Competition News! Part 2 - Endurance World

From Jumping Desert Breds, we move on to Racing Desert Breds -

In endurance world, those Desert Breds have been clocking in the miles like a pack of Energizer Bunnies :).  First, MaryAnne Riley let us know that she and her gelding DB Blue Al-Ashab have been continuing their multi-day rides since their awesome success at Death Valley Encounter earlier this year, where they completed 200 miles over 4 days.  Since then, the pair have completed a three day 155 miles ride at Wild West in Grass Valley in March and a two day 100 at Coolie Ranch Ride in June.     That's MaryAnne and Al-Ashab from the DVE ride pictured above.

Back here in the midwest, Paula Kaigh and Sheri Devouassoux have been somehow finding a way to hit some rides in between all the rain (and resulting mud) we've been having.  In April, they went to State Fair Express, a ride on the Katy Trail in Central Missouri.  The weather was the biggest factor and riders were chilled to the bone in the cold wind and rain they endured throughout the day.  Paula rode her gelding, DB Dahman and Sheri rode Paula's younger grey gelding, Ibn Desert Dhellal (Paula and Ibn Dhellal pictured left on a training ride).    While the weather made the day less than stellar, it sure didn't hold these ladies back.  Paula won the 50 in a time of 6 hr, in a field of 19 riders.  Sheri competed in the 25 and finished 4th out of 21 riders, with a time of 3 hr and 26 min.  Woohoo!  Way to go ladies!

Moving on to June and the opposite extremes of the weather, we join Paula and Sheri again for the Double Eagle Dance ride in MIssouri.  Heat and humidity plagued this ride, with the forecast of high 90's for the day.  The temps kept a lot of people at home, but a few braved the temps to try out the inaugural ride of this event.  The ride was held at Double Eagle Ranch, which was beautiful rolling hills and immaculate boarding stables.  Abundant happy energetic volunteers were everywhere, and it was a fabulous place for a ride (in the opinion of this crew member :)). 

Paula rode DB Dahman in the 50 and Sheri was riding DB Zahrah, a mare owned by Desert Bred Arabians,  in the 25.  Both were keeping a great pace, until some trail confusion (some cars were parked in front of flags marking the trail, causing a missed turn) brought both back to the barn too soon.  No rider likes to have to repeat trail, but when you're trying to finish before the heat of the day, it's even more frustrating.  After getting instruction from the Ride Manager where they needed to double back to get back on course (picture above),  the two headed back out.

By the time they finished this loop (2nd for the LD, 3rd for the 50), Paula was back in first (on right side of picture on left) and Sheri was 3rd LD'er (left side of picture). 

Zahrah pulsed down and got her completion for an official 3rd Place finish (Zahrah and Sheri pictured left)!  Fantastic job Sheri at getting Zahrah thru this tough ride!

Throughout the day riders and horses were dropping out - from heat, from lost shoes, from tumbles off of horses - that the pool of riders grew smaller and smaller.  And the day grew hotter as the remaining 50 milers finished the last loop.

Crews and vets and staff began watching the finish line.  Someone HAD to be coming in soon...?  2:00 past.  3:00 past.  Finally, a dot in the distance (picture left)- Paula (a very thirsty, hot and tired Paula) and Dahman  walked across the finish line around 4:00 to earn their First Place Finish and Best Condition Award and showed that these competitions aren't always how fast you can finish, but how well you can ENDURE.  There should be extra points for tough rides, wouldn't it be nice if that were so?  Hats off to Sheri and Paula for truly enduring a very tough day and finishing a ride with a 50% completion rate among the riders!  Hooray!