tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43012302851434889652024-02-07T22:09:06.295-08:00Merri Travels on Endurance.netA view from an Equestrian VagabondEndurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.comBlogger1059125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-29132959149704483072021-11-04T11:02:00.001-07:002021-11-04T11:02:29.262-07:00Last Ride of the 2021 Season: Owyhee Halloween<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OwyheeHalloween/gallery/01/images/DSCF3149.jpg" width="400">
<br><br>
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
<br><br>
Wrapping up with the last ride of the season in the Northwest region: the Owyhee Halloween ride in the desert of southwest Idaho.
<br><br>
Good people, good horses, great weather, great trails, a bunch of good costumes, and a fun time.<br>
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OwyheeHalloween/gallery/01/images/DSCF3100.jpg" width="400"><br>
Junior costume winner Neve Pruzan on Kismet Bolero!
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OwyheeHalloween/gallery/01/images/DSCF3105.jpg" width="400">
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OwyheeHalloween/gallery/01/images/DSCF3129.jpg" width="400"><br>
Willie was supposed to be an Appaloosa/Standardbred, but I didn't do a very good job on his spots!
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OwyheeHalloween/gallery/01/images/DSCF3141.jpg" width="400"><br>
Convict Connie from the Dept of Corrections
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OwyheeHalloween/gallery/01/images/DSCF3092.jpg" width="400"><br>
Captain Jack Sparrow (aboard Jack) and his (Debbie's) little sidekick (granddaughter)
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OwyheeHalloween/gallery/01/images/DSCF3089.jpg" width="400"><br>
Grownup Costume winner winner Steven Coziah on The Duchess of Beatty's Butte!
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Now: Bring on winter!
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-28273861446097198592021-09-09T07:40:00.001-07:002021-09-09T07:40:35.625-07:002021 Old Selam Pioneer: Put This Ride on Your Bucket List!<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OldSelam/gallery/02Day1/images/DSCF2810.jpg" width="400">
<p>
September 9 2021<br />
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
<p>
The Old Selam Endurance ride is named after a legendary horse named Old Selam who helped two prisoners escape from the Old Idaho State Penitentiary in 1901. The first man to try was Bob Meeks, of the Butch Cassidy gang. He unhitched Old Selam from the wagon and took off, headed north into the hills (the very hills the ride traverses), but he was caught the next day and returned to the prison with Old Selam.
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5 days later another prisoner, Sam Bruner stole a saddle and bridle and Old Selam and escaped. Same was never caught, but Old Selam was found 6 months later far south near Swan Falls dam on the Snake River.
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Nobody knows if Old Selam was drafted or if he was complicit in the escapes, but we’d all like to think he was gung ho for the adventures, and that we’re all chasing his spirited ghost out there on our Endurance ride trails. The Old Selam ride started in 1979 right out of the prison, (which opened in 1872 to “some of the West’s most desperate criminals,” and functioned until 1973), trying to retrace some of Old Selam’s escape trails, and eventually moved up to the current Ridecamp in New Centerville, which is surrounded by its own deep history of mining during the gold rush.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OldSelam/gallery/03/images/IMG_3167.jpg" width="400"><br />
It’s a true village that puts on the Old Selam Pioneer ride in southwest Idaho over Labor Day. It’s SWITnDR’s (SouthWest Idaho Trail and Distance Riders) fundraiser ride. Club members put the ride on and run it. Our Ridecamp is on Cini Baumhoff’s family land in a sweet spot under the trees by Grimes Creek.
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I like to call Old Selam the ‘best kept Endurance ride secret in the Northwest’… but we don’t want it to be a secret. Put this on your Bucket List. It’s a challenging ride with the ups and downs of the forested hills (riding day 1’s 50 aboard Owyhee Justice, Karen Bumgarner recorded over 5400 feet of elevation gain), and the footing is simply spectacular. I have not ridden another Endurance ride in the USA with such incredibly good footing over the entire ride.
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Trails are so well marked, you’d have to be a total doofus to miss a turn (and 4 of us did, at a water trough, because we were totally distracted :) , total pilot error). Weather was almost perfect this year, below freezing in the mornings (!!!) and just reaching the 90s during the days, with just enough breeze to make it decent, and, beside a certain water trough each day on the loops, FROZEN OTTER POPS!!!!!!<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OldSelam/gallery/04Day3/images/DSCF2868.jpg" width="400">
<p>
About 35 riders started each day, and over all 3 days, of the 113 starters,
there were only 3 pulls.
<p>
3 completed the 155 mile Pioneer: David Laws on Che Ole, Virginia Jenkins and RA China Doll, and Nicole Kinsey on Phyre Storm Z. 4 finished all 3 days of 25s: Vicki Nickels on TCA IMA Famous Star, Bethany Booher on Jean, Carrie Johnson on DWA Einstein, and Jennifer Leach on her lovely mule Applejack.
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Vet’s Choice of Getaway horses, you know, the mount you’d like to have if you were escaping from prison and trying to put great distance between you and the authorities, were RA China Doll and Applejack.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OldSelam/gallery/03/images/IMG_3124.jpg" width="300">
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This year’s Old Selam was proud to be the showcase for a couple of astonishing AERC records:
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• Suzie Hayes of Montana reached 100 Best Conditions when her Al Marah Triple Speed won and BC’d on Day 1’s 50.
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• And after finishing the Day 1 50 on OT Rasa RSI, Crockett Dumas from Utah reached 50,000 AERC miles.
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Just a little more inspiration for those of us trotting along behind or beside them.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OldSelam/gallery/03/images/IMG_3143.jpg" width="400">
<p>
See more from this ride at:<br>
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OldSelam/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2021OldSelam/</a>
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-25502915879583288232020-11-04T08:54:00.002-08:002020-11-04T09:12:25.834-08:002020 Owyhee Halloween - End to a Spooky Year<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OwyheeHalloween/gallery/02/images/DSCF2499.jpg" width="400" />
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November 4 2020<br />
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
</p><p>
Well, all in all, the 2020 endurance ride season can pretty much be summed up as a Nut Job.
</p><p>
But the last ride of the season in the Pacific Northwest, the Owyhee Halloween ride in southwest Idaho, served up perfect weather, just the right amount of challenge in the trails, and enough fairies and princesses and giraffes to make any desert trick or treater, and basically any horse-riding-loving human, happy.
</p><p>
New basecamp was just down the highway near Regina Rose's old place, so we were able to re-visit some of our old trails along the Snake River around Wildhorse Butte. The golden late fall sun makes the water a deep blue you mostly only see in high alpine lakes. Because the summer has been so dry (it last rained somewhere around 1776 or thereabouts) the gophers have taken over some of the two-tracks and cow trails, burrowing under the fine moon dust so that footing would sometimes collapse under a thousand pound animal trotting along. But it's just like any other ride that has challenges… you just had to slow down and watch the footing in places.
</p><p>
14 riders started the 50 - nobody wanted the lead going out and nobody was in a hurry all day - and 11 finished (3 were rider option pulls). Marlene Moss aboard Topper came in first in 6:33, with second place Stace Moss - victoriously Un-bucked off his horse Hank - getting Best Condition. Marlene hit her goal this year of riding all their horses in a ride, and making it to all the rides in the NW region. Nance Worman who finished 3rd aboard Smokey got her Sandybar award - 10 ride completions aboard one horse in a season without a pull.
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14 riders started the 25 with all finishing. Kristy Butler and Titan won in 3:27 and 8th place Linda Fickett and Tsultan got Best Condition. Junior Kinley Thunehorst finished third aboard Lady, that's 11 finishes this year for her (including several multi-day rides) in just her second year of riding. Go Juniors!
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The Witch of the Wizard of Oz clan had the best Junior costume and the Princess Bride (Jill Hanould)
had the best adult costume. Several grandma-grandchild combinations hit the trail together this year!
</p><p>
So ended the strange 2020 endurance ride season out Northwest. Maybe the full blue moon on Halloween was a good sign. 2021 can't possibly be as discombobulated, right?<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OwyheeHalloween/gallery/02/images/DSCF2561.jpg" width="400" /> </p><p> More from the ride at:</p><p><a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OwyheeHalloween/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OwyheeHalloween/</a></p><p> <br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-9697995142348194012020-10-17T08:11:00.001-07:002020-10-17T08:11:37.170-07:002020 Autumn Sun 5-day Pioneer<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AutumnSun/photos/IMG_7801.jpg" width="400"><br />
<p>
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net<br />
October 16 2020
<p>
As if starting off as a first-time ride manager 3 years ago with a 3-day Autumn Sun Pioneer ride near Gooding, Idaho, wasn't a big enough event, Jessica Huber took on the challenge of a 5-day ride during this year's COVID-challenged season, Thursday-Monday, October 8-12.
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Each year, the same private landowners have generously allowed Jessica to use a sweet fenced pasture as Ridecamp at the base of the Bennett Hills, surrounded by BLM trails. Every year Jessica is adding some new trails, and every year, the BLM gets a little more permissive in what she can mark. And even if she is only allowed to mark the two-track roads, riders can follow the cow trails, and we all know cows don't like rocky trails, and they make their own smooth paths right beside the roads.
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Riders came from as far away as southern California to escape wildfire smoke and to get their mileage in, since endurance rides in that state have been pretty much non-existent this year due to fires and smoke and COVID restrictions. The Autumn Sun ride was able to proceed with the COVID protocols that have been established for the AERC endurance rides this year, which includes wearing masks in the vet check areas to keep the vets and volunteers safe, since they are the ones who encounter every rider at some point or another. (Only One Guy had trouble with this concept; please, don't be That Guy and put our rides in jeopardy, because there are plenty of other places you don't have to wear a mask.)
<p>
Aside from the normal swings in Idaho weather (wearing shorts one day, wearing 5 layers of insulation the next day), an added bonus this year was an autumn hurricane Saturday night, starting in the late afternoon with a breeze, then sprinkles and breeze, then (after the last riders got in) rain, then heavy rain, then sprinkles, then THE HURRICANE.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AutumnSun/gallery/04Day3/images/IMG_1603.jpg" width="400"><br />
<i>Warmest place to eat spaghetti was in my car!</i>
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My tent has weathered strong wind before, but nothing like this. And though I expected at any minute for it to be ripped up in the air and spun across Ridecamp with me still inside it, it survived without so much as a tear. Thank you REI!
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While bracing myself in my tent for disaster (imagining tarps flying, pens flattening, horses running around in a panic, and trailers tumbling), I think only one horse got loose, and he came over to visit his friends near us, and he was quickly and easily rounded up and led back home. The storm did take some of the horses out of the ride Sunday morning, as many stood hunched over with their blanketed butts braced to the wind, and a few were a bit stiff in the morning.
<p>
Other notable excitement was the spotting of a cougar in the canyon on the morning loop of day 5, by Tom Currier and his wife Traci. Alas, I was shooting pictures in the canyon in the afternoon, so I missed it. Which - I don't know, depending on how you look at it - might be a good thing.
<p>
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AutumnSun/gallery/02Day1/images/IMG_1480.jpg" width="400"><br />
<i>Day 1 finish, Ellen Hensley, Christoph, and Suzy Hayes tying for first</i>
<p>
The biggest news of the ride was that Christoph Schork, from Moab, Utah, won all 5 days of 50s (aboard 3 different horses , GE Pistol Annie - 1 win, VA Blizzard of Oz - 2 wins, GE Haat Rod - 2 wins ), vaulting him to over 400 AERC wins, a mind-boggling record. He also won Best Condition 4 of the days (Suzie Hayes' Sanstormm got BC on day 1), giving him another AERC-record 200 Best Conditions over his endurance career. More on Christoph in the next article.
<p>
Other big news of note:<br />
Four riders and horses completed all 5 days of LDs: <br />
- Steve Downs and Kenlyn Hot Shot, and Carol Bischoff riding Kenlynn Struts, both from California (both Kenlyn Arabians bred by Linda Fisher) <br />
- Marlene and Stace Moss, aboard Mikel and Cerro Blanco (and Stace did not get bucked off once!)<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AutumnSun/photos/IMG_7454.jpg" width="400"><br />
<p>
And, this year for the first time, we had not one, but two winners of the Junior Iron-Horse award, which this year included three days of a combination of the City of Rocks Pioneer in June, Top O' The World Pioneer in July, Old Selam Pioneer in September, and Autumn Sun: Kinley Thunehorst, riding Lady (sponsored by Rebecca Jones), and Joslynn Terry, riding SAR Tiki Eclipse (sponsored by Marlene and Stacie Moss… or was it Joslynn sponsoring them). Go Iron Horse Juniors, the wave of our AERC endurance future!<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AutumnSun/gallery/05Day4/images/IMG_1647.jpg" width="400">
<p>
Photos and more from the ride at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AutumnSun/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AutumnSun/</a>
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-55442697847627412942020-09-30T07:35:00.000-07:002020-09-30T07:35:33.039-07:002020 Antelope Island<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/photos/IMG_7074.JPG" width="400">
<p>
Wednesday September 20 2020<br />
by Merri Melde
<p>
It was a bummer when the Antelope Island endurance ride (on Antelope Island State Park in the Great Salt Lake, Utah) was cancelled in April due to COVID-19, but it was the State Park people who contacted ride manager Jeff Stuart in the fall and asked him if he wanted to put on the ride then. Jeff was able to scramble together a date and plan, and for the first time in memory (not counting the AERC National Championships in 2016) Antelope Island happened this last weekend in September. We all remembered “Aunt” Shirley Fox, who’s been an integral part of this ride since the beginning over 30 years ago. She passed away suddenly last fall, and she left a big hole behind her.
<p>
Driving in on Friday the whole area was blanketed in the wildfire smoke that’s been plaguing the West the last couple of months and hampering training and riding and living conditions for so many people. But by Friday evening the smoke had cleared from the island and surrounding mountain ranges, revealing the familiar scenic mountain and lake views that make this ride so spectacular.
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But wait - what happened to the Great Salt Lake?! Due to thirsty humans, the water level has receded so far you can only see the blue water in the distance, even if you are standing on the (ex-)shoreline of Ridecamp on White Rock Bay. The thirsty humans aren’t drinking the salty water itself, but sucking almost dry the in-flowing rivers before they get there. The water is almost 11 feet lower than in it was 10 years ago and shrinking more than a foot a year. It’s noticeably lower than it was at the ride just a year and a half ago.
<p>
Because it wasn’t buffalo calving season, day 1 trails took riders on the southwest side of the island, where the ride rarely gets to go.
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Days 1 and 2 had a rider limit due to state COVID restrictions on gatherings. Day 1 was right at the limit, but only about half the riders hit the trail on day 2, which always seems to happen on the multi-days, even in this weird ride season.
<p>
Here are some highlights of this year’s ride:
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/photos/IMG_7086.jpg" width="400"><br />
Sunsets were just amazing! You can pretty much count on one every night.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/gallery/03Day2/images/IMG_1411.jpg" width="300"><br />
Young Rider Alex Shampoe from Colorado Springs, who has an envious habit of pick-up riding, pick-up rode the 50s, finishing 7th on Day 1 aboard BH Chief, and 4th aboard DWA Malik on Day 2.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/gallery/02Day1/images/IMG_1373.jpg" width="400"><br />
Christoph Schork was a familiar face in the 50-mile ’winner’s circle’, finishing first on both days, aboard aboard GE Atticus Golden Sun and GE Haatra (and Best Condition). One of his awards was a dozen fresh chicken eggs from Tonya's chickens!
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/gallery/02Day1/images/IMG_1391.jpg" width="400"><br />
Gayle Pena and Bo achieved Decade Team after day 1’s 50 - at least one 50-mile ride over 10 years. Congrats!
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/photos/IMG_4624.jpg" width="400"><br />
Diane and John Stevens made the journey from Northern California. They both rode and finished both days of 50s. Titan, ridden by John, got his 3000 miles.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/photos/IMG_5008.jpg" width="300"><br />
Nina Bomar and Juan traveled all the way from southern California to finally do an endurance ride this year. Nimo did his first 50-mile ride on Day 1, and Saudii did Day 2. Of course Juan made his famous tacos, and a couple other meals, one of which I was lucky enough to time just right!
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/gallery/03Day2/images/IMG_1439.jpg" width="400"><br />
THERE WAS AN ICELANDIC HORSE AT THE RIDE!!!!
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“He’s fresh off the boat,” William Marshall said of Kvistor. It brought back memories of my 8-day ride in Iceland last fall aboard Icelandic horses for 300+ kilometers, one of THE. BEST. adventures of my life.
