tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17888760786657497922024-03-28T04:52:23.561-07:00Steph's EnduranceEndurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-15124242778639112912018-06-25T16:47:00.000-07:002018-06-25T16:47:33.254-07:00Nature's Kruschev.... RIP (but not just yet!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1mcs7rhgs0XyZuehdCkbXfC2VzRrEhcQy0c3ZvrHfToBxXXt6RC9cn_qQWjsJDHCs9Hli4AfdOcPrUMOtRTwsqR-2IA2cVb0grRUuk6PX0EKUwVjtUGty4MTj4ttZnTZqVEDrwzPG29w/s1600/IMG_4682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1mcs7rhgs0XyZuehdCkbXfC2VzRrEhcQy0c3ZvrHfToBxXXt6RC9cn_qQWjsJDHCs9Hli4AfdOcPrUMOtRTwsqR-2IA2cVb0grRUuk6PX0EKUwVjtUGty4MTj4ttZnTZqVEDrwzPG29w/s400/IMG_4682.JPG" width="400" height="300" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>(a painting I did of Kruschev last winter)<p />
My amazing Russian Orlov Trotter (half Arabian) (thankyou Lari Shea) big black brave athletic horse was about gone. Losing weight gradually this year, significantly over the past month, and looking near death after I got home from Weiser Fiddle festival a couple days ago. At 28 we figured it was his time. I made arrangements for euthanasia and burial on our ranch, sadly accepted his loss. He was no longer eating, and barely drinking. Merri commented that she didn't think he 'could' eat - couldn't or wouldn't swallow.
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So a last ditch trip to the clinic, a sad vet pointed out all of his issues - maybe Cushings disease, equine odontoclastic root resorption (we had to pull several loose molars this spring), but the serious issue was fever and an anaerobic infection at the base of his tongue - causing the tongue to swell, thus the difficulty eating. Probably a foreign body had worked its way into the tongue, and festered there. My option for treatment was a week at the clinic on IV antibiotics, and even then the vet felt the prognosis was poor given his overall health. I decided to just take him home and we'd do a ranch burial.
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The vet gave him a good dose of banamine and when I got him home he was able to eat a little bit, probably because the pain was less. He had a pretty good drink too. I gave him another dose of banamine at night, but his mouth was full of chewed-but-not-swallowed grass and clover, so he spat out most of it, I think.
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I called our vet, set up a time for euthanasia. Called a neighbor with a backhoe, they'd come dig a hole in the morning.
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Well in the morning ol' Krusty decided, not yet! When I gave him another oral dose of banamine, his mouth was full of stinky oozy bacterial goo. The infection had opened up, maybe because the banamine let him eat with less discomfort, working his tongue better, or more probably because he knew what that backhoe was doing...
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At any rate, he's eating, drinking, and looking bright. I called the vet, said never mind (for now). The hole is dug, hopefully we won't need it for a while.
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Dang, I love that horse - nice to have him for a little bit longer.
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Steph
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com236tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-69319814224157157082017-08-04T14:45:00.000-07:002017-08-04T14:45:43.239-07:00Tip of my hat to Top Of The WorldThe logistics of getting all of the 'Creek People' to a multiday ride can be challenging, but we managed to get it done, and it was a splendid ride! This is a new 3-day ride in a spectacular part of Idaho. Jessica (determined and inspired) and Mike (reluctant but willing) Cobbley did an amazing job of finding the most beautiful basecamp, and some very fine trails in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. We had views of the Grand Tetons to the East, and numerous lesser mountain ranges to the north, south and west. It's high country, basecamp was at 6500 feet, and the stands of pine and fir intermingle with aspen groves, sagebrush hills and mountain meadows to create a very beautiful mosaic of greens. Absolutely gorgeous country.
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017TopOTheWorld/topoftheworldrainbow.jpg" style = "float:right">
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We had a 7 hour drive from Owyhee, east and north, and passed through dramatic showers and storms as we neared our destination. As we turned off the highway and drove ten miles down a dirt road the storms blew away and a double rainbow escorted us to camp. A good omen! Half of the Creek (Connie and Sarah Holloway and I) arrived a day early as we wanted to settle in and let the horses rest, hoping to ride all 3 days. We had a welcome chilly night (a break from the desert heat), a misty meadow morning from the previous rains, and a short ride to stretch the horses' legs. A lovely peaceful day.
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The rest of the Creek (Carol, Merri, Regina) arrived that evening in Regina's trailer and we sorted out horses and pens and stuff. I will admit that I got cranky trying to keep up with sorting out feed, blankets, tack, pens, buddies, riding plans, and my increasingly agitated mare. The sight and sound of feed and buckets drives her crazy, this mare thinks food is the most important part of life, and she was getting hysterical with the other horses coming and going in different directions. I finally got my senses together and we had a 'session' - I'm the boss, remember? It always amazes me how well it works to assert myself, and after that she was fine. And I was better too after a little whining session.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017TopOTheWorld/gallery/StephDay1/images/IMG_3837.jpg" style = "float:left">
The first day's ride dawned misty and cool and beautiful. I set out with Connie and Sarah, glad to have company on this new 'wilderness' trail, one never knows how it is going to be out there! Our first 25 mile loop was a bit daunting, spectacular views, but the rocky trail was slow and we were a little cranky by the time we got back to camp. (They're not going to use this particular trail next year). Second 25 mile loop was along forest single track trails, and some aspen groves, and a fun technical trail along a creek and meadow. Big beautiful views and looming thunderstorm clouds solicited an afternoon of oohs and aahs.
