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Letter Submitted to MAHA (Montana Arabian Horse Association) by Winn Horton Just south of the Yellowstone River, the sun was just peeking over the ridge of the southern hills onto Base Camp. 33 riders and their horses pacing up and down the starting line, stomping and blowing. Then the voice roars above all else: ’50-Milers, follow me. Your ride can now begin.’ Thirty minutes later, another group of ten riders begin their journey down thirty miles of trail in much the same way.
Thus begins the first annual Thirty Mile Stage Stop Endurance Ride. With Cindy Wagner, ride manager, atop her horse in the lead, she leads them with a controlled start up the dirt road behind the Billings Motorcycle Club Hill Climb hills. Endurance riding has long been a sport with horse and rider pitted against time. Not a race against other riders and horses, as you see on the oval track, but against mother time. Who can complete the fifty or thirty mile course in the least time, with their horse still sound.
Fifteen miles down the trail, each rider and horse must stop for a ‘vet check’. Four vets, Drs. Ray Randall, Sarah Schreiber, Sue Knighting, and Mark Francis, will check each horse for metabolics and soundness. If the horse shows signs of distress, lameness, or other type of malady that concerns the vets, then the horse will not continue, and will be ‘pulled.’ This early in the event, however, it’s doubtful any will succumb. After a specific ‘hold’ time, the horse and rider will be cleared to continue. Other periodic ‘vet checks’ are established during the ride for continued monitoring. No horse will be spared the slightest if it shows any problems…it will be pulled. Riders of all ages and horses of all breeds are welcomed at endurance rides. While some come from as far away as California and Utah, most come from Montana and Wyoming. There are riders in their 60’s and 70’s, and as young as 10 years old. There are volunteers and sponsors who donate time, money, and their products. All together, everyone contributes to this event. Even the property, trails, and base camp were donated by very gracious people who enjoy the horse and love to watch as events unfold.
There are five different rides that is held over the two day event. A fifty and thirty mile distance on both Saturday and Sunday, and a ‘Fun Ride’ on Sunday, usually for those who want to ride but not experienced or competitive enough to participate in the longer rides. The trails are cow trails, hiking trails, animal trails, and 4-wheel drive, dirt roads. There are technical areas where the horse and rider must negotiate the terrain; there are open meadows that present a moment of peace. There are water troughs spread throughout the course for the horses, but riders must bring their own people water. Trails pass historic landmarks, fascinating rock out-croppings, magnificent bluffs, and picturesque views of Billings from Sacrifice Cliffs.
The ‘Fun Ride’ is just that – fun! It is led by a rider knowledgeable of the area. There’s no time rush, just a relaxed and non-stressful trail ride to show the historical and picturesque views of the area. The area has a historical perspective, too. The Coburn Stage used to traverse this road in the late 1800’s, racing along the Bitter Creek Valley connecting the markets of Billings with the town of Coburn, Montana. This town no longer exists, but the riders will be on this road at one time or another during their ride. Saturday night a feast is prepared and put out for the riders and their guests. Afterwards, the long awaited results of the day and the awards ceremony are held. The top ten who placed with the best time are named and their awards presented. Their place and time will also be forwarded to AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference) and AHA (Arabian Horse Association). Along with the top ten of both 50-Mile and 30-Mile riders, a horse and rider of each distance is named who meet the guidelines of Best Condition, a most prestigious award and status.
Sunday, the same events will start over again with the sun peeking over the southern hills. But this year, unfortunately, a wild fire prevented any of Sunday’s rides to start. But just one day was enough to get riders to start thinking of next year. It’s something that will be talked and reminisced about for a long, long time. Come be a part of it. Winn Horton Billings, Montana |
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