrote when Chief made a previous milestone. Everything still holds true, only moreso – I feel like the luckiest person on earth to have ended up with a horse that has a huge amount of personality as well as ability. Here goes…

I really enjoy riding my horses and lately have especially cherished every single minute of it. I have loved riding every one of my horses but I especially have enjoyed the special relationship that I have developed with Chief. He is a once in a lifetime horse and I know that no matter how long I live even if it were to be a million lifetimes that I just won’t have that kind of relationship with another horse. Ever. I may have something completely different with another horse but it won’t be the same. The reason is that Chief feels the same way about me as I do about him. I have been head over heels with my other horses, but it wasn’t as reciprocal.

full story - http://enduranceridestuff.com/blog/2010/06/tribute-granite-chief-10000-miles/

2010 WEG Test Ride, Brothers Oregon

http://feiredhorse.blogspot.com/
WEG test ride, June 26th, Brothers Oregon…
June 27 Posted by Chris Martin

19 horse and rider teams gathered at a wide spot in the road in Brothers Oregon on the 25th of June. Inspection of horses was at 2PM followed by a general rider/crew meeting at 5PM. Riders were placed into 4 groups of 4 or 5 riders. The trail consisted of a 80 mile coarse in 5 loops of mostly flat desert trails

Start of the ride was to be at 8am about 2.5 miles from ridecamp out to another wide spot in the road…..not kidding. Crew needed to be in place prior to the riders leaving. Groups left at 20 minute intervals.

MONK and Lindsay were in group one which consisted of 5 riders. Jeremy and Heather Reynolds, on Smitty and Sam, riders Carolyn Giles, and Cheryl Dell rounded out the team. They were first on the coarse at 8am.

Each horse was to have one (1) groom which was allowed to enter the pulse box along with the rider and the horse. Our team groom was Brad Green who is a small animal vet in Oregon and a FEI rider.....

Concept was that riders would cross a magical line from the in timer at which time the crew could access the horse and rider. Our team would remove saddle and put on HR monitor strap. Brad had the HR watch and monitored the HR and MONK and crew progress down the 200' long row of buckets of water used to cool the horses filled with dozens of people who either poured water or handed buckets to people who pored water. Brad calls when and where for people to poor water... which in MONK's case was all over, all the time... When you get to the end of the line you stop the water and then scrap it off and check Heart Rate... If your horse is down to 64 you then call to the timer that you are down and enter the pulse box... Our team's horses recovered within a few seconds of each other... somewhere in the 3 min range.... So from the time you remove the saddle, get a drink of water, walk the 200 feet your horse is down to 64... These riders come in at full speed, no walking and mostly at the cantor...

All crewing must stop when in the pulse box. Horse is then presented to the team of vets who check everything, including temperature. Trot out and CRI are recorded.

[...more]

Thursday, June 24, 2010

2010 WEG - New Zealand- Meet the team: Get Lace to Kentucky

http://lacekentucky.webs.com/meettheteam.htm

Lace and Fineness

Jenny Chandler tells the story...

“We found Lace on a small property with miniature ponies in Ngatea. As she had proved a bit of a handful for her previous two owners, we thought she needed rescuing and was possibly not what we were really looking for… how wrong we have been! Believing she knew it all from her second novice ride on, she took to Endurance like a duck to water. Now she really does know most of it like the back of her hand, but thankfully has learned to pace herself and is a pleasure to ride.”

Lace has gone on to become a top New Zealand Endurance horse, winning the “Distance Horse of the Year” award in the 2008-09 season and is poised to win the title again this year with five wins and three top-three finishes out of eight rides. Together Lace and Jenny have completed two FEI (FEI are international classed events) 160km rides, both in times which qualify them to compete at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA.

read more about New Zealand's WEG team - http://lacekentucky.webs.com/meettheteam.htm

Monday, June 21, 2010

The World's Greatest Horse Race

HCOnline.com - Full Article

By Tana Ross
Updated: 06.21.10
Billed as the “Greatest Horse Race in the World” and the “Longest Horse Race in the world,” the Mongol Derby is not a challenge just any horse rider is willing to take on.

