2013 AERC National Championship Trails Preview

Saturday February 9 2013

If you're on the fence about participating in the 2013 AERC National Championship coming up on September 20-22 at City of Rocks National Reserve near Almo, Idaho, this video might tip your hat in the right direction.

It's a preview of the scenic trails you'll ride over, some of the fun you'll have, and some of the memories you'll take home with you.

(Turn up the volume!)

[Embedded here]



[Link]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enpMfzZAHsA

For more information:
http://www.endurance.net/AERCNC2013/

2013 Presidents Cup Bound: Jessica DiCamillo

Tuesday January 29 2013

She's no stranger to hard work: juggling working at home on the cattle ranch and horse farm with full-time study as a Junior on a scholarship in Ag business at New Mexico State University.

Describing herself as a "true cowgirl to the bone," she's no stranger to horses: riding by herself since she was 4 years old, breaking horses and working them on the ranch, and, there's that side hobby of endurance riding in her spare time.

At 19, Jessica DiCamillo of Las Cruces, New Mexico, has already logged over 5500 AERC miles, and racked up 17 wins, including the 2008 North American Young Riders FEI 75 miler on her horse RGS Crestwind Premiere that she broke in. At age 15 it was her first time to participate in the Young Riders. She's completed 6 100-mile rides, the first one at the age of 12. 1210 AERC miles in 2004 earned Jessica the Junior AERC National Mileage Championship, and with the combined AERC miles of her mother Karen, the duo earned the 2004 Bill Thornburgh Family Award.

Despite her horse knowledge and her abundant endurance experience, it was a complete shock when Jessica got the email inviting her and the horse of her choice, on somewhat short notice, to participate in the 160-km Presidents Endurance Cup in Abu Dhabi next month as a Young Rider. "I was like, ohmigod!" Jessica recalled. "I asked, 'When's the ride?' and they said, 'February 16' and I was like, ohmigod! I can't even sleep!"

Jessica will be riding her mom's horse RGS SHA Strike Two. He's a 13-year-old Arabian with 870 AERC miles in 6 seasons of endurance, 15 finishes in 19 starts, and 2 Best Condition awards. He's attempted 1 100-mile ride, where he was pulled as a rider option. All but one of his finishes were in the Top Ten, and 4 of them were wins.

It's usually senior riders who are invited to compete in the grueling Presidents Cup with near-world record 100-mile finish times (under 6 minutes 30 seconds the last 3 years), and when USA Chef d'equipe Emmett Ross heard that Young Riders would be participating, his reaction was shock: "What!?"

He explains, "It's a challenge, let me put it that way. But we're making a HUGE effort to push our US Young Riders, and this will be an experience, obviously. From a learning and a world exposure experience, it's fantastic. It's not the winning or the losing... it's just the experience you get. It's going to be something they remember for the rest of their lives, and that to me is the essence of riding overseas." Devan Horn of Texas is the other US Young Rider invited to compete.

Emmett will talk with the girls about their goals in the Presidents Cup, and focus on what they have to do to complete the ride, which will indeed require concentration, when the winners will be riding at 25-26 km/h, while the girls will likely average 16 1/2 to 18 km/h speeds in the sand. There's the added distractions of dealing with great retinues of grooms for UAE riders in the crewing areas, riding amongst Princes of Middle Eastern countries, with dozens of cars racing madly in the sand in front of, behind, and right beside the riders, and grooms handing off water bottles to the riders as they gallop by.


That shouldn't sidetrack a true cowgirl who's used to rough riding on the ranch horses, and it likely won't distract her horse. The DiCamillo horses are ranch stock horses first and they "do pretty much anything and everything we ask them to do." That includes riding up the mountains and down the hills, and roping cows. "You know the Man from Snowy River?" Jessica asks, referring to the Australian movie and the scene where Jim Craig gallops his horse down a seemingly near-vertical mountain. "Strike makes that look easy!" Jessica says with aplomb.

The sand course in Abu Dhabi should be no problem to Jessica and Strike Two. "We live out here where the sand is. He moves across the sand well." Starting a race with over 100 other riders doesn't sound intimidating to Jessica either. "Strike is very powerful. He's a 16-hand horse and he's awesome to ride. But I don't worry about him in a mass start."

Horses are simply a way of life for Jessica and her family, and it's likely this Young Rider will take this big new international endurance experience in stride. For Jessica, the best part of riding endurance is the time spent with the horses, seeing the country go by, and meeting the people; but competing overseas for the first time is also the next step in the evolution on the pathway to Jessica's big endurance goal: "Getting on the World team with my mom, like Valerie Kanavy and her daughter [Danielle] did."

The Presidents Endurance Cup on February 16th will be another milestone on that path.

Follow her experience in Abu Dhabi at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2013PresidentsCup/

2013 Presidents Cup Bound: Devan Horn

Sunday January 27 2013

It's a rare thrilling experience for any international endurance rider to get an invitation to ride in the Presidents Cup Endurance Race in Abu Dhabi, but for Young Rider Devan Horn of Texas, it's an endurance dream come true. "I'm beyond excited!" the 19-year-old says. "I haven't slept in 3 days!"

