USA: Western States Trail Documentary Film

Now Available on DVD

The Western States Trail Foundation, sponsors of the world-renowned 100-Mile Tevis Cup Ride, is proud to announce the DVD release of They Crossed the Mountains: The History of the Western States Trail. The 52-minute documentary covers the usage and history of the famous Western States Trail by Native Americans to Gold Rush miners, and by horseback endurance riders and runners — a history spanning thousands of years. This poignant film portrays a wide scope of history, from John Fremont’s discovery of Lake Tahoe to firsthand stories about Indian relatives who traveled this path. Tales of brave pioneers, both historic and contemporary, punctuate the film. Twelve historians were interviewed, giving the documentary a richness and depth about the trail route that traverses the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Carson City, Nevada, via Lake Tahoe and Squaw Valley to Auburn, California.

A portion of the documentary includes excerpts from a 1931 black-and-white silent film that features a group of Auburn men who traveled the trail on horseback, carrying the American flag along the route to the Sierra crest, marking it along the way so that this original Emigrant Trail did not fade into the wilderness. The documentary also highlights a background of how the Tevis Cup 100 Mile Ride and the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run evolved and became such integral parts of the trail’s history.

The documentary’s producer and director, Ginger Kathrens of Taurus Productions Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an Emmy award-winning producer, filmmaker, cinematographer, writer, and editor. Recently aired on PBS are her latest documentaries: “Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies” and “Cloud’s Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns.” She has written two award-winning books about Cloud. Kathrens was also the co-producer and cinematographer of a two-hour special, “Spirits of the Rainforest,” for The Discovery Channel, for which she earned an Emmy Award for Best Informational and Cultural Documentary. Other projects for Discovery include “The Ultimate Guide: Horses” and “The Ultimate Guide: Dogs,” as well as producing segments for "Wild America" and filming for National Geographic and the BBC.

They Crossed the Mountains film documentary was produced by the Western States Trail Foundation and was underwritten by the Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation, the Josephine Stedem Scripps Foundation, the Placer County Historical Foundation, and the Western States Endurance Run Foundation. DVD copies of the They Crossed the Mountains: The History of the Western States Trail may be purchased from the Western States Trail Foundation by calling 530.823.7282 or by visiting http://www.teviscup.org. The website will also indicate when and where future showings of the documentary will occur.

Contact: Kate Riordan 530.333.2002 / irishkate@prodigy.net

USA: 2009 Old Dominion Endurance Ride

Teamwork Key for the 2009 Old Dominion Endurance Rides
USEF Release: July 02 2009

By Beth Liechti Johnson

Teamwork proved key to the successful running of the 35th Old Dominion Endurance Rides, held this June in the Appalachian Mountains along the Virginia/West Virginia state line. Throughout the ride, teamwork made the difference: between horses, riders and crew, between ride management, veterinarians and farriers, and between radio operators, drag riders and emergency rescue personnel.

By June 12, 158 horse-and-rider teams had arrived at base camp outside Orkney Springs, a quaint little town located at the foot of Great North Mountain, part of the George Washington National Forest. Of the 33 100-mile teams who started on the humid morning of June 13, 24 completed. Of 69 55-mile teams who started, 56 completed. And the 25-mile limited distance ride had 43 starters and 40 finishers, a 93% completion rate.

Since its evolution from the U.S. Calvary Mounted Service Cup, the Old Dominion (OD) endurance ride stands out as a true test of teamwork between horse and rider on a spectacular, but undeniably difficult, trail. In addition to the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and Eastern Competitive Trail Ride Association (ECTRA) sanctioning, the 55- and 100-mile distances of this year’s event also served as the Arabian Horse Association Region 15 Championship.

By June, the spring rains had pelted the Virginia landscape for several weeks, so trails were muddy and footing was slippery. The rain held off most of ride day, and ominous clouds rolled across the sky, bringing cool breezes and keeping temperatures in the low 80s. The air was thick with humidity that made pulsing down tough.