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Kvistor was tired after his first 25-mile ride, and I’m sure William was like, OK, enough already, because I couldn’t keep my hands off his horse, but I had to photobomb him!
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Kudos to Jeff and Tonya Call Me Annie Stroud Oakes and Gary Oakes and Terri Williams, and the crew/recruited Dave Goodwin, the vets, and all those enthusiastic vet students, and all the other volunteers, for pulling off another great edition of Antelope Island.
<p>
See more photos at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020AntelopeIsland/</a>
<p>
<p>The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-3948250017377953682020-09-10T07:58:00.001-07:002020-09-10T08:57:18.974-07:002020 Old Selam: Best Kept Secret In The Northwest!<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OldSelam/gallery/02Day1/images/DSCF2308.jpg" width="300">
<p>
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net<br />
September 10 2020
<p>
The secret is out (or will be after this year’s edition): Old Selam is one of the best endurance rides in the whole Western end of the U.S.
<p>
With some AERC members off-shoot splintering into separate little groups - at least one of which is now imploding - I sure do appreciate our little local grassroots endurance riding group, SWITnDR, SouthWest Idaho Trail And Distance Riders. The club was incorporated in 1979. The "Old Selam Endurance Ride and Ride & Tie," managed by Byron Merideth, was one of the club’s first projects in 1979, with Ridecamp inside the old prison complex of the Idaho State Penitentiary in Boise, next to the barns.
<p>
So this year marked more than 40 renditions of Old Selam, in some form or another (one year we had an ‘Old Selam Redux’ near Weiser when we couldn’t use the usual forest trails around Idaho City). The ride is named after an old horse, Selam, who worked in the Idaho State Penitentiary. He was used twice by inmates to escape the prison. One of Butch Cassidy’s pals, Bob Meeks, ‘borrowed’ Selam to make his escape on December 24, 1901. He was caught the next day (Merry Christmas, Bob!) and both he and Selam returned to the prison. Five days later, prisoner Sam Bruner nabbed old Selam to make his escape, and the two were never seen again.
<p>
COVID chaos moved the Mary and Anna Memorial ride in Oregon to the weekend before, which probably hurt both of us, but Old Selam this year was a 3-day Pioneer ride, which gave you more bang for the driving buck, particularly for those riders from Nevada and California and Arizona, since rides have been few and far between in some states, due to COVID-19 and the restrictions placed on rides, and due to wildfires burning up western states.
<p>
Old Selam is our club fundraiser ride, and so many people work so hard to come together to put this ride on. I won’t even attempt to name all the people who chipped in with the months of planning, weeks of camping out and marking trails, and all the volunteering with the many jobs during the ride to keep things running smoothly, and all the days (weeks?) afterwards that people will be unmarking trail. Special mention does go to Cini Baumhoff, whose family owns the land that we Ridecamp on beside Grimes Creek near the old town of New Centerville.
<p>
It was looking to be a very pleasant ride weekend… and then came the heat wave. Day 1 the temperature reached 102*. Days 2 and 3 were about as hot, though slight relief came in the form of, ironically, haze and smoke that drifted in, taking away the pretty views but veiling the power of the sun. There was approximately a 50* difference between the night lows and the day highs!
<p>
55 riders hit the trail on Day 1’s 25 and 50.
<p>
Carrie Johnson and Payback Daysea Duke won the 25 miler in a time of 3:43, with 9th place Roz Cusack getting BC on Sally Tarbet’s Greta. 24 of the 27 starters finished.
Winning and coming second in the 50 was the familiar Montana duo of Lynn Lee and (second) Suzie Hayes, aboard their youngsters in 6:42, with Suzie’s Al Marah Triple Speed getting Best Condition. If you’ll recall, Suzie was fresh off winning the Big Horn 100 aboard Sanstormm 5 weeks earlier… which gave all her broken bones time to knit more! Cadence Pearce, granddaughter of Lee Pearce and Naomi Preston, finished her first 50 mile ride aboard Belesema Esperanza (and got the Turtle award!). A couple of riders collapsed from heat exhaustion, but fortunately they were sufficiently revived by cold drinks, air conditioning at Cini’s parents’ house, and nurse Marilyn Hornbaker. 26 of 28 starters finished.
<p>
22 started Day 2’s 25 miler, with 20 finishing. Liesl Lemke won aboard Race T Wildfire in 3:39, and got Best Condition.
<p>
14 started the 55 miler, with 12 finishing. Suzy Hayes and Atlas won in 5:45. They were almost 1 hour and 45 minutes ahead of second place Jeff Stewart and DWA Malik. How do they move so fast? Well, take one look at the amazing Atlas, 16.2 snowflake-white Anglo Arabian, and after you fall in love with him and watch him move, you’ll totally see how. They also got Best Condition.
<p>
Day 3’s 25 had 28 starters with all finishing. Karen Steenhof and Riley smoked the course in 3:28, with second place Lynn Lee and Al Marah Fastnfire getting Best Condition.
<p>
Day 3’s 50 had 14 starters, with 13 finishing. Suzie Hayes and Sanstormm won in 5:05, and (surprise) got Best Condition. Cadence Pearce finished in 13th with Belesema Esperanza again, her second 50-miler, and proclaimed she loves endurance, even after she was ceremoniously dunked in the water trough afterwards.
<p>
Old Selam’s trails really are incomparable - for a mountain ride, they are remarkably un-rocky, and many of the old two-track logging roads are gentle climbs and descents. Water troughs were strategically placed everywhere, and the best water stop of the day was the one where a cooler awaited with ice water and otter pops - most welcomed on sweltering days.
<p>
And the trails were marked so well, it was impossible to get lost (which one or two people still managed to do…). At least one rider saw a bear, and Liz and Linda shuttled many people a mile or so out of camp on Day 3 to gawk at a HUGE moose sitting in a meadow. Coyotes serenaded Ridecamp every night, and though I didn’t hear them this year, you might get lucky one year and hear a pack of wolves. And if you get really really lucky, next year you might catch a ghost-glimpse of old Selam, galloping through the forest with an escaped prisoner on his back.
<p>
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OldSelam/gallery/01Before/images/DSCF2255.jpg" width="400"> <br /> <i>Hillbillie Willie says hi to famous Dave Rabe and famous Cocamoe Joe and famous White Cloud</i>
<p>
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OldSelam/gallery/01Before/images/IMG_1310.jpg" width="400"><br />
<i>I pose with the Montanans, including 3 Big Horn winners (from right Atlas, Suzie Hayes, Sanstormm)</i>
<p>
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OldSelam/gallery/02Day1/images/DSCF2302.jpg" width="400"><br />
<i>Old Selam trails are The Bomb - look at that footing!</i>
<p>
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OldSelam/gallery/03Days2n3/images/IMG_1319.jpg" width="400"><br />
<i>M-M-M-M-M-MOOSE! HYUGE MOOSE!</i>
<p>
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OldSelam/gallery/03Days2n3/images/IMG_1325.jpg" width="400"><br />
<i>Just a wee slice of the many many volunteers, post ride!</i>
<p>
More photos at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OldSelam/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020OldSelam/</a>
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<p>Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-38562700467781991642020-06-23T07:24:00.001-07:002020-06-23T07:24:42.077-07:00City of Rocks Pioneer Ride: Endurance in the Time of Coronavirus<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020CityOfRocks/gallery/01PreRide/images/DSCF1955.jpg" width="400"><br />
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by Merri Melde-Endurance.net<br />
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It was 10 years ago that Steph and I were driving back from the Big Horn ride in Wyoming, and we detoured through City of Rocks National Reserve in the bottom of central Idaho, and Steph said, "Wow, this place is amazing, we should put on an endurance ride here!"<br />
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Because what ride manager doesn't think nothing of (first of all) ride managing a new multi-day endurance ride and (second of all) putting on a new one that is 4 hours away from home where you have to organize and pack and load all you need for 10 days of camping in the heat/wind/rain/cold/dust and setting up ridecamp and designing and marking trails and riding them and of course doing the reverse at the end of the ride. <br />
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020CityOfRocks/gallery/01PreRide/images/DSCF1932.jpg" width="400"><br />
City of Rocks Pioneer endurance ride was held this year for the 10th time in 9 years (one year we also hosted the National Championships), and Steph passed over the ride manager reins to Regina Rose this year. Regina had the added bonus of trying to navigate post-COVID-19 lockdown state, county, local, and AERC regulations, as all horse sports had shut down for months. City of Rocks was one of the first rides to be approved to start up again by AERC, after Regina put together a Covid ride plan designed to keep riders and veterinarians and volunteers safe during the event. <br />
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And, being one of the first rides to happen again post-Covid lockdown, Regina had so many riders enter that she had to close entries and start a wait list. Since the normal ride meetings (as well as communal meals) were verboten under the new ride rules, riders who pre-entered got the added bonus of a 34-page (homework) packet that included all the ride information they'd need. (And if you didn't enjoy your reading homework, imagine what fun it was for Regina putting the Covid plan together.)(And when you asked Regina a question, her first response was, "Did you read your rider packet?") :)<br />
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020CityOfRocks/gallery/01PreRide/images/DSCF1953.jpg" width="400"><br />
Some of the new rules under the Covid-19 plan for riders included wearing face coverings, either masks or bandanas in the vet check (all vet checks were conveniently in ridecamp) or, in the case of Dave Rabe, his tank top, which he doesn't wear half the time anyway when the weather is warm. :), spacing out in the pulse down areas, spacing out in the 4 staked-out vet lanes while waiting to vet your horse, hand sanitizing stations for volunteers and vets, and for washing stethoscopes and hand-held heart monitors between each use. Riders had to pre-register online (probably the hardest part!), and they received their awards as they arrived at Ridecamp.<br />
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Any minor inconveniences riders might have had with the new Covid-19 protocols were over-ridden by the thrill of the opportunity of being back on the endurance trails. Of course the scenery at this ride, and the challenge it provides you and your horse makes up for most anything. I overheard several riders proclaiming it one of the most beautiful rides they've ever done. <br />
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It's not an easy ride: basecamp is at 5500 feet, and you'll climb to 7500 feet - sometimes on each loop. Jeff Stuart rode the 55-miler on day 2, and he told Regina, "Man, you took us up to Mt Everest!" <br />
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020CityOfRocks/gallery/03OnTheTrail/images/DSCF2030.jpg" width="400"><br />
Day 1 had 124 starters (76 in the 50 and 48 in the LD), day 2 had 97 starters (44 in the 55 and 53 in the 30), and day 3 had 68 starters (29 in the 50 and 39 in the LD).<br />
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We had many new riders to City of Rocks, some of whom had this ride on their Bucket List, some from as far away as California. We had a number of Hall of Famers/Pard'ners Awarders - humans and a horse - join us: Joyce Sousa, Hal Hall, Dave Rabe, Naomi Preston, Suzy Hayes, Gina Hall, and Fire Mt Malabar.** I rode day 3's 50 on Hillbillie Willie, and he ogled these famous riders on the trail, and he said hi to his mentor, Uncle Mal.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020CityOfRocks/gallery/03OnTheTrail/images/DSCF2022.jpg" width="400"><br />
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Also present at the ride this year was: WIND. The whole 10 days we were there. There was so much strong wind that any coronavirus particles blew to Iowa. The wind could be described in the words of a famous family mountain climber, John Melde (yes, my older brother), "This howling wind - aw c'mon, it's just air in motion, or is it - relentless, cutting, chilling, biting, freezing, pushing, shoving, tearing, ripping, rending, swirling, roaring, wailing, maddening?" Yes, it was all of those. But the rain (and snow up higher) did hold off until Tuesday morning after the ride! And no thunderstorms this year!<br />
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We did have a rider, Kim Elkins, lose her tacked horse in the park on Day 2's LD. On the subsequent days many people volunteered to look for the horse, on horseback and on foot. A super special shout out goes to the Church family in their search efforts. The family showed up to ride the LDs, and they stayed on for days after the ride ended, to search for the horse, on horseback and foot, every day, sometimes twice a day, in wind and cold rain storms. The horse had not been found as of a week later, but there are rumors that it may have been found by someone not connected to the endurance ride. We are awaiting further word on that.<br />
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In all it was a successful return to endurance riding in the time of coronavirus, and the new Covid-19 regulations for endurance rides were simply not a big deal for riders and volunteers. <br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020CityOfRocks/gallery/03OnTheTrail/images/DSCF2113.jpg" width="400"><br />
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**Here's the detailed list of 'Famers!<br />
Joyce Sousa (Hall of Fame horses LV Integrity 2015 and Jim Bob 2005, Pard'ners Award with Jim Bob 2001)<br />
Hal Hall (Hall of Fame person 1999, Hall of Fame horse El Karbaj 1978)<br />
Dave Rabe (Hall of Fame person 2009)<br />
Fire Mt Malabar (Hall of Fame horse 2018, Lee Pearce and Naomi Preston)<br />
Naomi Preston (Hall of Fame horse Mustang Lady 2001)<br />
Suzy Hayes (Hall of Fame horse Kootenai Zizzero 2011, Pard'ners Award with Kootenai Zizzero 1997)<br />
Gina Hall (Pard'ners Award with Fire Mt Destiny 2015)<br />
...and I hope I did not miss anybody!<br />
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More photos and such from the ride at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020CityOfRocks/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020CityOfRocks/</a><br />
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Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-80704436610190216672020-01-21T08:01:00.002-08:002020-01-21T08:01:31.438-08:00Bob Long's 2019 Mongol Derby: “I Hate to Think I Can’t Do It”<img src="http://www.endurance.net/merri/012020/IMG_1503A.jpg" width="300"><br />
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by Merri Melde-Endurance.net<br />
January 21 2020<br />
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70-year-old Bob Long, from Boise, Idaho, was a rather unlikely participant in the 2019 Mongol Derby. Though he was a horse rider, and a cowboy in a previous life, he hadn’t heard of the Derby, nor even the sport of endurance riding in the autumn of 2018 when a friend told him about the event. A 600+ mile horse race across Mongolia, changing horses every 25 miles? Aboard half-wild semi-broke Mongolian horses? Despite the average age of competitors being in their 20s and 30s, he signed up without much research or thought, other than, “I hate to think I can’t do it.”<br />
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Last weekend Bob gave a presentation about his adventure at the home of Alayne Blickle and Matt Livengood at their <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/%E2%80%9Chttps://sweetpepperranch.com/%E2%80%9C">Sweet Pepper Ranch</a> in Nampa, Idaho. The scheduled two hour talk lasted four hours, and nobody wanted it to end. Bob was delightfully entertaining. <br />
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Bob wasn’t messing around with the Mongol Derby. If he was going to spend that much money on something like that (the entry fee is around $14,000), he was going there to win. It was a horse race, not a pleasure ride. He threw himself almost obsessively into his preparation, meeting and arranging to ride with Arizona endurance riders Lancette Koerner, Lawrence Serrano, and Tammy Gagnon, even if that meant driving several hours one way to ride several days a week. He rode the 50-mile Tonto Twist endurance ride in Arizona in January, and the 55-mile Old Pueblo in March. He met and learned from 2016 co-winner of the Mongol Derby, Marcia Hefker-Miles, who became a mentor to him. Marcia told him two important things that particularly stuck in his mind, and that he used in the race: never give up, and never stop riding, even if you have only 30 minutes left in the day. (This strategy was one key thing that helped him win.)<br />
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Back in Idaho after the winter, Bob rode Quarter horses for friends, all day every day. He took lessons from Matt. He went on a special diet. He practiced packing and repacking. He had to meet the weight requirement of 188 pounds, including his tack and gear. One clever thing he did, not only to protect against the dreadful insects of Mongolia (“They don’t just eat you alive. They fly off with you and then eat you alive”), but to save precious weight - he soaked his clothing and gear in insect repellant and dried it in the Idaho sun. Twice. He said bugs didn’t touch him, and they’d crawl off his bed at nights. He just came in about a pound under the weight limit, weighing in right before the start of the Derby. <br />
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Bob admitted he was not at the Mongol Derby to make friends among the competitors. He was there for one purpose: to win the ride. Most everybody thought he was too old, but this old cowboy had a few tricks up his sleeve - and on his saddle. One thing he used was printed cards, which on one side had English and the other side had the two dialects of Mongolian, that he presented at gers, asking the owners if he could water his horse and himself, or if he could stay for the night. It made communication possible, and he was always given the help he asked for. <br />
