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Celebrating 30 years of excellence
Tom Bowling Passes Away
On 11/17/24, AERC lost a family member who fought a tough battle with Parkinson’s after a stroke several years ago.
For those who knew Tom Bowling, past AERC director for many years, 2000 mile XP rider, founder of Pioneer rides in 1982 as ride manager of historic 200 mile multi day Capitol to Capitol ride, Western States 50 and original manager of Camp Far West Endurance Rides, Nevada Endurance Driving Association founding member and member and friend of Nevada All State Trail Riders. Beloved friend to many, he changed the lives of many for the better.
Husband to Nadine for over 53 years and father to Wendy, Holly, Shawn Bowling, Tiffany and grandpa to Kaitlyn, Shelby, Brett, Nick, Jack, Ryder Bowling, Levi and great grandpa to Kaitlyn’s three boys and Shelby’s three girls and father in law to Aaron, Shane, Lisa, and Matt and a mentor to many.
He is missed dearly and for any who’d like to remember him you are welcome to attend a celebration of his life on Friday December 13 at 1pm in Newcastle, California.
Jerry L. Fruth 1940-2024
CourierPress.com
Jerry L Fruth of Evansville Indiana former Posey County resident of Wadesville IN passed away Thursday October 24th, 2024. He was born on February 14, 1940, in Napoleon, Ohio to the late Orville & Doris (Rogalski) Fruth.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Judith (Fruth) Freiburger.
Jerry attended Napoleon Grade School & High School in Ohio. He was in high school drama work and in one play, “Born Yesterday”, with the Little Theatre Group, home of fine theatrical productions in the Fort Knox area. Jerry attended Ohio University for a few years and then enlisted in the United States Army. He was an NCO and Drill Sergeant for 6 years and a very proud veteran of the United States of America. Jerry was an entrepreneur, real estate developer and President of P47, LLC. Jerry’s passions included playing polo in his years after the Army and anything to do with the horses.
He loved riding his horses in the sport of endurance riding with the organization (AERC) American Endurance Ride Conference for 15 years with his wife (Diane) and son (Ryan). Two of his favorites were Abba Peavine a gelding a.k.a barn name “Red”, and a stallion Jabask Knight a.k.a barn name “Irene”. Jerry and Diane were Ride Managers of the LBL Express rides held at Land Between the Lakes 2002-2007.They also managed Endurance Rides in Indiana and one in California. In 2003 they adopted a 3-year-old Mustang named “Rocky” from the BLM Holding Facility in Litchfield, California. Jerry truly loved his 21-Year-Old Mustang “Rocky” and traveling with him to see the beauty of our USA. Jerry was involved with AERC as a past Vice President, Trails Committee Chairman where he served for 10 years. He was a certified AERC Trail Master Builder & Instructor. He served on the National Trails Committee with the American Horse Council in Washington, D.C. In April 2004 he was awarded the BLM Director’s Four C’s Award by Kathleen Clarke. He had worked with New Harmony, Indiana in the past on the park’s Horse Trails. In 2007 he was awarded the AERC Volunteer of the Year Award.
Jerry's other passions were membership in the VFW, life member of Indiana Trail Ride Association, Lifetime Golden Age Passport to all of the National Parks, AERC, Hoosier Backcountry Horsemen, Back Country Horsemen of America, Leave No Trace and other horse organizations. Jerry loved to ski, snow shoe, fly fish, read all kinds of books & magazines, travel with his horses to many different places with family and friends and have good times with his family and friends. Jerry always had a very creative eye for building & woodworking. He could look at something and create it.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 30 years, Diane Fruth; son Ryan A. Fruth (Jeannie); and a brother Jay Fruth of Napoleon Ohio.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 CST on Monday, November 4th, 2024 at Alexander North Chapel, officiated by Roger Lehman, with a private entombment to follow in Alexander Memorial Park. Friends and Family may visit from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 CST from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 4, 2024 at City View at Sterling Square, 210 N. Fulton Ave. Evansville.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Mustang Adoption Academy with Sky, or Hoosier Backcountry Horsemen.
Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.
Tom Quilty Gold Cup 2024 - Ashley Wingert
October 21, 2024by Ashley Wingert
Third time was a charm for “iconic buckle 100-milers” with an attempt at both Virginia City and Tevis in the past, but apparently I had to go overseas to begin my 100-mile buckle collection with a finish of Australia’s premiere, national championship ride, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup.
How do I even begin to put into words my dream ride at the Tom Quilty? 20 years ago, I got my first real taste of endurance while on vacation in Australia when Dad and I did a bush-n-beach adventure tour weekend with an endurance rider who used his endurance horses for the tours. It got both of us hooked on good Arabian horses and wanting to dive into the sport of endurance, and then later that summer I ended crewing at the Tevis Cup for the first time, which solidified my love of the sport.
Fast forward 20 years and I found myself back in Australia, toeing the midnight start line of the Tom Quilty. This opportunity came about from dear friends Paul and Marty Bryson, who have welcomed me into their home for the past couple of weeks, made me part of the family, and given me the most phenomenal TQ experience I could have hoped for.
The Quilty was held in Wirrina Cove, South Australia this year, in the absolutely stunning Wirrina Cove Holiday Park venue. I am so spoiled to ride venues now, with flush toilets and hot showers, and beautiful grounds with green grass everywhere.
The TQ ride organizing committee did an outstanding job and I can’t heap enough praise on them for how well the ride was run. Obviously this being my first Aussie endurance race, I have no frame of reference for comparison…but I was so impressed with the level of work and commitment that the small but mighty organizing team put in and how outstanding, lux, and next level the ride was, while still maintaining a friendly and helpful atmosphere and vibe and making me feel extremely welcome.
The ride course was TOUGH, and so very different to my usual Arizona trails, but what a difference! I don’t think I’ve ever ridden so many sustained hills at one time — and not technical climbs, but long, rolling hills, many of which were trottable…which is something that I have a hard time training for, so I got an accelerated learner’s course in how to trot down hills in a sustained fashion! But the ocean views from the tops of many of the climbs were sure worth it, and coming in from the last loop with the moon rising up over the ocean horizon was a spectacular way to end the night. The ride saw a 59.4% completion rate, I believe, with 78 completions out of 131 starters.
Miss Dior MI truly deserves a post of her own, which will be forthcoming, but for now, I can say, “wow.” That red mare is all heart and gave so much. I’ve had the privilege of riding some good horses over the years, and she has been one of the best. This is her third TQ completion in a row now, and I could not have asked for a better horse.
There are similarities and differences between US and Aussie endurance…but what is universal is a welcoming spirit, a desire to explore the beautiful outdoors, a love of our magnificent steeds that give and accomplish so much, and a fire for this crazy sport that we willingly and cheerfully sign up for.
I will be leaving Australia with the best souvenir I could hope for — a beautiful Tom Quilty buckle — but even more than that, it’s the new friendships made, future paths to explore, and memories that will last a lifetime.
First veterinary class: Claire Godwin endures as clinician, surgeon and horse rider
Virginia Tech News - Full Article
By Kevin Myatt
8 Oct 2024
Claire Godwin DVM '84 has displayed endurance in her veterinary career. Endurance is the goal in her passion outside work, also.
Godwin, a graduate of the first class from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984, founded the Laytonsville Veterinary Practice in Laytonsville, Maryland, in 1988. The small animal practice is still going strong with five veterinarians.
Godwin is an active endurance rider, traveling across the U.S and beyond, riding one-day, 50- to 100-mile endurance races on her Arabian horses.
Animals have always been a passion for Godwin...
Read more here:
https://news.vt.edu/articles/2024/10/vetmed-first-veterinary-class-godwin.html