Indeed, the 1,000 kilometer (more than 630 miles) endurance race over the Mongolian steppe — a diverse, often unforgiving terrain that includes forest, mountains and desert — is so challenging that organizers of the race provide three days of training for the small group of international competitors who qualified to be in the race.

A true adventurist, 33-year-old Justin Nelzen, a-Pinehurst-farrier- turned-endurance athlete, is one of 16 representing five counties who qualified for the second annual derby to start Aug. 7. In fact he is one of the first three Americans ever selected for the 10-day equestrian event. And, while several might be happy just to finish the race, Nelzen’s standard is set a bit higher...

Read more here:
http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/06/21/greater_houston_weekly/top_of_the_week/0623_mongolian_derby.txt

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Retracing route shows bond between horse and rider, endurance of Old West story

Billingsgazette.com - Full Article

RUFFIN PREVOST Gazette Wyoming Bureau | Posted: Sunday, June 20, 2010

CODY — As the night wore on, the pale sliver of crescent moon slipped away, leaving the horsemen barely able to pick their way through the darkness along the remote trail. But they pressed on, determined to deliver a pouch stuffed with urgent messages.

Worried that he would be late in delivering the mail to Sweetwater Station, rider Mike Strain urged on his mare, Willow, anxious to hand off his precious cargo to new riders.

Strain, a South Fork Valley ranch manager, is one of more than 600 riders participating this month in a re-enactment of the Pony Express, 150 years after it was created as a way to connect the growing state of California with the rest of the nation.

But unlike most modern riders who cover about five miles or less while retracing the nearly 2,000-mile route from Sacramento, Calif., to St. Joseph, Mo., Strain wound up riding 31 miles Tuesday night and Wednesday morning...

Read more here:
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_fa55d056-7c21-11df-8100-001cc4c03286.html

Helmet Awareness Day

Riders4helmets.com

National Helmet Awareness Day will be Saturday July 10th. Check this page on a regular basis for details regarding events to be held that day and also for a list of retailers that will be offering discounts on helmet purchases that day.

Participating manufacturers to date include: Troxel, Charles Owen, Aegis (Devon-Aire) and GPA. If you are a retailer that sells helmets from one of these manufacturers in your store, please contact the manufacturer directly for details of the promotion.

Kentucky Horse Park – we will be hosting an event at the Kentucky Horse Park on this day. Want to hold your own event to mark the occasion at your barn/facility? We can provide you with graphics for flyers etc. Please contact us for assistance and to let us know you are holding your own event.

Participating Retailers (offering a discount on helmets purchased on July 10th). This list will be updated daily.

National (online):

Equestrian Collections
877-873-4415
www.equestriancollections.com

Dover Saddlery (online and in all store locations)
1-800-406-8204
www.doversaddlery.com

Kentucky:

KBC Horse Supplies, 140 Venture Court, Lexington, KY 40511.
1-800-928-7777
www.kbchorsesupplies.com

KBC Horse Supplies, 7500 Turfway Road (Stable Area), Florence, KY.
859-817-9856
www.kbchorsesupplies.com

Ohio

Schneiders Saddlery, 8255 E. Washington Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
1-800-365-1311
http://www.sstack.com/

Saturday, June 19, 2010

ACTHA riders break Guinness world record for Worlds Largest Competitive Trail Ride...

www.actha.us/

June 17 2010

1700 riders raise $70,000 in one day for horse charities nationwide

The American Competitive Trail Horse Association is proud to announce that the annual "Ride for the Rescues" benefit trail ride held across the country over the weekend broke a Guinness World Record for the world's largest trail riding competition. Hundreds of dedicated ACTHA volunteers, and approximately 1700 riders raised almost $70,000 during this benefit ride, which will be used to benefit horse charities and rescues nationwide.

