Springdale Romp enjoys warm weather

EACourier.com - Full Article

Posted: Sunday, February 26, 2012
contributed article

The second annual Springdale Romp Endurance Ride was held Feb. 3, 4 and 5.
Readers may remember that, last year, the ride faced the coldest weather in Arizona history. What a difference a year makes. This year, riders and horses enjoyed warm weather, good, well-marked trails and great facilities at the Graham County Fairgrounds.

The event began with riders “vetting in” their horses Thursday for Friday’s ride. At 6 p.m., a potluck dinner was held, with a ride meeting afterwards to explain trails and answer questions.
Riders came from Canada, Indiana, Kentucky, Texas, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. One rider, Ute Schrimpf, flew in that week from Germany just for Springdale Romp and went back Tuesday...

Read more here:
http://www.eacourier.com/news/springdale-romp-enjoys-warm-weather/article_e2ff86ba-6039-11e1-9fbe-0019bb2963f4.html
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Maynesboro Stud Memorial Ride planning well underway

Berlindailysun.com

By Barbara Tetreault
Feb 24, 2012 12:00 am

BERLIN – The eyes of the horse world will be on Berlin this September when the Maynesboro Stud Memorial Ride is expected to draw endurance riders from across New England and beyond.

The event, being organized by the Berlin and Coos County Historical Society, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Maynesboro Stud by William Robinson Brown. An avid horseman and endurance rider, Brown was considered the most important breeder of Arabian horses in the United States between 1912 and 1933. The lineage of Arabian horses he developed is still recognized today among horse breeders. Brown was also a member of the family that founded and operated the Brown Company paper mill complex in Berlin-Gorham.

Walter Nadeau, of the Berlin and Coos County Historical Society, said the planning for the Saturday, Sept. 15 event is well underway. While the 50-mile endurance race will be the main focus, there will also be a 25-mile ride and a 12-mile pleasure ride. The event is open to all breeds of horse although it is expected to be of particular interest to Arabian horse owners. Nadeau said the historical society is in the process of sending out fund-raising packets to area businesses and Arabian horse owners seeking donations to help offset the cost of putting on the event.

“I'm confident we'll get some major sponsors,” he said.

Nadeau said the historical society will also be applying to the Arabian Horse Association for a grant. He said he believes the various fund-raising efforts, combined with proceeds from the entry fee, will provide the necessary money to cover expenses.

The historical society is also seeking volunteers willing to help out with the event. Nadeau said he has contacted the UNH Extension Service to see if 4-H horse owners are interested in volunteering.

“I am going to need help,” he said.

The route for the endurance race has been set and Nadeau said he has received the necessary permission from 17 different landowners, including the state of New Hampshire. The race will started at the Brown Company barns on the East Milan Road where Brown raised his horses. From there the route will enter the woods across from the barns on property owned by Barry Kelley. The route will travel five miles on various wood roads and come out at White Mountain Lumber Company's saw mill. It will then travel along the East Milan Road, crossing the Androscoggin River at the Twelfth Street bridge, and traveling up Twelfth Street, connecting with the snowmobile system on Cates Hill. The From there, the route will continue to the Jericho Mountain State Park where it will run along the Head Pond section of the ATV trail system. The horses will follow the same route back, finishing at the Brown barns. Along the way, it will pass by the high school soccer field to coincide with Berlin High Homecoming festivities.

Nadeau said the goal of an endurance race to to provide a challenging course for the horses and said the route put together has some steep sections. Along the route, the horses must have three mandatory veterinarian stops - Two will be held at the Bisson Farm on Cates Hill and the third will come about 25 miles into the race. Including the mandatory stops, Nadeau said it will take riders six to eight hours to complete the ride.

Assisting the historical society in putting together the route have been Tom and Sandy Hutchinson of Bethel, Maine, who have competed in such events. The rides are sanctioned by the American Endurance Riders Conference and the Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Association.
Brown has one surviving child, Nancy Lee Snow of Falmouth, Maine, and she has pledged to try and make the event.

People interested in donating or volunteering for the Maynesboro Stud Memorial Ride should contact Nadeau at 752-7928 or e-mail wjnadeau@hotmail.com.


Picture (clockwise from right) W.R. Brown's premiere Arabian stallion, Abu Zeyd, which sired 46 foals. A current photo of the Maynesboro Stud Barn which housed Brown's Arabians. The Arabian horses outside the barn and in the fields. (Photos provided by the Berlin and Coos County Historical Society)

Alabama Wagon Train prepares for 32nd annual ride to Montgomery, hopes it won't be the last

Blog.al.com - Full Story

February 21 2012
By Amber Acker, al.com

Montgomery Alabama - -- In a few weeks, riding enthusiasts from around the country will gather for an annual horseback and wagon ride that tours the natural landscape of Alabama, starting in Talladega and ending at the state rodeo in Montgomery.

For a generation, the Alabama Wagon Train has culminated at the Southeastern Livestock Exposition and Rodeo, with participants forgoing modern transportation in exchange for the chance to experience travel in the style of their ancestors.

Now, the Alabama Wagon Train faces hard times. A lack of sponsors, traffic issues and other problems may prevent the tradition from continuing after this year.

The last founding member and "train boss," Don Thomas, is retiring and the Sand Mountain Saddle Ranch is no longer able to sponsor the ride.

The train started in 1980 when a group of five men in the Sand Mountain Saddle Club decided to ride in wagons and on horseback to the exposition and rodeo instead of driving. While at the time it just seemed a chance to bond with each other and their animals, the idea soon spawned into a tradition that attracted horse enthusiasts from around the country.

"They had an idea to try it out and just do something different that grew from 40 riders to 72 wagons and 1,200 horses," said assistant train boss Ronnie Jones...

Read more here:
http://blog.al.com/montgomery/2012/02/the_alabama_wagon_train_prepar.html

The Great Endurance Horse Race begins

Pagosasun.com - Full Article


By John Motter
PagosaSUN.com columnist
Thursday, February 16, 2012
We are continuing the story of The Great Endurance Horse Race, sponsored by the Denver Post in 1908.

One of the entrants was William H. (Billy) Kern, a pioneer of Pagosa Country.

It was six in the morning of May 27, 1908, when the Denver Post sponsoring train dubbed the “Pony Express” pulled into Evanston, Wyo., the starting point of the race.

The finish line was 600 miles away, in Denver.

Late season snow flurries covered the ground. Evanston seemed determined to set a new Wyoming record for rip-roaring Western hospitality.

Out of the freight cars came the horses, some loaded at Denver and others at various stops along the way.

Dick Turpin, a coal-black half-breed thoroughbred came out bucking and, with his rider, Jack Smith, the only entry from New Mexico put on a miniature rodeo for the enthusiastic crowd.

Adding to the excitement were two white broncos: Bob Brennan’s Luxus, and Otto Rush’s Scotty; and another thoroughbred called Archie. Almost unnoticed by the gaggle of reporters was a chunky strawberry roan, picked up in Severance, Colo., and led by a big, unassuming cowboy...

Read more here:
http://pagosasun.com/archives/2012/02February/021612/pagosapast.html

A horse story to beat them all

Pagosasun.com - Full Article

By John M. Motter
PagosaSUN.com columnist

Thursday, February 9, 2012

My favorite horse story was printed in a 1908 edition of the Denver Post.

My copy of the story was provided by Karen Hine, a descendant of Pagosa pioneer Maude Hart, whose son-in-law was Billy Kern. Both were Pagosa pioneers from the earliest days of settlement.

The Rocky Mountain West of the first decade of the 1900s still had a lot of Wild West character. Cars and trains and steamboats — even the Wright Brothers’ airplane — had all been invented. Still, horses were the main means of transportation “way out west.”

Everybody knows westerners loved a good horse race.

One-time famous cartoonist Homer Davenport was apparently a horse enthusiast. He happened to remark while visiting Denver that Arabian horses could travel farther and faster than any other breed.

Davenport’s remarks incited the Denver Post to promote a long distance race to see if Arabians really were better.

After much debate, conditions for the race were established.

Called the Great Endurance Race, the path stretched from Evanston in the southwest corner of Wyoming to Denver. It was a treacherous trail over the Continental Divide, some of the roughest of western terrain.

The race would start the morning of May 30, but all entries were due by midnight of the twentieth. The Post would charter a special train leaving Denver on the twenty-sixth to carry the riders and their horses assembled there and would pick up others at specific points along the way. Other expenses and all risks would be borne by the entrants.

There were prizes for the top six finishers; $500, $350, $200, $150, $100 and $50. An additional $300 in gold would be paid to the one finishing in the best condition...

Read more here:
http://pagosasun.com/archives/2012/02February/020912/pagosapast.html

Vintage grad Graham, horse Monk among finishers in Abu Dhabi

Napavalleyregister.com - Full Article

ANDY WILCOX | Posted: Thursday, February 16, 2012

Lindsay Graham rode 10-year-old gelding Monk to a 32nd-place finish in the annual 100-mile President’s Cup Endurance Ride on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Graham, a veterinarian at Napa Valley Veterinary Hospital, said only 46 of 140 starters finished the prestigious event.

The 2000 Vintage High School graduate went into the six-loop race planning to ride at a competitive but comfortable pace.

She wanted to make sure Monk, owned by Chris Martin of Penn Valley, would come home healthy and be ready for their bigger goal — a successful tryout next month in Texas for the biannual World Endurance Championship that will be held in England in August.
Graham and Monk finished in 8 hours, 53 minutes.

