ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Some quick questions

Re: Some quick questions

Reynolds, Nikki (jakar@aiinc.com)
Tue, 18 Feb 1997 10:12:07 -0800

Hi Andrea,
I know others will answer your US based ride questions, so I'll work
mostly on the Quilty ride. Please see my response titled Re: New Aussie
Camper in the archives (2/17/97). Here are a few additional facts:
That first ride (Oct '66) took the 27 entrants over the Blue Mountains
five times. Each time, the teams had to climb grades of 2,000 feet or
more, bringing the total climb footage to over 10,000 feet. These
mountains are so rugged that they stopped settlement for half a
century.
Not much was said in the article of the breeding of most of the
entrants' horses, but from the photos, I'd have to say they look part TB
and some look like brumbie crosses similar to our mustangs here in the
US.
The same "Western Horseman" issue I got this info from (July '67), has
another article written by R.B. