For those of you interested in entering the IAHA Region III Championship
Competitive Trail Ride, you must have qualified by completing 100 miles of
IAHA approved competition (AERC, NATRC, IAHA, etc.), at least 25 miles of
which must be competitive trail (not endurance). Entries for the
Championship ride close on June 14. There is an all-breed ride doing the
same trail that allows post-entries and will count as qualifying mileage (40
miles) for the National Championship in September. This ride pays
Sweepstakes money to Arabs and Half-Arabs. Don't remember owner/rider
membership requirements. Ask Rita (info below).
IAHA Competitive Trail Rides judge only the horse, NO HORSEMANSHIP. Many
endurance riders came to the qualifying ride in April, and most of them
appeared to have a pretty good time. Think of it as a "paced" endurance
ride! :))
The IAHA National Championship ride is Sept. 27-29 @ Del Valle Park in
Livermore, 80 miles over two days. 25th Anniversary of this ride and the
first time it's being held in California! All completing horses will
receive a 25th anniversary buckle. Horses must be registered Arabs or
Half-Arabs and must qualify by completing 200 miles of IAHA approved rides,
at least 50 miles must be competitive (not AERC).
Call Rita Schlim for more info (510) 657-5827, and remember entries for the June
ride must be postmarked by June 14.
These are really great rides. The June 22 ride includes a continental
breakfast Saturday morning, awards dinner Saturday night. I've heard a
rumor Rita's planning to throw in hors d'ouevres (sp?) and wine tasting in
September!
I've pre-ridden all of this trail and for you endurance riders it will be
quite do-able in the time allowed (9:15 minimum and 9:45 maximum, includes
1.5 hours of lunch and vet checks). The CTR folks will thinks it's fast,
but there's enough flat or rolling that you shouldn't have to trot up and
down the really steep stuff. Lots of water in troughs on the trails. P&Rs
all at the top of hills, the last one is really LONG... It didn't seem as
bad when I did it again last Friday. The first time I thought I'd die!
Hope to see some of you there!
Sue Flagg in Knightsen, CA
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