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Fire Mountain Endurance Ride
30, 50
Base Camp:
Base C
amp opens at 11:00am on Friday,
January
13
, 20
17
. It is locate
d at the corner of San
Bernardino Rd (aka County Line Rd) and Springer St.(double electrical pole line along the road), southeast of
Ridgecrest, California. It is the site of the Valley Riders Equestrian Center and is currently undeveloped so
camping is pr
imitive (no electricity). There are accommodations, grocery stores and gas close by. Potable water
will be provided. Porta Potties will be available. Base camp is at 2,500 feet
.
Trailers are available for rent
, go to
hidesert
trailerrntls.com
. Their winter location is less than
½
mile from base
camp
and they set up in advance
.
Horse pens are available for rent. $10 per night.
Check In:
Pre
-
Veterinary check
-
in will be on Friday, January
15
, 20
16
from 3:
00 PM to 6:00 PM at Base Camp.
All horses should be checked in and numbered by Friday evening.
Riders who will be late, please call
775
-
376
-
6318
to set up a check
-
in time.
Office op
ens at 1
:00 PM.
Ride Meeting/Start Times:
The pre
-
ride meeting will be he
ld at Base Camp at 6:00 PM. All riders must start
within 30 minutes after their designated start time
–
6:30 AM for 50
-
m
iler; 7:00 AM for 30
-
miler and 9
:00 AM for
the introductory ride.
(Subject to change at the ride meeting.)
The Trail:
Riders will trav
el on trails and dirt roads in the foothills of Rademacher Mountains southeast of
Ridgecrest with all loops starting and ending at base camp. Hay will be provided at all vet checks and at some
water stops. This trail is considered moderate and considered g
ood for beginners with some mild climbs offering
a great view of the Indian Wells Valley. You will be riding on Bureau of Land Management trails. NO SMOKING
ON THE TRAIL.
Awards, Food and Fees:
Ride Dinner will be approximatel
y 5:00
-
7:00 PM Saturday and
from 4
to 7 PM
Sunday. Awards will be presented at base camp after
d
inner for the 30 and 50 milers. A
ll riders completing will
receive a completion a
ward
. Awards will be
presented to
top ten
, first place in each weight category
, 1
st
junior
,
and BC for 5
0 and
30 milers
.
Entry fee includes the ride, vet exams, AERC fees, drug test fees, BLM land use
fees, water and hay for the horses during the ride, awards and rider’s dinner. Extra dinners for crews or family
will be available for $12.
Ride Rules:
This
is an AERC sanctioned ride and all rules will be enforced.
See AERC rules at aerc.org
1.
Juniors
must
wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet.
INTRODUCTORY RIDE:
(will be discussed at the pre
-
ride meeting
–
Saturday only
)
Friday January 23 2015
Not too many ‘Green Bean’ Ride Managers have jumped head-first into managing an established 2-day endurance ride, where everybody already has a certain level of expectations. But then, most people aren’t Gretchen Montgomery. A long-time endurance rider based in the Pacific South region with over 8400 miles, and newly-minted Decade Team with her horse Definetly Spice (formerly known somewhat affectionately as “Bitchy Spice”), the effervescent, personable high achiever is not one to turn away from a challenge.
Gretchen's many years of volunteering at the Eastern High Sierra Classic, Fire Mountain, Washoe, and Virginia City 100 rides, alternately as trail marker, vet secretary, finish line timer, and pulse-taker, built the foundation and confidence for stepping up into her new role as Ride Manager. "I’ve really wanted to take over the Eastern High Sierra Classic (in Bridgeport, California, in late summer) because that’s my home territory, and Jackie (Bumgardner) is ready to pass it on after 29 years, and I wanted that ride to continue," Gretchen explains. "And in the meantime, the Fire Mountain Ride Manager (Valerie Rogers) wanted to give the Fire Mountain ride up, but that’s been a long-standing ride too. So since they needed a Ride Manager this year, I volunteered.” The Fire Mountain ride takes place outside of Ridgecrest, California, in the Mojave Desert, where Gretchen spends her winters.
