[RC] [Guest] News Release -- Fort Howes Rides -- June 6, 2003 - Ridecamp GuestOVER 100 ENTRANTS FOR FORT HOWES ENDURANCE RIDES Ashland, Montana (June 6, 2003) Horse rigs continued to arrive at the base camp Friday for the Fort Howes Rides, June 7 and 8. By 6:00 pm there were 90 rigs parked and over 100 riders had registered. The word "rain" was heard in most conversations. Rain, alternating with brief periods of sunshine, continued for the second day in a row. Although the surface of the ground was soft the race officials said the course was safe. Experienced veterinarians arrived on Friday. Their veterinary checks began and continued on schedule. Most riders took their horses out for walking exercise rides. Half the riders rode their horses on the dirt-surfaced county road which runs right beside the base camp. Two large tents have been erected for people to sit in. Friday night is the traditional ranch style grilled steak dinner. About 250 people assembled and were served under the tents. Willie Nelson music was heard. The riders were in high spirits. ---- This year's Fort Howes Endurance Rides are drawing a large field of entrants. The 50-mile ride on Saturday, June 7, determines the AHA (Arabian Horse Association's Region 6 championship. The 100-mile ride on Sunday is an FEI qualifier and demonstration ride. Between 100 and 120 entrants are expected. The entrants in the 50-mile ride are given 12 hours to complete the course. Entrants in the 100-mile ride are given 24 hours to complete the course. A time of 13 hours is considered a good time in the 100-mile ride. Horses must make mandatory, periodic stops during ride. During these rest stops a veterinary checks the horse for soundness and metabolic fitness. If a horse passes the veterinary check it can proceed on the next leg of the ride. The Fort Howes Endurance Rides are held about 25 miles South of Ashland, Montana, off Otter Creek Road. They are hosted by Bill and Jan Stevens on the old Circle Bar Ranch. The rides traverse their property in the valley and the Custer National Forest in the hills above their ranch. They include 100-mile, 50-mile and 25-mile rides. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|