The only other American invited to the race, four-time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race champion Doug Swingley of Montana, finished 38th.

“The race went really well,” Graham said. “The day went as I had hoped for, to start off in the back and keep a steady but slowly increasing pace throughout the day...

Read more here:
http://napavalleyregister.com/sports/vintage-grad-graham-horse-monk-among-finishers-in-abu-dhabi/article_a1cc7a28-5935-11e1-9ccc-001871e3ce6c.html

Jane Beshear Announces Over $1.8 Million for Recreational Trails Projects

Surfky.com

Governors Communication Office

15 February 2012 14:37

FRANKFORT, KY (2/15/12) – First Lady Jane Beshear joined Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Marcheta Sparrow and Department for Local Government (DLG) Commissioner Tony Wilder to announce more than $1.8 million in grants to local communities to develop and maintain recreational trails across Kentucky.

The total of $1,849,648 in federal grant dollars will go to 38 applicants for hiking, biking, horseback riding and other types of trails as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The applicants include city and county government as well as state and federal agencies.

“Developing Kentucky trails is instrumental in increasing overall adventure tourism efforts and boosting local economies throughout the state,” said Mrs. Beshear. “These federal funds help communities get trail projects off the ground so they can bring in tourism dollars and provide areas for their citizens to be active and live healthier lifestyles.”

At the event, Mrs. Beshear also recognized award recipients from last year’s Mid America Trails and Greenway (MATAG) conference. Lynda Bray Schaffer was recognized for being an outstanding volunteer to help expand trials in Kentucky and the Legacy Trail in Lexington was recognized for being and outstanding trail or greenway in Kentucky.

RTP is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. Kentucky’s RTP grants are administered by DLG and require that applicants match the amount of funds requested. The grants may be used to provide assistance for acquisition of easements; development and/or maintenance of recreational trails; and trailhead facilities for both motorized and non-motorized use. Examples of trail uses include hiking, bicycling, inline skating, equestrian use, off-road motorcycling and all-terrain vehicle riding.
FY11 applicants that have been approved for RTP project grants include:

Read more here:
http://surfky.com/index.php/component/content/article/235-statewide-kentucky-news/10784-jane-beshear-announces-over-18-million-for-recreational-trails-projects-

OT Sara Moniet RSI is 2011 AHA Distance Horse of the Year

Equisearch.com - Full Article


February 9, 2012 -- OT Sara Moniet RSI (Rave On Ravenwood x OT Dysara RSI), a 2004 dark chestnut owned by M.A. “Crockett” Dumas of Escalante, Utah was named the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) 2011 Distance Horse of the Year, adding one more award to a long list of 2011 accomplishments.

“Sara” covered 1,675 competition miles in 2011, completing 31 of 31 rides with 10 overall wins and 9 Best Conditions. The 7 year-old mare won two 200-mile rides, one 165-miler, one 155-miler, and finished all but one of her rides in the Top Ten. Coupled with Distance Horse of the Year honors, Sara was named the AHA High Point 50-99 mile Endurance horse. The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) awarded Sara the War Mare Award and the Belesemo Arabians Pioneer Award for the Heavyweight Division. Lastly, Sara was awarded the Drinkers of the Wind performance award by the Institute of the Desert Arabian Horse.

“Well everybody thinks their horse is the greatest horse in the world,” says Crockett Dumas. “But she is really a great all-around horse. I bred her and her mother and father … after riding 37,500 miles, I don’t spend a lot of time on good horses. She’s a great horse...”

Read more here:
http://www.equisearch.com/news/ot-sara-moniet-rsi-is-2011-aha-distance-horse-of-the-year/

Foiled by Paperwork, Steven Hay Selected for, Misses Young Rider Endurance Worlds

Pennsylvaniaequestrian.com - Full Article

February 2012 - by Suzanne Bush

When Steven Hay was just six years old, he knew that he was in love with horses. He rode horses at his grandmother’s farm, and spent several years taking advantage of all the opportunities available to a young rider, such as showing and 4H. But he was hungry for more. “When I was younger I had showed, and I did 4H and it wasn’t my cup of tea. I didn’t feel like going in the show ring and riding around in a circle. It didn’t test us. It wasn’t enough.”

Hay, a 21 year-old junior at Penn State University, sought the kinds of equestrian competitions that would challenge him and his horses both mentally and physically. He got involved in competitive trail riding, “then I got into endurance and distance riding and that was it.”

The Port Matilda resident loves the challenge of conditioning a horse for competition, and preparing himself and the horse mentally for the races. He was named to the first ever United States team competing at the FEI Junior and Young Rider World Endurance Championship, which was held in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in December. Although he has been competing in endurance races since 2005, Hay has achieved enviable success. In 2010 he placed eighth out of 79 competitors in the Biltmore FEI 50, and fifth in the Canter Over the Mountain Endurance Competition. That same year he was on the gold medal team at the North American Champions, where he was also the Individual Bronze Medalist...

Read more here:
http://www.pennsylvaniaequestrian.com/news2012/february/Steven-Hay-Selected-for-Misses-Young-Rider-Endurance-Worlds.php

An endurance riding queen

Examiner.com - Full Article

Jennifer Allen
Princeton Horse Examiner

“If I were in a bar fight I would want Brian Urlacher, Jared Allen, and Grace Ramsey.” Many people know the first two people; few outside of the endurance world know the third. And the author of the phrase is known by the community she lives in and surrounds herself by—Lori Windows.

Born in Canada, raised in Bloomington, taught in Indianapolis, working in Princeton, and living in Wyanet, IL, Windows wastes no time living her life. From an early age she always had to be busy, always had to be saving money for her first horse, Chico. A Mr. Fowler set her on horses and said “You’re not getting a saddle until you learn how to ride,” then would hide out in the woods to scare the horse and dump the rider.

Now sixty one, one would think Windows would start slowing down. Try telling that to her face and you will get an emphatic “No! Why would I want to slow down? So I can get old and decrepit?” She still works as a veterinary technician at Bureau Valley Veterinary Service (Princeton, IL), travels the world, dives with rays and sharks, and rides those horses and mules...

Read more here:
http://www.examiner.com/horse-in-peoria/an-endurance-riding-queen

Vintage grad one of two Americans chosen to compete in 100-mile Abu Dhabi race

Napavalleyregister.com - Full Article

ANDY WILCOX | Posted: Saturday, February 4, 2012

Lindsay Graham is excited about her latest chance to team up with 10-year-old gelding Monk, the horse she rode for a North American-record time for 100 miles last summer.

The 2000 Vintage High graduate is one of only two Americans who have been invited to compete in the annual President of the UAE Endurance Ride in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Feb. 11.
Despite her record last summer, and fourth-place finish in the North American Endurance Championships in Greenville, Calif. — just north of Truckee — in September, Graham isn’t planning to push Monk as hard as she can to claim a victory in the Middle East.

This is just the first race of a year she expects to be busy.

“What our goal is this year,” she said of herself and Monk’s owner, Chris Martin of Penn Valley, “is to make it to the World Endurance Championship in England in August, and we have trial for that, a tryout, at the end of March in Texas. So I have to be careful. If Monk has a problem over there he might be out for the tryout. So I’m going to use it as a really good conditioning ride and work on a good pace. He’s still going to be working, but we’re not going to be out there racing for the win. We’re going to go out there and do the best we can but also enjoy the experience...”

Read more here:
http://napavalleyregister.com/sports/vintage-grad-one-of-two-americans-chosen-to-compete-in/article_1e1fca6c-4fc2-11e1-85eb-001871e3ce6c.html

Airport Express is This Weekend

fly2houston.com - Full Article


January 30, 2012

The 2nd Annual "Airport Express Endurance Ride" will take place on February 4 and February 5.

Almost a hundred horseback riders are set to take off through the scenic trails of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, as the 2nd Annual “Airport Express Endurance Ride” gets underway.

The event will take place on Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5, 2011. Riders traveling 50 miles will see a start time of 7:30 a.m., while the 25 mile riders will begin at 8:00 a.m. All riders need to check-in at least 15 minutes prior to their start time. A dinner, with musical entertainment provided, will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4. Both the dinner and the musical entertainment are free of charge.

“The two day event features a 25 and 50 mile ride on each day throughout 13,000 acres of groomed riding trails at George Bush Intercontinental Airport,” says Ronnie Pickard, director of strategic constituent planning & special projects for the Houston Airport System.

EEndurance riding is an athletic event for both horse and rider. The goal is to complete the marked trail within the time given, as established by the American Endurance Ride Conference standards. All horses must pass a complete veterinary check before, during and after the ride.

In addition, a 10+ mile “Fun Ride” is simultaneously hosted for those that are novice riders and would like to find out more about the sport of Endurance. They also become more familiar with the beautiful airport trails and the Airport Ranger program.

“As a volunteer Airport Ranger we provide a low-key, additional layer of security,” said Darolyn Butler, Airport Express Ride Manager and Airport Ranger. “After a rigorous background check, we get a chance to ride in some of the most breathtaking areas of the state.”

The event raises funds for Houston based charitable 501 (c) (3) organizations, SIRE – Houston’s Therapeutic Equestrian Centers and the HAS Interfaith Chapels. This year marks a meaningful addition, making it the first of three commemorative rides in the Texas Mortl Challenge Series honoring April Mortl.