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017TopOTheWorld/gallery/StephDay1/images/IMG_3883.jpg" style="float:left">
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My mare Smokey, and Connie and Sarah's horses DWA Saruq, and 'Desi', finished the first day in great shape so we were on for day 2. Beautiful trail!! The most scenic trail I've ridden in a long time, great footing, spectacular views, forest and meadow... glorious. We rode for several miles along the continental divide between Idaho and Montana - and even did a little loop into the neighboring state. It was a very enjoyable morning, we still rode slowly but this time it was because we couldn't quit gawking and taking photos. The second loop was the same 'easy' loop that we did on day 1, still pleasant, still scenic, still fascinating watching the storm clouds build up.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017TopOTheWorld/gallery/StephDay2/images/IMG_4033.jpg" style="float:left">
So far, so good, so we set off again on Day 3. I rode with Carol and her horse August all day, it was fun, like old times. (we have ridden many thousands of miles together over the last 25+ years). Another beautiful trail, most forest roads and single track, pleasant and not too demanding. Second loop was the same as previous days, but it didn't feel tedious. The horses knew the trail, we knew the trail, and we just zoomed along. Smokey felt awesome, strong and forward and happy, and she actually won the 'Get-Away Horse' award - the veterinarian's choice of the 3-day horse in best form to make a fast escape if needed! Another wonderful day riding. Great weekend - cool mountain nights, yummy dinners from Spencer's smoker. Good friends, awesome ride!
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017TopOTheWorld/gallery/StephDay1/images/IMG_3913.jpg" style="float:left">
Steph (and Smokey!)
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-82166149902160044192017-04-27T10:23:00.000-07:002017-04-27T10:23:32.801-07:00City of Rocks<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017CityOfRocks/COR.jpg"><br />
<center><b>City of Rocks, Almo Idaho</b> </center><br /><br />
It's time to start thinking about our next event. We discovered this treasure in 2010. My son Clay had told me about an amazing place after his in-laws had their family reunion in the little town of Almo. Wynne's family came from the area, and it was a chance for them to revisit the old home place. Clay said "you gotta see this place!" .
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So, I found myself veering off the Interstate when I saw the sign for 'City of Rocks' on our way home from Wyoming. Merri and I had been crewing for our friends Rusty, Kevin, and Kevin at the Big Horn 100. Heads full of adventure and beautiful scenery from several days in the Wyoming Bighorn Mountains, warm sunny July day ... just seemed like the right thing to do.
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The road to Almo and City of Rocks passes through high desert scenery - farmland in the valleys, surrounded by mountains. We wind our way through the valleys and over a few passes and BOOM all of a sudden there is this immense world of granite. <img style="float:left; padding:10px; width:300px" src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017CityOfRocks/CRST.jpg">
<br /><br />and it just kept going, past Castle Rocks State Park and then into the City of Rocks National Reserve. An expansive stunning landscape of sagebrush, aspen, firs, pinon pines, cactus, sub-alpine firs, snowy peaks... dotted with cattle and old homesteads. This area was a major crossroads for emigrants as they traveled west toward California, Oregon and Nevada, or north to Idaho. Pioneer journal entries describe the site as "a city of tall spires,” “steeple rocks," and "the silent city." <br /><br />
There are natural granite caves with names and dates of the pioneers inscribed in axle grease, or etched into the rock . There is a very strong sense of awe, and perhaps humility, when confronted by such magnificent scenery, and how it must have affected these travelers. <img style="float:right; padding:10px;" src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017CityOfRocks/RR.jpg"> <br /><br />
It didn't take long for the idea (compulsion) of an endurance ride took hold. Perhaps a few seconds. I talked with the park managers - they were very excited about the idea having invested heavily in making the park horse friendly with trail heads and well designed equestrian trail. Oh my, getting better. I spoke with the Forest Ranger (Sawtooth National Forest) and he was very supportive. We met a rancher happy to lease us a campsite. And after one evening in the hotsprings there was no going back...the rest is history. The first ride was a mid summer 5-day 250 mile event with trails going off in every direction. Ambitious? of course! and the 'Crick Gang' spent many glorious days scouting new trail, riding the country, basking in the high altitude sunshine.
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I've changed a few things since our first 2011 event - only three days now, and in early June instead of mid summer. With the high altitude and mountain ranges summer thunderstorms can get pretty Exciting, and the heat is intense. So we're doing cooler weather, and simpler rides - and sticking with the most scenic trails and easiest logistics. (smarter with age?)
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<a target="new" href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017CityOfRocks/"><img style="float:right; padding:10px;" src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017CityOfRocks/IndianGrove_thumbnail.jpg"> </a>So, now we're less than six weeks away from the next event. Time to focus. The website with trail maps and link to pre-registration is at <br />
<a target="new" href="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017CityOfRocks/"> http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017CityofRocks/ </a>. <br />
There are lots of photos too, as well as Merri's awesome Circle Creek video.
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Now... just waiting for springtime to actually arrive! Might be a little snow up at Indian Grove in the high country...
<br /><br />
Steph
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www.endurance.net
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-60814658331935770102017-04-15T09:50:00.000-07:002017-04-15T09:50:37.010-07:00April. It's not funny any more.
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/pfchang2.jpg" width="250" style="float:left; padding:10px;"/>
April is trying, but I'm afraid it's having a hard time. We had a GREAT Owyhee April Fools endurance ride on April 1, perfect weather for riding - sunny, upper 60's no wind . I did a fun/slow 50 miles on Smokey, rode with Connie and Merri all day, good company.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/smokey.jpg" width="150" style="float:right; padding:10px;"/> And a lovely April 9 birthday dinner with family at P.F. Changs (the Boise restaurant with a huge horse statue, had to go there - photo with Joel and Melissa). John and I rode our bikes, a great way to get around town. And thanks for all the birthday wishes - that's the one day I really appreciate Facebook!
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And now it's really time to warm up April!! Snow in Boise yesterday, making a mockery of the cherry blossoms and landscaping efforts. Didn't last too long maybe an inch, and then turned to cold rain, and the rivers are even higher - record water flow levels. Mountain snow melt still to come! Aaarghhh..!
<br /><br />Ok April, it's not funny any more!
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/snowtree.jpeg" width="400" style="float:left; padding:10px;"/>
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Steph
www.endurance.net
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-60864703099932883752017-03-15T10:56:00.001-07:002017-03-15T11:03:58.047-07:00Owyhee April Fools (Tough Sucker)Time to get ready for the first ride in the Northwest. We've been doing the Tough Sucker ride for many years - it's always fun, always a challenge because ya never know what the weather is going to be like in April. And this year we had the Winter From Hell with snow and ice all winter long. Record snow levels and low temperatures. And of course all that snow has to melt at some point so we've been having record water flows too. Our bridge is sort of hanging in there - under water for several weeks, hauled some new gravel, it is tenuous though..