ACTHA, is a true leader in the horse industry for recognizing and celebrating the value of the great American trail horse. Each year, ACTHA sponsors hundreds of rides across the country in an enjoyable and casual 'six mile - six judged obstacle' format. The goal is to provide a casual, fun venue to showcase horses of all breeds while at the same time raising funds for equine charities. To date ACTHA, with the support of their affiliates, has raised more than $300,000 to support equine charities.

For this ride, Tom Scrima, general manager of ACTHA, called on volunteers to coordinate the largest ride the group has sponsored. About 700 volunteers and 1700 horse and rider teams met the call, and arranged "Ride for the Rescues" competitions at locations across the country on June 13th. Scrima said, "The 'Ride for the Rescues' marks a new era for horses and humans. We showed that coast-to-coast horse owners are willing to step up to the plate with their equine companions to help support horse rescue. The goal of ACTHA is to reduce the number of at-risk horses by creating 'jobs' for America's horses and equines. This ride was the first, giant step toward a day when there are no homeless or jobless horses in America".

ACTHA Founders Karen VanGetson and Carrier Scrima, are proud of the fasted growing equestrian sport in the country , where the great American trail horse is 'not JUST a trail horse anymore'

www.actha.us/

Poling, Walker attend endurance race in France

Theintermountain.com - Full Article

June 18, 2010

Local endurance competitor Jennifer Poling and veterinarian Dr. Tracy Walker recently attended an international endurance race in Compiegne, France. The race was sanctioned by the Federation Equestrian Internationale and took place at an equestrian park at Napoleon's Royal Palace. Competitors attended from many countries, including Germany, Brazil, Belgium, Malaysia and Switzerland.

Walker and Poling were the only Americans to attend. This was the first international race for Poling, an avid endurance competitor, who has been participating in endurance racing for more than 10 years. Walker, also an official judging veterinarian for the American Endurance Conference, assisted in monitoring the horse during the race and coaching through the vet check points...

Read more here:
http://theintermountain.com/page/content.detail/id/529954.html?nav=5008

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Girl, 16, struck by lightning while riding horse

Middletownpress.com - Full Article

Thursday, June 17, 2010

By RONALD DeROSA, JRC

GOSHEN — A 16-year-old girl from the Goshen area is back home, recovering and “doing okay” after being struck by lightning while guiding a horse inside a barn last week, the mother of the girl told The Register Citizen.

Codi Deakin, a boarder at Pie Hill Farm in Goshen, went outside just before 3 p.m. on June 10 to guide Neo, a draft cross breed, back into a barn for a lesson, said Romona Deakin, the girl’s mother. It was blue skies out, and while there were dark clouds in the distance it didn’t seem like there was any immediate threat of a storm, Romona Deakin said.

Then, the lightning struck, taking down the girl and the horse. Emergency officials arrived and rushed Codi Deakin to Charlotte Hungerford Hospital where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

“She’s making progress,” Romona Deakin said. “She will recover. It’s a very long and expensive road, but she’s at home resting.”

Read more here:
http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/06/17/news/doc4c19a3771769f013937330.txt

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

2010 WEG (Selection crewing "HELP") - MONK's blog

FEIRedhorse.blogspot.com - Full Story

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Short Time

I love getting those telephone calls from Lindsay when I can hear the smile in her voice. "MONK and I are at the top of Barnaby Hill", "His heart rate dropped from 220 to 90 in 30 seconds" "Why does he not get tired?"

This last weekend was MONK's last back to back workout before the WEG selection ride near Bend Oregon. MONK went to Lindsay's moms house in Napa so she could ride him a little. She had to do his health certificate and coggins and will do a trace trim on him so he looks like a endurance horse.

Lindsay gets her official DVM license this Friday, the 11th of June. She will celebrate on the 13th with family and friends. I will pick up MONK at that time and bring him back to the ranch for a two week rest with some serious streaching before we head for Bend Oregon...