Trailmaster Gus Politis, assisted by several OD members, marked this year’s trail. Old Dominion Endurance Rides, Inc., board member John Marsh said the 100-milers faced three major climbs: a 1500’ climb to the top of Great North Mountain at mile 6, a 1600’ climb to the top of Devil's Hole 40 miles into the ride, and a 1000’ climb up Little Sluice Mountain 70 miles into the ride.

Marsh noted that the majority of trail consisted of rolling, forested terrain over a combination of trail and Forest Service roads with frequent elevation changes of 300 to 400 feet. Riders enjoyed the display of mountain laurel in full bloom, along with ample streams for drinking and plenty of grass on the trail for horses.

Veterinary checks at five locations revealed scene after scene of the incredible synchronization between riders and crews, as well as ride management, station heads, timers, volunteers, vets, farriers, and traffic control.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m., OD member Claire Godwin, DVM, on her 10-year-old Arabian gelding EH Ahmose was first to finish the 100 miler in 12 hours and 17 minutes. “Ahmose is a cantering horse, which held him in good stead on this ride,” said Dr. Godwin, who was thrilled with her first 100-mile win on a horse who had never before done a 100.

Dr. Godwin added, “The trail was challenging, but doable—a blast. The miles melted away since the scenery was so gorgeous.” The Godwin family epitomized teamwork: daughter Katie crewed for her mom and husband Pete assisted with trail marking and filling water tanks at key points along the trail.

Stagg Newman and Ruth Anne Everett rode with Godwin most of the day, with teamwork and sportsmanship going hand-in-hoof. All three watched each others’ horses for problems, and Newman even lent Dr. Godwin a hoof boot when Ahmose lost a shoe.

Everett’s Anglo-Arab Razz crossed the finish second and earned the best condition award. Katherine Shank on WindDancer-Bey was top finisher in the 100-mile Calvary Division, which precludes receiving any outside assistance. Shank also received the Old Dominion Trophy for the team that demonstrates optimum performance based on the horse’s post-ride recovery and condition.

In the 55-miler, Bonni Hannah finished first on Rezus Respite. Kara Lee Thomas finished second on AF Big Bucks. And junior Hunter Green was third on Gotcha Covered PW. Veterinarian Meg Sleeper's horse Syrocco Gabriel received best condition.

As with most endurance rides, not everything went as planned. Two situations demonstrated the sound leadership, solid teamwork, and invincible spirit of OD ride management, who handled each situation with urgency, care and professionalism.

Around 5:00 p.m., one 55-mile team was unaccounted for—an unwelcome discovery considering that night was approaching and the mountainous terrain had intermittent cell phone coverage.

OD ride management initiated a search and rescue operation with the Shenandoah County Emergency Response Team, Orkney Springs Volunteer Fire Department, volunteer radio operators and drag riders. For six hours, drag riders, motorcycle riders and ATVs combed the marked trails and side trails.

Just before midnight, drag rider Lynn Golemon located the missing horse and rider unharmed, at the Bucktail vet check in West Virginia. Golemon was driving her rig back from the Big 92 vet check when she heard the rider whistling to attract her attention.

The rider had missed the sign indicating a left turn for the 55-milers leaving the second vet check, instead continuing straight on the 100-mile trail and eventually arriving at Bucktail. Since all of the 100-milers had long since passed through, the check was closed, but fortunately the rider remained in place until help arrived.

In another incident, one of the 100-mile riders elected to withdraw from competition between the checks and was proceeding more slowly then expected between the 82-mile gate-and-go and the 94-mile veterinary check. Drag riders Karen McMullen and Jamie Bladen discovered the horse and rider about 3:30 a.m. The horse was exhibiting dehydration symptoms, so they administered field first aid using a squirt bottle to get water into the horse, and offered moral support to the rider.

McMullen used her multi-use radio service (MURS) radio to contact base camp, guide emergency vehicles to the site, and confer with the treatment vet. Extraction maps developed by John Marsh proved invaluable in pinpointing the rider's probable location and head drag rider Zoe Sollenberger hiked in to assist.