A variety of activities will also take place each day including educational demonstrations showcasing SIRE and Houston Police Department Mounted Patrol.

For more information, visit fly2houston.com/airportexpress

Doug Swingley, Action Hero

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

January 31, 2012
By Pamela@horsereporter


Doug Swingley from Lincoln, Montana, started endurance riding competition after 50, but when he commits to a sport, he wants to be the best. Swingley, now 58, is one of two riders from the United States that have been invited to participate in the 160k HH President of the UAE Endurance Ride in Abu Dhabi.

With only three weeks advance notice to prepare for the February 11 race, Swingley says the plan is coming together. Once the invitation was received and forwarded by the United States Equestrian Federation, horse passports and flight arrangements for horses and people have been flying back and forth quickly across the internet.

Swingley is a man accustomed to planning a competitive campaign with animals, and hardship is part of the package. Riding on a horse in the sand for 10-15 hours must seem at the other end of the spectrum for a professional dog musher and sled dog driver. And Swingley is one of the best...

Read more here:
http://siteground303.com/~horserep/2012/01/31/doug-swingley-action-hero/

Piney Pig Endurance Race: Young Riders Excelled

JJride.com - Full Article

Kelsey Kimbler | January 30, 2012

Very exciting weekend for endurance! Young riders really excelled at the Piney Pig ride down by West Palm Beach in South Florida. This was an FEI event with distances of 50 & 75 on Friday and 50, 75 & 100 on Saturday. I kept getting updates from my endurance family throughout the weekend and really wish I had been there racing.

It seems there were Young Riders in all the distances, some riding both days and most of them finished in the Top Ten. I don’t have an exact list but here goes;

Friday:

1. Michael Bishop – 50
2. Stephen Faryadi – 50
3. Taylor White – 50
4. Rachel Shackelford & Chances – 50
5. Zach Rabow & Hava Nah – 75
6. Kelsey Russell & Dee – 75

Saturday:
1. Kelsey Russell & Junior – 50
2. Stephen Faryadi – 50
3. Michael Bishop – 50
4. Katherine Gardener – 50
5. Zach Rabow & Elliptic – 50
6. Devan Horn & Braveheart – 50
7. Taylor White & Loki – 75
8. Cassandra Roberts & Fire – 75
9. Mallory Capps & Hadban – 75
10. Mary Kathryn Clark & Rabdan – 75
11. Sydney Sumrall & Koedoe – 75
12. Rachel Shackelford & Chief – 75

Read more here:
http://www.jrride.com/2012/01/30/piney-pig-endurance-race-young-riders-excelled/

Recreational Trails Program Continues to be Threatened

Horsecouncil.org

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/10/2012 - 16:40

The Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which provides funding for recreational trails throughout the country, including those used by equestrians, continues to be threatened.

In November, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee marked up its version of a multi-year national highway transportation bill, called MAP-21. MAP-21 would reauthorize the RTP program; however it would make a major change to the RTP program by removing dedicated funding for the program and consolidating it with several others.

“As currently written this bill would preserve RTP in name only and would effectively end the program that has funded thousands of successful trail projects all over the country,” said AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass. “RTP would be thrown in with a bunch of other programs and states could choose not to spend any money on RTP projects. This defeats the original idea of RTP, which was to return some of the gas taxes paid by recreational off-highway vehicle users to the trail community.”

The current national highway bill SAFETEA-LU that authorizes the RTP program was set to expire in September of 2009. However, because Congress has yet to pass a new highway bill it has been forced to extend the current law several times, most recently until March 2012. MAP-21 must still be debated and approved by the full Senate. The House has yet to introduce its version of a highway bill.

“Every recreational rider needs to be calling and emailing their Senators to let them know how important the RTP program is to them. They need to make sure their Senators understand that RTP must have dedicated funding,” said Pendergrass.

Currently, funding for RTP is provided by taxes on fuel paid into the Highway Trust Fund by users of off-highway recreational vehicles. RTP projects consist of construction, maintenance and restoration of trails and trail related facilities as well as the acquisition of easements or property for trails. Although each state manages its own program, 30% of RTP funds must be spent on non-motorized projects like equestrian trails, 30% on motorized, and 40% percent on multiuse projects. RTP is one of the few sources for federal funding of trail projects that are not on federal land available to equestrians. The program has been a great resource for equestrians to fund projects in their state and local parks.

The AHC, in conjunction with a broad coalition of recreational trail users, is requesting Congress re-authorize the RTP program in its current form in the next highway bill as a separate distinct program with dedicated funding. The AHC urges its member organizations and their membership to contact Congress and voice support for this program and let them know this program is important to the horse community.

American Horse Council Explains Changes in Tax Benefits for Horse Owners

Horsecouncil.org

Submitted by admin on Fri, 01/20/2012

Despite the acrimony and brinksmanship, Congress eventually passed an extension of the payroll tax reductions in late December maintaining the 2% reduction in payroll taxes for workers and the self-employed. The relief is good for two months through February, 2012. Negotiations are already underway between the House and Senate to find a way to extend payroll tax relief through 2012.

But the bill ultimately passed by Congress did not extend the Section 179 expense deduction or 100% bonus depreciation at the 2011 levels. Both provisions have returned to prior lower levels.

Section 179 Expense Deduction

The expense deduction has returned to $125,000 for 2012 and phases out dollar-for-dollar once purchases of depreciable property reach $500,000. The 179 expense deduction applies to horses, farm equipment and other depreciable property used in a business and permits a horse owner or breeder to write-off up to $125,000 in assets purchased and placed in service in one’s horse business in 2012.

The expense allowance for 2010-2011 was $500,000 and phased out after purchases exceeded $2 million.

Bonus Depreciation

In addition, bonus depreciation has returned to 50% for 2012. Bonus depreciation allows horse owners and other horse businesses to write off 50% of the cost of “new” capital assets, including horses, when purchased and placed in service in 2012. To be eligible for bonus depreciation the original use of the property must commence with the taxpayer. Any prior use makes the property ineligible.

Bonus depreciation was 100% for eligible assets purchased and placed in service from September 8, 2010 through 2011.

Both provisions can be used together.

Retroactive Change is Possible

“It is possible that the higher levels could be reinstated retroactively to January 1, 2012. In fact, the House-passed payroll-tax bill extended 100% bonus depreciation through 2012, even though the Senate bill did not,” said AHC president Jay Hickey. “The negotiations between now and the end of February on the one-year extension of the payroll tax reduction could include other changes to the tax code, such as the expense deduction or bonus depreciation. But this is speculation at this point.”

Back Country Horsemen of America is Recognized by Local and National Organizations

For Immediate Release: January 23, 2012
Contact: Peg Greiwe
1-888-893-5161

Back Country Horsemen of America is Recognized
by Local and National Organizations
By Sarah Wynne Jackson

When you ride your horse down a well-groomed trail with level footing, no low branches, sturdy bridges, and safe water crossings, do you stop to think what it took to make that happen? Ask any Back Country Horsemen of America member and they’ll tell you: long hours of hard work, lots of sweat, and personal funds spent on fuel and supplies.

Maintaining trails for horse use is far from glamorous, but without it, where will we ride? It may seem like a thankless job, but Back Country Horsemen of America are happy to do it and organizations large and small see the difference BCH folks are making.

Just Doing What They Do

All Back Country Horsemen believe in the value of volunteerism, so it’s no wonder that many of their accolades center around trail work. On a rainy day in September, seven members of Hoosier Back Country Horsemen of Indiana volunteered their time and equipment to repair storm damage at Youngs Creek Horse Camp in Hoosier National Forest.

Straight-line winds had hit the camp, blowing down large trees which damaged the water trough, fence, and highline posts. The folks from Hoosier BCH cleared debris, repaired the fence, and installed new highline posts. They used a tractor to remove fallen trees and large branches. They also performed general maintenance, such as trimming tall grass in the fenced area.

Nancy Myers, Outdoor Recreation Planner of Region 9, Hoosier National Forest, Tell City Ranger District, recently recognized Hoosier Back Country Horsemen on the US Forest Service’s “Success Stories” web page for their assistance in cleaning up Youngs Creek Horse Camp.

Nancy wrote, “The Hoosier Back Country Horsemen are a great partner and very willing to volunteer for trailhead and trail projects. They even agreed to help on another trail gravelling project on the German Ridge Trail in November. The Tell City recreation staff is very appreciative of the Hoosier Back Country Horsemen's hard work and willingness to enhance recreation opportunities for equestrians on the Hoosier National Forest.”

Making the Connection

Back Country Horsemen across the country go out of their way to nurture good relationships with public land managers. Back Country Horsemen of Middle and South Georgia have a strong working relationship with the folks at A.H. Stephens State Historic Park. They volunteer throughout the year on various projects, such as trail work days, special events, securing grants, and hosting and assisting with several equestrian programs.

As a result, the equestrian facility is now more user friendly with higher visitation rates, generates more revenue, and has receive positive feedback from guests. Andre Mclendon, Park Manager at A.H. Stephens State Historic Park, recently sent a letter of thanks to Back Country Horsemen of Middle and South Georgia.

Andre ended his letter with this sentiment, “Words cannot express how much we appreciate your support. Every day we take one step closer to achieving our goal. It is to be the best equestrian facility that our Georgia State Park system has to offer. With your support I am confident that we can attain our goal. Thank you so much for your contributions. All of our accomplishments from this past year are proof that we can make a difference.”

