Pam Karner’s Gaucho Derby Adventure

EnduranceIntrospection.com - Full Story

April 6 2022
by Patti Steadman

Note from Patti:

Anyone who knows my friend Pam Karner knows that she is a force of nature. She is a veterinarian and a Ride Manager and an endurance rider, and beyond that she is unfiltered and generous and hilarious and just a wee bit unhinged. [I say that unapologetically both about her and to her, for the record.]

In every image I have of Pam, we are laughing.

In 2018, she finished the Mongol Derby, a feat that would be epic for someone half her age.

If anyone saw the video circulating around Facebook after this year’s successful Gaucho Derby, she said the reason she did it was because she didn’t want to shrink.

She sent me these videos and her story a couple of weeks ago and I asked if I could share it on my blog; I don’t think Pam has any clue what an enormous fan club she has. Like most remarkable women.

Pam is an inspiration, and to say she isn’t shrinking at 68 would be just a wee bit of an understatement.

Go, Pam, go!

–Patti

Edited to add: Pam shared this podcast with me to share with all of you. Stevie Delahunt’s interview: https://www.warwickschiller.com/podcast/ (And yes, Pam gets a mention as well!)

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MY PATAGONIA STORY

March 2022

“THE GAUCHO DERBY’

My dear friends, this is a bit long so please don’t feel obligated to read it. I just couldn’t figure out what to cut!

What a group of diverse, interesting, exciting, fun party animals! We met in El Calafate and the party was in full swing immediately.

Things quieted down a few days later as we drove eight hours north to who-knows-where over many dirt roads to arrive at “Start Camp”. Seven hexagonal domes that, despite being pinned to the ground, refused to stay put thanks to the challenging Patagonia wind. The doors were the first to go! Each dome created ways to keep their doors on. I was lucky to have two engineers in mine!...

Read more here:
http://enduranceintrospection.com/wp/pam-karners-gaucho-derby-adventure/

New Zealand: Ruahine Endurance Club to host national championships

Stuff.co.nz - Full Article

Manawatū reporter
16:08, Apr 05 2022

Horse riders will be competing through the night at Āpiti Domain at the upcoming Endurance National Championships.

Ruahine Endurance Club is hosting the event over Easter, with a range of class competitions over three days, from an epic 160-kilometre championship level challenge to a 6km lead rein kids’ class.

The pinnacle 160km race will start at 1am on Good Friday.

It consists of six loops with vet checks; a horse will be eliminated if it does not pass a multitude of parameters. There would be a 40-minute rest period before starting each loop...

Read more here:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300553274/ruahine-endurance-club-to-host-national-championships

Australia: Forest fix delivers good news for endurance riders

NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article

04/04/2022
By Erle Levey

Easter at Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Ride is proceeding with confidence.

This follows concern that the trails, especially the forestry tracks, had been washed out during the recent extreme rain event.

Stirlings Crossing Endurance Club president Kim Moir said that meetings with HQPlantations were very positive.

“They must be complimented for their willingness to work with us to allow an Easter event to happen at Imbil,’’ Kim said.

“It was evident that some terrible damage had occurred and they have shown great commitment to make things happen.

“The repairs are reflective of their business but they have also thought about us and the impact Easter at Stirlings has on the Imbil community.

“A great many people come into the town at Easter and the endurance ride has been happening in one form or other for the past 20 years.

“Before that it was held at Kenilworth so there is a long and proud history there.’’

There will be 12 endurance events over three days.

About 300 riders and supporters from throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales are expected to attend at the Stirlings Crossing Endurance Centre from April 15-17...

Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/04-04-2022/forest-fix-delivers-good-news-for-endurance-riders/

Stunning saddle donated as a fundraiser for the Mongol Derby

Bodalla’s Duncan McLaughlin and Moruya’s Cele Stone are among 16 riders selected for the 3600km Blue Wolf Totem Expedition across Mongolia commencing in May 2022. Raising funds for the Children of the Peak Sanctuary, the three-month adventure will see the pair onboard native Mongolian horses, riding roughly 50km each day. Riders cover the cost of the expedition itself but have each committed to raising at least US$5000 for charity.

