USA: Hydesville horse and rider excel in Idaho competition

Humboldt Beacon
June 4, 2009

By Dennis Souza

On Sunday, May 24, Joyce Sousa of Hydesville rode Arabian horse LV Integrity and raced to a first place finish at the Owyhee Fandango International Endurance, 100 mile ride held in Oreana, Idaho.

Horse and rider did this in a time of 9 hours and 48 minutes. The event was an American Ride Conference ride, Arabian Horse Association Region 4 Championship ride and a selection trial for the World Endurance Championship to be held in Lexington, Ky. in 2010.

The pair raced against 29 competitors representing Canada,Washington,Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah,California, New Mexico,Texas and Colorado.

At the awards ceremony, Souza was presented awards which included a Rubicon saddle.

The 3rd place finisher, Jennife Niehaus of Cloverdale, daughter of Joyce and Dennis Sousa, was presented the Best Condition Award to her and Gallantly, an Arabian owned by the Sousas. The top three finishers all finsihed within 50 seconds of eachother.

The local endurance ride club, Redwood Empire Endurance Riders first event of the year is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, at the Chalk Mountain Ranch in Bridgeville. For information, call Ruth Hoke at 768-1748