2016 11th annual Fun In The Sun
100-mile ride unofficial partial peek at the results:
1. Heather Reynolds and Bound for Honor
2. Meg Sleeper
3. Jeremy Olson
4. Kelsey Russell
5. Tom Hagis and Reinman 10:10
Having “Fun In The Sun” - Chase Endurance
Horse-canada.com Blog - Full Story
Chase Endurance
March 17, 2016
Jill, from Connecticut, and I arrived at Orlando Airport in Florida at roughly the same time on the afternoon of Thursday, March 10th to begin our three-hour journey to the Fun In The Sun (“FITS”) Endurance Ride in Williston, Florida. We rented a little economy car for which both of our large luggage bags just barely fit. Thankfully we were only bringing our riding clothes, hydration packs and riding boots and not saddles, as that little car was jammed packed.
We had both leased young horses from a Canadian veterinarian who was living in the area with her stable of endurance Arabians. When we arrived, we were greeted by a very sullen and disappointed horse owner who was pulled from the 100 mile for lameness. We were also advised that the horse Jill had originally leased, Style, was lame and was replaced with Lady. This sudden change in horses caused a bit of bewilderment, as Jill had taken out insurance on Style and had to contact the insurance company at 4:58 p.m. and have the insurance changed. Luckily for Jill, the agent answered the phone and helped her with the changes.
It was not the greeting or beginning we were hoping for and we wondered if this was foreshadowing for the weekend to come...
Read more here:
http://www.horse-canada.com/chase-endurance/having-fun-in-the-sun/
Fun in the Sun - Heather Reynolds
15 March 2016
Jeremy and I were busy glueing up horses in Easycare products the week leading up to the Fun In The Sun ride, Jeremy was CRAZY busy! This year the FITS ride was the first of three of the USA Time Trial rides, meaning the USA selectors and team veterinarians and Chef would be looking over nominated horse and rider combinations to start the selection process for the USA Endurance Team for the World Championship that will happen this December in Dubai.
Because of this we had to be at the race on Tuesday so that we could have Honor examined by the staff. We loaded up Honor and Lou and went over to the ride. We had dropped off our LQ the day before so we took our smaller shuttle trailer over. Honor had his exam and Jeremy took Lou out for a ride. We were told that we were to camp at the ride from that point forward but lucky for us we were then told that that wasn't the case. We stayed at the ride site to have the dinner of shrimp and grits that Lynn Kenelly made for all, then we loaded up and took Honor and Lou home for the night and let them be in their pasture. We live about 20 mins from the ride so this was super.
On Wednesday morning we rode Chachie and Rictik on their last training ride before they would fly to Dubai for a race we were invited to at the very last minute. The race is on March 19th and it is a 140 km race. An odd distance of roughly 88 miles. After this we loaded Honor, Lou and now Code back up and went over to the ride. We did the usual pre ride things that afternoon. Vetted in, weighed in and got things organized. Jeremy had to help out a few friends with their Easyboots while I got the crew stuff ready.
When I vetted Honor in he was very questionable. If I were trotting him out during the race and he looked the way he did, I would be nervous that he was about to get pulled. That was a total bummer. Nothing like vetting in with a marginally lame horse! I trotted him out on alll different kinds of surfaces right after that and he didn't look as bad. I decided to pre ride him. He felt funky. Dang it. What the heck?...
Read more here:
http://www.reynoldsracing.us/heathers_blog/view/533/fun_in_the_sun_
All Entries need to be received by March 4, 2016 to avoid late fees.
"Confirming that the 100 mile FITS race WILL be held on Thursday, March 10, 2016."
Sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), Southeastern Distance Riders Association (SEDRA), Southeastern Endurance Riders Association (SERA), and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), United States Equine Federation (USEF), Arabian Horse Association (AHA)
Greetings everyone! Spring is coming and it’s the time of year for the Fun In The Sun (FITS) Endurance Festival. It is with great pleasure that Larry and I extend a warm welcome to AERC, FEI, SEDRA, SERA, AHA, riders and horses who are supporting us in our 11th year.
FITS was born of an idea to create a Festival of Endurance Events. In other words, a competition where riders and horses could participate on a multitude of days having a choice of multiple distances. Where vendors and sponsors could come and showcase their products. While our vision is a festival, our goal is to create a positive experience you will want to repeat. So with that in mind……
We have a variety of trails for you to ride, great vendors full of endurance “necessities”, and a talented chef onsite to provide you with meals. You will find that our base camp has plenty of camping space, but most importantly a staff, both hired and volunteers, all working together, committed to making FITS an exciting and successful experience for all.
Good trails, good food, and good friends, we have tried to think of everything. So come and join us for a week of fun.
Valerie Kanavy