BeagleWeekly.com.au - Full Article

by The Beagle
March 24 2022

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful Annie Clarke who has donated this saddle to fundraise for the Veloo Foundation’s Children of the Peak Sanctuary Project, as part of the Blue Wolf Totem Expedition2022.

Above: Bodalla’s Duncan McLaughlin and Moruya’s Cele Stone are among 16 riders selected for the 3600km Blue Wolf Totem Expedition across Mongolia commencing in May 2022. Raising funds for the Children of the Peak Sanctuary, the three-month adventure will see the pair onboard native Mongolian horses, riding roughly 50km each day. Riders cover the cost of the expedition itself but have each committed to raising at least US$5000 for charity.

You can support Duncan McLaughlin by clicking here, and Cele Stone by clicking here.

Duncan McLaughlin said "Yes, tears were shed. This is a very special saddle. It’s the saddle Annie’s partner Ray Fulton had made before he died. Long-time endurance riders will remember Ray’s passion for the sport and also his tireless efforts on behalf of Vietnam Vets.

I remember racing to the finish with Ray in his very last ride at Canberra in 2006. In the end he won the ride five minutes ahead of me"

"I can imagine Ray racing - and winning - the Mongol Derby!...

Read more here:
https://www.beagleweekly.com.au/post/stunning-saddle-donated-as-a-fundraiser-for-the-mongol-derby

UAE: Al Wathba’s Ibrahim Ali clinches season-ending ride

Gulfnews.com - Full Article

A total of 127 riders take part in 120-km event held at Emirates Endurance Village

Published: March 21, 2022 15:17
Staff Report

Abu Dhabi: The young rider Ibrahim Ali of Al Wathba Stables claimed the title in the 120-km main race, held as part of the Abu Dhabi Endurance Festival at the Emirates International Endurance Village on Sunday.

A total of 127 riders took part in race, held as part of the season-end festival, which started on Friday.

Ibrahim Ali, riding Sha Shahem, managed to cover the total distance with a time of 4:07:17 hours and an average speed of 29.27km/h. He is closely followed by Khalfan Juma’a, riding Avenir Le Maggiore, came in second place for MRM Stables in a time of 4:07:18, while the F3 stables’ Rashid Mohammed Al Muhairi, riding Vulcani Violi, finished third in a time of 4:17:50...

Read more here:
https://gulfnews.com/sport/uae-sport/al-wathbas-ibrahim-ali-clinches-season-ending-ride-1.86616348

Bahrain: 120km endurance challenge

GDNOnline.com - Full Article

19 March 2022

The main race for the Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Endurance Cup will be held today at the Bahrain International Endurance Village.

The race will cover a distance of 120km.

Another 120km local-international race will be held for private stables.

His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs, Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (Breef) honorary chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will patronise the event.

A Best Horse Body Condition competition will also be held under the patronage of Al Fursan team captain Shaikha Noora bint Hamad Al Khalifa, on the sidelines of the main race.

Prizes and cash gifts will be presented to the top 10 horses which finish all the stages of the race...

Read more here:
https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1036818

USEF Establishes the USEF Ukraine Relief Fund to Support Ukraine Horses and Equestrians

USEF.org

by U.S. Equestrian Communications Department | Mar 15, 2022, 4:00 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian will be joining the FEI in their recently announced efforts to provide support to the equestrian community of Ukraine by establishing the USEF Ukraine Relief Fund. One-hundred percent of funds collected will go to the FEI solidarity relief fund and directly to those in need of support. The FEI is liaising closely with the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation (UEF) and neighboring countries to facilitate support. The USEF Board of Directors has committed to allocating additional relief funding.

The UEF reports “Horse owners, riding schools, athletes, breeders, and professionals are in desperate conditions without any resources of saving their horses. By making a donation or offering help, you will provide the Ukrainian equestrian community a hope for a better future and save lives of the Ukrainians and their loved ones."

USEF President Tom O’Mara reinforced the importance of the Ukraine relief effort, stating, “The U.S. equestrian community always comes together to help fellow equestrians and horses in need. The acts of war in the Ukraine require all of us to join in supporting human and horse welfare in the areas impacted however we can. We will work closely with FEI to ensure all funds contributed are distributed to those who need it most.”

To make a tax deductible donation please visit the USEF Ukraine Relief Fund Donation and help horses page here or send a check to USEF Memo: USEF Ukraine Relief Fund.