Bullioh Australia's Tracy John completes Virginia City 100 Mile endurance race

Bordermail.com.au - Full Story

December 9 2017
by Jodie O'Sullivan

She was the only Aussie to saddle up for a gruelling 100-mile race across the rocky plains of the US.

Bullioh’s Tracy John re-traced the route of the old pony express trail as part of the Virginia City 100-Mile 50th anniversary race on September 16.

Riding an Arabian horse borrowed from a friend, Tracy rode for nearly 20 hours to arrive 31st across the finish line in a starting field of 71 horses.

The race had been on her bucket list since she competed in The Tevis Cup in 2015, another US race regarded as the “granddaddy” of endurance rides.

The 49-year-old, who runs Berwick Endurance Stud with her husband Peter John, said the appeal of endurance riding lay in the partnership between horse and rider.

“I love it because it’s one on one,” she said.

“I love the Arabian breed – I love their speed, their intelligence and the fact they are such beautiful horses to work with.”

Tracy’s steed on the ride was no exception.

The sure-footed Al Marah Land Robin, otherwise known as “Robin”, carried her faithfully across the rugged and stony terrain in 19 hours and 45 minutes...

Read more here:
http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/5106484/us-horse-race-a-test-of-endurance-and-true-grit-for-this-aussie-gal/?cs=11