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One thing that he figures saved him time and again was the bucking rolls he put on his saddle - and fastened with screws, and checked the screws every night with a dime he carried in the side pocket of his ‘French leotards’. (I don’t think he wanted to admit he wore “tights.”). Many of his horses bucked the first half mile, but as long as they were moving forward on a straight line, bucking in the direction he wanted to go, he kept on going. Only twice he turned around and brought a too-rank horse back and switched for another one.<br />
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Another key element in Bob’s victory was his respect of the native customs. He wouldn’t dare eat the Mongolian food his night hosts offered, for fear of getting an intestinal issue, but he knew how to properly accept the food with both hands and say thanks, to try it, and to return it saying, “Thank you so much, but I’m full.” (He did carry with him seven days’ worth of his own food - mostly powdered nutrition that he mixed with iodined-water, and pepperoni sticks - in his gear, and he strictly adhered to that diet, and he only lost two pounds the entire week.) He took the time once or twice when a herdsmen insisted he stay at a ger a few extra minutes to drink whiskey with him. He presented blue ribbons, brought from home, to the herdsmen whose horses performed gallantly for him.<br />
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The 2019 Mongol Derby was a bit different in that competitors didn’t follow a prescribed path. This time they were given way-points, and had to use their own GPSs to navigate the best way to the next horse station. Bob had never used a GPS before he conditioned Tammy Gagnon’s horses back in the winter in Arizona, but he credits her with teaching him how to use one. His navigation of the shorter routes also helped in his victory. He also learned to “stay out of the way” and let the Mongolian ponies steer themselves around gopher hole colonies, because they knew what they were doing.<br />
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It rained the first three days of the Derby and was below freezing some mornings; it was 85 degrees on the fourth day. Bob was impressed that he never saw a fence anywhere. He was not impressed with the dogs that guarded the gers that the Mongolians lived in; he’d steer far around any that he wasn’t planning to stop at, because the dogs would run out and leap at his stirrups, with his pony running and kicking at them. Bob refused to sleep outside, and always stayed at a ger at night, as there’s the danger of wolves attacking. (That’s where the dogs do come in handy, as they protect the livestock.)<br />
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One can get time penalties for plenty of transgressions during the Derby, including horse lameness, dehydration or high pulse (pulses must be below 56 within 30 minutes of arriving at a station), or for the rider starting too early in the morning (before 6:30) or riding after 8 PM. Bob managed to not get any penalties during his Derby run. <br />
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Bob also managed to become a sort of Mongolian celebrity with his win. The last couple of days of his ride, out in front of the field (though he didn’t know by how far, since the race organizers and veterinarians wouldn’t tell him), he had the first pick of all the new horses at each station, and the herdsmen were eager to supply him with their best and fastest horses. At the finish, a group of Mongolian herdsmen presented Bob with a gift - his own Mongolian pony. Of course Mongolian horses can’t be imported to the U.S., so Bob gave the herdsman $100 to take care of his horse for the year, and asked that he present next year’s winner with this horse - a sort of living equine perpetual trophy.<br />
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Of the 41 riders from 12 countries that started the 2019 Mongol Derby, (three were eliminated in pre-training for the Derby, according to TheAdventurists.com, who sponsor the race, “boasting broken ribs, a punctured lung, torn rotator cuff, fractures scapula and severe vomiting and diarrhea”), only 27 completed. So many riders were in trouble and in need of assistance or evacuation, that on the morning of Day 6, the entire ride was shut down and riders held where they were for a few hours, while rescuers could get caught up and get back on the Derby trails. (Emergencies and semi-emergencies were: broken nose and concussion, hypothermia, severe chafing, incorrect GPS interpretations sending riders off in wrong directions, heat rash, dehydration and heat exhaustion, heat stroke, etc). <br />
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Bob is the oldest rider, and the third American to win the Mongol Derby - Justin Nelzen won it in 2010, Marcia Hefner-Miles tied with 2 others to win in 2016. To be sure, Bob had his share of luck, but nothing trumped his meticulous preparation for the Derby. And "Age is just a number," he said. That really had nothing to do with it.<br />
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Bob said he wasn’t sure what his next adventure will be. There aren’t many that would supply the same rush that he got in preparing for, and competing in, and winning, such an epic event as the Mongol Derby. Maybe he can relax now and enjoy some beautiful local trail rides. <br />
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But with such a keen and determined competitor as Bob Long, that’s pretty unlikely.<br />
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You can read more about the 2019 Mongol Derby, including many collected articles on Bob, at<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/Mongolia/2019MongolDerby/">http://www.endurance.net/international/Mongolia/2019MongolDerby/</a><br />
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<i><br />
Above photo is Bob at his presentation, wearing a traditional Mongolian deel</i><br />
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The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-69235924593108908162019-10-28T06:40:00.001-07:002019-10-28T06:42:52.154-07:00A Howlin' Owyhee Hallowed Weenies 2019<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK5UqwiiMhk4nuwG5ZoBsrpB9-cMqXUXBVGGoZCmuPw4jW_K3lGla7m-ZCL0qr_qXIeZZEji8OhykpHYA0itiyRSewZIBDJwazNt2GdiY5h8wR4bbUbY0sp0k58i84Jxexa2jX6CObayE/s1600/IMG_2512.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWK5UqwiiMhk4nuwG5ZoBsrpB9-cMqXUXBVGGoZCmuPw4jW_K3lGla7m-ZCL0qr_qXIeZZEji8OhykpHYA0itiyRSewZIBDJwazNt2GdiY5h8wR4bbUbY0sp0k58i84Jxexa2jX6CObayE/s400/IMG_2512.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Monday October 28 2019<br />
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The Northwest endurance ride season wrapped up Saturday October 26th in a desert hurricane in the Owyhee Hallowed Weenies. (Rider Kaili Worth appropriately proclaimed it the "Hallowed Windys".) <br />
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A small but intrepid group of festive endurance riders and jovial volunteers braved the elements (or ignored the forecast) for one last 2019 trail party. Despite the howling winds, a number of costumes entertained the masses, including Thing 1 and Thing 2, a Trick Rider (Connie with That Guy strapped on her back), Fall and Winter, a scary skeleton, and more.<br />
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12 of 13 finished the 50 miler, with David Laws winning aboard his Kentucky Mountain horse Che' Ole, making that their 6th win out of 9 starts this year, and their third Best Condition.<br />
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12 of 13 finished the 25 miler, with Carrie Johnson winning aboard Payback Daysea Duke, their 12th completion in 12 Limited Distance starts this season, which included 3 wins and 3 Best Conditions. Second place Allison Kopelowitz and her Appaloosa Pepsi got Best Condition. This was Allison and Pepsi's first endurance season, and they finished all 4 of their Limited Distance starts.<br />
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The Best Chili Ever was served for the ride dinner (or else everybody was cold and starving, but it was awful good), and there were so many cakes we'll have leftovers for the Owyhee Tough Sucker in April!<br />
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And that's a wrap for the Northwest in 2019!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTjK2uWEIU5P6Ax-fR-AArWhDeXyb4D6NteuQXqjX9ts9glYYIoSbxdoiD2nHUbVIRMRgHC8nMlFaFeLHDI1zAO-mHBieSZsEkY3L2vEmeBDr-rpN48KedgGRMNCEvbdT4salmZ8m6uyC/s1600/IMG_2503.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTjK2uWEIU5P6Ax-fR-AArWhDeXyb4D6NteuQXqjX9ts9glYYIoSbxdoiD2nHUbVIRMRgHC8nMlFaFeLHDI1zAO-mHBieSZsEkY3L2vEmeBDr-rpN48KedgGRMNCEvbdT4salmZ8m6uyC/s400/IMG_2503.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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More stories and photos at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019OwyheeHallowedWeenies/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019OwyheeHallowedWeenies/</a><br />
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<br />Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-27369688873882595332019-09-17T11:16:00.000-07:002019-09-17T11:16:13.800-07:002019 Oregon 100
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September 17 2019</div>
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The Oregon 100 around Brothers, Oregon, is one of the longer running rides in the country, and ride manager Charleen Farrell, aka "Sharkee," has been there for most of them. Robbie Pruitt started ride managing in 2002. It's been a fundraiser for the Pacific Northwest since 2005.</div>
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When the ride took a hiatus in 2006, Sharkee was told she was taking it over in 2007. OK, she said, and she's done it ever since. "I guess I'm crazy."</div>
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With not all that many 100 mile rides in existence anymore, this ride sits pretty sweetly in the ride season when it's cooling off in the high desert, and it's quite do-able for both experienced riders and beginner 100-mile riders. It's an elevator ride, so if you're even *thinking* about attempting a 100 for you or your horse (or both), you can choose to ride 50 miles then elevate to 75 miles if all is going well, then elevate again up to the 100. You could also choose to ride a 25 miler or a trail ride. Or just come volunteer! The trails are all two-track roads - either soft and smooth, or negotiable rocks underfoot, and though there are some gentle hills, it's one of the flatter 100 mile rides. And the full moon was a bonus for those that rode into the night. </div>
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A whole spectrum of endurance riders showed up for this year's ride: locals and invaders (from as far away as California, Nevada, Canada), beginners and veterans (think a Tevis Cup winner, a Haggin Cup winner, and a Mongol Derby winner!), and youngsters as young as 9 and oldsters as golden as 86!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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9-year-old Josslyn Terry (Cassee the vet's daughter) finished her 9th LD ride (with sponsor Libby Kalkoske), riding Darlene Merlich's 19-year-old gelding Lumpy. Josslyn is looking forward to dipping her toes into the 50 milers!</div>
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86-year-old Terry Doyle, from Alfalfa, Oregon, just down the road, finished the LD aboard his 20-year-old mare ("I last rode her about 7 years ago," he said), which vaulted him into the elite class of AERC's Century Club, which <span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">recognizes rider and equine teams whose ages total 100 or more. Terry just started endurance in 2011. His only regret is that he didn't discover endurance sooner!</span></span></div>
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10-time Tevis Cup finisher (and 16,000+ AERC miles) Janine Esler from Granite Bay, California, brought along a gorgeous golden Akhal Teke to do the 100. "There just aren't that many 100s that I can ride my horses in," she said. Janine's not tall, and her horse must have been 17 hands. I never saw her mount all day, so I'm not sure how she got on! She finished her 20th 100 mile ride.</div>
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When Lois Fox crossed the finish line of the 50 aboard her 19-year-old gelding Iced Mocha, she celebrated his 5000th endurance mile. It's the second horse of Lois' that hit 5000 miles - Rustie did the same in 2015 at this very same ride. You'd think by now that Iced Mocha is laid back and easy to ride, but, not so. "He's a raging idiot!" Lois said. He used to wear her out for 50 of 100 miles, but now he only wears her out for about 25 out of 50 miles. Tani Bates had bottles of champagne waiting for Lois after the vet proclaimed Iced Mocha fit to continue at the finish!</div>
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A familiar sight at the Northwest rides, the Blakeleys got a round of applause at Friday evening's ride meeting - particularly 18-year-old Sanoma, who won the Tevis Cup last month, and who all of us in the Pacific Northwest claim as our own! And not unexpectedly, the Blakeleys (mom Gabriela and dad Wasch) snagged first and second place in the 100 miler, cruising the course in 11:17 (Sanoma was pulled earlier in the day).</div>
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Canadian shipper - and 2016 Mongol Derby winner! - Heidi Telstad and her JV Jamison won the 75 miler and got Best Condition.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Another pair of blue-chip endurance riders, Melissa and Robert Ribley, hauled up from California, finishing 4th and 5th in 18:04. Melissa (second place in the Tevis Cup, and the Haggin Cup winner in 2009) finished her 57th 100-mile ride, and Robert finished his 104th 100-mile ride. These two will be hosting and ride managing the AERC National Championships October 31-November 2 in Ridgecrest, California.</div>
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Put this 100 on your calendar for next year, and come out expecting the usual great trails, vets, volunteers, awards, food, riders and horses, and good times!</div>
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My ride photos are at:</div>
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<span class="s2"><a href="https://www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance"><span style="font-size: small;">https://www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance</span></a></span></div>
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More on the ride at:</div>
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<span class="s2"><a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019Oregon100/"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019Oregon100/</span></a></span></div>
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The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-26528251280004755312019-08-05T07:15:00.000-07:002019-08-05T07:16:04.689-07:002019 Top O' The World Pioneer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gOMsJmVku8QjZUhckl8X7QloOg_MTTmry2NUH_iZA2UKW1dpRz653WuaOEHnet0pu4ROP51YZrT508cfAvZIF48tHUZVc1WDgNPz7uDIbBP40ZOiGis9u28HoJorJphi77MJXTuuIcyN/s1600/P7260050.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gOMsJmVku8QjZUhckl8X7QloOg_MTTmry2NUH_iZA2UKW1dpRz653WuaOEHnet0pu4ROP51YZrT508cfAvZIF48tHUZVc1WDgNPz7uDIbBP40ZOiGis9u28HoJorJphi77MJXTuuIcyN/s400/P7260050.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Monday August 5 2019<br />
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’Twas a weekend of adventure in the Targhee National Forest near Spencer, Idaho, site of the Top O’ the World Pioneer endurance ride. Jessica and Mike Cobbley and friends and family jumped in headfirst 3 years ago to start this ride, and it’s improved every year.<br />
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It’s a challenging ride. A fabulous mountain meadow base camp is at 6500’, and days 1 and 2 climb up to over 9500 feet onto the Continental Divide Trail. Top O’ the World is also the second leg of the Idaho Ironhorse Challenge: one horse & rider, 9 days, 465 miles (and also various 9-day combinations) of City of Rocks, Top O’ the World, and Autumn Sun. Four horses were in contention for the ultimate Idaho Ironhorse coming into the ride; three showed up to take on the ride on top of the world in eastern Idaho.<br />
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Excitement started a couple days before the ride when Suzy Hayes' and Lynn Lee’s 3 horses escaped and ran off into the night. A crowd of people stayed up late into the wee hours of the morning trying to find them - we got glimpses of their glowing eyeballs a couple of times, and Jessica H even got close enough to touch one horse… but they disappeared again. <br />
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Suzy and Lynn were out on an ATV with a bucket of grain looking for them next morning when the three of them strolled back into camp - because they were thirsty! I think they looked a bit chastened too, particularly the young bay who had an owie on his foot. We crowded around and pampered them while Tammy Gagnon doctored the injured foot.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6T3C0daFeUOaGj91VyBWn-lAxov-MJGxBrK6qRHG4Py2Ee62U37C0gNTsC1RUbeUcQoal9r_aIbcc2UqwVnDOWOe9NYLHVgXbnttka906ZF__IOhajawQf9sVQIENjEYnQiqLJp13gWLc/s1600/P7250028.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6T3C0daFeUOaGj91VyBWn-lAxov-MJGxBrK6qRHG4Py2Ee62U37C0gNTsC1RUbeUcQoal9r_aIbcc2UqwVnDOWOe9NYLHVgXbnttka906ZF__IOhajawQf9sVQIENjEYnQiqLJp13gWLc/s400/P7250028.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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And Susie rode her big bay Sanstormm next morning on the 50 because she was pretty sure he was the instigator! (He sure didn’t come when she called him that night.) <br />
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The nights were chilly (great for sleeping) and the days tolerable. If you carried a raincoat with you on Day 2’s loop 2, you were probably comfortable when that big and fast-moving thunderstorm hit, dumping rain and plenty of hail in the area. In ridecamp we saw it coming, and 3 of us literally had 15 minutes to run to our trailer, blanket 4 horses, throw 3 dogs in a truck, and grab important outside things (including a tent that almost blew into a big pen full of mules!) and throw them inside anything we could find before the rain hit.<br />