Devan will partner with Jason and Ceci Butler-Stasiuk's CJS Maverick for the 160-km race on February 16th, which is known for its tough course in the sand (and often heat and dust storms), its large number of participants (usually over 100 starters), and its record-breaking finish times (6:21.35 in 2012, 6:25.13 in 2011, 6:21.12 in 2010). CJS Maverick is a 9-year-old National Show Horse (3/4 Arabian, 1/4 Saddlebred) with a record of 650 AERC miles, and 11 completions in 16 starts, with 3 Best Condition awards.

It's an unusual move for the race's Organizing Committee. Normally, invitees are senior international riders who had not previously competed in Abu Dhabi; this year the decision was made to invite Young Riders to compete with the seniors. Reportedly, 16 foreign Young Riders have been asked to participate. Travel expenses are paid for a rider, horse, and groom.

Never before has Devan ridden in such a large and prestigious, competitive seniors race; nor has she ridden CJS Maverick in competition before. Add to those ingredients the facts that Maverick has only competed in and completed one 100-mile ride, that he is very competitive, and that he has not faced a starting line with over 100 starters before, and one might forgive Devan for feeling a little intimidated. But none of that makes a dent in the poise and confidence that this Texas endurance rider radiates.

Some of that self-assurance was surely transmitted from international competitor Darolyn Butler, whom Devan first met 12 years ago, and whom Devan considers a second mother. Darolyn is a long-time endurance rider, multiple National AERC Champion, multiple international medalist, and currently 6th in AERC lifetime mileage with over 33,000 miles.

"My parents moved down to Texas when I was around 7," Devan explains, "and I had so much energy, they just dropped me off at Darolyn's house and said 'keep her'. So I started working at Darolyn's and helping out with her trail riding business, and it was just a natural flow into endurance riding. Darolyn's been really great; she's been my mentor since I was 7."

Like Darolyn, you could say that endurance is Devan's obsession. "I was really lucky that my first horse discipline was endurance. I love everything about it - the time spent with the horses, the people in the sport, the Arabian breed. It's really the only discipline I can ever see myself doing."

Devan has been competing in endurance on Darolyn's and Ceci's horses since she was 11 years old (Ceci is Darolyn's daughter); and since then Devan has completed over 2800 AERC miles, finished the 100-mile Tevis Cup, competed in 3 North American Young Riders FEI rides, and won a 120-km Young Rider race in England, her first time riding overseas.

Her experience riding and handling many different horses will serve Devan well, and she has logged many training miles on Maverick, but, what about that first-time ride on a horse in a big race?

"No doubt he's going to be very forward, and I'm going to have to really work hard to rate his speed. I'll have to focus on really keeping our pace, and keeping him controlled. But luckily he's not one of those horses who loses his head in a crowd."

Maverick's current training for the Abu Dhabi race in the sand consists of doing what Darolyn Butler's endurance horses always do. "We're going to focus on long and slow down here in the heat and humidity, do a couple of nice rides, and take it day by day." Fortunately, Maverick will be familiar with the sand course in Abu Dhabi, because that's what he trains over every day. "It's all sand," Devan says. "The only time we're not in sand is when we're crossing the road to get to more sand!"

Getting the international experience and getting to compete abroad is one of Devan's dreams. "I'm not sure where my endurance career is going, but I live for the International. i think it's just so great to be able to see another country from the saddle."

On February 16th, this USA Young Rider will get to do just that.

Follow her experience in Abu Dhabi at:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2013PresidentsCup/

Owyhee Bonanza

Friday January 4 2013

The only thing better than being in Owyhee is the good fortune of being in Owyhee in the winter after a gorgeous snowfall on a good horse.

[video here]

or link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMQMg5DGb7I

The New Recruit

December 4 2012

People have been discussing new ways to recruit new endurance riders into the AERC fold.

One way is to have a horse-crazy endurance aunt (one named, let's say, Connie), who brings her 9-year-old niece (one named, say, Sarah) out to ride on, say, a former international FEI competitor and now gentle giant of a horse named Krusty, and takes her out in the desert to ride and ride.

Connie's endurance infectiousness of course quickly consumes Sarah, and it's clear that you can't separate the goal of Sarah's first endurance ride, whether it's mostly Connie's or Sarah's idea.

Sarah's first endurance ride, the LD on Day 1 of the Owyhee Hallowed Weenies was not easy. 30 miles of trotting is a big jump from summer weekend lessons back home, and from the 8-10 mile training rides a long two months before Sarah's endurance debut. 30 miles was a long day of tiredness, sore muscles, and a saddle that fit Krusty but not quite Sarah's short legs. Crossing the finish line was a huge accomplishment, but that first endurance ride was quite enough.