National Recognition

Responsible recreation is a major tenet of Back Country Horsemen of America and has been a focus of Back Country Horsemen of Washington since their formation in 1976. BCHW’s current Leave No Trace educational program has been in existence for 15 years, and is funded mostly from grants through the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program.

The Coalition for Recreational Trails, a federation of national and regional trail-related organizations, gives seven achievement awards each year to recognize outstanding use of Recreational Trails Program funds. In 2010, BCHW's Leave No Trace Educational Program received the award in the category of Environment and Wildlife Compatibility.

The entire BCHW Leave No Trace program is run by volunteers dedicated to teaching others responsible recreation. This national award is a great honor for all BCHW members who work and support this educational program with their time and effort. Back Country Horsemen of Washington members also made donations to cover the travel expenses of three BCHW officers to accept the award in person in Washington, D.C.

Share the Trail

Back Country Horsemen of America believes in sharing trails amiably with other users, and BCH Eagle Creek of Kentucky exemplifies that ideal with their outstanding cooperation with the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association. The two organizations recently worked together on a clean up work day on a county-owned reservoir multi-use trail system.

Chris Lockard, President of the Bluegrass Chapter of the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association, sent BCH Eagle Creek a warm letter of appreciation. He wrote in part, “I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for extending an invitation out to the KY Mountain Bike Association to participate in the trail day sponsored by the Back Country Horsemen of Eagle Creek. You and your group were great to work with. The local mountain biker community found it rewarding to work with the equestrians on trail improvements at the county reservoir property.”

Chris also pointed out the benefits of different trail user groups working together toward a common goal, something well understood by Back Country Horsemen of America. Interactions between user groups helps foster understanding and positive relationships, as well as respect and value for each other’s right to a quality trail experience.

About Back Country Horsemen of America

It’s clear that public land managers, other trail users, and national organizations recognize the huge difference Back Country Horsemen are making. Responsible recreation and protecting our right to ride isn’t just a philosophy; it’s a responsibility that requires action in a variety of forms. Back Country Horsemen of America is proud to live up to that and get the job done.

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!

American Horse Council Helps YOU to Connect with Congress

Horsecouncil.org


Submitted by admin on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 12:43
Despite the low approval ratings for Congress, Americans are still interested in what Congress is doing. Why? Because what Congress does - or does not do - impacts the horse industry. This is true regardless of your breed or discipline, whether you are an individual owner, run a track or show, own a horse business, work in the industry as a service provider or ride for recreation.

It is important that we build relationships with our elected leaders in Washington and that they understand and appreciate the $102 billion horse industry’s contribution to the economic, sporting and recreational sectors of the U.S. and their states. 2012 is a terrific opportunity to do this because it is an election year and so many members of Congress and new candidates are running for federal office and they want to meet you.

One of the best ways to build a relationship is to simply invite a member of Congress to your farm or ranch or to an equestrian event back in the district or state. Invite other horse people so there is a built-in crowd of voters. A personal experience with the horse community makes an impression.

All across the country there are farms and ranches getting ready for the breeding season, a great time to showcase the industry. There are horse shows, large and small, races, rodeos, organized and disorganized trail rides, horse sales, etc. Each of these events is an opportunity to build a relationship with a member of Congress or a candidate and to help them understand the horse industry a little bit better. Remember that going to a horse farm or event is a pleasant way to spend a few hours. Having voters there makes it even more pleasant for those running for Congress.

Building relationships with members of Congress is more important now than ever. There are many issues before Congress such as taxes, federal spending, immigration reform and racing legislation, trails legislation and disease programs that could all have profound implications for the horse industry. Only by having personal exchanges with their constituents, who are involved with the horse industry, will members of Congress fully appreciate how these issues impact the industry.

If you would like to invite a member of Congress to your facility or your organization has an upcoming event you think would be appropriate for your Senator or Representative to attend, please contact the AHC. The AHC will help you invite them and provide any guidance you might need. You can call or email the AHC at (202) 296-4031 or AHC@horsecouncil.org for help. Ask for our brochure, Getting Involved in the 2012 Elections, which will give you some pointers.

Please get involved. You will be helping yourself and your industry. And remember that while Congress’ approval rating as a whole is very low, polls still show that most people feel their Senator or Representative is doing a good job so you might even enjoy the visit. They will.

Rescheduled Western States Trail Work

Monday January 23 2011

Due to the prediction of moderate to heavy rain and wind, the January 21 trail work event was cancelled. Pending approval from the Auburn State Recreation Area, we will add Saturday, March 3 to the 2012 work schedule. All time and meeting location details planned for tomorrow will now apply to March 3. Please RSVP for this new event if you plan on attending to trails@ws100.com.

Please remember that the United States Forest Service requires that you fill out, sign and send the Volunteer Liability Release Form (this is not the WS service requirement form) to the agency office before you can volunteer. You will not need a form for the first two scheduled work days but you will for March and all other dates. Accordingly, please have your form submitted to the Foresthill USFS office no later than Friday, March 9. Instructions and a link to the PDF form are provided at ws100.com/projects.htm#fedform. You can provide a scanned signature and send to the e-mail address provided or print, sign and fax or mail. Or, to sign the form electronically (digital ID) click on the link in the signature field and follow the directions for creating a new digital ID. You can then save and send a copy of the PDF file. Please remember this is very important to the agency and they are important to us!

2012 Trail Work Projects
January 21 - Cancelled
Hwy 49 to No Hands/Upper Pointed Rocks to No Hands
Meeting Time/place: 8:30 am, Lower Quarry Parking Lot

February 11
Cal 1/Cal 2 area
Meeting Time/place: 8:30 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

March 3 - New Event!!
Hwy 49 to No Hands/Upper Pointed Rocks to No Hands
Meeting Time/place: 8:30 am, Lower Quarry Parking Lot

March 24
Volcano Canyon/El Dorado Canyon
Meeting Time/place: 8:30 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

April 21
Deadwood to Last Chance
8:00 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

May 12 (last day to earn service requirement hours for 2012 WS Run)
Pucker Point Trail
8:00 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

June 2 (these dates will serve as credit for 2013 WS Run)
Duncan Canyon
8:00 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

June 15-16 (Robinson Flat campout)
Red Star Ridge
Friday afternoon/Saturday, 8:30 am
Please remember to dress appropriately as the weather is unpredictable. Be sure to wear long pants and bring work gloves, water and a snack. A great lunch and beverages will be provided and waiting at the finish, typically around 1:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you on the trail!

Donn Zea
Western States Endurance Run
Board of Trustees

Mike Shackelford
Western States Trail Foundation
Board of Governors

2012 Date and Location Approved for Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North

By Joanie Morris, NAJYRC
 
*Lexington, KY* - The dates and location of the 2012 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North have been designated.
The competition will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park from July 18-22, 2012 - the week before the Olympic Games commence in London.
 
Adequan has returned as the title sponsor of this competition, and makes the dreams of young equestrians (ages 14-21) a reality. It is through the support of Adequan that this event has been able to grow - it now boasts nine FEI Championships.
 
Dressage, Eventing, Jumping and Reining each offer a championship for Juniors and one for Young Riders. Endurance - which was added in 2011 as a championship, offers an FEI championship for Young Riders.
 
In 2011 both Vaulting and Para-Equestrian produced exhibition performances at the championship - both were very well received by the other athletes and spectators.

"We look forward to another excellent year of competition at the Kentucky Horse Park," said John Long, CEO of the USEF. "This is the showcase for our youth athletes in these five disciplines and it is a fantastic opportunity for them to compete in a championship of this
caliber."
 
Other supporters of the only FEI Championship held annually in North America include: Gotham North, SmartPak, Equine Canada, Platinum Performance, Ariat, Howard and Martha Simpson, the United States Dressage Federation, the United States Eventing Association, the United
States Hunter Jumper Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, Griffin Gate Marriott, Sallee Horse Vans, Hodges Badge Company, Phelps Media Group and the Alltech National Horse Show, the Mexican Equestrian Federation, Kentucky Horse Shows, LLC., Hagyard
Equine Medical, WISE Equestrian, Equifit, Dever, Inc., Best of Flowers, and Hertz.

A huge number of people and farms made the first 75-mile Endurance ride possible: Barton Brothers Farm, Ben Koostra, Black Fences/After HoursFarm, Billie Steffie, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Chad Needham, Dunroven Stud (Steve and Martha Brown), Emmett Ross, Fayette and Scott County Police, Gaylord Highlander, Glenn Thompson, Kentuckiana Farms,
Oscar and Eloise Penn, Secretariat Center, Spy Coast Farm, UK-Ag Department (Dr. Nancy Cox), Ulrike McGovern, Equine Monitors (Donna Shifflette) and Distance Depot.
 
And thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to make this event a success. 
www.youngriders.org 

EQUUS Foundation Joins Equine Land Conservation Resource as Premier Conservation Partner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2012

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

By Yellow Horse Marketing for the Equine Land Conservation Resource

The Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR) is proud to announce the addition of the EQUUS Foundation to its roster of Premier Conservation Partners. The Conservation Partners Program is a national membership program of organizations which play a critical role in ELCR’s mission to educate the public about the immediate need to conserve land for equine-related activity. With a diverse group of leading equestrian organizations on its roster, the ELCR Conservation Partners Program has grown to become a national network which reaches over 1.1-million horsemen across the country, working with a collective commitment towards saving local land for equine use through advocacy and the sharing of information.
The EQUUS Foundation, also known as Horse Charities of America, has emerged as the primary organization in the equine community solely focused on both horse welfare and the horse-human connection. Since 2003, the EQUUS Foundation has awarded nearly $2 million in grants to charities across the country which are improving the quality of life of horses, promoting the use of horses to enrich the lives of those in need, and educating the public about the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal.

"Horses enrich the lives of millions of people of all ages every day," said Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman of the Board of the EQUUS Foundation. "Our purpose is to build a more informed and compassionate America that values the magical and powerful bond we have with horses - a bond that has existed for centuries and is stronger now than ever before. In further pursuit of this goal, we are delighted to join ELCR in this effort as a Premier Conservation Partner."

In addition to joining the Equine Land Conservation Resource's mission as a Premier Conservation Partner, the EQUUS Foundation has invited ELCR to become part of the EQUUS Alliance. Established by the EQUUS Foundation Board of Directors in 2011 to recognize the contributions of organizations involved in the equine community whose activities and programs complement and enhance the mission of the EQUUS Foundation, the EQUUS Alliance offers a mechanism to address national areas of common interest in the equine community and the means to support programs of Alliance members that educate the public about horses, provide services that benefit the equine community, and help stimulate advocacy and volunteerism on behalf of horses.

“At ELCR, we are thrilled to partner with the EQUUS Foundation and become part of the EQUUS Alliance," noted Deb Balliet, CEO of the Equine Land Conservation Resource. “Our organizations have a common goal to enhance and preserve the connection between horses and the public, a goal which is critical to achieve towards our mission of conserving land for equine activities, pastures, farms, and trails.”

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.

Renew Your AERC Membership Before February 1!

AERC's 2012 ride season is underway -- renew now to keep your points and miles accumulating . . . and your Endurance News delivery each month!

You can easily renew by:

1. Phoning the AERC office (866-271-2372) to renew with a Visa or MasterCard.

2. Renew online: http://www.doublejoy.com/erol/aerc/reg/

3. Fill out the paper form and mail it in to the office: http://aerc.org/upload/MembershipHorseCurrent.pdf

Besides renewing, we hope you are planning to help come to Reno on March 9 & 10 for the AERC convention. We'll be celebrating AERC's 40th anniversary and it should be a spectacular time. As always, the trade show and tack swap guarantee great merchandise, and the awards ceremonies are worthwhile, not to mention the informative and fun seminar program and dance and Hot Topics, and more!

For full details, call the office or click here the convention flyer/registration: http://www.aerc.org/upload/2012ConventionFlyer.pdf

Thanks your your past membership, and we hope to see you back on the trails this year!
The AERC Office Staff
Kathleen, Troy, Suzi, Judy and Rho
866-271-2372
aerc@foothill.net

P.S. Here's why you should renew before February 1 each year -- per rule 8.2, "Members whose dues are not paid by February 1st will receive no points or miles for rides held between December 1st and the date their membership is restored."

Three Additional EHV-1 Cases Confirmed in California

Thehorse.com - Full Article

by: Erica Larson, News Editor
January 18 2012, Article # 19462

Three additional cases of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) were confirmed in California over the weekend, bringing the total number of cases in the current outbreak to eight, according to a statement from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

On Jan. 11 a gelding residing on a "large multidiscipline facility with no movement of horses on or off the property" tested positive for the debilitating virus. He was quarantined on the farm and is receiving veterinary care.

On Jan. 12 testing confirmed that two additional horses on the property were EHV-1-positive. Those horses were also isolated and quarantined on the same farm and are receiving veterinary attention. On Jan. 13, two additional horses on the premises tested positive for the virus.

Over the weekend, three additional cases were confirmed. New information from the CDFA indicates that only one horse has displayed neurologic signs; however, all eight have been quarantined on the property and are receiving veterinary attention...

Read more here:
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=19462

Easyboot Glove Wins Horse Journal's 2011 Product of the Year Award

January 17 2011


by Kevin Myers
 
(Tucson, AZ) EasyCare, Inc. has received one of the most prestigious prizes in the horse industry: the Easyboot Glove has been awarded the 2011 Horse Journal Product of the Year.
 
Launched in 2009, the Glove quickly became the best-selling hoof boot in the world. Sporting an aggressive ergonomically designed tread, the boot is unlike any other horse hoof boot because it has no clips, buckles or wires and can be easily applied to the barefoot hoof. The Glove is known for providing dependable, long-lasting hoof protection over any terrain.
 
The Product of the Year award follows closely on the heels of the Horse Journal's Best Buy award to the Easyboot Trail hoof boot in November 2011. The Easyboot Trail was designed with value for money and ease of use in mind. The Easyboot Trail's closure system makes it very uncomplicated to use, with no force required to apply or remove it. This makes the boot a top choice for leisure and trail riders. 
 
These awards are of particular significance because the Easyboot Trail and the Easyboot Glove will be combined into a new hoof boot that is expected to be launched in April, 2011. "If this was a horse pedigree," said Garrett Ford, President and CEO of EasyCare, "and the Easyboot Glove was the sire and the Easyboot Trail was the dam, we would expect an exceptional colt!"
 
For more information on horse hoof boots, please see the EasyCare website at http://easycareinc.com and the EasyCare blog at http://blog.easycareinc.com. For all questions, contact Kevin Myers, Director of Marketing at marketing@easycareinc.com.
 
EasyCare Vision: We will be the global innovator in hoof care solutions that enhance the horse/human relationship.
 
 

Lindsay Graham Juggles International Endurance Competition and Career as Veterinarian

Horsereporter.com - Full Article

January 16, 2012
By Pamela@horsereporter

January 15, 2012, Napa Valley, USA~ Lindsay Graham from Napa Valley, California, is looking forward to her first visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. She is one of two invited riders from the US to compete at the annual CEI 3* HH President of the UAE Endurance Ride, this year slated for February 11. Her mount will be Christopher Martin’s 10 year old, Monk.

You might call Lindsay Graham, goal oriented. The 29 year old, from Napa Valley, California, has recently graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (2010) and jumped right into her full – time career as an Equine Veterinarian at Napa Valley Veterinary Hospital. “I like being a veterinarian,” said Graham. “I love being able to make horses feel better…and people to continue their partnership with their horse. As a rider, I can relate and understand.”

So far she is ticking the boxes of her life list. Get good grades in school – check. Compete on her hunter/jumper – check. Lindsay also rode hunter/jumpers on the UC Davis Equestrian Team. And yes, graduate from UC Davis – double check. These three goals the young Lindsay had written in a seventh grade project book...

Read more here:
http://siteground303.com/~horserep/2012/01/16/lindsay-graham-juggles-international-endurance-competition-and-career-as-veterinarian/

2011 Maggy Price Award to Dr. Meg Sleeper

January 15 2011

At USEF's Pegasus dinner honoring champions on Saturday January 14 2011, Meg Sleeper, an endurance rider from Frenchtown, N.J., won the Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award. Sleeper topped the USEF Endurance Rider Ranking List in 2011. She is a veterinarian at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.

2012 AERC Scholarship Application

January 12 2012

AERC will award a $1000 scholarship at the National Awards banquet at the AERC convention on March 10 2012.

The Scholarship s open to AERC members in good standing from their high school senior
year through age 21 (must be younger than 22 as of 1/1/2012). Applicants must have a minimum of 500 AERC lifetime miles, and must have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.

Applications are due February 13.

For more information and the application, go to
http://aerc.org/temp/2012AERCScholarshipApp.pdf

Horseback endurance ride at Houston Airport

Stuckattheairport.com

January 8th, 2012 by Harriet Baskas

Horseback riding at the airport?

Yup. The volunteer Airport Rangers at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport do it year-round for recreation and to help patrol the airport’s grounds.

And on February 4th and 5th, 2012, 100 riders will show up for the 2nd Airport Express Endurance Ride through the 13,000 acres of groomed riding trails at the airport.

The goal of endurance riding is to complete a marked trail within the time given, as established by the American Endurance Ride Conference standards. Contestants in IAH’s ride will set out on 25 and 50 mile courses, but there will also a 10 mile “Fun Ride” for novice riders...

Read more here:
http://stuckattheairport.com/2012/01/08/horseback-endurance-ride-at-houston-airport/

Western States Trail Work Schedule

January 8 2011

Greetings!

It's that time of year again to get out the Pulaskis and McLeods, chainsaws and clippers and give back to one of the world's greatest trails. Whether you're looking for a way to earn your service requirement hours or just want to help, there's sure to be a job for you. We've provided the dates, times and meeting locations of the planned events below. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience to trails@ws100.com.

Please remember that the United States Forest Service requires that you fill out, sign and send the Volunteer Liability Release Form (this is not the WS service requirement form) to the agency office before you can volunteer. You will not need a form for the first two scheduled work days but you will for March and all other dates. Accordingly, please have your form submitted no later than Friday, March 9. Instructions and a link to the PDF form are provided at ws100.com/projects.htm#fedform You can provide an electronic signature and send to the e-mail address provided or print, sign and fax or mail. Again, this is very important to the agency and they are important to us!