As daylight approached, OD members cleared the narrow trail with chainsaws so a rig could reach the horse. Treatment vet Lynne Johnson, DVM, checked the horse before releasing it for the ride back to base camp around 7:00 a.m.

Co-ride manager Nancy Smart said, “The safe extraction of this horse showed how important drag riders are, how critical radio operations are, and how lucky we were that John Marsh developed extraction maps of the entire course.”

AERC Vice President Laura Hayes, who rode the OD 100 in 2008 and volunteered this year remarked, “The magnitude of coordination to put on a continuous 100-mile ride is incredible, and the Old Dominion club does it with class. Kudos to a great group of dedicated endurance riders.”

OD Vice President and co-Ride Manager Joe Selden said, “The tremendous success of this year’s OD was due to the terrific team effort from all involved.” That teamwork started with the ride management and involved a variety of participants, including the Shenandoah County Emergency Response team, members of the Northern Virginia Trail Riders motorcycle club, who checked all of the trails ahead of the riders to ensure markers remained in place, the volunteer fire department, who prepared several excellent meals as well as assisting with the search for the lost 55-mile rider, head vet Nick Kohut, DVM, who led a top-notch team of 13 veterinarians, and 10 amateur radio operators, who ensured ride management had radio communications with station heads, vets, and drag riders, and finally Henry Mulbauer, who timed the finishers until the wee hours of the morning as he has every year since the inception of the OD ride.

Zoe Sollenberger led an indomitable team of 18 Old Dominion Drag (ODD) Riders, many who are wilderness first aid trained and amateur radio licensed, and three who are search-and-rescue trained. The ODD Riders proved, once again, that drag riders are the unsung heroes of endurance. OD board members Mary Howell and Bonnie Snodgrass coordinated more than 30 volunteers serving as timers, vet scribes and pulse and respiration (P&R) takers.

Finally, all OD participants owe a big thanks to OD board member Gus Politis, who single-handedly built the quarter-mile gravel road, now called Politis Boulevard, that runs the length of base camp, greatly reducing the chance of trucks and trailers getting stuck. Politis coordinated the movement of several hundred dump truck loads to the site, spreading the gravel between loads—a gargantuan effort by a dedicated man that greatly improved this critical aspect of the Old Dominion.

Beth Liechti Johnson (eljohnson707@gmail.com) is a freelance writer and wannabe endurance rider currently located in Virginia.

Old Dominion Endurance Rides Inc. (www.olddominionrides.org), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in 1973 to promote and support the sport of endurance riding through competition, training, education and trails preservation. The club is located in Virginia, but membership comes from all over the country. The OD currently hosts three endurance rides annually—No Frills, Old Dominion, and Ft. Valley—as well as Ride and Tie competitions in conjunction with the endurance rides.

The American Endurance Ride Conference is the national sanctioning body for endurance riding in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about AERC or endurance riding, please contact the AERC office, located in Auburn, CA, at (866) 271-2372, email aerc@foothill.net, or visit www.aerc.org.

Australia: WEG proves 'hugely expensive'

Weeklytimesnow.com.au

Jenny Sheppard

July 3, 2009

THE high cost of transporting horses and riders to next year's International Equestrian Federation World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, has created international uproar.

National federations throughout the world have expressed concern over the costs of flying horses to America for the WEG, which will run from September 25 to October 10 next year, and the inflated prices that "official" hotels near the horse park are charging for accommodation.

Eight equestrian disciplines - driving, dressage, endurance, eventing, para-equestrian, reining, show jumping and vaulting - will decide their world champions during the competition.

England team manager Will Connell said: "It will cost between 1.25 million BP ($Aus2.57 million) and 1.5 million BP ($Aus3.08 million) to take eight full teams to WEG."

A full English team would comprise 51 horses.

For Australia, travel costs are always an issue, and high-performance manager Brett Mace said any shortfall was normally met by competitors.

"Getting the horses to Kentucky will be hugely expensive, but we accept the location for WEG will not always be geographically convenient," he said.

"But it is WEG and it does provide Olympic qualification opportunities."