However, by the time the awards dinner rolled around, and Sarah had had time to rest, and she heard all the other riders' stories (including several other juniors, 2 with whom she rode), and she heard all the cheers from fellow riders as she got her finish award, Sarah was up early the next morning for Halloween, Day 2 of the Owyhee Hallowed Weenies, decorating Krusty's and Finneas' mane with ribbons as costumes.


As it goes with all seasoned multi-day riders, Sarah felt better and got stronger during the 25 miles of day 2 (and rode in a better-fitting saddle). Had there been a Day 3, she would have done it.

Over Halloween in southern Idaho, another endurance addict was created.

[video here]


(or link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWs-Me58gfA )

What Do You Want in an Endurance Horse?

Monday November 26 2012

It appears we aren't ALL crazy.

Over 100 of you responded to the poll: "What are the Top 3 traits you require in an endurance horse?"

Despite some of the crazy horses I've seen on some endurance rides, the number one attribute required of an endurance horse is a good brain. A horse with a good brain is less likely to injure himself or you, and he's likely to last longer because a good-brained horse will listen to his rider (and hopefully the rider shares this good quality).

A very close second is good conformation. That will take care of much of another aspect of your endurance horse. A horse with a good build from the ground up - good feet, straight legs, proportional and balanced neck and back will help those muscles and tendons work smoothly over time and distance.

The third most popular requirement of an endurance horse is being smart - he or she knows how to take care of him/herself. We can assume that means a horse will eat and drink well out on trail and in vet checks, and he'll know to slow down and take a breather if he needs one (especially if his rider isn't aware). Some horses will go and go and go down a trail, with no sense of how fast is too fast or how much is too much till they about kill themselves. A smart horse is one who won't do that.

Having a special bond with a horse was mentioned by several people as being important, as was smoothness, and willingness to go forward down the trail. The 3 most amusingly stated requirements were: 

"1. Whoa

2. GO

3. A back that fits my saddle."

The best single reason to choose a horse was: "He had the most spectacular mane I'd ever seen!" (I rode with a girl once whose horse had the longest most gorgeous mane I'd ever seen, but it always got tangled in her hands and the reins if she didn't braid it!)

One reader suggested it's important for the horse to have had ample space to run around in his early years, naturally developing and strengthening the tendons, ligaments and bones as he grows up. There are always a few exceptions to the rule, and one doesn't always know how a horse has been brought up, but it's a fact that a horse who will be expected to compete in endurance over many years must have a solid foundation of conditioning. A horse that has grown up building his own foundation will have an advantage to one brought up in a stall.

And that's the great thing about endurance - we don't all have to ride 16.2 hand Arabian geldings with the perfectly manicured 2 inch mane, all going down the trail in the same frame at the same speed with the same comportment. It just goes to show that our horses are as diverse as we riders are, in personality, conformation, and ability - and manes. 

2012 Owyhee Hallowed Weenies: Small, but Mighty

Monday October 29 2012

It looked like a sad little Ridecamp, with but 3 trailers huddled together in back, and a small group parked out front, but it was really a family gathering of horse nuts come for the last Owyhee endurance ride shindig of the year, with old timers and newcomers and a bunch of juniors, three of whom are in running for year-end National Junior awards.

With great thoughtful foresight, I arranged for a rainstorm down low and a snowstorm in the Owyhee mountains a few days before the ride, eliminating the heavy summer dust on the trails, and providing a scenic snowy backdrop for ambience.

Ride weather was perfect: cold before the golden sunrise, and cool during the day, ideal for those horses who already had a good start on their winter coats. Trails wound through the Birds of Prey Badlands, alongside the Snake River (where Amanda and I discovered 'new' ruins from an old homestead, which, despite riding by here numerous times, we'd never seen before),


on the edge of the Hart Creek Rim Trail, and along the glorious Hallelujah Rim Trail,


while blue storm clouds left riders alone but highlighted the rippling hills of the Owyhee desert and the rocky buttes of the Snake River.


A witch and a ghost, a fire dancer and a clown, Pippi Longstocking and a bikini-clad beach girl galloped the trails, while a saucy pony sported a sunflower hat and boa feathers and a clown horn that scared him when his rider honked it! A Fargo law officer and her dog Hannabelle Licker worked the vet checks while Death roamed around.



When Karen Steenhof won the 75 miler and Best Condition on day 1 on Rusty, she reached 17,000 AERC miles.


When 4-foot tall Sarah rode 6-foot tall Krusty, she finished her first ever endurance ride on Day 1, and a new endurance rider was anointed. Though she was worn out, she still climbed aboard Krusty on day 2 and finished her second endurance ride ever, and an endurance addict was crowned. Two more juniors rode their first endurance rides on Day 2. Each night sounded like a packed cheering stadium with the family group of riders packed in the warm house for the evening awards and home cooked meals.

It doesn't take a horde to make a mighty endurance ride, just a good group of endurance riding junkies with a love of good trails and great horses, like the kindred endurance souls at the Owyhee Hallowed Weenies.