Read more here:
http://feiredhorse.blogspot.com/2010/06/weg-selection-crewing-help.html

2010 WEG (Selection crewing "HELP")


A Horse Named Monk - http://feiredhorse.blogspot.com/2010/06/weg-selection-crewing-help.html

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

I love getting those telephone calls from Lindsay when I can hear the smile in her voice. "MONK and I are at the top of Barnaby Hill", "His heart rate dropped from 220 to 90 in 30 seconds" "Why does he not get tired?"

This last weekend was MONK's last back to back workout before the WEG selection ride near Bend Oregon. MONK went to Lindsay's moms house in Napa so she could ride him a little. She had to do his health certificate and coggins and will do a trace trim on him so he looks like a endurance horse.

Lindsay gets her official DVM license this Friday, the 11th of June. She will celebrate on the 13th with family and friends. I will pick up MONK at that time and bring him back to the ranch for a two week rest with some serious streaching before we head for Bend Oregon.

We have to be in camp in near Bend Oregon before noon on the 25th. As explained to me we will do the ride on Saturday. Horses will be grouped in 4 or 5 which will ride as a team for the prescribed 80 miles. Sounds like we have 14 riders that are qualified to ride for the West Coast with a few more horses. They are setting up the vet checks similar in distance as to what will be at the WEG in September. Team members are supposed to work as a team during each leg of the ride and be able to maintain the requested speed, which my best guess will be faster then 13mph.

The 4 or 5 horse team will come into the vet check all at once so they need a massive amount of crew persons to help cool the horses etc... Volunteer's will be welcome and would be a good opportunity to check out some of the best horse flesh in the USA. If interested I am sure they will have a crew meeting on the 25.

The final selection is set for Danville Ill, on August 12, 13 and 14th as I understand. Most of the riders will need help crewing at that location also. MONK's crew will be very limited because of the distance and I am sure that applies other riders as well. So, if we have some fans on the East coast and you can help at the final selection please let us know.... webtackusa@gmail.com

MONK's blog is approaching 6000 hits, and that is in just one year, amazing...

Will post some pictures of MONK's racing trim when I get them.

Update, 12 noon on June 8th... MONK's midwest fans have vowed to attend the final selection ride in droves....

Monday, June 07, 2010

Tevis Trail Work Event Reminder

NEXT TRAIL MANAGEMENT EVENT:

FRENCH MEADOWS - CAMP OUT
JUNE 18-29, 2010

NOTE: WE HAVE MOVED THE LOCATION FROM
ROBINSON FLAT TO FRENCH MEADOWS
DUE TO SNOW. PLEASE RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO
ATTEND ANY PART OF THIS EVENT. WE HAVE A
LOT OF TRAIL WORK TO DO FOR WS100 PREP DUE
TO THE SLOW SNOW MELT. WE TRULY COULD
USE THE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT
RSVP TO: trails@ws100.com

SPONSOR:

UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST
AMERICAN RIVER DISTRICT

THE FOREST FOUNDATION
AUBURN, CA

EVENT #6:

FRENCH MEADOWS (Camp out)
High Country Trail Work Weekend

Date and Time:

Friday and Saturday 6-18/19-10 -- 5:00PM (Friday)
Note: You can also come up Saturday morning.
Work starts at 7:30AM
Finish at ~4PM

Meeting Place:

French Meadows Campground Sites #1 and #2
Take Highway 80 to the Foresthill Road,
travel 17 miles east to Foresthill.
Turn right on Mosquito Ridge Road
and travel 34 miles east to the French
Meadow Reservoir, the French Meadows Campground
is on the south shore.

Bring:

Plenty of food and water. Some food and refreshments
will be available Friday and Saturday. Also bring long
pants, gloves, suncreen, hats, etc. Tools will be provided.

Wade's road to recovery

Weeklytimesnot.com.au - Full Article

Kim Woods

June 8, 2010

GOOD endurance horses have an innate toughness and will to win. So, too, does Meg Wade.

Meg, 48, a dominant force on the global endurance scene, has lived by the motto “fitter, further, faster”.

She has spent a lifetime striding ahead of the pack, but now takes life one step at a time.