Recently retired from 25 years with the state of California, Gretchen’s previous job of Office Services Supervisor for the California Highway Patrol in Bridgeport brought her organizational skills into play as she was kept uber-busy with last minute on-line entries to avoid late fees, last minute entries at the ride venue (where no internet was available), checking AERC registrations, keeping track of 114 riders over 2 distances and 2 days, making changes for riders wanting to switch horses, or switch distances, or switch horses and distances, running back and forth to fill in as a vet secretary, checking on the in- and out-timers, helping with P & R’s, doing general maintenance, helping the ham radio volunteers to find an injured horse on trail, and playing the banjo. Playing the banjo? ... “I was a little crazy!” Gretchen laughs.
Managing the ride was made easier by excellent and numerous volunteers, particularly the Valley Riders club, a group of varied horse people from the area established in the 1960's. "This particular ride has soooo many volunteers, and I didn’t have to worry about the trail being marked, because there was already somebody in charge of that. I didn’t have to worry about setting out water, because somebody was already in charge of that. I didn’t even have to worry about the food, because one of the members of Valley Riders was all about cooking, and our facility has an actual kitchen right here at basecamp. So this was really good for my first time managing a ride - since this was the 36th year, people know what they're doing..."
Read more here.
2022 Fire Mountain Day 3 - Nina Bomar
January 17 2022
by Nina Bomar
It was my third day and Niño’s second at the Fire Mountain Ride. It was a bitterly cold morning by my standards, but Dave Rabe showed up in his usual attire, shorts and a lightweight jacket. I was bundled up like we were headed for the snow. My fingers felt like frozen icicles and I blew on them with hopes that my warm breath would help them to thaw. I’m sure I was making my discomforts known out loud, when Dave blurted out to me an early morning story that suddenly occurred to him.
We were less than a mile down the trail and we had let most everyone pass us. Dave reminisced about way back when and Calina, the Ducks daughter was a very young girl and probably much less than 10 years old. He said that he and Connie Creech sponsored her on the Grand Canyon ride and it was about 5° out there first thing in the morning and brutally cold. Little Calina began to cry because she said her hands were cold. They told her to hush up and ride and that she did. They all finished the 50 miler that day and walked the last loop in because Calina’s horse was a little off but they made it.
Oh I got the message and quit whining It was a beautiful and sunny morning out here in the desert and it wasn’t before long, when I began to shed my own layers. Dave and I had initially planned to only ride one day together and that was supposed to be on the second day, when he would ride White Cloud.
He surprised me on Day 1 when he said that we should give it a try, while mingling at the start and with him riding his sometimes crazy boy Cocamoe Joe. He and Niño know each other well and have ridden miles together. Luckily for us, on this first day it was an uneventful ride and a beautiful success.
On day 2, I rode Saudii with Dave who was riding White Cloud and again we paced well and had a fun ride. We were both thrilled and spent the day chatting, telling stories and griping about all the things that bother us and then laughing it all off.
On day 3 Cocamoe was up again and paired with Niño but within the first 10 miles, he suddenly turned into what I call a crack headed horse. He just decides that he’s gonna win the race and there’s no turning back. Sadly Dave had his hands full and I offered to do whatever was necessary to let them find their way.
By the first vet check, which was at 20 miles, Cocamoe had surely pissed Dave off, but after the 1/2 hour hold, he figured that his boy would return to his senses. We went out together and moseyed along at a nice pace that wasn’t too slow, but we also weren’t screaming maniacs flying down the trail.