2012 Trail Work Projects
January 21
Hwy 49 to No Hands/Upper Pointed Rocks to No Hands
Meeting Time/place: 8:30 am, Lower Quarry Parking Lot

February 11
Cal 1/Cal 2 area
Meeting Time/place: 8:30 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

March 24
Volcano Canyon/El Dorado Canyon
Meeting Time/place: 8:30 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

April 21
Deadwood to Last Chance
8:00 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

May 12 (last day to earn service requirement hours for 2012 WS Run)
Pucker Point Trail
8:00 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

June 2 (these dates will serve as credit for 2013 WS Run)
Duncan Canyon
8:00 am, Foresthill Joe's Coffee Shop

June 15-16 (Robinson Flat campout)
Red Star Ridge
Friday afternoon/Saturday, 8:30 am
Please remember to dress appropriately as the weather is unpredictable. Be sure to wear long pants and bring work gloves, water and a snack. A great lunch and beverages will be provided and waiting at the finish, typically around 1:30 pm. We look forward to seeing you on the trail!

Donn Zea
Western States Endurance Run
Board of Trustees

Mike Shackelford
Western States Trail Foundation
Board of Governors

Riding the Pony Express Trail: Part 3 with Tom Noll

Boisestatepublicradio.org - Full Story and Audio

Reported by Emily Schwing on Dec 30th, 2011

Boise, ID – This summer we introduced you to Boise resident Tom Noll.

He’s an endurance horseman and he spent more than eight weeks this summer on the 2000 mile Pony Express Trail with his horses, Frank and Whiskey. It’s been four months since Noll returned from his trip.

He has a PhD in Econometrics and his coworkers at Idaho Power like to call him Dr. Tom. After he returned from his adventure on the Pony Express trail, they all piled into an auditorium at the power company’s headquarters in down town Boise to hear the doctor’s story. It was standing room only.

“People have written me and said ‘Tom you gave that talk and it gave me the motivation to get up and do something.’ One woman said she was going to do a pilgrimage trip in Europe,” says Noll. “Another person I know, he’s a high altitude climber and he said you know none of us are getting any younger, these are my years and I’m gonna focus on climbing an eight thousand meter peak, so those are… those are things I never thought would happen,” he says.

Since he’s returned, he says his writing at work has become more fluid and creative and he has a new perspective when it comes to some of the quantitative work he does for Idaho Power. Noll’s theory is that the Pony Express Trail got his creative juices flowing...

Read more here and listen:
http://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/2011/12/30/riding-the-pony-express-trail-part-3/?mid=571

EasyCare Announces the 2011 $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest Results

For Immediate Release
Friday, January 6, 2012
For further information, contact Kevin Myers, EasyCare Inc.
520-297-1900 x 2238

by Kevin Myers
 
(Tucson, AZ) EasyCare announced today the results of the 2011 edition of the $10,000 Hoof Boot Contest. Riders enrolled in the sixth annual EasyCare Hoof Boot Contest accumulated more than 25,000 miles across two disciplines.
 
20 competitors earned $10,000 in cash and product based on their total annual mileage accumulations. "Now that the results have been tabulated," said Garrett Ford, President and CEO of EasyCare, "we can give back to the community who puts the most miles on Easyboots."
 
Endurance Division
Winner of the 2011 EasyCare Endurance Hoof Boot Contest is Carla Richardson, who rode a staggering 2,525 miles with SS Kharady Khid. She and Khid will also win the coveted AERC 2011 National Mileage Award. Carla and Khid completed 50 endurance rides in the 2011 ride season. Khid now boasts 6,635 career miles. Debbie Boscoe rode SRT Sizzling Sage and Scarlet Wind Song to second place with an accumulated 1,915 miles. New to hoof boots, Debbie was one of the highest mileage competitors at the 2011 2,000-mile XP ride from Missouri to California. In third place is 2010 Hoof Boot Contest winner, Terri Tinkham, who rode Oliver Twist for a total of 1,435 miles.
 
CTR Division
Winner of the 2011 EasyCare CTR Hoof Boot Contest is Mary Lambert. Mary rode High Tail Hanna and IM Bronze to a combined total of 375 miles. Bill Wingle rode Mariah for to second place with a total of 372 miles. Sheryl O'Brian rode Psyches Amore and Truimage of Gold into third place with a total of 350 miles. 
 
For a full listing of the 2011 Hoof Boot Contest results, go the 2011 EasyCare Hoof Boot Contest page.
 
Easyboot is the official hoof boot of NATRC, AERC and Tevis 2012.
 
For more information on horse hoof boots, please see the EasyCare website at http://easycareinc.com and the EasyCare blog at http://blog.easycareinc.com. For questions from dealers, please contact Brian Mueller at bmueller@easycareinc.com. For all additional questions, contact Kevin Myers, Director of Marketing at marketing@easycareinc.com.
 
EasyCare Vision: We will be the global innovator in hoof care solutions that enhance the horse/human relationship.
 
 
About EasyCare: What began in 1970 with the invention of the Easyboot has since grown into a full line of hoof boots and natural hoof care products that protect the hoof, allow horses to cover rough terrain, act as a spare tire in case of a lost shoe, and aid in the treatment of laminitis and other hoof problems. EasyCare’s hoof boot brands include the Easyboot, Glove, Epic, Boa Horse Boot, Old Mac’s and EasySoaker. While our main focus at EasyCare is horse boot design, we proudly make other top quality products for trail riders and recreational horse owners such as Stowaway Saddle Packs, EZ Ride Stirrups, Comfort Pads, hoof boot accessories and natural hoof care products.

It's easy to find the high notes in 2011, too

DCourier.com - Full Article

12/30/11

If you have been reading The Daily Courier's Top 10 stories of 2011, you might not find much to celebrate.

While some of the newsmakers are now making their homes in prison cells, appearing in court, heaping insults on each other and generally behaving badly, a lot of bright lights in our communities simply continue to strive for excellence in their chosen fields of endeavor.

In honor of the Prescott area's ranching and equine heritage, we'll bring you two of those achievers from 2011 - Jon Gilbert of Dewey-Humboldt and endurance rider Dayna Weary of Prescott.

Jon, who with his wife Marywade, runs Horsebreakers Unlimited, a horse breeding, training and boarding business in Dewey-Humboldt that handles some of top horses in the nation, won a championship in the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) North American Affiliate Reining Finals in Oklahoma City.

Gilbert and his 9-year-old bay gelding horse "Lewis" won over 109 other riders from throughout North America to win the Prime Time Non Pro Division, among other placings at the event.

Reining is an equine sport in which a horse and rider execute a pattern of circles, spins, and stops. It is a precise discipline in which the rider/horse team has to work together with very little evidence of guidance from the rider. Winning takes a responsive horse, a patient, skilled rider and a lot of practice. Winning at the national level is an achievement worth some pretty big bragging rights.

Weary has been riding in endurance races for many years, and is a past winner of the grueling local 50-mile Man Against Horse Race over Mingus Mountain and back. But the big prize she has had her eye on for years is the famous 100-mile Western States Trail Ride, or Tevis Cup, endurance ride that begins near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevadas and ends within 24 hours in Auburn, Calif. The ride is famous for its difficult terrain and capricious weather. Winning it takes a perfectly conditioned horse, a savvy rider, and a precision support crew...

Read more here:
http://www.dcourier.com/Main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=73&ArticleID=101646

2012 will see some happy (and not so happy) anniversaries for Auburn

Kim Palaferri/Auburn Journal
Auburnjournal.com - Full Article

January 2 2012

Auburn, Placer County communities mark several milestones this year
By Gus Thomson Journal Staff Writer


Stoic, picturesque and turning a century old, Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge leads the local list of milestone birthdays in 2012.

Now a popular site for photographers, hikers, horse riders and runners, the span over the American River was initially constructed by the Pacific Portland Cement Co. to help transport limestone from a Cool mining operation for use in making concrete.

When it was constructed, it was the longest concrete-arch bridge in the world. Today, it’s perhaps best known as the symbolic start of the final leg of both the Western States 100 Endurance Run and Tevis Cup 100-mile endurance horse ride.

Another 100-year anniversary for the Auburn-area will take place in November, marking the centennial of Auburn writer Clark Ashton Smith’s first book, “The Star Treader and Other Poems.” Smith would be dubbed the “Junior Poet of the Sierras” in 1912 because of his rich use of the English language, but would go on to lasting fame for his science fiction and fantasy writing.

Auburn can even boast some 160th anniversaries as 2012 dawns. The year 1852 marked the initial publication of the Placer Herald in Auburn. Now based in Rocklin, the paper is part of the Gold Country Media cluster of publications. The Auburn Journal was founded 20 years later and is celebrating 140 years in print.

Also blowing out 160 candles this year are the Auburn Oddfellows Lodge, Old Town’s Station A post office and the Auburn Hook & Ladder Company.

May will mark the 130th anniversary of the death of Claude Chana, the expatriate native of France who first discovered gold in Auburn. He died May 24, 1882 at age 71 in Wheatland...