A fall from her competition horse during a southern NSW endurance ride in April last year left her in a coma. She was just 10km from the finish of the 110km race at Tumbarumba and within sight of a checkpoint.

“I cannot remember the accident – it was muddy, the horse must have shied at some water and I came off,” Meg says.

Although wearing a helmet, she struck her head with such force it resulted in a brain injury.

“I still have the helmet – it has a bit of a dirty mark on the back, but the foam inside is compressed to half its width,” Meg says. “Dr Trish Annetts was among the first people on the scene and she saved my life.”

Read more here:
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2010/06/08/195161_horses.html

Trail riders to try for Guinness World Record

Aikenstandard.com - Full Article

6/6/2010 11:51 PM
By BEN BAUGH
Staff writer

Several riders from Aiken will take part in what will be the one of the first Guinness World Records attempts for the largest trail riding competition at Lakeview Plantation in Fairfax.

The South Carolina trail ride will be one of 61 held nationwide this Sunday, said Carol McElwee, an Aiken resident and American Competitive Trail Riding Association affiliate.

All of the proceeds from the event will go to equine rescue charities throughout the country, said McElwee.

The facility at Lakeview Plantation has space for camping and offers more than 100 stalls for people who come in for the day, said McElwee. The ride in Allendale County will be the only one in South Carolina that will be recognized as part of the attempt.

"The lodge is filled, and the campsites are starting to fill," said McElwee.

Any horse and rider can participate in the competition, she said. Riders who are based in South Carolina who wish to participate in the ride can do so by signing up and registering at www.actha.us...

Read more here:
http://www.aikenstandard.com/Local/0607trailride

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Lindsay Graham

Clubequestrian.com - Full Article

Born: May 4, 1982 Residence: Napa, CA

Lindsay Graham began riding horses as a young child and soon began competing in hunter/jumper competitions up through college. She was first exposed to endurance riding back in 1993 as crew member for her mom and horse Phoenix Affair. In 2004, roughly the time that she had to retire her horse from jumping, her mom needed to have surgery on her back. Lindsay decided to continue to keep Phoenix going for the year as she continued to ride in intercollegiate jumper shows. During that year, Lindsay became hooked on the sport of endurance riding and switched over to the sport in its entirety, leaving jumping in her past.


In the past seven years of endurance riding Lindsay has had many incredible experiences. One of her biggest achievements was a 7th place finish at the prestigious and world re-known 100 mile Tevis Cup Ride, where Phoenix at 19 years and so many months old, was and still holds the record for the oldest horse to Top Ten this ride...

Read more here:
http://www.clubequestrian.com/wikis/encyclopedia/lindsay-graham.aspx

Saturday, June 05, 2010

Jan Worthington

Clubequestrian.com - Full ARticle

Born: August 4, 1940 Hometown: Scales Mound, IL

Jan Worthington of Scales Mound, Illinois is one of the most accomplished endurance riders in the United States. She has logged more than 27,000 miles.

A veteran endurance rider Jan Worthington was a member of the 1988 Gold Medal U. S. World Endurance Championship team and has competed in numerous North American Endurance Championships.

Worthington finished 14th at her first North American Championship in 1986 and rode to a strong seventh-placed finish in 1987. In 1989 and 1993, she finished 11th and 13th, respectively. In 1995, Worthington and her mount, LM Mastermind, were on the Silver Medal winning team and finished eighth individually at the North American Endurance Championship in Flagstaff, Arizona.

In 1999, she was on the Bronze Medal winning team at the Pan American Endurance Championship in Winnipeg. She was later named alternate to the 2000 USET World Endurance Championship squad...

Read more here:
http://www.clubequestrian.com/wikis/encyclopedia/jan-worthington.aspx

Friday, June 04, 2010

Farzad Faryadi

Clubequestrian.com - Full Article

Farzad Faryadi
Born: February 5, 1960 Residence: Oakboro, NC

Farzad Faryadi was born in Iran, but has been a US citizen for more than 20 years. He ventured into the world of endurance in 2001. Faryadi’s first endurance horse was a Quarter Horse, a breed not often seen in the world of endurance.