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So our ride is in (gulp) 2 1/2 weeks - the horses are still fat and furry, it will be a long slow ride. but hey, it's a ride, and the first ride of the year so it will be awesome no matter what.
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But since we've been doing this same trail for so long, we decided to spice it up a little this year, a little different scenery. The desert is rather boring.
We're going to take the first loop for the 50 and 25 mile riders up Toy Mountain. (optional for trail riders). There's still a bit of snow, but we've been able to find the original trail. It should be fun and beautiful up there.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/aprilfools1.jpg">
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Loop 2 for 50 and 25 milers will drop down into spectacular Sinker Canyon (optional for trail riders) - it's so gorgeous this time of year with all the rapids.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/aprilfools2.jpg">
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We've also decided to up our game with a dinner catered by Pierre Le Chef, coming all the way from France to cook his specialties for us.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/aprilfools3.jpg">
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And! we found a great deal on awards. Solid gold trophies made in Slovenia, very affordable and so lovely!
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/aprilfools5.jpg">
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We hope you can join us for the ride!
Steph & Team Tough Sucker
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<h2><a href="http://www.endurance.net">Endurance.Net</a></h2>
(further updates will be posted at http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2017OwyheeAprilFools/ )
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-86880406915606559882017-02-14T07:11:00.001-08:002017-02-14T07:11:39.676-08:00Goodbye Barney!I was truly saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr. Leslie B. "Barney" Fleming . He was a friend from the early years of Endurance Riding.
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A generous and enthusiastic man, he and his wife Linda were part of this world, especially the multi-day rides. Barney the vet, Linda the farrier. Riding across the southern New Mexico desert, riding the Pony Express trail across America's west - some of our greatest adventures were during that time.
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For several years Barney drove up from New Mexico to Idaho to vet our multi-day 'Owyhee Canyonlands'. Fun times and good memories.
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Here's a photo of Barney (left) and John (right) taken on Halloween morning during the 2002 Owyhee Canyonland rides - Barney getting ready to watch riders head out on the trail, and John getting ready to check the marking on the ATV.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/barneyjohn.jpg">
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Goodbye Barney!
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Steph
www.endurance.net
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-29975727580328270172017-01-23T17:03:00.001-08:002017-01-23T17:03:50.520-08:00Looking back to warmer times...<img align="left" src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/cover.jpg"> <br />Well it's been a record-setting snowy cold Idaho, and lacking inspiration for writing something new, I decided to look back at some of the warmer places I've been.
<p /> And Malaysia pretty much beats all for warmth! Right?
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A little history - in 2005 Malaysia began building an endurance program in earnest. The newly appointed king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, was a horseman, and had taken an interest in endurance riding. And so it began -
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/edaranclassic/"> <img align="right" src="http://www.endurance.net/international/Malaysia/2005EdaranClassic/gallery/steph_edaran.jpg"></a>
I was fairly high profile at the time with Endurance.Net and my previous international riding adventures, so was invited to come to ride and get involved in the program. What fun, what luck!
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Here's the story of my first Malaysia adventure, in 2005. (such a long time ago!)<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/edaranclassic/"> <i>"There's something very soft and gentle about Malaysia. The air is soft and sweet and humid, the billowy clouds are soft and diffuse, the heat can be intense, but the sun's rays are filtered through the humidity, everything seems bathed in a gentle haze. The people are gentle too - gentle with their horses, gentle with each other. Thinking back on the other places around the world that I've been, with Endurance, with the horses, Malaysia still amazes me... "</i></a>
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/edaranclassic/">Link to 2005 Edaran Classic on Endurance.Net</a>
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-43689077302033372372017-01-05T12:19:00.001-08:002017-01-05T12:19:13.295-08:00It's gonna be a long winter...<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Winter2017/Diary.html"><img src="http://www.endurance.net/snow2017.jpg"></a>
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We haven't seen dirt since early December, and just had two more snow days - close to 2 feet on the ground now. Yikes it's really pretty, but I think it's gonna get old. Merri is doing most of the outdoor horse stuff now, as I have a winter-wimp reputation to uphold.
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John is out clearing the road this morning with the tractor, getting Regina un-stuck, and maybe I'll make it to town this weekend. (still have half 'n half though, so it's not an emergency). Horses are eating a LOT, and really furry, so I think they're ok.
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John and I are playing music, I'm trying to re-learn the fiddle and he's swapping between guitar, banjo and mandolin. My fiddlin' is getting better and I'm remembering lots of songs we used to play. But still, it is not an easy instrument! We hooked up a midi keyboard to my iMac, and I'm laying down piano tracks to play by - that's been fun.
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I wasn't really planning on riding this winter, but now I have an authentic excuse!
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Winter on...
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Steph
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Winter2017/Diary.html">Follow on Endurance.Net</a>
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-80491571512137383162016-12-20T12:55:00.000-08:002016-12-20T12:55:36.022-08:00Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays<font size="3" color="#276f20"><center><b>'Tis the Season!</b></center></font>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9aokzDJ-Ss"><img src="http://www.endurance.net/threesantas_500.jpg"></a>
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<i>Click on the Santa's to hear them sing!</i>
</center>
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-55219619986036763192016-11-27T11:58:00.000-08:002016-11-27T11:58:26.439-08:00Heart 2 Heart EnduranceI spent some time yesterday making award placques for some amazing kids. Heart 2 Heart Ranch is having their annual awards and recognition party next week and I volunteered to make placques for the Endurance Riding program. <br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/H2H.jpg"><br />
For the past few years the Owyhee Endurance rides have seen a growing invasion of kids on mules. They aren't just regular old mules, they are race bred mules... and the kids aren't just regular kids, they are special needs children who have found a passion and outlet in riding thanks to Trinity Jackson and Heart 2 Heart Ranch. They show up in droves, and they really ride! Trinity usually sponsors the group, but others have stepped in as well.
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We've always given discounts to Juniors at the Owyhee rides, but this year we're letting Juniors ride free! And others are contributing to the 'Juniors Ride Free' fund, including our favorite ride veterinarian who donated part of his fee to the 'mule kids'. The kids and mules always liven up ride camp and the vetting area!
