Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

The person who put Rushcreek horses on the endurance map was Ellis Ruby. 
He was a vet and the ranch breeding manager. The distance to work cattle 
was so great and roads so bad that he needed horses that could trot for 
three hours, work cattle and then trot three hours back. He decided on 
Arabs and bred ones that were big and firm. Not dandies. I was fortunate 
to be able to have many conversations with him.

His sister was Maryellen Smith and Emmett Ross and I kept our first 
horses at her place in Palos Verdes. Hiede Siegel was her best friend 
and that was how I got to know Heide and how Heide got into 
endurance.... another story.  Ellis would ship many of his horse culls 
(no cow in them) out to Maryellen to sell to those crazy Californians 
that do endurance and ride and tie. (They will pay how much for our 
culls??)   Emmett and I got to have first pick of whatever came 
through.  When Ellis came to visit we would have many interesting 
discussions at Maryellen's great dinners.  Ellis said it took him 20 
years to finally get the type of endurance into his horses that he 
needed.  When he and his wife separated she got him kicked off the ranch 
and took over. That was over 15 years ago.  I still have a lot of 
respect for the ranch and the brand, but they aren't the Rushcreek 
horses of yore.  Remember Boyd Zontelli's great wins at Tevis? Those 
were the real Rushcreek horses.
BTW, I met my late wife (Aileen) up there at Maryellen's.  What a fun 
and interesting time with many miles of trails to ride in Palos Verdes.
Steve Shaw


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