It was then that Dave told me about how he’d gotten Cocamoe in 2011 from Charlie who lives in Australia. He’d come to the USA to ride the big XP Ride and he’d bought a few horses mostly in Missouri to use for the ride. In the end, the plan was to sell them before returning to Australia but no one wanted to buy Cocamoe. He had a terrible reputation after within his first few rides, when he stepped on a plastic water bottle and the crunching noise spooked him. He dumped Charlie, breaking his ribs and took off running for several hours before they could locate and capture him. Needless to say, Charlie was pretty broken up in more ways than one and he wasn’t able to ride him anymore. They stopped at the Rushcreek Ranch and Dave picked out two new horses and then unknowingly, Charlie picked out two and they were the same horses!
After the XP Ride, Dave brought Cocamoe home and put him out to pasture for at least a good six months, but then started riding him. He never has bucked him off and they recently earned their decade team award after riding for 10 years together at distances of 50 miles or more. With 8,500+ AERC miles, he’s been a phenomenal horse.
Congratulations to Dave and to Cocamoe who together are a force and full of great successes and accomplishments. They could take home 1st place finishes on any course, but Dave’s goal is to manage him carefully and reach 10,000 miles with him, by keeping him strong and healthy…
Thanks Dave for accompanying us this weekend on the trail. We always enjoy your camaraderie and all the wisdom that you share. Both me and my boys Niño and Saudii feel honored, brimming delightfully with joy … and so much more.
Until the next ride, thank you all for coming along and for your support. Thanks to Epona for the best horse shoes ever and for their awesome hoof products and education that helps keep my horses sound and moving down the trail. It’s been great fun sharing with y’all… now to go home and hug my herd!
2022 Fire Mountain - Cari Johnson
by Cari Johnson
January 17 2022
All summer, my friend Cathy and I had been eagerly talking about our next endurance ride. We were getting "the itch", but since Covid hit we hadn't done an endurance ride since Sesenta Anos in 2019.
We'd been averaging about 20 miles a week training rides in the mountains, with myself on Sierra, and her on Gallant, so we figured why not give Fire Mountain a shot! The horses aren't as conditioned as I would like, but we planned on just going for fun and completion, we had planned on "turtling" or coming in last place, settling on a nice easy slow pace for the horses as to not over stress them. Well, as Murphy would have it, the weekend before the ride we were on our last conditioning ride in Cuyamaca and suddenly 5 miles in Gallant comes up dead lame on his right front foot. This is a leg he's never had any problems with before, so after walking back, cold hosing, and pondering a bit, we decided he must have clipped it with his back leg. Well poop! We decided to rest him the rest of the week, and then decide Friday morning if he was sound enough to go. He wasn't, so we decided last minute to take Ares instead. We had planned on taking him just to camp, and experience everything, as it would be his first overnight trip ever. Cathy was bummed she couldn't ride, since Gallant was out, but she had prepared herself mentally all week for volunteering instead.
The entire drive up I was pondering if Ares could possibly be ready? Could he do it? Was he ready? Is he fit enough? Was I asking too much? How would he be camping? Would he be a good listener, or would he lose his mind around all these other horses? I decided that I would determine once we got to camp, and I could see how he was behaving.
We arrived early Friday with plenty of time to pick a spot, get camp set up, and get the horses settled in. We did just that, and as the afternoon wore on I debated back and forth with myself... should I enter the ride on Ares and let Cathy ride Sierra? Or is he not ready? I watched and scrutinized his every move. He was slightly nervous being in a new situation, but really taking everything in stride so well. He was eating and drinking like a champ, and had no qualms about peeing or standing tied to the trailer for so long. I finally decided, based off his demeanor and behavior, to enter on him.
I talked to Cathy and let her know that our plans had changed yet again. I could tell she was ecstatic! I was nervous but figured if we went slow and calmly, that Ares could handle it. I was happy with my decision, but nervous. How was he going to act in the morning with all the horses leaving at the start!? We also found out while we were registering that it was 30 miles, not 25! It had been listed as a 25, and that's why we had planned on riding Saturday. We were nervous about the extra distance since the horses aren't as conditioned as I like. (We found out after the ride that it was actually 33 miles!)