2010 WEG chief executive Jamie Link said accommodation had been discussed at a recent meeting between national federations and organisers.

WEG 2010: 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Announces Ticket Prices

JUNE 30, 2009

Ticket Sales Set to Begin on September 25, 2009

LEXINGTON, KY - Ticket prices and detailed competition schedules for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are now available as the world’s most prestigious equestrian competition prepares to visit the Kentucky Horse Park from September 25-October 10, 2010.

Ticket prices and event start times have been finalized for the eight world championships, which are being held outside of Europe for the first time in their history. Tickets will go on sale September 25, 2009, exactly one year before the Games arrive in Kentucky. Approximately 600,000 tickets will be available with prices starting as low as $25.

For a complete list of ticket prices, click here.

"We are pleased to have created a ticket program that will be accessible and affordable," said Jamie Link, CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation. "We have a wide range of prices that offer something for everyone, from equestrian enthusiasts to visitors who want to enjoy the 2010 Games, the Kentucky Horse Park and the many other activities and offerings we have available."

Ticket sales will be facilitated by the 2010 Games Ticketing Provider, Ticketmaster, Inc. All ticket sales will be completed online at the Games Web site, www.alltechfeigames.com, beginning on September 25, 2009. Event start times are subject to change.

By registering at www.alltechfeigames.com, interested buyers will be able to receive important news and information about ticket sales as it becomes available. Subscribers will also receive:

· A 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games competition schedule
· Housing and accommodation information
· Press releases on the latest news updates
· Information on hospitality packages
· The latest release of official 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Game merchandise
· Information on events and activities in Kentucky during the 2010 Games


About the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). Her Royal Highness Princess Haya is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years and this will be the first occurrence in the United States.

The Games will be broadcast on NBC Sports, which has marked the largest commitment to network coverage of equestrian sport in U.S. television history. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com

Bahrain: Shaikh Nasser leading in 160-kilometer British race

Gulf-daily-news.com

Sunday, June 28, 2009

SHAIKH Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa bagged the 160km trophy while Mohammed Al Sabosi of the UAE came on top in the 120km event in the 2009 Thetford Endurance Rides which took place yesterday at Norfolk in the UK.

The Royal Endurance Team riders dominated the main ride of this year's championship which was held at Euston Park with top riders from the UAE, Qatar, the UK, France, India and Saudi Arabia.

In the 160km ride, which consisted of six stages, featured an all-Bahraini podium as Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Nasser finished on top in eight hours, 36 minutes and 42 seconds.

Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa (8:36:42) was a close second and compatriot Abdulrahman Al Saad (8:36:43) third.

UAE's Majid Mohammed led the pack in the first stage, finishing in two hours, nine minutes and 10 seconds and with an average speed of 18 kms per hour. Behind him was Shaikh Nasser (2:09:47) in second place and Al Saad (2:10:33) third.

The UAE rider maintained his solid lead in the second stage which he finished in 3:39:43, six minutes ahead of Shaikh Nasser and Al Saad (3:44:14) who remained second and third, respectively.

In the third stage, Mohammed stayed on top with Shaikh Nasser also keeping the pressure on the leader while Bahraini Jaffer Mirza moved up to third.

Shaikh Nasser staged a remarkable comeback and took the lead in the fourth stage with a 6:08:56 ride time. Al Saad (6:09:02) followed in second place and Shaikh Khalid (6:10:51) improved on his placing by moving up to third.

There was no stopping Shaikh Nasser who kept his lead alive in the fifth and sixth stages while Shaikh Khalid leapfrogged Al Saad for a second-place finish.

In the five-stage 120-km event, Al Sabosi emerged overall winner in five hours, 31 minutes and 41 seconds and ahead of runner up Fayez Al Turkomani of Saudi Arabia (5:46:14) while Shaikh Abdulla Al Qassmi (5:46:17), also of the UAE, took third place award.

Al Sabosi led the first stage in 1:14:55 and with a 23 kms per hour speed average. He was followed by Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa (1:31:00) in second place and Bahrain's Yousef Taher (1:32:10) third.