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At the recent Halloween ride they came dressed as Dalmations (not quite 101, but still a good showing!)<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/blogger/H2Howyheeride.jpg"><br />
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In 2008 Trinity received a grant from Zion Bank - the Smart Women Grant Award for 'Small Business Startup and Expansion'. That was the beginning of <a href="http://www.h2hranch.com/index.html">Heart 2 Heart Ranch.</a>
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From the H2H Ranch website:
<i>
Trinity Jackson is a former special education teacher with heart. Owner of the
newly created Heart-2-Heart Ranch in Parma, Idaho, Jackson teaches disabled
children to ride mules.
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Unlike many programs that teach kids how to ride an animal around an arena,
Jackson hopes her program will give disabled children confidence by letting them
compete at mule rodeos and shows.
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"We want to teach them from the very beginning to the end, so that at some point
they can be a little more independent and maybe own their own animal someday,"
Jackson says. "This will teach them responsibility and bring them self-confidence
and self-esteem."
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A mother of three, Jackson used grant funds to purchase additional acreage for
the ranch near her home and to buy an arena so the kids can receive training
year-round.
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"We are trying to make it very affordable, like signing your child up to play T-ball,"
Jackson says. "We want whole families to be able to participate." The program will
serve children across the spectrum of disabilities and in the future will include
curriculum for nondisabled siblings as well.</i>
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I love it that we can share our sport and our rides with so many different people, and kids. (and mules!)
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Steph
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-5557628048700360262016-11-16T07:15:00.000-08:002016-11-16T07:20:22.988-08:00Rapa Nui - looking backA gray November morning, wondering about the coming winter project (I always have some project going!) and thinking back to the years of traveling around the world. November, six years ago, I was just home from an endurance ride on Easter Island - Rapa Nui - a most amazing opportunity, unforgettable images. I thought it might be fun to look back a bit until I get further inspired for this winter's project.
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The story and all the photos are on Endurance.Net at <a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/Chile/2010EasterIsland/index.html">http://www.endurance.net/international/Chile/2010EasterIsland/index.html</a>
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This photo is of the wrangler (native Rapa Nui riding in flip-flops ) that helped us select our horses for the race.<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/Chile/2010EasterIsland/gallery/Nov18/images/PB180192.jpg" width="500">
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Horses are everywhere on Easter Island - very few cars, so people ride horses, and they basically have open range on the Island. Everybody knows whose horses belong to whom and they just graze them wherever it is possible. (for example beside this moai)<br />
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/Chile/2010EasterIsland/gallery/Nov14/images/PB140075.jpg" width="500">
<p>It was fun going back and reading the travel notes. While I was down there I had just seen the film documentary "180 Degrees South" - a road/boat trip down the pacific coast to Patagonia. The sound track by Ugly Casanova always reminds me of this time.
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Steph Teeter<br>
www.endurance.net
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-65088095970326159282016-09-25T08:21:00.000-07:002016-09-25T08:21:57.652-07:00Mom and Dad <font size="3">Beautiful service for Phil & Georgie Schroeder yesterday. The entire immediate family, long-time extended 'family' and friends. A Navy gun salute and flag folding, beautiful eulogy, everyone singing along with fiddles-3 and guitar to Danny Boy, Amazing Grace, and Anchors Aweigh. It was sad and sweet and the perfect tribute to two wonderful people whose first meeting was at a USO dance in San Diego in 1943. Love all around.</font>
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/SchroederStuff/momdadEarly.jpg">
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/SchroederStuff/MomDad.jpg">
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/SchroederStuff/crypt2016.jpg">Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-64950522482000161382016-08-26T12:11:00.000-07:002016-08-26T12:11:40.519-07:00Dear Diary: Summer is flying by. August 26<b> August 26</b>
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My good friend Christoph Schork is in Namibia this week, for the Walvis Bay Endurance Ride, brings back memories...
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In 2006 I spent a couple weeks in Africa - going to this ride, which was the African Endurance Championship, and also the Saldana ride in South Africa. It was a fantastic trip including riding through a game reserve and being chased by a white rhino. (fast horses). Christoph's adventures are going to be equally wonderful, and it's been fun for me going back through my stories and photos and 'being there' again.
For anybody wanting to read my stories, they're at <p />
<a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/2006Saldanha/index.html">http://www.endurance.net/international/2006Saldanha/index.html - The South Africa trip</a>, and <br /><a href="http://www.endurance.net/international/2006WalvisBay/"> http://www.endurance.net/international/2006WalvisBay/ - The Namibia trip</a>.
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I look back at some of the adventures I've had thanks to the horses, and the sport of endurance riding. Hard to believe sometimes!
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An excerpt from the South African 'Saldanha Ride' story- <i>The course wound around the bay - a lovely cove with rocky outcrops, sand shallows at low tide, Southern Right Whales spouting and rolling in the water, dolphins, gulls, cormorands, other shore birds that looked just a little different to me. We crossed several flat or rolling sections of flower covered land - big granite outcrops, smooth gray and white stones thrust in every direction, piled on top of each other. and the flowers were incredible. The whole ride takes place in a Nature Conservation area. Preserving the flora - the special coastal plants and wildflowers, the kudu (large african game animal), the tortoises, the whales, - plus a variety of other mammals. Very wild and natural habitat.</i>
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Summer2016/August26.jpg"><img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Summer2016/August26.jpg"></a>
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Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-81627073761170940162016-08-23T12:43:00.000-07:002016-08-23T12:43:07.153-07:00Dear Diary: Summer is Flying By. August 23<center>
<b>Jose</b>
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Summer2016/August23.jpg"><img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Summer2016/August23.jpg"></a>
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Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-39759301220416679502016-08-16T10:05:00.000-07:002016-08-23T12:43:34.199-07:00Dear Diary: Summer is Flying By. August 16<b>August 16 (how did that happen??)</b>
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Summer2016/August16.jpg">
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-29320727695569941792016-07-25T11:20:00.001-07:002016-07-25T11:20:43.274-07:00Dear Diary: Summer is flying by. July 25
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Summer2016/July25.jpg">
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Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-25501820815081638682016-07-20T14:00:00.000-07:002016-07-20T14:00:44.313-07:00Dear Diary. Summer is flying by.<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Summer2016/July20.html"><img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Summer2016/July20.jpg"></a>
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Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-53109028774317433172016-06-19T07:20:00.001-07:002016-06-20T14:44:38.185-07:00Dear Diary. Let it be Spring. June 19I finally found a quiet moment this morning to write something and noticed the last post was April 8 !!! how did that happen?
