The Sante Fe Race is using the name
of 'Gentleman' Audrey as the foundation of
the concept. Audrey was not a Gentleman.... and using him as the
foundation will be a weak foundation and the walls will fall.
Here are a couple of quotes from a brand new book entitled
"Rider Ride On."
It was written by the American author, George
Hillard.
The book is the first North American equestrian history book of
both Long Riding and endurance racing.
It is only a few days old and is fully endorsed by The Guild in
terms of its excellent coverage of Long Rider history in the USA.
On page 69 George Hillard writes this about Aubrey.
"In the late winter of 1848 Aubrey left Santa Fe on horseback
for Independence....A hard man, Aubrey was not one to concern himself about the
welfare of his mounts - along the way he had ridden to death a good saddle horse
and three mules.
Aubrey accomplished his business in Independence promptly and
was back in Santa Fe by late spring. He immediately set out again for
Independence, announcing along the way that he would make the ride in eight
days. However on this journey he very nearly lost his life to Indians who took
his horse and what belongings and food he carried. As Aubrey told the
story, he managed to escape and walked forty miles before he was able to obtain
another mount. When he arrived in Independence, Aubrey had missed his mark by
ten hours, but he made the claim that allowing for time lost along the way he
had actually made the long ride in seven days. Again Aubrey had abused his
mounts mercilessly, and the cruel toll this time was six horses dead and half a
dozen more stressed beyond further use.
The news of Aubrey's accomplishments spread across the plains,
and back in Santa Fe and cocky with his new fame he offered to wager $1,000 that
he could make the ride in six days. He boasted, "I'd kill every horse along the
trail before I'd lose that thousand dollar bet..."
George can speak with authority about Aubrey.
It is because he is also so knowledgeable about American
endurance racing history.
In his book, George writes about the famous Chadron to Chicago
race, the origins of the Tevis Cup and of the GAHR.
But just as importantly George also denounces the endurance
racing outlaws.
On page 183 he writes, "Occasionally fierce competitors riding
to win made excessive and cruel demands on their horses. A deplorable example of
such took place in June, 1987 at Catoosa, Oklahoma, a so-called "outlaw" race.
An officer of the Roger County Sheriff's Department who was assigned to the
event told that the temperature that day was ninety degrees with seventy-five
percent humidity. By the first water crossing seven miles into the twenty-five
mile course, many horses were already spent. Only four finished the race, and
several died on the course during the following day."
With Audrey as the inspiration to this Race, its hard to
imagine what Sante Fe, if it comes to be in its current format turns out to
be.