Taher showed great control and stamina to finish the second stage in second place in 2:53:28, ahead of Shaikh Daij (2:53:52) who dropped to third and behind leader Al Sabosi (2:26:50).

Nothing changed after the third stage where Al Sabosi remained in the lead in 3:20:29 and was also followed by Taher (4:00:15) and Shaikh Daij (4:01:20) who were respectively second and third.

In the penultimate fourth stage, Al Sabosi showed consistency to remain first in 4:42:52. However, he was just three minutes clear of Shaikh Daij who regained second position while Taher (5:40:30) went back to third. The event was witnessed by Dubai Racing Club director general Ali Mousa who honoured the winners in each race.

France: Endurance rider completes 140km course in average of 15.31km/hr

Alpedhueznet.com - Full Article

by Vickie Allen | Les Deux Alpes Snow Reporter | published 29-Jun-2009

On its opening weekend, Alpe d'Huez was hosted the fifth annual Equestrian Raid; a weekend of endurance races in which riders from across the continent take part in one of two routes, either 90km or 140km.

This is the only endurance trial of its type in France, with riders taking part at an average altitude of 1800m. The season for horse endurance trials runs from February to November across France, and is a growing sport that test the stamina of both horses and riders alike.

The first event to be completed at the weekend was the 90km trial, which was won by Fabienne Dusserre on Saturday. The main event, however, was the 140km trial, which took place over two days. Riders and horses set-off from Rif Nel early on Saturday morning and completed 35km before horses were checked by the official vet. Teams then completed a further 35km in the afternoon, before returning to their accommodation at Ski Plan's Beau Soleil hotel, next to the DMC lift. The health of the horses is paramount in these competitions and 10% of horses were not deemed fit enough to continue into Day Two. The disqualifications were disappointing but are considered by all as a necessary part of these types of contest, designed to protect the horses.

At 10am on Sunday, the second stage of the trial started. The start was staggered according to the finishing positions of the previous day. It was clear that Ludovic Saroul and Michel Denayer were the only real contenders for the podium, as the majority of competitors left the pen an hour after the two leaders. On Day Two temperatures in resort soared to 25*C, making the combination of altitude and heat very challenging for both riders and horses alike.

Seven hours later, the apparent winner was Saroul, who rode the course at an average of 15.31km per hour. However, horses must pass a further inspection by the official vet and then have 40 minutes to warm-down, in which time their hearts must return to a safe resting rate of 64 beats/minute. Saroul was confirmed as the winner of the E1500 prize money later that night, once all 32 riders had completed the course and the horses were signed-off.

In second place, was Michel Denayer who walked the last 30km of the course after his horse lost two shoes. Rules state that riders must cross the finish line on horseback, so Denayer mounted for the last few metres after leading his horse up to the finish line at Poutran (2000m).

The event was a success and provided a healthy start to Alpe d'Huez's 2009 summer season. In the coming weeks the resort will be host to further events, such as cycle races La Marmotte, 21 Bends and Megavalanche and its very own Triathlon. We'll keep you up to date with the events and results every week.

Equestrian Exploration and Endurance Leaders condemn world's largest unethical horse race

Thelongridersguild.com

What is being labelled as the world's longest horse race, has been denounced by an unprecedented alliance of equestrian, endurance and exploration leaders.

At a thousand kilometers, the Mongol Derby would be the largest non-sanctioned endurance race ever attempted. Set to be run this summer in Mongolia, nearly a thousand semi-wild under-sized native horses have been drafted into an effort which deliberately flaunts international endurance racing rules.

"There's no carefully marked course, no catering tent and no support; this is horse racing on a whole new scale. You will change steeds every 40 km so the horses will be fresh. Bleeding kidneys, broken limbs, open sores, moon stroke and a list of dangers longer than your arm stand between you and victory," warns the official race website.

The horse race is being promoted by Tom Morgan, a native of Great Britain whose company, The Adventurists, previously specialized in enticing adventure-hungry tourists into signing up to race junk cars to distant national capitals.