Since 2001, Farzad has ridden nearly 5,000 miles in competition and completed 132 rides.


Faryadi has formed a strong partnership with the bay Arabian gelding Hot Desert Knight...

Read more here:
http://www.clubequestrian.com/wikis/encyclopedia/farzad-faryadi.aspx

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Yost Family: Endurance Riding as a Family Sport

I’m on the trail
All I can see are his ears,
Blue sky and open range.
I hear his feet
On the damp dirt,
No rocks, just
Clip clop, clip clop
I smell...
...Freedom.

-A poem written for school by Burkleigh Yost, age 10
 
What’s the perfect family sport for horse-crazy parents and their four young children? As the Yost family of Pocatello, Idaho, found out, endurance riding is a great way to spend time together doing what they love.
 
Gentry Yost, 36, and wife Laura, 35, schedule their ride season around their children’s soccer, gymnastics and school activities, but last year managed to complete 2,620 miles of endurance rides.
 
“It is hard for me to think of another sport that would allow a dad to spend close to eight hours of uninterrupted time with a daughter,” said Gentry. “At our last ride, Chandler, my 14-year-old daughter, and I rode close to the back throughout a 50-mile ride. We talked and joked without interruption from cell phones, e-mails, friends, and work obligations. It was a blast and a day I will always remember.”
 
Adds Laura, “There isn’t anything better than spending time with your kids riding, working, roasting marshmallows, joking out on the trail, and simply sitting at the trailer after all the horses are tucked in and seeing the happiness dance in their eyes after a long 50-mile ride.”
 
Last year the Yosts hauled their trailer to six rides. Most they attend are multi-day rides, including Utah’s Strawberry Fields Forever, Color Country, and Paunsagaunt XP Pioneer Randy Coleman Memorial rides, the Owyhee Fandango ride in Idaho, and the Fort Schellbourne ride in Nevada. There they can mix-and-match riders and horses so they all get a chance to ride at least one day.
 
The family plan is to finish well, but not necessarily go for wins. “We do not race very often, but on one ride Laura, daughters Chandler (now 14) and Kennedy (now 11) and I found ourselves in front because the leaders took a wrong turn. We were first into the last vet check and our horses were all doing well, even Kennedy’s 14-hand gelding Shadow,” said Gentry.
 
“We left the vet check with about 12 miles to go knowing Christoph Schork, a nationally-known rider, was going to be chasing us down. He passed us with about four miles to go,” said Gentry. “After briefly deciding to slow down and not chase after him, we had a quick family vote and decided to try and run with him. It was the best four miles we have ridden as a family. Christoph ended up beating us by a couple minutes, but Kennedy was sure happy to place second on Shadow.”
 
The one endurance ride the Yosts attended last year that wasn’t a multi-day was the venerable Western States Endurance Ride, better known as the Tevis Cup—a  difficult 100-mile expedition in the Sierras from Squaw Valley to Auburn. Gentry explained, “Chandler and Laura both completed with Kennedy and I crewing. What made it even more special is that my mom, Kara Yost, also finished, creating three generations of Yost women completing the Tevis together. Kennedy and I also had the help of my dad, Chris Yost, with the crewing.”
 
Laura’s all-time favorite ride was the 2006 Tevis Cup. She rode without the company of family, although Gentry, Chandler and Kennedy were along to crew. “The best and most memorable part of the whole day was when I crossed the finish line and was waiting to cross over to the crewing area,” said Laura. “In the dark, I heard a little voice saying, ‘You made it, Mom. You made it.’ Those simple words made all the stress, fatigue, hours of conditioning, time researching, and the experience of vomiting off my horse the last five miles all worth it!”
 
Whether riding or crewing, Laura says, their family goals are to have a great time and take care of their horses. “We all clean up after our own horses, we all keep the food and water full, and we all have equal responsibilities. My children have earned my respect with their devotion and dedication to their horses.”
 