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On Day 1, 26 started the 25 miler, with 21 finishing. Carrie Johnson and Payback Daysea Duke pulled off the win in 3:51, the first of a triple win on all three days! Sixth place David Brown’s Tezeros Hot Shot won Best Condition.<br />
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37 started Friday’s 50, with 33 finishing. Susie Hayes and her escape artist Sanstormm tied with Christoph Schork and GE Pistol Annie for the win in 6:11, with Sanstormm getting Best Condition. The 3 Ironhorses finished: Debbie Grose and Jackpot Jackson, Lee Pearce and JAC Winterhawk, and Nance Worman and Last Chance Fance. But there’s a little more to the Ironhorse story on day 1… near the finish of loop 1, Debbie had closed a gate and was about to remount Jack from a rock, when the “said rock removed itself from below my feet”, Debbie said. And catching her fall, she broke her wrist. (The *other* arm from last year!) Of course she didn’t pull. Someone vetted Jack and took care of him, others took care of Debbie and bandaged her up and of course she went back out and completed the ride before Layne took her to the hospital (and she came back with a cast). "I <i>had</i> to finish," Debbie said, "because it was Jack’s 1000-mile mark!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsv4NJwX8QbvOQyZhoL6Ptd9-qEQoLJ80aZK3R8exXN6o_f5cdxIasFN-WRTfsk4WdJ0n8oII3J9EaGmVRckPpivN5dw7_WuTBQQM935Jy_mgpCTL25YJFLJkOUm4IjvaIlul0xxnWdw2s/s1600/DSCF0924.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsv4NJwX8QbvOQyZhoL6Ptd9-qEQoLJ80aZK3R8exXN6o_f5cdxIasFN-WRTfsk4WdJ0n8oII3J9EaGmVRckPpivN5dw7_WuTBQQM935Jy_mgpCTL25YJFLJkOUm4IjvaIlul0xxnWdw2s/s400/DSCF0924.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Day 2’s 25-miler had 27 starters and 26 finishers. Carrie Johnson and Payback Daysea Duke won both first place and Best Condition, in 3:22.<br />
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Day 2’s 55 had 18 starters and 13 finishers. Christoph Schork and GE Haat Rod Express tied with Dick Root and OFW Alivia in 7:41, with Ali getting Best Condition. Lee Pearce and Winterhawk sat out the day, as did Debbie Grose and Jack (Debbie would have ridden, but it’s like <i>really</i> bad news if you break a casted arm), so that left only Nance and Fance in the Ironhorse. They were caught out on trail in that big thunder/rain/hailstorm in the evening… but of course they were saddled up and ready to go again the next morning!<br />
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25 started Day 3’s 30-miler with 23 finishing. Carrie and Daysea won again, in 3:38, with second place David Brown and Tezeros Hot Shot getting Best Condition.<br />
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16 started the 50 with 14 finishing. Christoph Schork and GE Pistol Annie won in 6:20 and got Best Condition, with Lee Pearce and JAC Winterhawk finishing second. That leaves only Nance Worman and Second Chance Fance (a rescue, hence her name) carrying the torch in the Idaho Ironhorse for 50 milers. Fancy also won the Getaway Horse award here for the second year in a row. “Fance is such a blessing!” Nance says.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItbV3GPfsV0q9HPo1Mr7rpHvQVqoLaZ8YbU0vflqrCq9Dorh3UJR0reOQLvsTG7PO4z6UaDsP7h3ZxCw6NbiETUfmuuykcewXzvonLVL2wwtCCesZDfJCn9uP67EJaP8aeTkXujimjTPs/s1600/DSCF0963.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItbV3GPfsV0q9HPo1Mr7rpHvQVqoLaZ8YbU0vflqrCq9Dorh3UJR0reOQLvsTG7PO4z6UaDsP7h3ZxCw6NbiETUfmuuykcewXzvonLVL2wwtCCesZDfJCn9uP67EJaP8aeTkXujimjTPs/s400/DSCF0963.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
8 horse and rider teams are still in contention in the 25-miler division of the Idaho Ironhorse, having finished all 6 days so far. Shyla Williams and Bes Soumra Bint Karah are the only pair to do all 6 days at mixed distances. Dave Rabe is the only Iron Butt rider to have completed 6 days of 50’s on (3) different horses.<br />
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019AutumnSun/">Autumn Sun Pioneer</a>, the last leg of the Ironhorse is October 11-13.<br />
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More photos on the ride at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019TopOTheWorld/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019TopOTheWorld/</a><br />
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<br />The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-89572325082974924062019-06-13T07:16:00.002-07:002019-08-05T11:56:56.540-07:009th Annual City of Rocks Pioneer Endurance Ride: EPIC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi-PG3ckrkV16eOf8SX4RfHEwj8ZRXpzWS77JFCbvxvwwIXpdZwDVYmR1ZLFIZw2m5Mj34CotmGqUTHblm04ZKoZwSjBSHlnOTDxD1Ynz5xKC49WVYKXEUA1x-QBr3m2wMHldA2A9loYQ/s1600/P6060190.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi-PG3ckrkV16eOf8SX4RfHEwj8ZRXpzWS77JFCbvxvwwIXpdZwDVYmR1ZLFIZw2m5Mj34CotmGqUTHblm04ZKoZwSjBSHlnOTDxD1Ynz5xKC49WVYKXEUA1x-QBr3m2wMHldA2A9loYQ/s400/P6060190.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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June 13 2019<br />
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"EPIC" is how ride manager Steph Teeter described the 9th annual City of Rocks Pioneer endurance ride in Almo, Idaho. "We had heat, Thunderstorms (hail/rain/50mph gusts), cold, snow, more wind, the most beautiful scenery imaginable. Still cheerful riders and all of the horses looked great all weekend." (One wind gust blew a porta-potty over. Nobody was inside at the time.) :)<br />
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Katrin Levermann, who journeyed 2 full days from British Columbia to get there, also called it epic. "Put it on your bucket list! This ride is epic!"<br />
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"Disneyland for horseback riders," said Bobbie Walker, who rode all 3 days aboard Dreamer. "I can’t say enough about that ride. Not only is it a beautiful ride, but there is so much to see in addition to the rocks!"<br />
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"A feast for all the senses," commented Naomi Preston, riding "Uncle Mal," Fire Mt Malabar, to a second place finish on Day 1's 50 miler.<br />
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The horses thrived on the cooler weather. "I've been vetting rides for 40 years," said veterinarian David Hayes, "and I've never seen a better group of horses. They got stronger every day." Head veterinarian Jessica Heinrick agreed, saying endurance is the only horse sport where people really take excellent care of their horses - they have to, to be able to ride long distances.<br />
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Indeed, any kind of weather can occur at any time of year in south-central Idaho; and after last year's rather warm and dry and windy event, this year felt more like July with its storms and September with the rather cold weather over the weekend. Not that I, the Ice Princess, was complaining! You just have to get lucky with the thunderstorms (we did this year! They passed around riders and Ridecamp), and if you wear or carry the proper clothing - because conditions can change drastically in 15 minutes - weather won't even be a factor. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnqg9llPxpC5zgfOIdmh2Nw-LozkmhoW4Tr3ASwsx1KloRWcWUbhzgl88OK00tBANW1OihLRIYObk9PNvU2aRXIBigC3hFzK6zijpyClK0otn1T5klN-0hFkxkhOSSdMf19S20Qd4kK4o/s1600/P6080178.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnqg9llPxpC5zgfOIdmh2Nw-LozkmhoW4Tr3ASwsx1KloRWcWUbhzgl88OK00tBANW1OihLRIYObk9PNvU2aRXIBigC3hFzK6zijpyClK0otn1T5klN-0hFkxkhOSSdMf19S20Qd4kK4o/s400/P6080178.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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This year's City of Rocks Pioneer was the first leg of the inaugural Idaho Ironhorse Challenge: 3 days of City of Rocks, 3 days of Top O' the World (July 26-28), 3 days at Autumn Sun (October 10-13).<br />
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Ridecamp sprawled with a boatload of horses and riders in a grassy meadow just outside City of Rocks National Reserve, at 5500 feet, with a view of Utah to the south and Castle Rocks State Park to the north.<br />
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Day 1's trails took riders to and through Castle Rocks State Park. 40 riders started the 30 miler, with 36 finishing. Two of the muleteers from <a href="http://www.h2hranch.com/">Heart 2 Heart Ranch</a> stole the show, with Junior rider Annie Edmonds finishing first on Rusty, and Trinity Jackson finishing second on Ebony. Fifth place Cat Cook took Best Condition aboard her mare Diamonds.<br />
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20 riders started the 50, with 17 finishing. David Laws and Che Ole took first place by seven minutes over Naomi Preston on Fire Mt Malabar and Lee Pearce and JAC Winterhawk. Winterhawk took Best Condition.<br />
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The memorable weather took center stage on Day 2, with trails heading out across the desert and around one Big Bad Bull by a water trough (he was flirting with lady friends so he didn't bother anybody) and over the Boise/Kelton stage route, and by an old stage stop, before heading down the California Trail into City of Rocks National Reserve park. <br />
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Most of the 25-milers finished their ride before the weather excitement and its aftermath occurred. 37 started, with 36 finishing. Simone Mauhl and Boogey finished first, just a second ahead of her husband Wade aboard Sundance. Behind Anna McNamer and Dash in third were those mules, Sophie Martin aboard Irish, Trinity Jackson aboard Hope, and Leila Fry aboard Gracie. Boogey got the Best Condition award.<br />
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All 13 started and finished the 55 miler, with David Laws winning aboard Fancy Grace, with Sara Ewing and Cal's Carisma finishing second. Third place DWA Malik, ridden by Jeff Stuart, took Best Condition. <br />
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Most of the 55 milers had the (take your pick) anguish/excitement/delight of watching a fierce cold front blow in. (I put my third coat layer on, so it was a delight for me!) We were above the clouds for a time, watching the cold layer of rain/fog shoot over a pass and into the park valley below. The winds had to be ripping along at 50 mph. But our horses just kept trotting onward. During the last miles of the ride we were pelted with hail and snow (yay!), even while the sun shined down upon us lucky endurance riders. Steph Teeter and Connie Holloway drove up into the park with extra jackets for anybody still on the trail who was frozen. We stayed warm riding, but it was the vets and volunteers and ride management in camp who froze, waiting for riders to come in!<br />
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Day 3 repeated the trails from the day before, the only difference being the Big Bad Bull was laying down right beside our trail (his lady friends were gone and he looked tired), and there was 0% chance of precipitation, though it did spit a bit of snow on us in the afternoon! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEO-7opqHYcKKGVmqzRcf3OozIsLgkSMm3lM1_OVi9HzsXlh3MDMCt6SGyb1Kcs0aQAr0I05WEZttz_PuyTVrW-XZLhEB5DR5pEFRpzP5l3WzlL6lND7hBzNKZz3Qym9gh1dMu4WqCyLn/s1600/P6070034.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEO-7opqHYcKKGVmqzRcf3OozIsLgkSMm3lM1_OVi9HzsXlh3MDMCt6SGyb1Kcs0aQAr0I05WEZttz_PuyTVrW-XZLhEB5DR5pEFRpzP5l3WzlL6lND7hBzNKZz3Qym9gh1dMu4WqCyLn/s400/P6070034.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
45 riders started the 25 miler, with 44 finishing. The mules took the first 5 out of 6 placings, with Parker Wynn and Irish pulsing down first. 7th place Carrie Johnson and Payback Daysea Duke got Best Condition. <br />
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18 started the 50 miler, with 16 finishing. Lee Pearce and JAC Winterhawk tied with David Laws and Che Ole for first place, with Winterhawk getting Best Condition.<br />
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The Idaho IronHorse Challenge got off to a great start, with 18 horse/rider teams in contention, having completed all 3 days on the same horse - 4 of them on the 50-mile rides, and 14 on the LD rides.<br />
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The Idaho IronButt Challenge (one rider, multiple horses, any distances) has 6 riders in contention, and the Idaho IronTeam Challenge (horse & rider team, mixed distances) has 3. More on this in the next post.<br />
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City of Rocks is truly one of the most beautiful rides in the country. Next year's 10th anniversary is sure to be memorable. Put this Bucket List ride on your calendar.<br />
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More photos and stories at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019CityOfRocks/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019CityOfRocks/</a><br />
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***Fact check: the storms did not miss Ridecamp. Hellacious hail thunderstorms Thursday afternoon... not long after we were congratulating ourselves on such a smooth day. Saturday got pretty interesting in camp too.... <br />
- Steph<br />
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That's right! I'd been referring to that wicked lightning storm (because we all know how scared of lightning I am) I think it was Friday evening that passed just NW of us in the park, and that looked so scary that Connie and I both got scared out of our tents and took refuge in the back of horse trailers!<br />
- Merri<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAra8TLHHDx-LcWtL-8yyJhStu1670uQiNpyIsc3IPJfe7xb-ByYBbtb9-AAWxeo6BlFygGR5GwMjEAfg9wdYxjUHO-Xwewx98SwtvRkJwipnkfVC2wW4Ftui520OZhD4JlknR3LvuLAf/s1600/P6070091.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAra8TLHHDx-LcWtL-8yyJhStu1670uQiNpyIsc3IPJfe7xb-ByYBbtb9-AAWxeo6BlFygGR5GwMjEAfg9wdYxjUHO-Xwewx98SwtvRkJwipnkfVC2wW4Ftui520OZhD4JlknR3LvuLAf/s400/P6070091.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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<br />The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-28098984326895215392019-05-16T06:44:00.001-07:002019-08-05T12:06:07.253-07:00The Owyhee River Challenge Endurance Ride, as Told By the Horses<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKhhWT-AxnMkkhFfB0Bd54eyMpUvPh3P16Z-343RDZysCidFrjJQgYHsSn74JhXcICXjwJe1_Y9Nn_FgY1SLGkrZ63rAKN3CfYjo9VqYxYTlhn35jYg7wvf6uCrjcMH_UZx2OOVH0qUa9/s1600/P5110055.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKhhWT-AxnMkkhFfB0Bd54eyMpUvPh3P16Z-343RDZysCidFrjJQgYHsSn74JhXcICXjwJe1_Y9Nn_FgY1SLGkrZ63rAKN3CfYjo9VqYxYTlhn35jYg7wvf6uCrjcMH_UZx2OOVH0qUa9/s400/P5110055.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<i>You might want to read </i><a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/05/20/the-kentucky-derby-as-told-by-the-horses?fbclid=IwAR0cjHXTrRNcKdrKZ-TTCXHqzQZ4J3KxqLmRznMsJwPGdwyPHPnAgVpf5fU"><i>this article on the Kentucky Derby, by the Kentucky Derby horses, here</i></a> <i>first.</i><br />
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May 16 2019<br />
<br />
<b>Phinneas:</b> I won, I won, I won the Owyhee River Challenge 50 to add to the rest of my impressive life resumé. I always win. I even won a cattle drive once. I always win because I am badass and handsome and THE GRANDSON OF THE BLACK STALLION.<br />
<br />
<b>DWA Saruq:</b> He didn't win. He actually finished 8th. I finished 7th. And he thinks he won a <i>cattle drive??!!</i> He did not seriously just say that?!<br />
<br />
<b>Phinneas:</b> I came to the Owyhee River Challenge with my neighbors August and Saruq. August is OK. Saruq always thinks he's hot stuff because he used to be a racehorse. However, *I* am THE GRANDSON OF THE BLACK STALLION. For real. That trumps everything and everybody.<br />
<br />
<b>DWA Saruq:</b> Actually, Phinneas is a *great* grandson of The Black Stallion. But who really cares.<br />
<b><br />
August:</b> I did the 25 with Carol, so I didn't have to deal with the GOTBS drama at all. I'm all about no drama, as long as my boots are on right and my hair is combed and I am presentable.<br />
<br />
<b>Phinneas:</b> I am so badass, even though Merri was going to ride me on the 50, Connie got on before the start and bucked me out so that I wouldn't buck Merri off like I almost did 2 years ago at the start (I tried so hard!). I'm 21 and I can buck harder than a rodeo bronc if I want to. And sometimes, I just want to. Because I'm a badass. And, Grandson of The Black Stallion.<br />
<b><br />
DWA Saruq:</b> I just grazed while Connie and Phinneas warmed up out of his shenanigans.<br />
<b><br />
Fire Mt Malabar:</b> I am 20 and I'm the real star here, 7200 miles and 47 Best Conditions, but I like to keep a low profile. <br />
<br />
<b>WMA Proclaim:</b> I'm a former racehorse too. I didn't really like to run much. Endurance is so much better. And call me Riley.<br />
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<b>Jackpot Jackson:</b> I'm the real story here. I'm a rescue and I haven't told anybody about my past. I like keeping it a mystery. But endurance riding is the best. And you can call me Jack.<br />
<b><br />
Second Chance Fance:</b> I'm a rescue too. And I'm so cute. And my owner Nance just retired, notice how our names rhyme, and we are going to be doing a lot more riding together!<br />
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<b>Phinneas:</b> We didn't get out on the trail first, because of the buck-out thing, but I took off at a roar because I was for sure going to catch those 7 or 8 horses that charged out in front of me! Merri was trying to tell me to slow down. I <i>always</i> know what I'm doing, and I am <i>always</i> right. So don't tell me what to do.<br />
<b><br />
DWA Saruq:</b> Whatever. We've got 50 miles to go, dude. Chill.<br />
<b><br />
