Region 9 Championship

[George McGraw <georgem@computrac.com>]

Region 9 50 Mile Endurance Championship
Decatur, TX  - April 1998


The IAHA Region 9 50 Mile Endurance Championship was again held in
conjunction with the Texas Bluebonnet Classic at the LBJ National
Grasslands. Twenty two of the 47 riders who entered the 50 mile ride
AERC event cross entered into the Region 9 Arabian or Half-Arabian
Championships. 

There were 17 strong entries in the Arabian event. Conquistador ridden
by Darolyn Butler was named Champion for his time of 4:01. Reserve
Champion honors went to Cyrano ridden by Jim Wiseman with a time of
4:07. The Top Five was rounded out by Dolly Miller/GS Silverado 4:07,
George McGraw/Forward Motion 4:09, and Paul Bryan/ Shaikh Al Paso 4:18.
Head Veterinarian Cory Soltau awarded Shaikh Al Paso the Best Condition
award for his combined score of 730 out of a possible 800.

There were five entries in this year's Half-Arabian ride. Champion
honors went to Bab Terah in the record setting time of 3:48. Terah was
ridden by Lynn Zeigler. Only seconds behind Lynn was twelve year old
daughter Hillary riding Bab Sheeba to capture Reserve Champion honors.
There is an unconfirmed rumor that Lynn threatened Hillary with
permanent grounding if she passed her at the finish. While Hillary may
have had to settle for second place or face the rest of her youth
grounded she was rewarded by receiving the coveted Best Condition award
with a score of 626. This is no small feat for someone who tacks out at
a whopping 99 pounds. The Top Five was rounded out by Bab Razzmatazz
ridden by Laura Stoicescu in a time of 4:01. All three of these Top Five
horses were from the same mare and were breed by Lynn's mom Bobbie
Barber.