After a long night, the morning of our ride was finally here. Ares camped incredibly well, standing tied at the trailer all night and consuming all of his alfalfa, mash, and most of his Teff. A moment to interject here that Sierra must have camped at some point in her past life, as she was cool as a cucumber, and I couldn't have asked her to be any more perfect! Not one ounce of nervousness to be seen. She was the best camping companion for Ares possible! She is an incredible mare.
We woke up, ate breakfast, and got ready for the ride, our LD start time was 8:00am, which was nice that it wasn't too early. Ares was slightly nervous, but no more so than at home, or in the mountains, or anywhere else. After tacking up, I did some ground work with him to see where his brain was and he was perfect! Attentive and listening to me well!
We started the ride with Rebecca, whom I have ridden with before, and was glad to have her company and her sweet mustang mare Josie. Josie and Sierra were calm as could be and were such a great influence on Ares. I hand walked about a quarter of a mile then got on. Ares stood quietly for me, and although at first he was just a little prancy, he was listening to me perfectly. We all walked calmly for about a mile or two then slowly picked up the pace to a nice slow comfortable trot. Ares was doing great and listening to me so well. We slowed to walk often, and especially over rocks, the deep sand, and when the incline increased. Ares is 8, so he's physically mature, but he isn't conditioned for fast riding yet, so I wanted to take the utmost care with him. In a bit Rebecca continued on a little faster, and we were content to pace and ride by ourselves.
Both horses were strong and happy. We went up into the mountains, over dirt roads, through some pretty steep inclines and declines, and through some beautiful terrain. Truth be told, I hadn't trotted on Ares this much, so I really practiced on keeping him straight and remembering to switch my diagonals often. Also, truth be told, this was the first time I had ever cantered on Ares outside of an arena. He was so incredibly smooth and was listening so well. He's an absolute dream to ride.
We went around the college, down the long back side and then happened upon the ride photographer! Woohoo! My favorite part! But wait, what's that!?! Oh no! There's 3 hikers in bright clothes with lots of gear and walking sticks! They're going to ruin our pictures! We each ended up retrying the approach to the photographer about 3 times, as our horses kept shying and going wayyyy around the group of people that were now standing right at the photography station.  We called it good, then headed on. At first I was mad, but then Cathy mentioned, "hey they might actually be BETTER because the horses were a little amped up". LOL! I conceded, and didn't let it bother me after that.
We were pacing well, not pushing the horses at all, and watching our clocks to make sure we would arrive at the vet check on time, which was at mile 15. We were making perfect timing, not too fast, not too slow. The horses were strong, happy, and moving extremely well. Ares "looked" a lot at all the hikers, bike riders, motorcycles, and other horses that we'd come upon or pass, or that would pass us, but never did he falter.
We finally came to the road crossing, which was about 5 miles from the vet check, (10 miles in), and I got off and walked, as I didn't know how he'd be with the ground changes. We waited until there were no cars at all, then safely crossed. No issues! He was amazing! I remounted on the opposite side of the road, and we continued on our way.
HOWEVER, mayday at mile 11.5! We had just been walking and decided to trot again, I was on the first or second step of Ares going into a trot, and on the upswing of my post, when my right stirrup completely snapped in half! It happened so quickly, and because I was on the up tick, not the down swing into the saddle, it completely caught me off guard, and off balance! I tipped to the right and felt myself going off his right side. We were on a hard packed dirt road at the trot. As I was falling, in the air, about half way down, he got spooked, of course, and kicked out and caught my leg with his back hoof. Good aim!  I hit the ground HARD, but quickly stood back up, and as I watched my horse trotting off into the desert, I desperately called to him... he did a big loop around the three of us standing there, (myself, Cathy and Sierra), and then came trotting right back up to me. I'm sure I hugged and kissed him. I asked Cathy to hold him a minute so I could sit down for a second to regroup and stop shaking. I was pretty sure nothing was broken, just sore, so after a couple minutes I decided we needed to keep moving if we were to keep our finishing pace. However, I quickly realized I wasn't going to be able to walk fast enough to get to the vet check and be on time, so we took stock of the broken stirrup and thought about what we had on us that could fix it. Eventually I decided nothing would hold the weight of my leg, but figured out I could at least get my toes into the cage that was left dangling, so we could make it to the vet check. That was all that was on my mind, just make it to the vet check. We found out from a passing rider that we were still about 3.5 miles away. Well that's nothing (quick) if you're trotting, but everytime we started even a tiny little trot, I would get shooting pain in my ribs. Not to mention my foot was barely in on the right side. So we ended up walking the entire distance in.