Phinneas:</b> Here I am, roaring down the trail, pulling mightily on Merri and looking so terrifically splendid and impressively masculine with my head bowed to my chest and my mane magnificently flowing in the breeze, leading Saruq of course, and what do you know, within 3 miles we'd caught up with the front runners. They seemed to be coming back in our direction, but anyway, by golly I caught them and ended up right behind them! We passed the photographer and my trot was bigger than a World Equestrian Games dressage horse. I can't wait to see the pictures. I can't wait to see Merri's face and see if she was grinning or grimacing. She wouldn't let me canter because she was afraid I might dump her for the picture.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRMeJ3TvZGJiSzeLVO_7Ozicos6tO0IK23PToKzjKXnc57AGdXT1d0wISGXh1Y5OQ4AGtxSTQs17UBwZhA70n4EVGU0UWAETR6Cdo09kooV-ky7mBWOzmYnFMnQZYnseWbdx_pA6oZSTa/s1600/P5110193.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRMeJ3TvZGJiSzeLVO_7Ozicos6tO0IK23PToKzjKXnc57AGdXT1d0wISGXh1Y5OQ4AGtxSTQs17UBwZhA70n4EVGU0UWAETR6Cdo09kooV-ky7mBWOzmYnFMnQZYnseWbdx_pA6oZSTa/s400/P5110193.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>DWA Saruq:</b> I cantered by the photographer on a loose rein.<br />
<b><br />
Phinneas:</b> Those front runners got out of sight again, but I knew I was going to win anyway, and I kept charging hard. We went up and down and around, and then up this long hill, through a gate, and back down the hill, then through another gate, then down and down this long 2-track dirt road that was great for trotting. I was in front of Saruq of course and having a ball, when Merri pointed out to me that there were no other horse hoof prints on our trail - I WAS WINNING!!! I <i>told</i> you I was going to win.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2snqGUCtIarYr3lWrrOa_I-THRJoaG5bivW8cbPHSG1mCkd4I9P4DH4uwcfgP0-PBnPeoCLNhcoKnoo8pttbdT18rFOgnp-YkjrVuInyJEbfwmCDAIy8nM_dNq7rJV4TE7a6YoyPv2S3/s1600/P5110086.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2snqGUCtIarYr3lWrrOa_I-THRJoaG5bivW8cbPHSG1mCkd4I9P4DH4uwcfgP0-PBnPeoCLNhcoKnoo8pttbdT18rFOgnp-YkjrVuInyJEbfwmCDAIy8nM_dNq7rJV4TE7a6YoyPv2S3/s400/P5110086.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>DWA Saruq:</b> I ate a lot of good grass along the way there. Phinneas missed out.<br />
<b><br />
Phinneas:</b> The only thing that slowed me down near the bottom of this two-track was this big bad bull sauntering down the road right in front of us. I am badass, but I know better than to mess with a bull. So we walked the rest of the way down to the canal then went waaaaaaay around him and his girlfriends.<br />
<br />
<b>DWA Saruq:</b> That's where some horses who'd gone off trail caught up and passed us, but I don't think Phinneas noticed, because I stuck my tongue out at him and pretended I was going to get in front of him. He didn't like that. This next stretch of uphill sandy trail was loaded with arrowleaf balsamroot. I LOVE the taste of those yellow flowers. While our riders babbled about the beauty, I just ate them as we walked along. I was thinking, Yea, they are beautiful, <i>in my gut!</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDAuiD5NzZ-iB4cPVF9WgoJyB4LWcELXDDEgwFBYhqkJtuORSJDIWe5C7XURei0E0fwjHb-8HrII9-e5niywCU8OA01BQul83eDGQD8SazL_JY5g4-lKDhpZVZEPAGdzmqS9WNbvP2PRO/s1600/P5110181.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDAuiD5NzZ-iB4cPVF9WgoJyB4LWcELXDDEgwFBYhqkJtuORSJDIWe5C7XURei0E0fwjHb-8HrII9-e5niywCU8OA01BQul83eDGQD8SazL_JY5g4-lKDhpZVZEPAGdzmqS9WNbvP2PRO/s400/P5110181.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>Phinneas:</b> Since I was winning, I ate some of the yellow flowers and grass while I walked. It just added rocket fuel to my Go-Go-Go, and then I went some more!<br />
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<b>Buddy:</b> This was my first 50. I did my first 25 at Eagle Canyon 2 weeks ago. I was going great guns this morning with the front runners till we all missed a turn somewhere and ended up behind a bunch of horses. Then we started catching up again, and I was about to pass this big black horse and WHOA, he like had a total conniption fit, like it was such a HYUGE DEAL I was catching up to him and wanting to pass, and his rider took him off the trail for me to get by. I got out of there fast because I've never seen such a hissy fit. It might be because I am palomino and gorgeous and maybe he was jealous of me.<br />
<br />
<b>Phinneas:</b> Some horse had the nerve to come up behind me and try to pass me! I almost let him have it but then I found myself off the trail and I couldn't get at him. No worries. I'd get in front of him again later.<br />
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<b>OMR Pristine:</b> I passed this handsome bay dude and this handsome black dude with a long flowy showy mane. I saw the black one give that golden boy a fit when he passed, but I think he was mesmerized by my seductive trot, because he just bowed his head and pulled on his rider hard, and then he tripped and almost fell down. And then he was all embarrassed because he scrambled back up and just bowed his neck and pulled harder on the reins. I pretended I did not see him trip to save his face.<br />
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<b>DWA Saruq:</b> And then we rode down into this red canyon to a creek, and we drank and got splashed with cool water while that photographer guy took our picture again. We ate grass but then Phinneas had a burr up his butt, something about winning, even though we hadn't even finished half the ride, so we moved on to camp for the vet check and lunch.<br />
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<b>Phinneas:</b> That first loop was such a piece of cake for me because I am so fit and fabulous. And Saruq was behind me the whole way!<br />
<b><br />
DWA Saruq:</b> Only because I let him. Who cares. I ate a lot of yummy food on the trail.<br />
<b><br />
Fire Mt Malabar:</b> Blusterball Phinneas did not see Naomi and I, and JAC WInterhawk and Lee, heading out on loop 2 ahead of him. Neener neener.<br />
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<b>Phinneas:</b> After lunch in camp, loop two turned out to be exactly the same trail as loop one. These humans must not have noticed that they had already ridden this trail. I ate more flowers though. And because it was hotter in the afternoon, this loop I stopped at all the water troughs and the canal to drink and get sponged off.<br />
<b><br />
Cows:</b> What are these same horses all doing back in our canal again?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwjEVTUxEe6cTSPGd7cyIv0DupVC8HcgzmvkMXkdXy6HCs8oYJEnOhYJFlnMTYCpCSNFK_dnJhwr7zS-76Xr0N0M9JVlLq8nVqz9Kl4jAq4BFjscp18RH7GfGGr06e0zRAyoDrNSiSAY6/s1600/P5110103.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwjEVTUxEe6cTSPGd7cyIv0DupVC8HcgzmvkMXkdXy6HCs8oYJEnOhYJFlnMTYCpCSNFK_dnJhwr7zS-76Xr0N0M9JVlLq8nVqz9Kl4jAq4BFjscp18RH7GfGGr06e0zRAyoDrNSiSAY6/s400/P5110103.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>Phinneas:</b> Connie and Merri had the big idea to stop and take my picture in a particularly lush field of yellow flowers. It was annoying, because I needed to keep bombing down the trail in front so I could win, but, I will admit that I looked pretty magnificently stunning, so it was worth the Kodak Moment.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLNR44Wbu7xpoTS-CQpA2vlnlbJsHkzenq4UdN4j_8lCi_31DNeMiGpMjIq_G1TwNCyx9cVY0zgbySLVZIM5ziG6j2CGX6tjmt59tIyYcLenFVnuZKbeLOlybEiH2dPanizoKXdAcvqCW/s1600/P5110067.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLNR44Wbu7xpoTS-CQpA2vlnlbJsHkzenq4UdN4j_8lCi_31DNeMiGpMjIq_G1TwNCyx9cVY0zgbySLVZIM5ziG6j2CGX6tjmt59tIyYcLenFVnuZKbeLOlybEiH2dPanizoKXdAcvqCW/s400/P5110067.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<b>DWA Saruq:</b> He did look pretty fetching, almost like a great grandson of the Black Stallion.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tsl2x8IzKtXOj2tSWUE0d461kAkuVP02mK6JVOHfVywxE_HSGR8ii6F8u6uGYIrEqDaWjQwSS-7Q3DJdNOPyy6_2wxRXFbhu4N_nxs_PBSLRDzY2zLrShCeiK1EW-39mD6myC9oxPKv-/s1600/P5110203.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tsl2x8IzKtXOj2tSWUE0d461kAkuVP02mK6JVOHfVywxE_HSGR8ii6F8u6uGYIrEqDaWjQwSS-7Q3DJdNOPyy6_2wxRXFbhu4N_nxs_PBSLRDzY2zLrShCeiK1EW-39mD6myC9oxPKv-/s400/P5110203.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<b>Phinneas:</b> Here we were again, heading for that red canyon. We passed that golden horse that passed me earlier. Neener neener, told you I'd pass him. His rider was sick. We sent the photographer, who was again in that canyon, out to rescue her, so I was like a total hero on top of being the winner and the grandson of the Black Stallion. Then on the way out of the canyon, we passed that pretty mare, who thinks I am hot stuff. She winked at me.<br />
<br />
<b>DWA Saruq:</b> It was me she winked at.<br />
<br />
<b>Phinneas:</b> And before I knew it, here we were coming up the hill into camp, and everybody, horse and human, had their eyes on *This Guy* as I came across the finish line. I WON!!!!!<br />
<b><br />
DWA Saruq:</b> I finished 7th and Phinneas finished 8th. Really. But don't tell him that. He still thinks he won and it's best to keep it that way. Just get my saddle off and let me roll in the dirt. Like, now, before I roll with my saddle on.<br />
<b><br />
August:</b> I finished my 25 much earlier in the day, and spent the rest of the afternoon lounging and eating!<br />
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<b>Fire Mt Malabar:</b> What did I tell you? Second place, and Best Condition #48. But I didn't point that out to Phinneas.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ405ZYgKNvCq1Ykl9pxXL817Q4Jai5mHsi5ETYxvizokoMn6mRNEHOE2hM3pEfG66TWvlmeIYzQHX8dveRR94xd27TjZVhIQcg05zXa1n2scslLEm7w9GsUM324gm0dfT0cCCOxHCx9rV/s1600/P5110207.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ405ZYgKNvCq1Ykl9pxXL817Q4Jai5mHsi5ETYxvizokoMn6mRNEHOE2hM3pEfG66TWvlmeIYzQHX8dveRR94xd27TjZVhIQcg05zXa1n2scslLEm7w9GsUM324gm0dfT0cCCOxHCx9rV/s400/P5110207.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
More on the ride at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019OwyheeRiverChallenge/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019OwyheeRiverChallenge/</a><br />
<br />The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-18987210620680992422019-05-03T07:08:00.000-07:002019-08-05T11:59:53.197-07:002019 Eagle Canyon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGV9QpnB6JelRBRyZlv2wmtSsZdTJuT9XPQ-xxHPtNdJu72kEOJt1-qeq7UEatM6Ihq4ybD2RGyUjH6X-p8j6cX_tokXtHAOHrOBIrVS0frnolhNENq8Phbm08kFvtMimkIbcFkDBJqbF/s1600/ENewsJune2018.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGV9QpnB6JelRBRyZlv2wmtSsZdTJuT9XPQ-xxHPtNdJu72kEOJt1-qeq7UEatM6Ihq4ybD2RGyUjH6X-p8j6cX_tokXtHAOHrOBIrVS0frnolhNENq8Phbm08kFvtMimkIbcFkDBJqbF/s400/ENewsJune2018.jpg" width="308" /></a><br />
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Friday May 2 2019<br />
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Any one of these perks would be a good excuse to ride the Endurance News-cover-worthy Eagle Canyon endurance ride near Eagle, Idaho: great trails, perfect spring weather, no mosquitoes or gnats, entertaining potguts (gophers) in camp, catered teriyaki chicken and pork fried rice, and custom roasted hot coffee and cold nitro brew all day Saturday courtesy of Café Mulé (and his human Matt) (and Guru Donuts!). At this year's renewal on April 27, you got all of that and more!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M7XxzqM2-bstSFvXr1Ff9wFNwnQI8NpJnglpkDiE_nBzTOfgLUnRIhbzGkTXmmhbc5R_9RMKkZHLhxj6eH-yqrXz9pHrSLjxSko7hIlrsO4nzInuK-zHZKYgECCSIi2FIQSaI0n0yHa-/s1600/IMG_1951.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M7XxzqM2-bstSFvXr1Ff9wFNwnQI8NpJnglpkDiE_nBzTOfgLUnRIhbzGkTXmmhbc5R_9RMKkZHLhxj6eH-yqrXz9pHrSLjxSko7hIlrsO4nzInuK-zHZKYgECCSIi2FIQSaI0n0yHa-/s400/IMG_1951.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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An added bonus was helping ride manager Layne Bownds to contribute over $1500 to the Women and Children's Alliance in honor of SueB. You can see the cross dedicated to SueB above the canyon riders pass; it's always good to give a thought to her and others who are victims of domestic violence. The hope of the WCA is to help other successful, smart, beautiful women like SueB leave these relationships before it’s too late. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj_4HuCx8cxUx2BnksMLRsRppL7Jg-nUzJZ-F1ix36nADaCRdismArkT7dB9cBnDt7VobR9E-WjMDEPGXPTrVSrYpFB3Ggq30Jc7snx3C07P4Rl31QpUVJAzRoiDOVjP-8rt4IdRcUNUV/s1600/IMG_2462A.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj_4HuCx8cxUx2BnksMLRsRppL7Jg-nUzJZ-F1ix36nADaCRdismArkT7dB9cBnDt7VobR9E-WjMDEPGXPTrVSrYpFB3Ggq30Jc7snx3C07P4Rl31QpUVJAzRoiDOVjP-8rt4IdRcUNUV/s400/IMG_2462A.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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All 17 riders finished the 25 miler, with Wade Mauhl and his golden Sundance finishing first in a ride time of 3:22. Second place Joan Zachary and her Paso Fino, Chico, got Best Condition. A couple of first time riders, Cory and M'Lisa, who both finished in the top 10, became instantly addicted to endurance riding and we expect to see them again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCjGySGZ6IfxAWelJhgMlWay-ZkAgcU5EHgitIgH_eJ_awlBz0y2AivQcnxvfr1ZKDxvCHed9uDxKoKDdq-7Eqk5kM78BE59aFUdfIBzSzOaBmgB0LTsoC24Lf7fZ5Lld0Ewl9lTBbXT8/s1600/IMG_7727A.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCjGySGZ6IfxAWelJhgMlWay-ZkAgcU5EHgitIgH_eJ_awlBz0y2AivQcnxvfr1ZKDxvCHed9uDxKoKDdq-7Eqk5kM78BE59aFUdfIBzSzOaBmgB0LTsoC24Lf7fZ5Lld0Ewl9lTBbXT8/s400/IMG_7727A.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
14 started the 50 miler, with 12 finishing. The Cobbleys came from behind to win, Jessica on The Big Brass, and Mike on Taladega in 7:27 and 7:28. 6th place Trish Frahm and her cutest-ever appaloosa BPR Jasmine Blu got Best Condition. <br />
<br />
For more information on Richard and his human Matt and their awesome craft coffees:<br />
<a href="https://www.ironmulecoffee.com/">https://www.ironmulecoffee.com/</a><br />
<br />
For more information on the Women & Children's Alliance:<br />
<a href="http://www.wcaboise.org/">http://www.wcaboise.org/</a><br />
<br />
More from the ride at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019EagleCanyon/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019EagleCanyon/</a><br />
<br />
Official ride photos are here:<br />
<a href="https://www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance/2019-Eagle-Canyon">www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance/2019-Eagle-Canyon</a><br />
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<br />The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-87245793826922525212019-04-20T07:16:00.001-07:002019-04-20T07:17:30.444-07:002019 Antelope Island: One of the Country's Most Scenic Rides<img src="https://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019AntelopeIsland/gallery/02Sat/images/DSCF0734.jpg" width="400"><br />
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by Merri Melde<br />
April 19 2019<br />
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You get a little bit of everything at the Antelope Island Endurance ride (it was around the 35th year of the event) on Antelope Island State Park in the Great Salt Lake in Utah: sun, clouds, rain, hail, wind, thunderstorms, absolutely perfect weather; trails both easy and challenging; and wildlife - birds and antelope and buffalo (and if you're very lucky, a bobcat or big horn sheep).<br />
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And you get a lot of scenery. No matter which direction or what part of the 14-by-5 mile island you're riding, the scenery is nothing short of breathtaking, with the Great Salt Lake on all sides, and different snow-covered mountain ranges in all directions. The island has its own peak, 6596-foot Mt Frary, which often wakes up with a dusting of snow on its peak and ridges. I have not been to all the beautiful endurance rides I want to ride or shoot, but Antelope Island ranks in my top five of most scenic rides in the country.<br />
<img src="https://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019AntelopeIsland/gallery/02Sat/images/DSCF0724.jpg" width="400"><br />
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Every endurance ride has some unexpected events that riders and management have to deal with on the fly, and this year's Antelope Island ride was no exception. For example, ride manager Jeff was suddenly grounded from all ATV use (he may or may not tell you all this story one day :), and young volunteer Colby saved the day by biking some 10 miles early Saturday morning in a hailstorm to mark the last bit of trail. Then there was the loose horse late Saturday morning that ride manager Jeff got to climb aboard and ride down from the top of the island back to Ridecamp (the dis-mounted Junior doing her first ride was unhurt, but disappointed). And there was the loose cantering 2-day 100-mile horse that the ride photographer (me!) caught near the end of day 2, where the rider was unhurt, and was able to re-unite with the horse and finish the 100.<br />
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Head veterinarian Mel got biffed in the nose during vetting in on Friday (and veterinarian Jessica slipped right in there to fill in), and sported a broken nose and black eye(s) the rest of the weekend, but that didn't seem to faze her a bit since she already was sporting a concussion from a previous event. Another rider got biffed in the nose by her mount, and probably broke it, but completed her Saturday ride.<br />
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You could watch a great variety of horse breeds at the ride: Arabians of course, mules, Missouri Fox Trotters, mustangs, palominos, appaloosas, paints, pony mixes, gypsy vanners, Standardbred, Thoroughbred.<br />
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Dr Kathleen Crandall, ph.D. from Kentucky Equine Research, came to give a horse nutrition talk, and she got to slip out on a 25-mile AERC ride for the first time since 2003, and to volunteer the rest of the weekend.<br />
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For the Day 1 photos, Jeff had in mind a little out-and-back climb to the spine of the island at Beacon Hill Knob Spur, for a historical photo at the site of an old line cabin that ranchers used back in the mid-1800's to mid-1900's for shelter when working cattle on the island. (Of course, the island has erected a state-of-the-art communications tower and building not 6 feet from the shack, I guess so that the shack does not get lonely!) And lucky me, it is now occupied by a pair of nesting Ravens, who spooked off the nest, and entertained me throughout the morning with their aerobatics between riders.<br />
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On top there by the shack, in the perfect weather window there's a view across the lake to the snow-covered mountains in the east…. which we mostly didn't see because of the hailstorm and thick clouds. Every 10 minutes the weather changed - often different for each rider that came by - and clouds and mountains played hide-and-seek around the island. One set of dark gray clouds boiled like water in a tea kettle, above a low strip of sunshine. Mt Frary ducked above and in and under clouds and fog.<br />
