I just got an email from my friend who rode in the Tevis and was absolutely stunned to learn that the horse that died belonged to my other friend who was crewing out there and who's 13 year old daughter was the only one who finished out of the group of 5 riders. They are a group from IL and I learned to ride there and that's who got me acquainted with endurance in the first place. They go out just about every year and try to get those buckles. This year it was a small group. The horse that died was ridden by the sponsor of the girl who completed, I know the rider, very good horse woman. All I heard so far is that Taj slipped off the trail and just fell. The rider was ok, other than bruises and scrapes. My friend who wrote the mail was in the group behind them and she brought the junior in with her, then another horse fell off the trail- this one I guess made it. Leni, the junior, was hooked up with another rider after my friend's horse got pulled at 86 miles. Hat off to Leni- she is one tough little lady! One of my other friends got really sick and had to eventually pull because of it. Anyway, I am very new to this sport, just completed the OD50 in June, which was my first 50 miler. I have been playing with the thought of one day, many years from now making my way out to ride in the Tevis. I saw the pictures on the net and that REALLY made me want to be part of it. Now, once again, I realize how dangerous this trail is, and like some one said before, everyone needs to take responsibility for themselves and their horse when they decide to try to tackle this great ride. So I will think long and hard before I will make the long trip. Every bone in my body wants to do it one day, but am very torn right now if I even should put my horse into harm's way like this. Even though 5 of my friends went out to get the buckle only one tough little girl made it all the way. Still, I admire all of them, and everybody else for braving it and giving it their all. Birgit
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