While the Yost kids thrill to the cheers when competing in gymnastics or soccer, endurance riding is very different. “There are no crowds, no scoreboards, no teammates to pass the ball to, and not many high fives,” explained Laura. “It is just you and your horse; this is your team. I tell them that their horses are putting it all on the line for them and they need to do the same in return. They all have learned the importance of proper nutrition, proper conditioning, the importance of a good farrier, tack that fits correctly, and always try to learn more.
 
“Whenever one of them gets scared or is hesitant about riding through or over a difficult spot I remind them that their horse has trusted them with their care,” said Laura. “If they have done everything they could to prepare that horse, it is now time to turn the trust around and let their horses take care of them for a while.”
 
When the children struggle with school or friends, their parents remind them of their accomplishments on horseback. Gentry remembers the trouble Burkleigh, now 10, had on the Outlaw Trail endurance ride in Utah. “Multiple difficult water crossings -- including one where I ended up upside down in a creek with my horse on top of me, time spent trying to find the trail, and leading horses up a cliff covered with four-foot snow drifts made the ride difficult,” recalled Gentry. “When Burkleigh gets frustrated and says she can’t do something, I’ll say, ‘Hey aren’t you the girl who rode the Outlaw Trail?’”
 
Gentry said, “Because endurance is hard and the rewards are so fulfilling, I think it teaches kids that they have to work hard to get rewards in life. There are also disappointments that come with endurance riding -- pulls, sick and injured horses. When kids learn to handle these setbacks that are part of the sport, I think it prepares them to handle disappointments that are part of the everyday real life of adults.”
 
The Yosts haven’t experienced much in the way of disappointments lately. Last year their combined 2,620 American Endurance Ride Conference-sanctioned miles earned them their second consecutive Bill Thornburgh Family Award, named after one of AERC’s most-beloved “endurance dads.” The only sticking point for the family is son Evan’s reluctance to ride horseback; he prefers motorcycles.
 
Even devoted family proponents like to take some time for themselves. “Laura and I always try to get to an endurance ride each year without kids,” said Gentry. “It is amazing how much easier it is to pack for two riders and to care for two horses before and after rides. It makes for some pretty relaxing rides for the two of us.”
 
Since one of their dates early in their courtship, where both Laura and Gentry were bucked off their horses on their first ride together, the Yosts have discovered the glue that holds them onto their saddles and their family together.
 
As Laura said, “I believe endurance riding teaches one to endure, to be selfless, disciplined, consistent, responsible, and tough mentally. Though there probably are many things on this earth that can teach a person the same traits, there is something special that horses bring out in a person. I cannot quite put my finger on it but it is something magical and unique, a special feeling that will never go away.”
 
 
To join AERC, or for more information about endurance riding, please contact the AERC office, located in Auburn, California, at 866-271-2372, email aerc@foothill.net, or visit www.aerc.org

 
Contact: Troy Smith
American Endurance Ride Conference
www.aerc.org
endurancenews@foothill.net
866-271-2372, 530-823-2260

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Australia: Short list for 2010 WEG

May 2010

Statement from the Selection Committee

The following horse/rider combinations have satisfied the qualifications criteria under the FEI Rules for Endurance 7TH Edition 2009 and the AES Qualification Criteria (Nov.2009) and are short listed for entry to the WEG Endurance Championships Kentucky 2010:


Mathew Sample               Brookleigh Ricardo

Matthew Sample             Tarrangower Crecendo

Penny Toft                    Don

Norbert Radny               West Coast Archaron    


Congratulations to these horses and riders on their huge effort and their determined commitment to represent Australia in the best way possible        
           

Barb Timms on behalf of the Selection Committee

Barbara Timms

Manager
Australian Endurance Squad

Ceci Butler-Stasiuk

Clubequestrian.com - Full Article

Ceci Butler-Stasiuk
Born: June 20, 1982 Residence: Humble, TX

Cecilia Butler-Stasiuk, grew up on a small horse ranch in Humble, Texas where her mother, acclaimed endurance competitor Darolyn Butler, taught her to ride and care for the horses. She started competing in the sport of Endurance Horse Racing at the age of four. Cecilia entered her first 100 mile race at the age of 6 and won her first 100 mile race at the same age.