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You have the option of several different rides over the 2-day weekend: an Intro trail ride on Saturday, and 25-milers, 50 milers, or a 2-day 100. <br />
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39 started the 25-miler on day 1 with 32 finishing. Amy Goodwin and Bubba Gump won in 3:05. 6th place Marc Lindsay and Bazooka Blue got Best Condition. 20 started the 50 miler with 19 finishing. Suzy Hayes aboard Sanstormm, and Jennifer Kaplan aboard Rushcreek Fiscus tied for first in 6:37, with Sanstormm getting Best Condition.<br />
<img src="https://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019AntelopeIsland/gallery/02Sat/images/DSCF0744.jpg" width="400"><br />
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On Day 2, 18 started the 30-miler with 14 finishing. Dana Cervak and Bubba Gump won in 5:14, with 3rd place Amy Goodwin getting Best Condition aboard Bazooka Blue. 7 started the 50 with 6 finishing. Jacob Cukjati won aboard Melika Kamaal in 5:34, with second place Suzy Hayes and Atlas getting Best Condition. Take note: 23,700+ mile Suzy Hayes has some 80 Best Conditions under her endurance girths, with 15 of them earned by Atlas and 4 by Sanstormm.<br />
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4 started the 2-day 100, with 3 finishing. Christoph Schork and GE Danex won in 12:57.16 and got Best Condition. Chetty Crowley finished her first 100, finishing second aboard GE RR Jazz Dancer (the riderless horse I caught as he cantered by me!) in 13:36.17. Third was Tennessee Lane and her golden Thor in 14:33.<br />
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Antelope Island is in a sweet spot on the ride calendar with excellent trails. If your horse isn't quite conditioned from the winter, the trails are challenging enough to put some conditioning on him. If he is fit, there are plenty of trails you can move out on. And there's the scenery - it's worth the trip just to camp out or crew if you don't want to ride (but who wouldn't want to ride!).<br />
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Put it on your calendar for next year!<br />
<img src="https://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019AntelopeIsland/gallery/02Sat/images/DSCF0751.jpg" width="300"><br />
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More info from the ride is here:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019AntelopeIsland/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019AntelopeIsland/</a><br />
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Official ride photos are here:<br />
<a href="https://www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance">https://www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance</a><br />
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The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-56358649887631283162019-04-08T08:03:00.000-07:002019-04-08T08:09:56.142-07:00Hillbillie Willie: Running with his Tough Sucker Outlaws<img src="https://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019OwyheeToughSucker/gallery/01/images/P4060029.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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April 8 2019<br />
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I'll admit to a little case of the nerves before the start of some endurance rides on Hillbillie Willie, the off-the-track Standardbred racehorse-turned-endurance horse. On some of his last few rides, I haven't had a riding partner, so I haven't had a plan. He's not an easy horse to partner with; while he's not going to buck or rear, he can be hot and too fast (and, depending on how excited he is, rough to ride, and tough), and so big-strided that not just anybody can comfortably keep up with him. And on Willie, I can't worry about making the other rider comfortable - i.e. riding their ride. <br />
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I've got to start near the front with him, otherwise Willie will be in perpetual hot pursuit and I'll get a rough ride till he settles down and smooths out, which kicks in at about, oh, about 30 miles or so. (Loop 3 is usually fabulous!) He doesn't yet have the sense or experience to settle down and take it easy on himself, and not go out and kill himself by going too fast on a loose rein.<br />
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Last ride of last season - the Owyhee Hallowed Weenies in our back yard - we started with the front group and luckily sorted ourselves out with the perfect partners: Naomi Preston and <a href="http://tracks.endurance.net/2018/12/who-you-callin-old-19-year-old.html">Fire Mt Malabar (7200+ miles, 47 Best Conditions)</a>. Forever after known as "Uncle Mal," young Willie and 19-year-old Malabar matched strides and speeds just about perfectly and got on well together. Willie learned some tricks of the endurance trade (namely - calm your a$$ down, it's OK to stop and grab grass along the trail, it's perfectly fine to let other horses pass us on the trail, chill out and drink up at the water tanks, bub, etc), that hopefully absorbed into some memory cells to be called upon down the years.<br />
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In our Owyhee Tough Sucker ride here this weekend, the first ride of the season, I had no plan and I had a touch of the nerves the night before. Willie was fit, but I didn't want him racing with the front runners, who I expected would be smokin' fast. At the start, I let the group of 5 or so charge out first and fast, and we found ourselves setting out on the trail with - guess who - Uncle Mal and Naomi, and Cousin Hawk (GAC Winterhawk) and Lee.<br />
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The start was perfect - relaxed and easy - and the middle was perfect - relaxed and easy - and the rest of the ride was pretty much perfect. Willie's in-laws/out-laws didn't mind the company, so we stayed with them the entire 50-mile ride, and I'd say that was one of Willie's best rides ever. He's always a work in progress, but I could see and feel so much improvement in him - the calm start, very few moments of over-excitement, going along pretty much the whole ride with a lowered, relaxed head carriage (we have been working on this hard for over a year), no tailgating, not minding when horses passed him on the trail, eating lots of spring grass along the trails (he got an A on gut sounds at the finish!). He learned so much from his mentors on this ride.<br />
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Willie looks like a million bucks the day after his first ride of his third endurance season, and while I feel like I've been run over by a wild range cow ( <img src="https://www.endurance.net/misc/SmileyFace.png" width="20" /> ), it was all worth it!<br />
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You can see more photos and get a ride recap here:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019OwyheeToughSucker/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019OwyheeToughSucker/</a><br />
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<br />The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-26920675941092085482019-01-02T09:30:00.002-08:002019-01-02T09:32:50.171-08:00Postcard From Owyhee: Happy New Year!January 2 2019<br />
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Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-53065594364085524082018-10-31T08:44:00.000-07:002018-10-31T14:47:12.824-07:002018 Owyhee Hallowed Weenies: Wrappin' It Up<style type="text/css">
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October 31 2018</div>
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The Crown Prince with Blood On His Hands. A couple of Butterflies. Alec Ramsay on The Black Stallion. Wonder Woman. A Ballerina. A Jockey on a Giraffe. A Unicorn. A Steampunker.</div>
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It was just another typical fine autumn day in the Owyhee high desert with an eclectic group of endurance riders, gathering for the Owyhee Hallowed Weenies, the last ride of the season. The weather was perfect, the golden cottonwoods at their most flamboyant. And photographer Steve Bradley survived to shoot the ride after Cindy's naughty crabby horse Bo, who's 20 but was acting like a 2-year-old, kicked him in the arm while vetting in on Friday.</div>
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We were pleased to have Oregon vet Jessica back (and hope and plan to have her back more and more, since Robert abandoned us for deep Southern digs), and new vet Jake from Gooding. We hope we didn't scare Jake off from endurance, though he said that we are the least crazy horse people he's been around.</div>
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20 riders started the 50, with 13 finishing. The Cobbleys finished first, with Mike and Taladega getting the win, and Jessica and The Big Brass in second. Mike made an appearance as Lady Godiva on Taladega last Halloween, but either Mike had some boob malfunctions, or the long flowing locks made riding difficult, or Taladega objected, because he dressed as himself this year. Connie Holloway, dressed as Alec Ramsay on The Black Stallion (since Finneas *is* a grandson of the Black Stallion), finished third. </div>
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And tied for fourth was the other Jockey (me) on the Giraffe (Hillbillie Willie), and Naomi Preston and the amazing Fire Mt Malabar. 19-year-old 'Uncle Mal' (over 7000 AERC miles, and now 3rd on the all-time Best Condition list) taught 6-year-old Hillbillie Willie Whippersnapper (355 miles - only his 9th ever endurance ride) a few things on their desert odyssey together. Malabar even graciously ignored young Willie whenever the dorky Standardbred tried out his best Stink Eye on Malabar several times during the day.</div>
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6th place Karen Steenhof and Riley got the Best Condition award, his first BC on a 50, and his 50th completion in 50 starts (LDs and 50s).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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14 started and finished the 25 miler, with Joan Zachary and Chico winning and getting Best Condition. TJ Sabala was first Junior aboard Fletch.</div>
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As the sun set over the Owyhee mountains, the flame of the autumn cottonwoods faded, the giraffe and butterflies and unicorn disappeared, and the endurance horses curled up under the stars, drifting to sleep to wait for another season of Owyhee endurance rides.</div>
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See you next year!</div>
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The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-53605284935970898882018-10-03T10:59:00.000-07:002018-10-03T10:59:04.243-07:002018 Inaugural Autumn Sun Pioneer<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018AutumnSun/photos/IMG_0451.jpg" width="300"><br />
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October 3 2018<br />
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There was a hole in the southwest Idaho ride calendar with the long-established Owyhee Canyonlands no longer leaving tracks across the Owyhee Desert. Lynn White and Jessica Huber as co-ride managers stepped up to fill that gap over the weekend of September 28-30 with the Autumn Sun Pioneer, near Gooding, Idaho.<br />
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Lynn White took it on because she likes and knows the trails in that area. (She had put on a nearby 2-day ride a couple of years ago.) First-time ride manager Jessica Huber took it on because, as she said, "I'm twisted! I love it!"<br />
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A big blow came when private land owners, who'd agreed to provide a nice, convenient base camp, suddenly announced a tripling in their camping prices, just 2 months before the ride. New private land owners Pat and Colleen Lockwood stepped in and saved the day (and the ride) by offering their space (bringing tears of gratitude), and Ridecampers had a great little field on an old homestead, tucked at the base of the Bennett Hills.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018AutumnSun/gallery/Day3/images/DSCF0125.jpg" width="400"><br />
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A good turnout contributed to the success of this inaugural 3-day ride, with riders from near, and from as far away as Alberta, Canada (the Wadeys!). Trails wound through the sagebrush desert and up an into the nearby Bennett Hills, highlighted by a special hoodoo-filled canyon - the wind-carved monoliths made of tuff created by volcanic ash fall (and hereafter named Mad Cow Canyon, at the top of which is hereafter named Mad Cow Junction). <br />
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So called because the morning of Day 1 I was up there waiting to photograph the 23 riders on the 50 miler and the 16 riders on the 25. Which I started to do. Now bear in mind this was the weekend cowboys were starting to round up their cows for the winter and push them out of the hills. I didn't see any cowboys, but I did see a few calves heading up the canyon between riders, and taking a right turn down the road towards civilization. And then there was this cow: a she-devil psycho bovine. She appeared heading up the road towards me… and when she saw me from 30 feet away, she just sprouted devil horns and CHARGED me. <br />
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I turned to run, and tripped and fell and that's what saved me. Instead of crashing into me, she ran right over the top of me… as I was buried into the ground all I could think of was, "$h*t! My cameras! I have to shoot this ride!" I tried to hold them up while crouching into a tight ball and covering my head and neck. I felt her on top of me for a second, then laid motionless a few more seconds, until a rider said she was gone - halfway up the draw headed for Montana. "It was deliberate!" said Carlene Benson, who saw it happen. <br />
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I was skinned up and still stunned, but had riders coming up the road to shoot! Sadly I found that my best long lens (that I shoot 80% of my pictures with) was broke and had sagebrush stems sticking out of its innards. After shooting the rest of the riders with my second camera and smaller lens (which was dusted up but hopefully fine)… I found that Mad Cow had knocked the settings on that camera, so all those photos were overexposed and useless! <br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018AutumnSun/photos/IMG_0335.jpg" width="400"><br />
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So I did what any stunned, bleeding, endurance photographer would do… I sat there a couple more hours waiting for both distances to come back by me so I could get pictures of them all. I didn't want to wash off the wounds anyway, that would just hurt.<br />
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By the time everybody rode back by me, they all knew the Mad Cow story, and several people had helpfully taken pictures of cows they'd encountered on the trails, searching for the errant beast. Sure I was still aching, but the most important thing was that everybody got their picture taken!<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018AutumnSun/photos/IMG_0289.jpg" width="400"><br />
<br />
13 finished the LD, with Montanans Bill Miller aboard Raffons Noble Dancer (Sadie) and David Brown on Tezeros Hot Shot taking the two top spots, in 3:54 and 3:58. Sadie got Best Condition. Junior rider Jacelyn Butler finished her first LD ever in 5th place aboard Fletch, and she is addicted to endurance!<br />
<br />
19 finished the 50. In a major endurance rally, Jessica and The Big Brass won the ride by a length over Mike Cobbley and Taladega (who last year had his own comeback with a bad brush with colic). After an uncooperative gall bladder that knocked Jessica out part of the year, and two pulls for Brass, they deserved that win, in a ride time of 6:36.<br />
<br />
3 intrepid riders completed the 50 Cavalry style. That's where you get no assistance from anybody else - nobody can hold or feed your horse, and you have to carry everything you need with you, including horse feed. Hay and water are provided at vet checks. But if you need to stop to attend to nature's calling, you have to tie your horse to a sagebrush or hold onto him. Cavalry style can be a hard way to ride, if you're addicted to Gummi Bears and always need to have a big bag available, one that wouldn't fit in saddle bags. <br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018AutumnSun/photos/IMG_0629.jpg" width="400"><br />
Day 2 ran smoothly with no Mad Cow events to report. Trinity Jackson's racing mules and kids showed up for the weekend, always a popular sight to see. 10 started the 30 miler, with just 5 finishing, because the 5 mule riders accidentally missed a turn on the trail and ended up back in camp, instead of the out vet check. They all stopped with Rider Option pulls, but a good time was had by all, because it's great fun riding those (most always) well-trained mules, and watching those kids ride the mules. Beth Skaggs and Flashbykish (Sparrow) won the ride in 6:02, by just a couple of minutes over Terry Doyle and Benny. Sparrow won Best Condition.<br />
<br />
9 started the 55-mile ride with 7 finishing. It was a 4-way tie for first, with Nance Worman and Second Chance Fance, Chris Samson and Belesema Anna, Sally Tarbet and Orlabiban, and Anna McNamer and Badacz SM finishing in 10:08. Finishing next to tail end in 12:10 was another comeback of sorts, Debbie Grose and Jack. They hadn't done a ride since June, after Debbie broke her arm back in July. She was here riding with an arm cast. I wonder if her doctor knew about this? We always talk our doctors into letting us "ride horses" too soon after an injury. We get away with that by never explaining what kind of riding we do.<br />
<br />
18 started Day 3's 25-mile ride with all but one finishing. The Junior mule riders (and sponsor Trinity) all took the top spots, with Baylee Morgan and Rusty pulsing down first in 3:33. 7th place Bill Miller and Raffons Noble Dancer took Best Condition. Beth Skaggs finished next to last on her 21-year-old Sparrow… the only LD rider to finish all 3 days.<br />
<br />
12 started the 50-miler with 11 finishing, and a 3-way tie for first with Jessica Cobbley and The Big Brass, Lauren Coziah and Taladega, and Simone Mauhl and Boogie in 6:17. Boogie took the Best Condition award. That was his fifth BC of the year.<br />
<br />