Read more here:
http://auburnjournal.com/detail/196761.html?content_source=&category_id=2&search_filter=&user_id=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&event_ts_to=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=

Equestrian Legends Episode 13 – Endurance Rider Julie Suhr

Horseradionetwork.com - Listen to Julie's interview

January 2 2011


Californian Julie Suhr has broken records in Endurance competitions and milestones in horseback adventures around the globe. With a recorded 30,282 miles in competition which represents 63 one hundred mile rides and almost 500 fifty mile rides, Julie last completed the Tevis Cup at the age of 76 although four years later she made her final attempt and came within two miles of another record finish.. Listen in…

Equestrian Legends Episode 13 – Show Notes and Links:

Show Host: Chris Stafford, follow Chris on Twitter
Photo Credit: Julie Suhr
Guest: Californian Julie Suhr has broken records in Endurance competitions and milestones in horseback adventures around the globe. Since her first ride in the world renown 100 mile Tevis Cup, Julie has completed twenty-two times out of twenty-nine starts. She has collected three Haggin Cups for the Best Conditioned Horse to finish in the Top Ten and she famously garnered three in one year – the Turtle Award for being last to finish; the Hard Luck Award when her horse fell and she endured a full body mud bath and for being the Oldest rider. With a recorded 30,282 miles in competition which represents 63 one hundred mile rides and almost 500 fifty mile rides, Julie last completed the Tevis Cup at the age of 76 although four years later she made her final attempt and came within two miles of another record finish. Her adventure rides have taken her from the remote expanses of Outer Mongolia to the searing heights of the Himalayas. The author of Ten Feet Tall Still, Julie is working on a second book and still sitting tall in the saddle at 87. Julie and Bob Suhr (deceased) have three children, Barbara, Robert, Nancy (deceased) and John as well as six grandchildren. Julie lives in Scotts Valley, California.


Listen to the interview here!:
http://www.horseradionetwork.com/2012/01/02/equestrian-legends-episode-13-endurance-rider-julie-suhr/

2011 Resolution Ride Results

January 21 2012

2011 Resolution Ride 25/50/100

Results:
100; 14 start 10 finish
1. Tennessee Mahoney - DWA Pearl
1. Clydea Hastie - CR Zebra Splash
1. Dennis Summers - Bogard **Best Condition**
4. Kevin Myers
4. Kevin Waters
6. Rusty Toth
7. Pete H on a mule
8. Kerry Redente
9. Julia Elias
10. Effee Connor

Winning ride time 12:35

50 miles: 28 start 19 finish

1st Tammy Haggin - winning time 5:37
**Best Condition** - Janis Taylor

25 miles: 20 start 17 finish
ride time 3:11

AERC Election Results

December 28 2011

ELECTION RESULTS:

From the Southwest Region, Julia Lynn-Elias, DVM, and from the Northeast Region, Nick Kohut, DVM, and Patti Stedman, will be sworn in as new AERC Regional Directors at the 2012 AERC convention. Representing the Mountain region will be Susan Shomburg and Jan Stevens; in the West, Maryben Stover and Forrest Tancer; Roger Taylor will continue as the Southwest Region's other regional director. All other incumbent regional directors will be continuing on for the next two-year term.

For more information, see
http://aerc.org/

Ellen Olson and SA Belshazzar win winter FEI 160K in Florida

Horsereporter Blog Full Article

by Pam Burton
December 22 2011

December 18, 2011~The Goeth Challenge Endurance Ride, the last FEI ride of 2011, was also the first ride of the 2012 United States Equestrian Federation year. Held at the Goethe State Forest west of Ocala, Florida, the December 17 competition included 80,120 & 160k divisions. Many endurance trainers from the cold north are taking their winter barns to this area to condition and compete in the temperate Florida climate.

160K CEI 3*

On a day that saw temperatures at 75F (24C), 21 horse/riders took the trail in the 160K, 9 riding in the FEI Division. Ride Camp was located at the nearby Black Prong Equestrian Center.

Taking a break from her training position in Qatar, Ellen Olson took home the winning time and Best Condition on the Shagya, SA Belshazzar (Bayram x Jay El Tongafarah ox), in the 160 CEI3* with a ride time of 9:33 and an average speed of 16.80kph.

“Zar had a fantastic day,” said Olson. “This year he is the strongest yet of his career. We were near the front all day. Darolyn Butler and Valary Kanavy were in front positions as well. The trail was deep sand and very concussive road. There was actually a big turnout for each distance, over 100 riders for a one day ride..."

Read more here:
http://blog.horsereporter.com/2011/12/22/ellen-olson-and-sa-belshazzar-win-winter-fei-160k-in-florida/

AERC Decade Team: Karen Chaton and Granite Chief+/

Enduranceridestuff Blog - Karen Chaton

Riders Name: Karen Chaton

Horses Name: Granite Chief+/

Region: West

Current Rider Lifetime Mileage? 30,530

Endurance: 30,530 (12,000 of that is with Chief)

Limited Distance: 25

Tell us about your horse. When/how did you come to get him/her? Chief was given to me by his breeder. He thought I would be a good match for him; he wanted Chief to ‘do something’. I told several of my friends about these horses in the bay area that the owner wanted to find good homes for. Nobody else was interested, I think everybody thought a ‘free’ horse meant something was wrong with it. That couldn’t have been further from the truth! I took Chief home, dropping him off at the vet clinic on the way where they gelded him the next morning. Chief was almost 6 years old at the time.

What is your horses breeding? Classical Spanish and CMK, Arabian.

Sex: Gelding

DOB: 4/7/1995

Horse height: 15 hh

Approx. Weight: 930

Color: Fleabitten grey

Shoe size:

Or, hoof boot size: 1

Why did you decide to purchase this horse (or if you didn’t purchase, why did you choose to use this horse in endurance)? I liked how this horse was put together. He had nice feet and a good disposition too. You’d never have known he was gelded so late as he was always well mannered. He had not been started yet so I was starting with a clean slate on a horse already old enough to start steady work.

Did you do endurance with any other horses before this horse? Yes, Dream Weaver and Rocky. Chief is my third endurance horse, and I’m the only one that has ridden him in an endurance ride.

How many different horses have you ridden in this sport? A total of six.

Do you participate in any other horse sports or activities? Not so much any more. I used to show and do a lot of play days, plus trail riding.

How many years have you been involved with horses? In endurance? I had horses as a kid, then went twenty years without. I got started in endurance riding in 1994.

What got you interested in endurance riding? What was it that kept you interested? I wanted to do the Tevis. It’s close to where I live, and I heard a lot of stories about it. I went camping with friends to Robie Park and was mesmerized by the stories from endurance riders who were there. It took me three years to finally reach that goal, and in the meantime I realized that it wasn’t so much the destination as the journey that was the best part. I was having a great time.

How old was your horse when first started? First ride? Chief was started when he was 6 years old and did his first ride after he turned 7. I like starting my horses a little older now. I started Chief out on a multiday ride...

Read more here:
http://enduranceridestuff.com/aercdecadeteams/2011/12/karen-chaton-granite-chief/

Goethe 100

December 17 2011

Ellen Rapp and SA Belshazzar took 1st pace and Best Condition at the Goethe FEI 100-mile ride in Levy County, Florida on December 17, 2011. Finishing time was 9 hours 30 minutes.

F. Warren Hellman, Beloved Founder, Passes Away at 77

Marketwatch.com - Full Article

December 18 2011

Business innovator, private equity pioneer, dedicated philanthropist, civic champion, keen sportsman, devoted husband, father and grandfather, San Francisco icon, a true Renaissance man

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The partners at Hellman & Friedman announce with great sadness today the passing of our Founder Warren Hellman, 77, due to complications associated with leukemia.

"Warren was a great mentor, partner and friend, and above all, a great man," said Brian Powers, Chairman of Hellman & Friedman. "He will be deeply missed. His commitment to civic and philanthropic activities and his extraordinary generosity to the many causes he supported will have a lasting impact on our community."

"We have been blessed with an amazing founder. Warren has been an inspiration to all of us and set the standard by which we strive to live our personal and professional lives," said Philip Hammarskjold, Chief Executive Officer. "Warren taught us not only to be better investors, but to be better people. He always set his own course and did things in his own way. He wanted to build an investment firm dedicated to serving its limited partners and the businesses in which we invest. We have all benefited greatly from his vision, generosity and leadership."

Mick Hellman, one of Warren's four children said on behalf of his family, "Dad believed in people and their power to accomplish incredible things. In that vein, he helped start several really successful businesses over the years, and he considered Hellman & Friedman his highest professional achievement. He was an incredible problem-solver, and was great at bringing groups together that had naturally opposing interests and nudging them to a solution. He was particularly passionate about the people of San Francisco, and succeeded at projects that seemed like lost causes: fundraising for an underground parking garage in Golden Gate Park and building a consensus for pension reform in San Francisco. But he always pushed himself the hardest. His learning to play the banjo is a great example of Dad's determination and ability to find joy in confronting a challenge and overcoming it. He actually became a pretty good banjo player, and it was always really cool to walk into a limited partners meeting at Hellman & Friedman and hear his band performing."

Emmylou Harris, 12-time Grammy winner said, "I first met Warren through our mutual love of bluegrass music and came to realize over the years what a special person he was. He gave so much of himself to so many and we are all the richer for it. I'm blessed to have known him and call him my friend."

Mr. Hellman was a pioneer in the private equity business. After a distinguished career on Wall Street, he co-founded Hellman & Friedman in 1984 with Tully Friedman, and built it into one of the industry's leading private equity firms. Since its inception, the firm has raised over $25 billion of committed capital and has generated some of the industry's most outstanding investment results. Mr. Hellman was critical in many of the firms investments, including Levi Strauss & Company, VoiceStream Wireless, Young & Rubicam, Eller Media and The NASDAQ Stock Market.