After a little bit, I decided we weren't going to be able to keep up our pace to make it in to the vet check on time. What should I do? Should I try and call someone and have them bring another stirrup? Even if I did get another one, would we be able to finish on time to complete? Another slow mile goes by and I've decided I'm going to RO. I'm in too much pain, even with a new stirrup, to trot 15 miles back home. ANOTHER slow mile goes by, what about Cathy? What should she do? Should she go ahead without me? No, both horses would freak out if separated. What about once we're at the vet check? Should she try and make it back in time? We're finally getting close to the vet check and look at the time, the last 4 miles, plus the 30 minute vet hold, will have robbed us of almost 2 hours. That means after we vetted in we'd only have an additional 2.5 hours to go 15 miles to get alllll the way back to camp. The horses aren't as conditioned as I'd like. I don't want to push them. I don't want to compromise Sierra. I tell Cathy, and she agrees. We decide to RO and pull. Both horses vetted completely sound and happy and were vacuuming up all the hay and water at the vet check. Everyone there is astounded at the way my stirrup snapped. They are less than a year old! And the left side is cracked at the rivets! I'll be contacting the company for sure.
We are happy with our decision, and even though I'm in pain, I'm happy the horses are happy and healthy, that's what matters to me. The people at the vet check were amazing. One remarked how well behaved Ares was and what a nice horse he is. They all regaled us with amazing historic ride adventures and prior life experiences. I wish I could remember each and every one of their names, but I can't. But I'm thankful for them taking care of us and the the horses and for staying with us until the truck and trailer came.
#firemountain was an incredible ride. Everything was amazingly done and put together, and even though it didn't turn out as planned we couldn't have asked for a better experience. Thank you to Gretchen Montgomery ride manager, the vets, and all the volunteers, for the wonderful weekend!
And most especially thank you to my incredible Ares, for being such an amazing horse, with an incredible bond, and for doing so well, and for doing so much that I ask of you, even though you're so super green. And thank you for taking care of us (and yourself!) and for not running away in the middle of the desert. I love you.
Fire Mountain
2.
There will be no ties.
3.
The same horse and rider must pass all control points and stay on the marked trail in order to qual
ify for
awards and completion credit.
4.
Any top ten finishers of the 50
or 30
mile ride who want to be considered for Best Condition must present
their horse for the Best Condition examination within the time frame announced by the head vet.
5.
Loose dogs in ca
mp may result in rider disqualification. Please ensure your dogs are on a leash or kept
within your rig.
6.
Any abusive behavior or violation of any rule by a rider or associated crew will be subject to disciplinary
action (i.e., disqualification and/or being
asked to leave by ride management or a vet).
7.
All
horses must meet a pulse of 6
0
beats per minute within thirty minutes of crossing the finish line in order
to meet Fit To Continue criteria and remain eligible for completion or placing.
8.
Riders are respon
sible for keeping track of their vet cards.
9.
A $20 fee will be added when entering ride on or after January 15
2016.
1. Pre
-
ride and post ride vet checks are required for com
pletion.
2. This is not a race and no timings or placings will be given, just completion awards.
3. No AERC membership fee is
required
for the 15 mile introductory ride.
4. Juniors can ride for the same nominal fee but must wear an ASTM helmet whenever
mounted and
be accompanied at all times by
their
adult sponsor.
5. Dinner is included will the introductory ride
2015 Fire Mountain: Confessions of a First Time Ride Manager
by Merri Melde