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I’m not sure I can even count back and figure out where the spring went.. We had some gorgeous weather in March and early April, and then it seemed the wind never stopped blowing. So the garden and ranch/yard work was spotty - I got behind on a lot of stuff there. It’s really hard to get out when it’s cold and windy…
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I did a few rides with Smokey (I love this mare!) - our 50 mile Tough Sucker ride here at the ranch on April 9. We bailed at the Eagle ride April 23 - rain all night, cold and raining and windy in the morning and we found a million excuses not to saddle up and ride. So we played cards in the camper while the hearty ones rode in the weather.
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We did a 55 mile ride at Owyhee River Challenge - lots of fun. Then geared up to host our epic City of Rocks ride at City of Rocks National Reserve - 200 miles west of here near the historic town of Almo. It’s a gorgeous place - stunning scenery. We do 3 days of 25 and 50 mile trails. It’s as much a big party as anything. All the friends pitch in, we work really really hard, but make sure we reward ourselves with pizza at Rock City, the local pizza/beer/sundries shop, and daily and/or nightly trips to Durfee Hot Springs - clean pools of water for every preference (I like the hot one the best).
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/Diary.html"><img style="float:right;" border="3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBma1eAQNLFK-KeeR7XpShYfN4fhF-LulZ0yumx7d0sCCEpq1n-1mbleCKnUSV01C8LxhxBm4_RpD7eWa1jrVdFr_w2xX3f5ueQ0FURrV4UrSf2PypIykhNvInM_x9Akb31iPloIYBCRl/s320/californiatrail.jpg" /></a></div>
It’s a crazy intense fun exhausting time - we got there on Saturday to set up and mark trail, the actual ride was Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and we made it home on Monday. We had 40 riders the first two days, and 60 on the last - and all the crew, family, friends, staff, Wynne's gang cooking meals for everybody. So many people, camping and riding over the same ground that the pioneers rode (or walked, or drove) in the 1840's. Historians state that during the peak of the gold rush and emigration west over 10,000 pioneers traveled through the City of Rocks.
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We had 150 miles of trail to mark and unmark, tents to raise and bring back down, everybody’s stuff to sort and unsort, fencing and water for all the horses we bring so we can ride and have fun too … it’s like building a little city. We’re still unpacking stuff a week later… Why do we do this? Hard to say, but so far we’re still gung ho. I rode Smokey for two days - fun sorta-fast rides, she’s a really good horse for this sport, and it is such beautiful riding - this is my reward I guess!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/Diary.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtC0bxVxsyAqiagp_CoEre36SFkzV2L-zUbC_N18LhLj4CRS_0e2Wh5RdztbE2E8eoOi0ZwP7-ot0Q_VI2b7zWGDQ9irDLTUCGsLx1-UMzao0hMM0RQEECdlzf1TTrl2wqOjXjjcPmY2j/s320/smokeyCOR.jpg" />(photo by Steve Bradley)</a></div>
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Now I’m home, getting caught up on yard, ranch, garden work. The weather has been pleasant, though we did have another big wind yesterday afternoon. Today is warm and sunny and calm. I’ll ride this morning, then some yard/garden work, play music (I’m playing fiddle again after 35 years! It’s fun). Time to relax and enjoy summer for a while.
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(<a href="http://www.endurance.net">follow on Endurance.Net)</a>Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-53115264569574867702016-04-28T14:14:00.000-07:002016-06-19T06:53:00.504-07:00Dear Diary: Let it be Spring. April 8<b>April 6 </b>
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We've had crazy weather - summer and winter are still duking it out. This week it hit 80 degrees. (last week it got up to 55). But for the most part Spring has Sprung.
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Lilacs are blooming, dandelions taking over the lawn, cherry blossoms, cottonwoods shedding cotton, the trees along the creeks are green now and the hills are green with spring grass. Still a lot of snow on the mountains - this is good!
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The birds are mostly back, though I haven't seen the orioles yet. We have a pair of phoebe's that have been nesting in the corner of our porch by the front door for as long as I can remember. They are used to people and dogs and the door opening and closing, even during the rides and clinics they get on with their business. This year I tore down the old nest (mud and stuff) and closed off the hole into the wall, but tradition held, and they built a new nest on top of the porch light.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/phoebe.jpg" margin="5px">
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I've been watering the pasture and gardens since March - it's been dry and windy this spring and I needed to start the water early. The kildeer love it when I set the sprinkler in the pasture. Their cheerful peep peeps are a sure sign of spring.
