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Mary Margaret Koefod 1953-2025
NevadaDailyMail.com - Full Article
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Mary Margaret Koefod age 71, Milo, MO passed away April 25, 2025. She was born October 20, 1953 in Hanover, New Hampshire to David Lomas and Marion Irene (Iverson) Koefod. Mary grew up and went to High School and College in Minnesota. She had a Bachelor’s degree in Geology. She worked full time for a ranch in Minnesota working cattle, horses and sheep, while maintaining her own horse farm.
Mary started endurance racing horses in 1981. In 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 Mary won the American Race of Champions and was the one to beat on her beloved horse, Dana’s Northlite + also known as Diamond. In 1987 she went on to win a gold medal for the Unites States Endurance/ Olympic Team. Also in 1987 Mary rode, what was proclaimed as the toughest 100 miles in the world and was the first person to ride with no crew for help and made 3rd only minutes away from first place. In 1988 Mary rode the same horse again, only this time winning the solo division and overall race, with no crew. In the late 80’s Mary was contacted by Brown’s Saddle Company in Neveda, MO and was offered a job, due to her accomplishments in horse racing, to come all expenses paid, and help design and test ride the Ortho-flex Saddles. She worked in the stirrup department there as well. Mary rode her horses from Milo to Neveda to and from work at Brown’s keeping herself and horses in tip top shape.
Mary raised and trained many horses on her farm in Milo. She was well known for her Palomino horses that descended from “Dana’s Northlite +”. Mary also loved and rescued animals, including cats and Mustangs. She especially loved her cats, in what seemed like, more than life itself. She rescued countless numbers of cats over the years and volunteered for “Vernon County People for Pets” and local veterinarians in Vernon County.
Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, Mary never had children, but she was a cherished mentor and guiding light for others, including Wendy Justice in the art riding and training horses as well as lessons on life. Mary provided guidance and wisdom without judgement to her mentees giving them the tools to think on their own. She passed down hard work ethics and how to be humble as well as the legacy of her cherished horses. She was highly respected by many of her friends and neighbors.
A Celebration of Life Brunch will be held from 11:00-2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Enchanted Prairie Farm, 17557 Stockade Road, Nevada, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to honor Mary’s love for animals can be made to the Nevada Animal Shelter in c/o Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.
You may view obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com
Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF) Acquires Robie Equestrian Park
Teviscup.org
April 9 2025
Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF) Acquires Robie Equestrian Park to Secure Consistent Start for the Tevis Cup 100-Mile Ride
The Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF) is proud to announce the acquisition of Robie Equestrian Park, a landmark move that will ensure a consistent and permanent starting point for the foundation’s key event: the iconic Tevis Cup 100-Mile Ride.
Robie Equestrian Park is a 160-acre horse camp and outdoor sport staging area previously owned by the Wendell & Inez Robie Foundation. The park is named in memory of Wendell Robie, who founded the 100-mile Western States Trail Ride – or ‘Tevis Cup’ – in 1955.
Preserving the History of the West
Located east of Truckee, CA, Robie Equestrian Park marks the start of the historic Western States Trail. In addition to the Tevis Cup, the Western States Trail also hosts several ultramarathons including the foundational 100-mile Western States Run, which originated out of the equestrian event.
The trail follows a rugged route from the base of the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe along an immigrant trail that ends in Auburn. It traverses the scenic mountain peaks and valleys of the Sierra foothills and crosses several tributaries to the American River on its way. The Western States Trail Foundation has pledged to preserve the rich history of this trail, hallowed by the Washoe and Maidu tribes and traveled by explorers, settlers, and gold-seekers. Securing the Future of Endurance Riding
The Tevis Cup is universally regarded as one of the most demanding endurance rides in the world, testing the stamina, skill and perseverance of both horse and rider.
More at https://teviscup.org/robie-park-purchase/
Endurance: In it for the long haul
SundanceTimes.com - Full Article
Sarah Pridgeon | Mar 27, 2025
As the weather begins to warm, Bridget Helms and her daughter, Chelsea, are already prepar-ing to embark on a series of long-distance challenges.
It's surprising how few people have heard of endurance riding around here, Helms says, as it's been around for a while. It's a perfect pastime for horse lovers looking for a new way to spend time with their animals and appreciate what that partnership can achieve.
"It's been a sport for a long time, but there's a lot of people that definitely haven't heard about it," she says.
Helms came across endurance riding through a horse-related group on social media, which was advertising introductory rides with the American Endurance Ride Conference.
Those first ten miles hooked her immediately, so in 2018 she began participating in 25-mile rac-es with the help of a mentor – and it wasn't long before she tried her first 50-mile trail.
The distance a horse and rider choose to travel is determined by the condition of both parties, she explains – both must be up to the task. When Helms got started, she chose to stick with the 25 miles because she felt she didn't have the understanding yet to know if she could push for more.
But when her mentor felt that Helms' horse was conditioned and strong enough for the longer stretch, she decided to give it a try...
Read more here:
https://www.sundancetimes.com/story/2025/03/27/outdoors/in-it-for-the-long-haul/10657.html
Tribute to Becky Hart: Champion Endurance Athlete and Equestrian Educator
Bob Langrish photo
USEF.org
As an athlete, coach, and leader in the sport, Becky Hart had a profound impact on endurance riding in the U.S. and around the world. Hart passed away on February 28, 2025, at age 71.
During her competitive career, Hart (San Juan Bautista, Calif.) was a dominant force in the sport, highlighted by her winning a remarkable three individual FEI Endurance World Championships in a row in 1988, 1990, and 1992. She won these titles with R.O. Grand Sultan, the Arabian gelding who was later inducted into the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Hall of Fame. With “Rio,” Hart also helped the U.S. win FEI Endurance World Championship team silver medals in 1986 and 1992. Her incredible achievements led to her being named AHSA Equestrian of the Year in 1990. To this day, the Becky Grand Hart Trophy is awarded annually by US Equestrian to Equestrian of the Year finalists from international non-Olympic sports.
Hart also had a phenomenal record in national endurance rides, including two wins in the Western States Trail Ride, better known as the Tevis Cup. She was the AERC National Champion twice and was inducted into the AERC Hall of Fame in 1992.
With her record as one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes and her longtime experience as a riding instructor and coach, Hart was a natural choice to help lead the U.S. Endurance Teams on the international stage. She served as Chef d’Equipe for many years, including for several FEI World Championships in the 2000s.
While Hart’s involvement in elite endurance was an undeniable asset to the sport in the U.S., her love of horses and talent for teaching reached far beyond her high-profile positions. She was a certified Centered Riding instructor and shared her expertise teaching riding and horsemanship to all levels, from brand-new beginners to advanced equestrians, at her home base in California. The enthusiasm she brought to her students came from her own lifelong experience as a lover of all things equine; her earliest equestrian experiences were riding lessons, Pony Club, and local horse shows in all disciplines beginning at age 6.
US Equestrian extends heartfelt condolences to Hart’s family, friends, and the endurance community. The Federation is grateful for her lifetime of contributions to the sport.