Nance Worman and Fancy, and Canadian Robyn Wadey and DSF Saskatchewan (Chewie) were the 2 horse/rider combinations to finish all 3 days. <br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018AutumnSun/photos/IMG_5532.jpg" width="400"><br />
Stay tuned for next year, because Jessica has even more ambitious plans, including better trails (BLM required her to use and flag only 2-track roads this year; she's certain she can work on amending that), and an Idaho challenge along the lines of Nevada's NASTR's Triple Crown… but I'll let her tell about that.<br />
<br />
Just watch out for a Crazy She Devil Cow, whose legend will live on though she's probably in the Canada by now because she was was on a beeline north. <br />
<br />
Reporting from the endurance front lines,<br />
#MadCowMerri<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018AutumnSun/photos/IMG_0201.jpg" width="400"><br />
<br />
More photos and such at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018AutumnSun/">www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018AutumnSun</a><br />
<br />
My SmugMug photos are at:<br />
<a href="https://www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance">www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance</a><br />
<br />
The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-1296031819393488032018-08-14T07:13:00.000-07:002018-08-15T06:33:10.662-07:00What's In A (Trail) Name? Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img src="http://www.endurance.net/merri/080818/PC010041.jpg" /><br />
<br />
August 8 2018<br />
<br />
<a href="http://merritravels.endurance.net/2017/07/whats-in-trail-name.html">Numerous trails were covered in Part I.</a><br />
<br />
Mankind has named roads and trails since the beginning of time, to indicate where you're coming from and where you're going to, and to give you a kind of invested ownership in a place. Same thing here in Owyhee with the trails we ride. More examples:<br />
<br />
<b>Dudley Point</b><br />
This has become a favorite pausing point on the way home for Dudley when we've ridden out to the NW. It overlooks a branch of one of the cricks we live on. From this point, I can see the Cougar Tree, where, <a href="https://theequestrianvagabond.blogspot.com/2015/12/big-cat-big-luck.html" target="_blank">in December of 2017, I came upon a cougar</a> (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). I have told Dudley that story, and he ponders it while enjoying the scenery.<br />
<i>that's the top photo<br />
</i><br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/merri/080818/DSC01588.jpg" /><br />
<b>Dudley Hill</b><br />
This is also a stopping point with Dudley, on the way home, overlooking the ranch. Dudley always stops to look at the lay of things and pose, and I get off and look at Dudley because #hessostinkinhandsome , before I lead him down the hill and home.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/merri/080818/P1010509A.jpg" /><br />
<b>Candelabra Trail/Gate</b><br />
This is our main trail up onto the flats to the northwest. Someone long ago wired an old candelabra onto the gate. And you know what? Some b**tards stole it a couple months ago (and there were motorcycle tracks left behind). I mean - <i>why would someone do this????? </i>It's incomprehensible to me. This candelabra was a landmark, which stood the test of Owyhee time and weather. I made a sign I'm gong to laminate and hang on the gate.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/merri/080818/Candelabra.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
<b>Double Whammy</b><br />
The Double Whammy is so named, because if you do a loop like, say, the Lost Juniper-Dead Cow loop of 7.5 miles, if you slap on the Bilbo Baggins trail ahead of time (an extra 2 miles or so), then double slap the Frodo Baggins wash (<i>up</i> the wash, about another 1.5 miles), that's a Double Whammy of a training loop. You won't need to ride them for a week after that.<br />
<br />
<b>Hillbillie Willie Hill</b><br />
I was riding Hillbillie Willie on the start of the Antelope/Frodo loop, but instead of riding up the entire Frodo wash, we shortcut out and up the hillside along an old cow trail. It's a good uphill workout, and seeing as I'm always working on developing Willie's Uphill and his butt muscles, he got the hill trail named after him.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/merri/080818/BabyJesusCow_600.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<b>Baby Jesus Calf Corner</b><br />
This corner is so-named because a dead half-calf on the right suddenly became a live whole calf on the left, and since it happened around Easter time, the christening of this spot was totally apropos, not to mention politically correct and religiously accurate. You can read the whole recap here: <a href="http://merritravels.endurance.net/2017/03/owyhee-miracle-he-is-risen.html">http://merritravels.endurance.net/2017/03/owyhee-miracle-he-is-risen.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Bucking Cow Hill</b><br />
Yes. This one was rather exciting. Dudley and I were approaching Baby Jesus Calf Corner, when all of a sudden, a cow came <i>barreling</i> up and over this hill trail a couple hundred yards away. Dudley froze, because while he is not afraid of cows, this cow was obviously running from something, or for some special reason… and when the cow started bucking and running, it was too much for Dudley. His heart started pounding like a jackhammer and he blew up like a puffer fish about to explode, I jumped off before I got exploded off, and held onto Dudley. The cow saw us and startled, pulled up short - then went back to bucking and running. If I'm not mistaken, she was running for the fun of it, or possibly - as we could see later as we topped that hill - that she had snuck off and escaped, joyfully abandoning the 3 calves she was possibly calf-sitting. Ever since, Dudley eyes this hill suspiciously as we near the top, in case some mad-happy cow is barreling over it into his path.<br />
<br />
<b>Lost Juniper Dead Cow Loop</b><br />
This is the Lost Juniper wash with the secret hidden juniper tree; if you bushwhack west near the end of the wash, you come up and over a set of hills into the next wash, which contains the remains of a dead cow (bones only, the innards and skin finally having dissolved into predator stomachs and the desert), which makes a sweet uphill wash trot back up onto the flats and back home on a two-track, for a nice 7.5 mile loop. Unless you add a Whammy at the end.<br />
<br />
And there's more to come…<br />
<br />
</div>The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-86252167667474871822018-07-18T06:50:00.000-07:002018-07-19T20:00:13.557-07:00Tackling the Big Horn 100<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/gallery/04Sat/images/P7140083.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
July 18 2018<br />
<br />
The 6 Idahoans - me (on Dezzie), Connie (on cover boy DWA Saruq), Layne (on Harley), Shyla (on Doc), and Anne (on DWA Nadra) - with Commander Rose (Regina Rose, 12-time finisher of the Big Horn 100) headed to Wyoming for the Big Horn 100 with hopes for a clean-sweep finish. Only Layne had ridden and finished this ride before, a few years ago when she was caught up on the mountain in the dark in a storm where she almost froze to death before finding her way off the mountain to the finish line.<br />
<br />
We'd all heard the stories of how tough the ride was (Regina provided us with plenty of tall tales from the good ol' days), so we were prepared for a doozer of a trail, with some fit and ready horses.<br />
<br />
But before we settled into the hot ridecamp in Shell, Wyoming, at the foot of the Big Horn mountains, we got to spend a couple of days in the lap of luxury with Regina's friends, Tom and Fawn, in their AIR CONDITIONED HOUSE, with SHOWERS and MORNING COFFEE WITH THE PRESS OF A BUTTON, where we heard even more entertaining tall ride tales. <br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/gallery/02Fri/images/DSC01393.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Regina was our Wonder Crew and Commander in Chief, and we did whatever she said. On Thursday she hauled us out to ride the first 8 miles of trail that we'd be zipping over in the dark, and she drove her trailer far up a sketchy road to pick us up. Since Regina remembers every single turn and bush and tree and fence line on that Big Horn trail, she told us what to watch out for over every few miles (as if we'd remember): "When you get up there past that hill (WHAT hill???), you'll see a clump of trees (there's trees everywhere!!!), you skirt the edge of those trees, then turn right and go down that hill (WHAT hill???) and angle to your left (HOW FAR angle!?!?). There's this big rock (WHICH rock????) there that you can't miss, and…." etc.<br />
<br />
She drilled us to walk where we had to and haul buns when we didn't have to walk. We packed extra clothes and snacks and drugs (ibuprofen, dramamine, tums) in our saddle bags. And we all said Yes Ma'am, and did what she said. (She also took us Idaho tourists to see the bird dinosaur footprints, and to Tom and Fawn's A&W where I had my first-ever root beer float.) <br />
<br />
And - seriously - the way that woman can pack a sh*tload of crew gear for 4 people!!!!!!!!! (Shyla's husband and daughter came to crew for her, so they packed her stuff). And then unpack it and re-pack it at every vet check!!!! I still have not learned how to use those ratchet trucker straps, can't put them on nor get them off.<br />
<br />
Starting time came way too early Saturday morning - 4 AM - especially when my alarm didn't go off at the intended 3:00 AM and I woke at 3:08. Connie and I popped right out of our sleeping bags and staggered up and into ride clothes and tried to fumble in the right directions of coffee and food and horse tack.<br />
<br />
The start was smooth and efficient, and Dezzie found himself in the lead of our group, happily winging along at a smart clip like he'd been born for the Big Horn trail his whole life. We found ourselves right with the other Idahoan, Tom Noll (back for his 10th Big Horn ride), and that's how it stayed pretty much the entire ride.<br />
<br />
Dezzie led most of the way to the trot-by at 14 miles, where we all took a short break because, of course, Regina met us with water and horse food. Then we started heading up the Dugway into the mountains.<br />
<br />
Hitting this area at 6 AM - instead of 9 AM in the heat like the 50's did on Friday - was just perfect - good light for the spectacular scenery and cool air for the hard-working horses. It would be another 20 miles or so to the top of the mountain (after going way up and way down and way up and way down and…. you get it) for the first vet check at around 34 miles. Since we had all been sufficiently frightened about doing the Shag Nasty in the dark some 16 or so hours from now, we had plenty of Shag Nasty jokes to keep us entertained.<br />
<br />
It was at about mile 17ish when Dezzie did his own Shag Nasty. Power walking up the Dugway, one hind foot then the other stepped on a granite slickrock, and not one but both hind legs just slipped out from under him so that he ended up in a Shag Nasty Pistol Squat (said Layne), with both his hind legs splayed back. Dezzie had pulled off the perfect Devon Loch move (the Queen Mother's horse Devon Loch was about to win the 1956 Grand National Steeplechase, when he inexplicably leapt an imaginary fence 40 yards from the finish line and went down in a Shag Nasty squat on his belly, legs splayed - and lost the race before he could get up).<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/photos/DevonLoch1.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
I froze… should I leap off? Should I sit still???? Dezzie wasn't flailing, so I did not breathe nor move a muscle, and from behind, Connie watched as it took a tremendous effort for him to lift up and get his hind legs back up underneath him. He walked out of it fine, continued up and up and up the hill, and at the next trotting spot he felt just fine…. and we continued on. It did make me think of how far back in there on the trails that one could get, and then have a looooooong way to go and a possibly looooooooong wait if anybody got hurt. But then, we could all just sit on our couches where we are safe from crashes, and all have heart attacks instead, or a meteor fall out of the sky on our heads. So we might as well be out riding in the Big Horns!<br />
<br />
Once we got to the top of the Dugway…. it was back down and down, and back up and down and up and down. One of the canyons was one steep rocky climb down and one long hard steep rocky climb up, where all the horses had to take several breathers just walking up. We crossed fabulous meadows with showy wildflowers. The horses had plenty of grass to grab while walking, even wild alfalfa.<br />
<br />
The trail was excellently marked for this first loop… Cindy Collins gets the honor of riding and marking this one. We never had a question where to go, although we did have tour guide Tom Noll with us, and he knows the trail.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/gallery/04Sat/images/P7140030.jpg" width="400" /><br />
When we 'topped out' on the mountain for the 3rd or 4th time, we actually recognized "that fence line" (and even recognized it from the opposite direction!) from the driving tour Regina had given us on Friday, and we knew we were really just a couple of miles from the first vet check. We flew along the two-track road up there and arrived a bit after 10 AM, right about the time Regina expected us (the cooler weather from starting earlier in the morning had helped us cruise right along). We made good time, as we were only an hour behind the leaders, Suzie Hayes (on Sandstormm) and Hannah Johnson (riding Stuart).<br />
<br />
The Idaho horses all looked great for their vet check. Dezzie's pulse was 52 (criteria 64) and he got all A's, and he ate the entire hour hold. Riders all felt pretty good too. Regina and Dennis and Jade had of course set the horse and human smorgasbord out for us, ready to walk up to and serve ourselves whatever we wanted.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/gallery/04Sat/images/P7140037.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Next was down, down, down for miles, gentle downhill miles on the 2-track road to the highway crossing and ski area. Now, Dezzie is a powerful, effortless mover (and pretty - we call him a Breyer model), but one thing he is NOT, is smooth. Particularly downhill. Uphill - fine; flat - can be a bit rough; downhill - lordamercy. And it was miles and miles of LORDAMERCY, and we were all cruising, making up time for those walking miles ahead. <br />
<br />
My stirrups were half a hole too long, but that was better than half a hole too short, and I didn't want to drill another hole in Connie's saddle stirrup leathers. I'd had many training rides on Dezzie, and a 55-mile ride at City of Rocks last month, so I knew this position was the best choice.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/gallery/04Sat/images/P7140042.jpg" width="400" /><br />
However, it took a lot of my energy to stay centered and balanced on this Big Mover, my feet were aching and going to sleep, and my left foot banging into the outside of the stirrup, none of which I could relieve no matter what I tried while flying along; and I was starting to think, hmm, we are at about 40 miles, and with 60 more miles to go on this horse I think I'm going to die before the finish line… and right about then, I thought I started feeling a little 'extra roughness' - that's how I can look back and describe it. At times I thought I felt Dezzie slightly off behind, then he definitely wasn't; the road was uneven, and he still felt powerful, and maybe he was a bit off in the left front, but then he definitely wasn't. <br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/gallery/03Sat/images/DSC01407.jpg" width="400" /><br />
Regina and Lynn Rigney and Dennis and Jade met us at a few places on the road to offer us water, and Dezzie felt fine each time we started off again trotting. But I kept thinking he was taking some slightly off steps. It was after we had a short steep rocky trail short-cut off and back to the road, where we walked, I told Connie I thought I felt something might be off, and when we got back onto the road, she followed and watched, and at the trot that time I immediately felt him off in the right hind. <br />
<br />
Regina met us once more before we climbed a big hill then dropped down another steep long one to the highway, and I told her my horse was off and I was pulling. Too bad, but I wouldn't consider trying to go another 60 miles on a horse that was not 100%, not even on an 'easy' 100 mile ride, and certainly not a hard mountain ride. If I had 5 miles to go, and had no choice but to handwork into the finish anyway, maybe he could have been finessed in, but that wasn't the case. Besides, I was close to a good stopping point where I could get a quicker trailer ride back to base camp.<br />
<br />
Connie and I cruised on the mile or so to the ski area (I didn't want her to get left behind from our group, I didn't want to try to handwalk an abandoned Dezzie to the ski area), and other than feeling just a bit rougher, Dezzie no longer felt off, but no way was I going to attempt the next 25 mile loop to the next vet check and hope everything would turn out all rosy. <br />
<br />
The trailer did indeed come just as the Idahoans headed off into the trees. Dezzie only had time to whinny a couple of times and not-quite-freak-out before I loaded him in the trailer and we pulled out. Regina had, of course, thought to hand off to me from her crew truck my backpack, some food and iced coffee :) :) :), since I'd be in basecamp till our riders hopefully got back from the finish line (from where they had to be hauled in to camp) in another 14 hours or so!<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/gallery/04Sat/images/P7140115.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Yes, sad I didn't finish the Big Horn 100, but not devastatingly sad, because I caught Dezzie's lameness very early and he will be fine, we got a quick and easy trailer ride back to camp, and I was not going to be physically beat up for another 60 miles and 14 or so hours and therefore be crawling in pain for the next several days. Plus, I was blessed with cloud cover and a strong breeze in base camp, so it was not excruciatingly hot like it had been the previous day.<br />
<br />
I also felt rather privileged to be in fairly elite company… AERC 1997 Pard'ners Award Winner (with Kootenai Zizzero, also 2011 AERC Hall of Fame horse) Suzie Hayes, who'd been in the lead leaving vet check 1, had decided her horse just did not feel quite right, and she turned around and came back to the vet check and pulled her horse. Suzie is one of my heroes, and if she can make a decision like that, for the good of her horse, and I can do the same thing, I must be on the right path to endurance enlightenment. <br />