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/kildeer.jpg" margin="5px">
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Steph
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/Diary.html">follow on Endurance.Net </a>Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-91327691504436074742016-04-25T14:34:00.000-07:002016-04-25T14:46:46.925-07:00Dear Diary: Let it be spring. April 4<center>
<b>My 16,000 mile American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) patch came today - that’s 16,000 miles worth of endurance rides
in the USA!</b>
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/April4.jpg">
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<b>And here’s a thanks to the horses and the endurance miles they earned for me. Some had short careers for one reason or another (sickness, arthritis, injury, age, attitude) some stayed with me for a long time. Some were ridden by others as well as me. They were all special in some way!</b>
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<li><b> Tiaro </b> - my first Arabian endurance horse! scrawny and ugly but tough and loved to run. <font color="red"> 1025 miles </font> (1075 total)
<li> <b> Carrousell Vision </b> - beautiful and capable Arabian. <font color="red"> 1075 miles </font> (just me)
<li><b> Viargo </b> - Carol's horse, a great ride. <font color="red"> 50 miles </font> (375 total)
<li><b> CMR Benewah </b> - fast and barely broke and loved to run. <font color="red"> 525 miles </font> (1200 total)
<li><b> OMR Kalligraphy </b> - ex race horse, awesome ride, retired due to arthritis. <font color="red"> 150 miles </font> (805 total)
<li><b> Nature’s Quicksilve </b> - half Russian Orlov Trotter - amazing mare. <font color="red"> 680 miles </font> (2200 total)
<li><b> Nature’s Khruschev </b> - half Russian Orlov Trotter - fast, safe, sane, tough, the best. <font color="red"> 2865 miles </font> (3415 total)
<li><b> Nature’s Fantastic </b> - half Russian Orlov Trotter - fast, but had a mean streak. <font color="red"> 525 miles </font> (575 total)
<li><b> Bunchuk </b> - pure Russian Orlov Trotter - imported from Russia as a driving horse. fast trot!!! <font color="red"> 520 miles </font> (1125 total)
<li><b> Great Santin </b> i - a rescue horse, Arabian, tough and game. <font color="red"> 1305 miles </font> (2455 total)
<li><b> Sukaro HCC </b> - ranch bred Arabian 'tougher than snot'. <font color="red"> 325 miles </font> (3625 total)
<li><b> Jaziret Bey Musc </b> - the best endurance horse - tough, fast, fun. <font color="red"> 4105 miles </font> ( 6620 total)
<li><b> AM Bold Destiny </b> - Heidi's horse. beautiful Arabian. <font color="red"> 100 miles </font> (840 total)
<li><b> Jose Viola </b> - the most fun horse to ride - happy, willing, tough. <font color="red"> 450 miles </font> (3985 total)
<li><b> Ravenwood Dark Desire </b> - aka Batman - fast and bold, a true superhero. <font color="red"> 750 miles </font> (2014 total)
<li><b> Owyhee Smoke Signal </b> - aka Smokey - born here at the ranch, a strong minded mare, a great ride. Many more miles together I hope! <font color="red"> 455 miles </font> (just me!)
<p /><center>
<img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/tothehorses.jpg">
</center>
Steph
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/Diary.html">Follow on Endurance.Net</a>Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-16627195046551809352016-04-05T09:43:00.001-07:002016-04-05T09:49:11.177-07:00Dear Diary: Let it be Spring. April 2First ride of the Northwest endurance season today - based out of our ranch (The Teeter Ranch) in Oreana. This was the 10th running of the Owyhee Tough Sucker ride. The trails aren't really all that tough - some sand, some rock, some climbs, but the weather... can be anything! We've had wind, rain, snow, hail, hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, volcanoes, earthquakes... it can be Tough out there!
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Our Tough Sucker Mascot has been Yosemite Sam, he's pretty tough, right? Ride awards are usually coffee mugs with the mascot and a few other silly things printed on it.
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/Diary.html"><img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/toughsucker.jpg"></a>
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Well this year we decided to have a little fun. We're just a small ride, but we have big ambitions. The really big rides in the Middle East, where Sheiks and Royals compete, have grand prizes - typically shiny new 4WD vehicles - Toyota or maybe even Mercedes rigs. So what the heck. We advertised 4WD trucks for the winners of the Tenth Annual Tough Sucker ride. We even let folks pick their preference when they registered online - Toyota, Jeep, or Mercedes.
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Well the competition was fierce<b>*</b> and the day was long. But oh what a day - it was the first really lovely spring day of the year. High of 75 degrees, light breeze to keep everybody comfortable, lots of green grass on the trail, wildflowers, blue sky... it really was a beautiful day, smiles all around. Of course the trail was tough enough, especially for horses and riders on the first competition of the season. We threw in some good climbs and sand washes and tried to keep up our reputation. But it was a happy day.
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/Diary.html"><img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/toughsuckerSam.jpg"></a>
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We let Sam have a little fun (at least on the completion mugs).
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And the winners were excited about their 4WD truck awards. There was even some back room dealing on who would get the best models, and what to do with the vehicles if the recipient had to go home before the awards ceremony.
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We lined up all the trucks for a photo before they went home with their new owners.
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/Diary.html"><img src="http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2016ToughSucker/photos/4WD2.jpg"></a>
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It really was a fun day. I had a fantastic 50 mile ride on Smokey, she felt good all day and just ate up the miles. She's a good one, we just have to keep our relationship firmly defined. (I'm the boss).
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A good day for Tough Suckers.
<p />
Steph
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<b>*</b> <i>not really...</i>
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/Diary.html">Follow on Endurance.net</a>Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-32920347155706258902016-03-29T10:18:00.000-07:002016-03-29T10:41:36.246-07:00Dear Diary: Let it be Spring. March 28<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/March28.html"><img style="float:right;" src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/March28.jpg"></a>
This weekend was the 'world's richest horse race' - the Dubai World Cup (or Meydan Cup, named sponsor). I usually don't follow thoroughbred racing very closely, but this year the race was won by California Chrome, the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner (whose sire was raised and trained in Idaho) so he was sort of a 'home town' favorite. And the photo of him crossing the wire is an 'OMG' photo! it appears that just a few more strides and his saddle would have slipped all the way back to his haunches.
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It also got me reminiscing... in 2001 the Dubai World Cup also included an Endurance race. UAE (United Arab Emirates) was just building endurance into a National sport, the rulers were promoting the sport, and also competing, so it was a big deal, and this was a showcase event. I was invited to attend with Nature's Kruschev (Krusty) as we had finished well at the World Championship in France the summer before. So we loaded onto a Cargo plane out of Los Angeles and flew to Dubai for another great adventure. John and Destry (youngest son, 15 yrs at the time) came along as my crew. We went early to acclimate and recover from the trip so had several days to play tourist and experience the country. Dubai wasn't built up much yet - still a lot of open space and residential areas, and one day Destry decided to skateboard from one end of the city to the other. We had some fun parties too - all the riders and crews (from the other countries) were caravanned across the desert for a night celebration. Tents and carpets and bonfire and dinner - chefs grilling over open flames, an array of salads and deserts and a few special arabian treats. Sheikh Mohamed (bin Rashid Al Maktoum - ruler of Dubai) was also there joining in the festivities, meeting the riders, dancing with us around the bonfire. He had taken up the sport himself, so was fully devoted to it. It was an amazing experience, treated as guests in a bedouin culture - in a country on the brink of becoming a world force.
