Heritage Endurance Ride

[Lif Strand <fasterhorses@gilanet.com>]

Had an interesting day today with the Forestry Dept. & with the Chamber of 
Commerce (who is sponsoring the ride).  Having read other ride 
managers'  reports on nightmares working with the Forestry Dept. I have 
been waiting for the other shoe to fall - but so far the only thing that is 
falling is the Forestry Dept. people falling over each other trying to help me!

I got permission for overflow camping on Forestry land - no problem.  I 
talked to them about weed-free hay - no problem (the info will be on the 
web site when we get closer to the date 
http://www.fasterhorses.com/race.html ).  I talked about manure handling - 
no problem (just kick the piles to break them up).  AND the ranger I talked 
to (happens to be head of that office) suggested some trail changes that 
would involve using *non-trail* access - in essence making new trails - no 
problem!  He even suggested trails for a hundred miler in the future - I 
LOVE our rangers!

We will be having some physical therapists at the ride (I'm working on free 
massages for riders), we're having a person come to talk about herbs for 
horses, I hope to have other speakers & demos (anyone wanting to come to do 
that please contact me!) we'll have music, lots of food and 
entertainment!  I am going to limit the entries for both distances to 50 
this first year, but next year it'll be open to however many want to come play!

In March when the snow is off the high trails, I'll be hiking with the 
surveyor's wheel to do the final measurements, and then all is set to 
receive sanctioning from AERC and the use permit from the Forestry 
Dept.  This is so exciting!

Lif Strand
Quemado NM  USA
               ______________________________________________________
             Lif & Paul Strand  STRAND ENTERPRISES www.fasterhorses.com
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HERITAGE ENDURANCE RACE June 9, 2001 - http://www.fasterhorses.com/race.html