Saturday, July 31, 2010

WEG: Horse and rider pushed to the limits

BCLocalNews.com
By Mike Simmons - Kelowna Capital News
Published: July 30, 2010 11:00 PM

[More ...]
It costs $20,000 US to send a horse overseas by FedEx.

But local endurance horseback riders Gail Jewell and Elroy Karius have dodged that cost this year, as the World Equestrian Games visit North America for the first time.

Jewell and Karius both qualified for the Canadian team during nationals held July 1 in New Lowell, Ont.

The 100-mile race was completed in sections. The pair would ride out in a 12 to 20 mile loop from camp, return and hold with the race timer still running, and then go out again.

“Technically, you have 24 hours to complete a 100-mile race,” said Jewell.

At the level the pair are currently riding at, the distance usually takes anywhere from eight to 12 hours.

Her goal was to come in under 12 hours and 18 minutes, in order to qualify the horse she was riding as an alternate for the World Equestrian Games.

She was successful.

Jewell said she is the only one on the team that has qualified several horses as backup.

Karius and his horse Apache both qualified as the number one horse and rider in Canada.

...full story at http://www.bclocalnews.com/sports/99651139.html

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