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I've had some amazing experiences thanks to this sport - and this was one of them. Here's my write-up of race day:<br />
<hr />
March, 2001<br />
Well - it was an amazing ride -
<p />
Results - the UAE website hasn't posted the results yet, and I don't have anything official with me right now, but from what I remember: UAE riders placed 1,2,3 - Terry Wood from Australia placed 4th. Best Condition was a rider from Spain on a leased horse (Sheik Mohammed's stable). Sheik Mohammed finished 7th - and he rode a very impressive ride - 60th into the first vet gate, and just kept moving up steadily all day. A smart ride and a good example of pacing and careful riding. US riders - Jennifer Nice placed 18th on her horse Al Baraq (now owned by UAE), Karen DiCamillo and SR Sharee placed 24th, Jan Worthington placed 30th on a UAE horse. 33 finishers total, 86 started. Valerie Kanavy and Bear Cat were eliminated at 73 miles (7 miles left to go), Rita Swift got very sick from heat stroke and had to quit at 60 miles, Darolyn Butler's horse, Chaser found some buried rebar and injured his pastern during the first loop, eliminated at the first vet gate. I pulled Khruschev at 40 miles. He stumbled and came out of it lame - he had a crack in his heel where a sole abcess had worked up through the foot and he probably banged it when he stumbled. Beecher's thermal-radiographic unit detected heat (inflammation) in his heel after the ride. Disappointing to not finish (only his second pull in almost 3000 miles) but we had a blast while we were out there!!
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/stephdubai.jpg" style="float:left;">
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<i>Steph & Kruschev before the start</i>
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It was a VERY energetic start - the horses were all incredibly eager. Even Khruschev was doing some serious bucking for the first few miles. A couple horses went on for a while without their riders ..... We settled into a mid-pack pace for most of the first loop. It's so flat there that we could see the front runners moving out on the horizon - dust from the horses and the zillions of 4WD rigs driving along beside them. It was incredible - at least one rig for each rider, driving ahead, hopping out and offering bullets of cold bottled water for the rider to pour over the horse. Every 3 kilometers or so the drivers would have water for the horses and riders. I rode with Jennifer Nice for the first loop - our horses went well together, kept up an 18 km/hr pace (about 10-11 mph) for the first 22 mile loop. Jennifer is now working in UAE and riding for one of the stables, so she had the stable drive and crew for her and generously shared their services with me. (John and Destry stayed in at the camp instead of driving out with me). The crew guys were great - water and electrolytes, and hollering out speed and distance at intervals. Most of the trail was pretty flat, easy going, but there was a lot of deep sand as well. The crew rigs were supposed to stay off of the horse trail, so they paralleled the riders - usually off in the deeper sand. I stopped counting the number of 4WD rigs stuck in the sand after the first 10 miles. Very entertaining - and I think the drivers were as interested in racing each other as they were in crewing for their riders!
<p />
We pulsed down pretty quickly after the first loop - and even at a 10mph pace we were already 25 minutes behind the front runners! Incredible speed on these fast/flat desert courses. It is certainly different from the sport that most of us do in the USA. This is a race... not a ride.
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We spent some extra time at the vet check letting Khruschev eat more - his gut sounds were diminished - and doing some emergency shoe fixes (Jaye Perry was there for the Kanavy crew, but helped everybody out as well). Khruschev was really cranked for this ride, as were all of the horses. He was in pretty good form, though a little chubby for a fast,hot ride. He vetted in with a 28 pulse! and never even went over a 110 pulse during the entire time we were on the trail - but ... it's pretty tough to take a horse that trains in the mountains and ask them to maintain a constant, fast, pace in relatively flat terrain. Muscle and limb fatigue is a problem. Plus the horses from the northern hemisphere had at most 3 weeks to acclimate to the heat. This is probably a bigger issue than the terrain for most of the horses.
<p />
We went back out on the second loop in good shape - his gut sounds were strong, and he was feeling great. We rode alone for the first couple miles and then caught up with a UAE rider - one of the Dubai Police riders. Had a nice time riding with him, and he shared his crew with me - water, electrolytes, etc - whatever we needed. Great fun - I've invited him to come ride in Idaho - but I think he was a little taken aback with the idea of mountains and minimal crewing! About 3 miles from the vetgate, Khruschev stumbled and came up lame - we were at a crew point so I was able to ask to have a horse 'ambulence' come and get us and drive us back to the village. We went directly into the treatment tent - very very nice facility - state of the art - competent veterinarians, friendly, helpful. The vet gave Khruschev a thorough examination, couldn't find any soreness in his limb, thought it might be the foot - released us and I took K back to the barn. Very efficient, professional care.
<p />
John, Destry and I spent the rest of the day helping crew for the others. Valerie and Karen were doing well, horses looking good. Rita was pretty sick, but determined to stick it out if she could. Jennifer and Jan were both riding as US riders, but they were in the UAE section for crew, so we didn't see them except on the trail. There horses were kept in separate areas because of quarantine requirements.
<p />
It was quite a day - Karen and Sharee did a great job, Sharee is an amazing little mare (850 lbs max) - their ride time was 7:33 (I think). The winning time was 6:11 - on an 78 mile course. Fast.... The completion rate was a little over 40%. It got very hot - 35 degrees centigrade - and the sun was pretty fierce. The UAE horses - that live and train here - were impressive.
<p />
That's about it for now - I leave in 15 minutes - back out to the stable, load the horses in the van, ship them to Abu Dhabi (2 hr drive) - then we'll load them on the plane and depart at 7am. 6-10 hour layover in Luxembourg, then off to LA. About 20 hours flying time.... long day/night head of us.
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More later -
<p />
Steph Teeter
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Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-67879619945341974182016-03-27T07:35:00.000-07:002016-03-27T07:50:30.737-07:00Dear Diary: Let it be Spring. March 27<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/March27.html"><img width="700" src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/easter.jpg"></a>
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-50194792265952668062016-03-24T12:18:00.000-07:002016-03-24T12:36:32.522-07:00Dear Diary: Let it be Spring. March 24<b>I’ve </b> been juggling horses around between paddocks and turnout since returning from Arizona - and thinking about the relationships the horses have with each other, and the relationships we have with each of them. I bought a beautiful chestnut arabian last spring - well trained and the perfect phenotype for endurance - hoping he would be a horse for me to spend the next decade or so with.