Ceci has logged more than 11,000 competitive endurance miles.

Butler-Stasiuk is a four time National Endurance Champion (2 fifty mile, and 2 one-hundred mile), competed in the Pan-American Championship, rode in the Junior World Championship in Italy and has competed all over the world. ..

Read more here:
http://www.clubequestrian.com/wikis/encyclopedia/ceci-butler-stasiuk.aspx

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Carol Giles

Clubequestrian.com - Full Article

Carol Giles
Born: October 24, 1956 Residence: Prineville, OR

Carol Giles started riding when she was 4 years old. As a young child and teenager, Carol competed in the western disciplines – barrel racing, western pleasure, etc. In the early 80s, she had just graduated from college and started her first job in Prineville, Oregon. One of the local physicians asked her if she was interested in training 5 of his endurance horses. Giles was so excited to have horses to ride that it didn’t matter that she had no clue what endurance riding was. Carol quickly learned all about endurance and fell madly in love with the sport...

Read more here:
http://www.clubequestrian.com/wikis/encyclopedia/carol-giles.aspx

ELCR Brings Equine Activity and Recreational Use Statutes Together for Horsemen and Landowners

May 27, 2010

Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) is pleased to announce an important new web resource for horsemen and landowners. The Equine Activity Statutes and Recreational Use Statutes Directory is now available at www.elcr.org/ss2.htm.

A crucial factor in equine access to land is often landowner liability protection. Liability is determined on a state-by-state basis, and in most states is governed by two sets of laws: Equine Activity Statutes and Recreational Use Statutes.

In the past, this information has been hard to gather and difficult to interpret. ELCR recognized an opportunity to assist and support horsemen on this issue. Working pro bono, Holly Rudolph, a law student assembled an in depth spreadsheet showing both sets of laws listed by state and with a brief analysis. Julie Fershtman, J.D. and ELCR Advisory Council member served as an advisor for the project.

The spreadsheet, found at www.elcr.org/ss2.htm, provides a single source to view and compare statutes by state. ELCR and other organizations had gathered this information before, but as the laws changed, the documents quickly became outdated. Because this site provides live links to the statutes themselves, the information will remain current.

In addition to the live links, the Directory provides analysis of the statutes. Details provided include things such as whether or not charging a nominal fee for access will reduce or destroy a landowner’s liability protection and whether specific language is required on signage as outlined by statute.

“It is our hope,” said Chief Executive Officer, Deb Balliet, “that providing a clear, concise knowledge base will help horsemen when speaking to landowners about maintaining or providing access to trails, riding and training spaces. Landowners can rest assured that their interests are being considered by the horsemen who access their land.”

ELCR has provided this information for educational purposes only; it is not intended to be legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Please consult an attorney in your state for specific interpretation and guidance on matters relevant to equine activity and recreational use statutes.


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. If you want to know more about ELCR, visit our website at www.ELCR.org or call (859) 455-8383.

Contact: Deb Balliet
Equine Land Conservation Resource
859-455-8383
www.ELCR.org
dballiet@elcr.org

Monday, May 31, 2010

Michelle Roush

Clubequestrian.com - Full Article

Michelle Roush
Born: June 4, 1967 Hometown: North San Jaun, CA

Michele Roush has an extensive resume in the sport of Endurance. Roush has over 12,000 AERC miles and has ridden 49 different horses throughout her illustrious career. Michele has a top ten rate of fifty-three percent and a lifetime Best Condition rate of twenty-three percent.

Roush started out in 1980 in the sport of Ride & Tie, which vies teams of two runners and one horse against each other. Michele and her partner were unbeaten in the man/woman division in 1995, winning the national title. From there, it was a short leap to endurance, which gave her more time in the saddle instead of on the ground...

Read more here:
http://www.clubequestrian.com/wikis/encyclopedia/michelle-roush.aspx