Move over Arabians - the Saddlebred are on the Endurance Trail and winning!

[saddllp]

My husband and I just returned from our first Limited Distance Endurance 25 mile ride in Warner Springs (CA) on our ASB’s All the Money and Hustle Time. There were almost 200 riders total and 102 riders competing in the LD alone! The start of the race at 7:30 a.m. was like a Calvary movie: 102 horses all freaking out taking off at the same time. We planned to stay in the back and let the crazies leave first, but our boys had different ideas! We saw an opening about ¾ the way back in the pack and squeezed in since we were going forward unlike many of the Arabs who were going sideways... We were clipping along the Pacific Crest Trail with about 10 Arabians – lots of ascent! Around mile 5, Cash lost his boots twice (they are both barefoot) so I ripped them off and tied them to my saddle and did the race barefoot - goodbye boots forever! At mile 13, we pulled into the Vet check. Hustle Time powered down within 3 minutes; Cash was amped but powered down to 58 beats per minute after 6 minutes (we had 30 minutes to reach 58bpm) so we had a 30 minute mandatory hold time to eat some bran mash - him, not me. Then off for the remainder of the race! We had until 1:30 to finish and crossed the line at 12:02. Cash powered down in 3 minutes - amazing...Hustle Time a few minutes later. We gave them some food and sloppy rice bran mash and got over to the final vet check within our 30 minute time period. Again Cash got straight A’s, Hustle, who had previously received a B for gut sounds, also aced it. The awards dinner was that evening where they announced the placings and awarded the Best Conditioned horse. Best Conditioned is based on points at the vet check – gut sounds, lameness, hydration, etc, and on how fast your horse powers down (heart rate drops). Carlos and I came in 35th and 36th in a sea of Arabians! Oh yes, guess who won FIRST PLACE for the best conditioned horse???? CASH!!!! Out of 102 starters a SADDLEBRED won!!!! Hope to see more Saddlebreds at these fantastic, fun-filled rides!!!! They will kick the pants off the competition.

[Chardonnay]

That is too cool! Keep up the good work!:yes:

[roadpony]

Wahoo! I love reports like this. Keep 'em coming!

I couldn't help but notice that Cash (aka All The Money) was a World's Champion Weanling and also won in the Indian Futurity. Who says that futurity babies are hot house flowers that wilt later in life? :rockon:

[SmartAlex]

Congratulations! That was really interesting to read.

[attafox]

May I also add that Lisa was texting me to help organize Equine Affaire while she was doing all this as well?

[Brutus]

That is so great! Definitely let the local ASB Charter Club know about your accomplishments!!

[Kimasb]

Wow! The Saddlebred Museum would love photos and more info on your horse for our upcoming exhibit, This is the American Saddlebred. Please send to Kim@asbmuseum.org.

[saddllp]

Thanks Susan, Yes he could have stood around looking pretty all his life!

[Wch1day@gmail.com]

Thanks so much for posting! You successfully got my heart pumping while I was reading your post. What fun!

[Monaco]

Wow that is a HUGE win congrats to you and our beautiful breed and the best breed the American Saddlebred!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep up the excellant work =)
Amy

[lisacota]

I took my saddlebred filly for 1/2 mile trail ride today, for her 1st ride outside of the arena. I hope to take her on a hunter pace this spring.

[..5..]

I'm not surprised that saddlebreds do well in endurance. They have the body type that can cover ground and radiate excess heat away.

In fact I joined to glean knowledge from the experts on how to school my arab to gait.
He holds his head up like a swan so since he is posing like a saddlehorse I might as well see if he is willing to learn to gait like one.

[Summer Skye]

Great News! Congratulations --- and I loved your story. You sure can write well. I read the story a couple of time. We need to hear more about these guys in the future -- with pictures!!

[saddllp]

Great News! Congratulations --- and I loved your story. You sure can write well. I read the story a couple of time. We need to hear more about these guys in the future -- with pictures!!

Thanks Summer Skye! If you want to know what it is like to do a race, go to my website at www.deercreekranchmalibu.com and click on the Warner Springs video. I used a Go Pro camera and filmed the ride. I would post it to youtube but I added music and You Tube won't let me use it without Madonna's permission - don't think she'd mind but whatever! :) Lisa
P.S. The boys went on to come in 1 and 2 last March at the True Grit ride - a full 15 minutes ahead of the 3rd place Arabian. My boy was on FIRE that day!