<p />
Since I lost my magnificent Jaziret two years ago I’ve been at a loss. He was strong, tough, brave, we did thousands of miles of endurance together. He was my partner on the trail for 15 years. So it’s a hard act to follow.
<p />
The big red horse is a fine athlete but his ‘formative’ years were in a show barn where he led a sheltered life - stalls, arenas, and very little social interaction with other horses. He never quite learned that horses in herds fit into a hierarchy - there are leaders and there are boundaries that if crossed can lead to problems. He will challenge horses that shouldn’t be challenged, and he loves the mares and they love him (I named him Casanova) but sometimes they just have to tell him ‘enough is enough’ and this isn’t always gentle. This makes it hard for me to turn all the horses out on the range together - mares and geldings together - because there’s always the chance of a fight, which means there’s always a greater chance of injury to one of them. So I need to sell him to somebody who has a more controlled stable situation. He’s an absolute gentleman with people, but he’s a liability for me because of my free range situation here.
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Since I’ve decided to sell him I’ve been keeping him (and the others) out of trouble by keeping the horses separated into little groups. Things are peaceful right now. Every day they get moved into the arena, or out on the range to graze, or into one of the paddocks. Handling each one every day has been fun - they’re all so different, make me think of the many horses have given me so much over the years. Life measured in horses - one day I’ll try to chronicle that.
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The little herds of today:<br /><br />
<b>Sunny</b> - the Shagya/Arabian cross - she is John’s horse - she’s very special, very sensitive, requires a lot of patience (because she’s so ‘special’) but John gets along with her quite well - he even calls her Sweety sometimes <br />
<b>Phinnaeas</b> - Connie’s horse - black, bold, tough - grandson of the Black Stallion <br />
<b>Dudley</b> - the last of my Russian Orlov Trotters (my Orlov/Arabian mare and a Belesemo Arabians stallion) - one of the smartest,handsomest horses I’ve raised - but his bouts with laminitis and tendency toward metabolic disorder (which also leads to laminitis) resulted in a stalled career as an endurance horse. He’s making a come back though, years of attention to his feet, weight control measures and regular exercise with Merri have brought him around. <br />
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<b>Stormy</b> - Merri’s elderly ex-racehorse Thoroughbred. <br />
<b>Casanova</b> - he’s quite content to have Stormy as his mascot. <br />
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<b>Jose Viola</b> - one of the more special horses I’ve had - he’s just plain fun to ride. He injured his back when he was 10, and now he’s quite sway-backed, but still happily goes down the trail. He’s sponsored many juniors and everybody that rides him comes back grinning. <br />
<b>Smokey</b> - she’ll be seven this year, we seem to be understanding each other well these days, and she’s worming her way into my heart. For all of her quirkiness, she is one of the best rides. Still many years to build on this human-horse relationship. <br />
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These two aren’t home yet, but will be soon -<br />
<b>Derby</b> - another horse I raised - out of a Shagya Arabian mare that I bred to a Thoroughbred (son of a Kentucky Derby winner so they say). She’s currently in training at Ted’s, I’m looking forward to getting her back next month. She’s a big bay beauty, born on a Super Moon. <br />
<b>Willie</b> - the Standardbred off-the-track rescue - he’s a tall gawky thing, and I don’t know what sort of horse he will be yet. I’ll get him back from Ted’s next month too - his son Terrence is training him to be a saddle horse (rather than a sulky racer) for me. <br />
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and we can’t forget these two - they’re currently with a friend in Boise-<br />
<b>Krushchev</b> - the Orlov Trotter wonder horse - the most amazing horse ever. He’ll be 26 this year - I’ve had him since he was four. Thousands of miles of fantastic rides and races - including the 2000 World Championship in France, and the 2001 Dubai Cup in United Arab Emirates. This horse opened up the world to me. He’s still amazing at 26, still bringing smiles to kids and adults both. <br />
<b>Batman</b> - the big beautiful black horse that was to be my next career horse, to replace Jaziret. Persistent subtle hind-end lameness finally led me to find a home for him as a trail horse last year. That was sad, he was a fun bold horse to ride - he had moments of being a super-hero, but that’s kinda fun too. <br />
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<img src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/March24.jpg">
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/Diary.html">Follow on Endurance.Net</a>
Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1788876078665749792.post-37136196759318249472016-03-22T09:35:00.000-07:002016-03-22T09:40:22.413-07:00Dear Diary: Let it be Spring. March 22<b>Since</b> the weather has been challenging these past few weeks, I've been spending a fair amount of time indoors. Lately we've been having problems with our internet connection. (perhaps the weather gods and the internet gods are colluding to force me to clean house). It does remind me though how dependent we've become on the Net for just about everything.
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How living in a remote place such as Oreana, while still staying connected and running a business, is possible. And of course living with a tech wizard makes it all so easy too. We installed a solar powered radio tower on a ridge above our ranch, which relays signals from a tower in the Owyhee Mountains (War Eagle), which relays a signal from the network company in Boise. So simple. As long as we keep the backup batteries on our tower charged during the dark foggy winter days, and as long as John and the company in Boise keep things running.
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This week John is in Washington DC. He spent a year there recently, as a 'Presidential Innovation Fellow' - a stint as a private industry expert invited to work with the Government to modernize and advance technologies. He's back now with some proposals and ideas to carry forward some of the work he did there. Exciting stuff.
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So that leaves me with a temperamental internet (John thinks we may need a new router) and no wizard to soothe it's dark moods. And I think I've reached my limit when it comes to cleaning house. Another cool windy day... I'll have to dig deeper for projects to keep me busy.
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/March22.html"><img width="700" src="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/March22.jpg"></img></a>
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This image of the continental United States at night is a composite assembled from data acquired by the Suomi NPP satellite in April and October 2012. The image was made possible by the satellite's "day-night band" of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which detects light in a range of wavelengths from green to near-infrared and uses filtering techniques to observe dim signals such as city lights, gas flares, auroras, wildfires and reflected moonlight.
<br />Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/NOAA NGDC
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<a href="http://www.endurance.net/cartoons/Spring2016/March22.html">Follow on Endurance.Net</a>Endurance.Nethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00250527329641206652noreply@blogger.com4