Mr. Hellman joined Lehman Brothers in 1959 after graduating from Harvard Business School, and went on to become, at age 26, the youngest partner in the firm's history. From 1962 to 1977 he served in various capacities at the firm culminating in becoming its President in 1973 at age 39. In 1977, he left Lehman and moved to Boston to co-found one of the early firms in the venture capital industry which subsequently became Matrix Partners and remains a leading venture firm today. During his tenure, Matrix was an early investor in such notable start-ups as Apollo Computer, Stratus Computer, Continental Cable (now Comcast), and Apple Computer. Also in Boston, Mr. Hellman co-founded Hellman, Jordan Management Company, a specialty equity investment manager.

Mr. Hellman was a noted philanthropist with strong roots in a wide variety of local causes. He was an active participant within the community and gave generously of his time and experience to make a difference. His extraordinary generosity touched the lives of many. Mr. Hellman served as a past Chairman and Trustee Emeritus of The San Francisco Foundation and was a well-known contributor to St. Anthony's Foundation, Golden Gate Park and the San Francisco Free Clinic, which was founded by his daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Tricia and Richard Gibbs. He was an avid proponent of public education and was a proud public school graduate himself. When he was Chair of the San Francisco Foundation, he convened the San Francisco School Alliance bringing the business community and funders to support and partner with the San Francisco Unified School District. He served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Walter A. Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Trustee of the UC Berkeley Foundation. Mr. Hellman was also a contributor to the UC Berkeley aquatics program where he helped endow the Men's Water Polo Program, and instituted the Hellman Fellows Program at the University of California. In addition to serving the community at large, Mr. Hellman was also a member of the Board of Directors & Executive Committee for the Jewish Community Federation and Chair of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund. He was Founder and Chairman of the Board of The Bay Citizen, a non-profit local news organization, and a Trustee Emeritus of the Brookings Institution.

Mr. Hellman had a deep love of music, none more than bluegrass, the appreciation of which he always said was "hard-wired". Later in his life, he became an accomplished 5-string banjo player, and had an old-time band called The Wronglers with whom he performed all over the U.S. The Wronglers collaborated with country singer Jimmie Dale Gilmore this year and released the CD "Heirloom Music"; in June, they made a guest appearance on A Prairie Home Companion. Mr. Hellman was the Founder and principal sponsor of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco--an annual three-day, free music festival which brings together over 90 leading and emerging music groups and draws over 750,000 attendees each year. Speedway Meadow, the site of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival, was recently renamed "Hellman's Hollow" in honor of Mr. Hellman. In 2005, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Mr. Hellman and his wife Chris, a former dancer, were generous supporters of the arts, including the San Francisco Ballet, where Chris chaired the Board for many years and helped make the San Francisco Ballet one of the leading ballet companies in the world today. Mr. Hellman also supported San Francisco's ODC contemporary dance company and served as Chairman of Voice of Dance.

Mr. Hellman played an active role in civic affairs in San Francisco and California. Dedicated to the well-being of San Francisco citizens, he served as a board member of the Committee on JOBS, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and Bay Area Council. Most recently, he was a pivotal member in organizing support behind Proposition C, legislation aimed at reforming San Francisco's pension system. He fostered collaborative efforts among the various constituencies to reach a joint solution. He was not afraid of political controversy, however, and led and provided financial leadership to the critical and successful effort to build an underground parking structure in Golden Gate Park, helping to keep the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum in their historic locations.

Mr. Hellman was also an accomplished endurance athlete and skier. He twice completed the Western States Endurance Run, a 100-mile foot race from Squaw Valley to Auburn, CA, and five times completed the Tevis Cup, a 100-mile horse race over the same course. He was also a five-time National Champion in Ride and Tie (combination of cross-country running and endurance horseback riding) in his age group and a varsity athlete in Water Polo at UC Berkeley...

Read more here:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/f-warren-hellman-beloved-founder-passes-away-at-77-2011-12-18

2012 Adequan® AERC Championship

December 17 2011

The 2012 Adequan® AERC Championship ride will be held at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, on September 20 (100 mile championship) and September 22 (50 mile championship). More information to follow!

Virginia Beach marks end of horse trip across U.S.

Hamptonroads.com - Full Article

By Joanne Kimberlin
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 9, 2011

In the lethal heat of the Nevada desert, locals left them buckets of water. When one horse went lame in Colorado, a stranger gave them a spare. The dog began following them Kansas - a stray who had no idea what she was signing up for.

After 4,000 miles, 10 states and 21 months in the saddle, Richard and Jeannette McGrath are riding through Hampton Roads on the last leg of a coast-to-coast trail ride.

As of this morning, they're just 10 miles from the final "whoa" - planned for Saturday around 1 p.m. - when their horses will sink their hooves into the saltwater off Virginia Beach.

"We're exhausted," Richard said. "All of us. Everything hurts..."

Read more here:
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/12/virginia-beach-marks-end-horse-trip-across-us

Steven Hay, endurance equestrian

Centredaily.com - Full Article

December 4 2011

After years of horse racing, Steven Hay now can call himself a world-class equestrian.

Hay, a 21-year-old Halfmoon Township resident and Penn State junior, is traveling to United Arab Emirates to represent his country in the Young Rider World Endurance Championships on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

As part of the five-member U.S. team, Hay will vie with riders from 35 countries on a 75-mile desert course. The sandy conditions will be new, but the distance will not. Hay, ranked second in the country for ages 14 to 21, has excelled in endurance races for nine years on trails up to 100 miles long.

He prefers hours in the saddle, going from one rest station to the next, to the horse shows of his earlier youth.

“What you use to prove yourself in endurance isn’t a couple of minutes in the ring,” he said. “You have hours to show what you can do...”

Read more here:
http://www.centredaily.com/2011/12/04/3008280/steven-hay-endurance-equestrian.html#ixzz1fa0WIq72

USEF to Send Full Team to the FEI Junior and Young Rider World Endurance Championship

USEF.org

RELEASE: November 29, 2011
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Endurance Department

RELEASE: November 29, 2011
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Endurance Department
Lexington, KY - For the first time the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will send a full team and support staff to the FEI Junior and Young Rider World Endurance Championship. The 120km race will run on December 10, 2011 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. There will be over 35 countries represented by 150 riders between the ages of 14-21. The event is sponsored by HH Sheik Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nayan and organized by Adnan Al Nuaimi and his staff. The team and the traveling reserve horse named to the definite entry are as follows in ranked order:

Name (Age, Hometown)

Kelsey Russell (16, Williston, FL) on Valerie Kanavy's Gold Raven
Gold Raven is a 10-year-old Arabian mare

Kelsey Kimbler (18, Aberdeen, SD) on Kirsten Kimbler's Cody Canuck
Cody Canuck is a 14-year-old Arabian gelding

Steven Hay (21, Port Matilda, PA) on Natalie Muzzio's Khalil Asam
Khalil Asam is a 10-year-old Arabian gelding

Kyle Gibbon (21, Kingsland, GA) on Stephen Rojek's Misu Koran
Misu Koran is a 16-year-old Arabian gelding

Traveling Reserve Horse

Cheryl Van Deusen's DA Al Capone, a 16-year-old Arabian gelding
(to be ridden by Mary Kathryn Clark, 17, Eatonton, GA)

The team represents some of the United States' most experienced Young Riders aboard horses who have tracked many miles at the top levels of the sport. This summer four of the five riders experienced international championship competition for the first time at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North (NAJYRC) where they also gained valuable team experience. Riding for Team USA, Russell captured the Team and Individual CEI4* Championship Gold Medals. She will ride Gold Raven, who has won nearly every CEI she's contested. Aiding in capturing that NAJYRC Team Gold was Gibbon, who also took the Individual Bronze with Misu Koran. In the non-championship CEI2* division, Hay and Khalil Asam took home a Team Gold and Individual Bronze, while Clark and DA Al Capone helped USA Southeast take the Team Silver.

As the 2010 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year, Kimbler will also bring a depth of skill to the team. She has competed and medaled at several non-championship NAJYRC events in addition to multiple top five placings at CEIYJs.

"Words cannot express how very lucky and fortunate I feel to have reached this level to represent the United States," said Gibbon. "I am no less than thrilled to partake in this event on such a wonderful horse, all thanks to Misu Koran's owners Steve and Dinah Rojek."

The team will be led by Chef d'Equipe Emmett Ross, "As Chef d'Equipe of the U.S. Young Riders I am really looking forward to working with five very strong horse/rider combinations," said Ross. "These Young Riders will hopefully become candidates for our senior teams in World Endurance Championships. The U.S. development of Young Riders has been a huge focus and effort by several people including Jan Stevens and Kathy Brunjes, their efforts have produced these five strong riders as well as many others. As chef I have a goal of finishing all riders in a competitive environment with a chance of sneaking onto the podium. It will be a strategic race over the 75 mile course."

Ross will be joined by Team Vet Dr. Dwight Hooton, both of whom have significant experience working in the UAE.

Three of four team riders will need to complete the course to post a team score (aggregate total time of three riders score as a team). All riders will compete as individuals as well. There will be five vet checks throughout the race to check the horse's soundness and metabolic capacity in order to be allowed to continue, these checks are part of FEI's significant guidelines for the Welfare of the Horse.