"We don't make any safety arrangements. Our adventures are designed to be just that, so organising a support crew would rather take the edge off things. People are made painfully aware that what they're entering into can be extremely dangerous," Morgan's website cautioned.

Connie Caudill, President of the American Endurance Ride Conference, is one of the many equestrian leaders who have warned that Morgan's Mongol Derby will severely damage the sport and may well lead to horses being ridden to death.

"This will set endurance racing back 50 years," Caudill said, then added, "This isn't an endurance race, it's entertainment that will undermine endurance racing all over the world."

Morgan's company sought advice from The Long Riders' Guild, the world's first international association of equestrian explorers. The Guild warned the tour company against encouraging the twenty-five foreign competitors, all of whom had paid nearly $5,000 for a chance to ride, to attempt the journey, as the Guild's mounted explorers had recently encountered wolf attacks, bubonic plague, rabies, flash floods, foul water, poisoned food, horse theft and personal assault.

"The Adventurists is preparing to embark on an ill-advised equestrian misadventure, one in which your company does not appreciate the many equestrian hardships and dangers being presented to the horses and riders," The Guild informed the tour company.

Regardless of the danger, Morgan is busy promoting what he calls "biggest, baddest equine affair on the planet." He is being assisted by Richard Dunwoody, a former British champion jockey turned equestrian tour guide. Originally hired to present a lecture on racing to the amateur riders, Dunwoody has announced that he will be riding as a contestant in the event.

Because he plans on drafting nearly one thousand native horses into his non-sanctioned race, Morgan sought tactical and equestrian assistance from an unlikely source, the international charity, Mercy Corps.

Operating in more than a hundred countries, with offices in Scotland and Mongolia, the wealthy charity agreed to accept a guaranteed 25,000 British pounds in donations from Morgan's riders in exchange for providing the tour operator with access to twenty-five Mongolian herder families and their horses.

"Mercy Corps are delighted to be a part of the first ever Mongol Derby," said Jennifer Adams, the Event Development Coordinator at Mercy Corps, European Headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland. When asked if this partnership of participation meant that Mercy Corps was in the horse racing business, Adams answered, "I guess you could say that."

During an eight month investigation into the race, Long Riders in New Zealand, Canada, Switzerland, Great Britain, Mongolia and the United States confirmed that neither the Mongolian government, nor the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the international body assigned to protect endurance racing from exploitation, was involved in organizing the race.

"This is going to be all about the endurance of the rider, as opposed to the horse," said a spokesperson for Morgan's company.

Contestants are riding straight into danger.

"They're providing us with these yellow brick trackers, so we can activate the emergency beacon if our horse is injured and we can't walk it in," one rider said. "The only other time you're supposed to activate the beacon is if you feel your life is in immediate danger. There's only one emergency medical helicopter in all of Mongolia."

Food and water will also be an obstacle during the so-called Mongol Derby.

"We're still looking into the food options," the naive young contestant told the press. "They're going to give us GPS locations to the wells, where we'll be able to get water, and they don't guarantee that the wells will have water. They want us to be careful because there are packs of wild dogs that surround those wells."

When it was learned that Morgan's race appears to violate the three primary principles of endurance racing, namely no commercial exploitation of the horse, a marked route and confirmed sources of water, the world's largest coalition of riders, explorers and editors launched an international petition asking the Mongolian president to halt the race and urging Princess Haya, President of the FEI, to ban the competitors for life.

Additionally, Britain's Minister for the Horse, Jim Fitzpatrick, has been urged to scrutinize Morgan's non-sanctioned race, and the Charity Commissions in England and Scotland received a complaint asking them to investigate the possibility that Mercy Corps participated in unacceptable behaviour.

Regardless of what happens out on the steppe in August, it is already plain to see that thousands of horse riders, equestrian explorers and endurance riders have banded together in an unprecedented act of solidarity designed to halt Morgan's spectacle.

For more information about the race, and to sign the petition, please visit the Long Riders' Guild Mongol Investigation & Petition
www.thelongridersguild.com/mongolia.htm