<br />
And so my ride ended, quite literally, because we had no news of anything, other than my Idaho peeps were still out on trail, till around 2 AM when I heard Layne arrive back at her trailer next door. She and Shyla had finished and had just been hauled back to base camp from the finish line, both wiped out after being barfing sick coming down the mountain, but they'd finished with Tom Noll. Yay! Shortly behind them Connie and Anne had finished, Yay!, and they arrived on the next trailer ride back in camp.<br />
<br />
Everybody fell into bed for a few hours until the sun was up and blazing at 7 AMish, at which time a very simple awards meeting was held, with not all the finishers not quite making it out of bed to attend.<br />
<br />
And so Idaho came and mostly conquered the Big Horn 100, with the inevitable after-effects. Coming down the mountain in the dark at 2 AM, Connie was thinking, "I'm <i>never</i> doing this ride again. I don't even know if I want to do endurance anymore." <br />
<br />
But, kinda like birthing a baby, after several cups of morning coffee (made by me, the Coffee Director), after the awards, and after more AIR CONDITIONING, a shower, and a fabulous Tom-cooked-with-endurance-love breakfast at Tom and Fawn's, Connie thought she just might come back and ride the Big Horn 100 next year.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/gallery/04Sat/images/P7140122.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
Hannah Johnson and her amazing one-eyed Kourageus Hope, aka Stuart, won the 100 - for the third time - and got Best Condition - for the second time. (Hannah also tied for first on the 50 on Friday!) Hannah posted, "This horse gave me his heart and his complete trust this bighorn 100, the mountain humbled us and the loss of his eye proved to be a thing coming down the slick rock in the dark… We finished to a cheering crew and a crying rider…" 14 of the 18 starters finished. <br />
<br />
The Big Horn is in my top 3 of most beautiful rides (with Moab and Eastern High Sierra Classic), and in my top 3 of hardest rides (with Tevis and Virginia City), and - like any mountain ride - you come prepared with the right horse. Don't come if you are not fit - you won't be doing your horse any favors. Don't <i>even</i> bring a horse that's not fit. And there's no dinking around on this trail - prepare to <i>ride</i>. Bring the right gear, and be prepared to take care of yourself and your horse if anything happens, and you'll be ahead of the game, even if you don't finish the ride.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/gallery/01Th/images/DSC01349.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<br />
More stories and photos at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/</a><br />
<br />The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-33703643264142707522018-07-10T20:56:00.000-07:002018-07-11T07:28:57.009-07:00Big Horn 100: Confession<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018CityOfRocks/gallery/06Day2/images/DSC01249.jpg" width="400"><br />
<br />
Tuesday July 10 2018<br />
<br />
Bless me, <strike>Father</strike>, Endurance Peeps, for I have been remiss. It has been 9 years since my last <strike>confession</strike> 100-mile ride.<br />
<br />
It's been so long that I don't even know what to pack, clothing or food-wise.<br />
<br />
I have, in fact, what with one thing and another in life going on right now, been rather ignoring the whole thing. Being ignorant before Tevis in 2009 (I got a mount 5 days before, with no idea at all that it would happen) kept me from a whole lotta consternation while the Tevis nerve balls rolled and bounced all around me, so why not continue on the path of ignorance and relaxation for the Big Horn?<br />
<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018CityOfRocks/gallery/06Day2/images/DSC01256.jpg" width="400"><br />
I know the horse is fit - Connie's horses DWA Saruq (her mount) and Dezzie (my mount) are fit and ready, and I'm somewhat fit. I'm not <i>even</i> going to think about the heat, which is a problem for me. My only plan for that is If it's really hot at basecamp the night before the ride (like it likely will be), I plan to sleep in my wet cool vest. Since I don't really know what to pack, I figure if I bring around 17 changes of clothes that should cover everything from heat to snow to blazing sun to snowstorm. (Lightning - not going to think about that either!)<br />
<br />
5 of us Idahoans are going. Some are getting nervous, so that's taken care of - I don't have to do that. Regina (Big Horn Guru) is hauling Connie and me, and crewing for us, so that aspect is taken care of. Connie brings what we like to call a Body Bag to vet checks, so I know that whatever under the planet I might be hungry for, she'll have it.<br />
<br />
I've already got The Raven packed, so by the time we leave tomorrow morning and arrive near the ride basecamp tomorrow night, we'll already be there and it'll be too late to do any worrying. <br />
<br />
Yeah. That's how I like to get ready for a 100.<br />
<br />
So, Big Horn, here we come!<br />
<br />
More to come at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018BigHorn/</a><br />
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The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-32833218982982729592018-06-14T09:53:00.000-07:002018-06-14T10:06:05.361-07:002018 City of Rocks Pioneer Endurance Ride: Put it on Your Bucket List<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018CityOfRocks/gallery/ConnieDay1A/images/IMG_5409.jpg" width="400"><br />
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June 14 2018<br />
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<i>"City of the Rocks ride was absolutely amazing!!"</i> - Idaho rider Sally Tarbet<br />
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We Crick people do our bestest to put on a great 3-day Pioneer endurance ride for those who want great trails and a good challenge. Over the 8 years we've done it, we've got our routine and jobs down pretty pat. That's not to say it's not exhausting, but it's pretty rewarding when numerous people take the time to write, or stop by before they head home, and gush about their experiences, and thank us for putting it on. And when you hear the term "Bucket List ride" tossed around a bit, well, the tiredness and tribulations (like that gnarly wind storm we had Saturday night!) seem trivial enough.<br />
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Gasp-worthy vistas and great trails and pretty darn good ride weather greeted a record number of riders for this year's City of Rocks ride near Almo, Idaho. Participants from as far away as Canada, Arizona, and California - as well as local Idaho first-time riders - partook of the delights, which, besides the excellent riding, were the town amenities of the Durfee Hot Springs (they know us by name now) and Rock City (they also know our names) and their fabulous pizza and gourmet beer selection. To be sure, we got some Washington and Oregon riders because Klickitat was cancelled, and Strawberry Fields is 3 weeks later this year instead of two, but whatever the reason, they pulled into Ridecamp in droves this year.<br />
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5 or 6 of us hauled horses and gear and a refrigerator (best idea ever!) the 4 hours from the Crick to a perfect basecamp at 5600 feet right outside of City of Rocks National Reserve, to camp out for 10+ days, and work non-stop setting up camp, marking trail by ATV, hiking and riding. John T even had the great honor (?) and VIP job of doing the water this year, since the indispensable Nicholes kids couldn't be present to help.<br />
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Over the week, Ridecamp grew bigger and bigger, on both sides of the road, till it was busting out of its seams. The locals were agog at this annual conglomeration of avid horse riders and campers.<br />
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018CityOfRocks/gallery/ConnieDay1B/images/IMG_5565.jpg" width="400"><br />
An astounding 75 riders took to the trails on Day 1, touring Castle Rocks State Park to the north. 33 started the 25-mile LD, with those racing mules from <a href="http://h2hranch.com/">Heart 2 Heart Ranch</a> taking the top spots. Junior Lucy Martin's mule Irish pulsed down first in 2:51 for the win, with Junior Claire Sterling and Bear the mule second, and Trinity Jackson and Hope the mule third. Fourth place David Brown on that other Equus species, a horse, finished in 3:08 and got Best Condition.<br />
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30 riders finished, with Ann Kuck and Dirty Martini bringing up the Turtle spot in 4:58. Both Ann and Marty have come a long way together in their endurance journey; he's slowly coming to be one of those other Equus species, a good dependable riding horse!<br />
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42 riders started the 50, with only 1 rider option pull. We all want Jessica to get well soon, though she found an upside in being sick on The Big Brass, who can sometimes be very naughty. "Now I know I can puke off Brass without freaking him out - always good information to have!"<br />
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Stephanie Chase aboard DA Serabaars Secret and Christoph Schork aboard GE Atticus Golden Sun tied for first place in 5:20, with Secret getting the Best Condition award. That was Secret's 6th BC in his 5-year career.<br />
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Day 2 had 66 riders, with 33 in each distance. Trails looped along the Emigrant Trail through Emigrant Canyon and into the City of Rocks National Reserve past the iconic Twin Sisters granite spires, and back up into the park near or up to Indian Grove springs at 7200 feet.<br />
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Junior Sidney Jackson won the 30-mile LD in 3:25, and got Best Condition on the mule John Henry. Jill Hedt and Gracie the mule were second, and Trinity and Baby the mule were third. Only 3 pulls on the LD.<br />
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28 of 33 finished the 55-mile ride, with Christoph aboard the AERC War Mare GE Stars Aflame finishing first in 6:29. Second in 6:29.02 was Christoph's intern Tina Gottwald aboard Pinky (GE RR Jazz Dancer); they won the Best Condition award. On this day, Crockett Dumas aboard OT Rasa RSI (another AERC War Mare, and an AHA Distance Horse of the Year) met a cactus he didn't like when Rasa took a spin in a new direction Crockett wasn't prepared for. It of course did not deter Crockett from saddling Rasa up for the third day.<br />
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Day 3 had 62 riders, with the same loops through Emigrant Canyon, and up to Indian Grove, though the Indian Grove loop was done in the reverse direction so you could see totally different, still-spectacular scenery.<br />
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37 of 38 riders finished the 25-mile LD, with Lee Ann Clark and ROL Burning Love getting first place in 3:12, and the Best Condition award. Junior Baylee Morgan on the mule Bear was second, and Junior Parker Eversole on the mule Irish was third.<br />
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22 of 24 finished the 50-miler, with, guess who, Christoph aboard Medinah MHF tying for first again with Stephanie Chase on Secret, with Medinah getting the Best Condition award. They finished in 6:01. Tina Gottwald was third aboard GE Atticus Golden Sun.<br />
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A number of riders finished all 3 days on their horses. 8 rode all 3 days of the Limited Distance rides, with Carrie Johnson and Payback Daysea Duke getting the overall fastest time. 7 finished all 155 miles (3 of them from Canada, eh?) with Layne Lewis and Beauty's Harley getting fastest overall time. Both Carrie and Layne's horses got the Vet's Choice award, the Getaway Horse.<br />
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Veteran endurance rider Naomi Preston summed it up:<br />
"One word. Spectacular! City of Rocks Pioneer 3 day ride in Idaho. A MUST for your bucket list! Reminded me of the gorgeous trails and fun at the old Race of Champions!"<br />
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Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go sleep for a week.<br />
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*lots of fun photos at <a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018CityOfRocks/">http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018CityOfRocks/</a><br />
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The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-68728199996392801342018-05-15T06:50:00.000-07:002018-05-16T07:20:46.415-07:002018 Owyhee River Challenge<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018OwyheeRiverChallenge/gallery/03Sat2/images/DSC00934.jpg" width="300"><br />
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With Smokey and Hillbillie Willie sitting this one out, Pickett Cricksters August and DWA Saruq and Dezzie headed to the Owyhee River Challenge 55 near Homedale, Oregon, with humans Carol, Connie, and Merri in tow (and Regina towing us all).<br />
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Connie's goal is Big Horn 100 with Saruq and Dezzie, and as Sarah couldn't make it for this ride, I (with of course The Raven) was the substitute jockey-du-jour on her horse Dezzie. <br />
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There were some reeeaaaalllly tough Owyhee suckers that participated in Friday's (possibly first-ever-in-Oregon) CTR ride, which Lucie Hess from Missouri flew out to oversee. Ann Kuck stole the win on that one, her first ever CTR ride, with her Dirty Martini - the horse, not the drink.<br />
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The CTR riders had a deluge of rain and wind, the wind of which continued on into Friday night, keeping most of us awake most of the night and wondering what was in store for the 25 and 55 milers the next day. When - amongst the wind gusts battering the truck and trailer - we heard the rain start to fall at 3 AM, Connie and I got up to put rain blankets on the horses. <br />
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As I laid awake trying unsuccessfully to fall asleep (I kept almost sleeping, almost dreaming that the rest of camp was unable to sleep and were all up and standing in a 3 AM breakfast line), I was pretty sure the weather must be better tomorrow. And since we were psyched up for bad weather, it was better the next morning - we only had wind to contend with most of the day. Which wasn't a bad thing, because it would have been warm in the afternoon without it.<br />
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018OwyheeRiverChallenge/gallery/02Sat1/images/P5120083.jpg" width="400"><br />
22 of us riders climbed aboard for the 55-miler start at 6:30 AM on two big loops, with an hour vet check in base camp in between. This year ride manager Karen Bumgarner was able to route us into and along the pretty red rhyolite canyon of Succor Creek, a trail we 3 had never been on before. These series of red canyons that run through the Owyhee Canyonlands country are a pretty well-kept secret, which many of us would kind of like to keep, unless of course you're a horse rider and/or you appreciate them and will take care of them.<br />
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We 3 leap-frogged numerous riders throughout the day. We 3, and a few other riders, would like to publicly give a thank-you shout out to the younger and much more agile Kaili, our gate girl, for opening all the gates for us while we were riding with her.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018OwyheeRiverChallenge/gallery/02Sat1/images/P5120075.jpg" width="400"><br />
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Jessica Cobbley deserves her own special shout-out for <a href="http://stories.endurance.net/2018/05/2018-owyhee-river-challenge-jessica.html">experiencing probably the most adventurous ride of the 55</a>, substitute jockeying for husband Mike, Talladega's regular rider, and experiencing a couple of Dega meltdowns, an unintentional splashdown in a creek, a broken stirrup, and another Dega meltdown or two.<br />
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Scariest part of the ride was the small herd of totally unintimidating longhorn cattle. Sure, Dezzie has seen cows before and doesn't care about them, but these bovines had Long Pointy Horns and he did not want any part of them and was rather appalled to have his picture taken near them!<br />
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20 completed the 55-mile ride, with David Laws and his Kentucky Mountain horse Che Ole, from Portland, winning in a ride time of 5:47, 24 minutes ahead of second place Beth Claussen and Beau De Valeroso. Fourth place Lee Pearce and JAC Winterhawk (riding with Naomi Preston and the redoubtable Fire Mt Malabar in 3rd) won Best Condition.<br />
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22 started the 25-miler, with Dudley's friend Boogey getting the win with rider Simone Mauhl in a ride time of 2:41. They just edged out Joan Zachary and Chico, and the entire Heart to Heart mule gang (7 of them). Boogey got the Best Condition award. There was only one rider option pull in the LD.<br />
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We had one of the best potlucks after the ride, and some good ride awards, which included a bottle of Winky Wash (for real), which was great timing as it came in handy for Monday's spring vet visit of teeth, sheath, and shots!<br />
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018OwyheeRiverChallenge/gallery/03Sat2/images/DSC00924.jpg" width="400"><br />
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More photos and stories from the ride at:<br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018OwyheeRiverChallenge/">www.endurance.net/international/USA/2018OwyheeRiverChallenge</a><br />
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The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4301230285143488965.post-55188652089837853592018-05-04T11:38:00.000-07:002018-05-04T11:38:48.592-07:00Postcard From Owyhee: Dudley's Doctor LetterMay 4 2018<br />
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<br />The Equestrian Vagabondhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15600011873327347121noreply@blogger.com0