Kathy asked where the WEC 2002 horses are, and why
they are not 3000 mile horses...well, I can only guess as to why some of them
don't get to 3000 miles. My guess would be that if they are not, it may be
because they were asked to go faster than most of the horses who eventually go
3000 miles, or with specific goals in mind, those riders chose to ride those
horses in just 'premier' rides, and not every ride within driving
distance. It is just another way to ride endurance. Just my
thoughts.
I took care of horses at WEC 2002 in Spain (the
only American to sleep in the groom's quaters) , and so I got to know them
pretty well. I can't speak for all of the horses, but Catch a Wave is 18 this
year, I think- he started his career late in life and still he won his last two
rides, a 50 and a 100 last season. Smokerise Finally has darn close to
3000 miles and is the 2004 100 mile champion, having finished nine 100 mile
rides last year. I am not sure about Ali Darkness and Red, but
obviously Paladon and Shahdon are still going strong.
The best part of AERC (besides, of course, just
riding...) is that we can all have different goals and different avenues to
pursue them...
Laura Hayes Vine Cliff Farms Brocton,
NY AERC# 2741
