Endurance Horse RacingBarry Waitte, Tamber Bey
Monterey bay multi-day ride
dESERT gOLD MULTI-DAY 50/50, FORT ORD/MONTEREY, CA
nOVEMBER 29-30, 2008
Jenn and I went to Monterey right after Thanksgiving with a trailer full of horses to ride two 50 mile rides in two days. Our horses Tiki, Reve and Joey made the trip, and our friend Pascale met us there for the post-turkey adventure. This ride took us all over the old Fort Ord Army base just north of Monterey. Starting at 6:30a on Saturday for the first day, Jenn on Reve and with me on Tiki, we set out in the back of the pack with a slow start on a foggy morning. The first 10 miles went by uneventful until I was blinded by the sunrise in my eyes, then suddenly blind-sided by a Manzanita Tree in the face that took me completely off Tiki. With no harm, no foul - I jumped back on and Tiki followed Reve most of the rest of the day. The next day was more of the same of beautiful weather, excellent footing, and motivated horses. We did the same start of beginning slow and worked our way up the rankings all day. At the end of both days, we were the model of consistancy with a 9th and 10th finishes both days - with over 90 horses in each race. I was so impressed with Tiki and his 'endurance' of going 100 miles in two days - especially the last 10 miles on the second day where he really kicked in the speed to the finish. Reve was his usual all business self - and cruised both days with Jenn. Pascale and Joey had two great days finishing about an hour behind us both days. We really had a good time - all 100 miles - and at the end celebrated Jenn's birthday on Sunday as well. Happy Birthday Jenn!
Tiki comes in first!
De valle Vulture 50, Livermore, CA
October 19, 2008
Ever go to a party and no one else showed up? This race was a two day 50 miler, and we went to compete for the second day only. In most 'multi-day' races, more than half of the competitors will race both days. However, because the course was so difficult and most of the riders got lost at some point on the first day, no one stayed for the second day! So we started the 'second' race day with about only 11 other horse and riders, Jenn riding Joe, me on Tiki and our friend Kristan on her mare - and finished the 50 mile ride at 4:30p - in FIRST PLACE! Believe me - there was no speed involved here. Under normal circumstances we would have finished mid-pack, but this day all the speedsters went home early and we rode all alone all day. In any case, it was a great ride, and after crossing the finish line almost an hour before anybody else, Jenn and Joe, placing 2nd, also won the overall Best Condition award as well. So Tiki got his first win - and as time goes on no one will remember that no one else showed up!
Bear and Jenn Double up with win and best condition
Virginia City 100, Virginia City, Nevada
September 19, 2008
This race is often cited as being tougher than Tevis (see below). It certainly is rockier! Jennifer won the race in 2000 on the great Al Baraaq, and her goal this year was to take Bear (whom she has nicknamed “Cheshire Bearcat” because of the faces he makes) and Reve, and to do well. Once again, our good friend Kristan Flynn was riding Reve. This would be the last race of the 2008 season for these two horses, as they have each posted excellent finishes and wins during the year. This would be by far the toughest race these two horses have ever done. The race started at 5 am on Main Street in historic Virginia City. From there, the riders faced a long day of grueling hills and unforgiving rocks. Jennifer and Kristan rode smartly and patiently, working their way up through the pack. At the first vet check at 25 miles they were in about 15th place. By the 51 mile vet check they had moved up to 5th and 6th. By the 75 mile vet check, they were 3rd and 4th. They left the final vet check at 93 miles (in the dark), in 2nd and 3rd place and caught the leader shortly after that. They cruised in for the finish line, crossing it in 1st place at 9:58 pm. Jennifer and Kristan wanted to declare a tie, but ride management later said that they don’t recognize ties at this event, so Jennifer and Bear took first, and Kristan and Reve were second. The next day, Bear was awarded the Best Condition Award.
Tiki compete's in first 50 miler
Patriot’s 50, Greenville, Ca
September 12, 2008
Tiki is finally running with the big boys! After completing several “adventurous” training 25-mile rides, Tiki, ridden by me, completed his first 50-mile race. Aside from getting dragged around by him at the vet checks, he performed perfectly. Because this was his first 50, we weren’t racing, and so at our medium-casual pace we finished middle of the pack in a respectable time. Joey, ridden by Jennifer, rode with me. It was also a nice training ride for Joey, and it helped Tiki to have him there. Our plan is to continue to pair these two up for 50 mile rides until Tiki has built a solid foundation and is ready to move up in speed and distance sometime next year.
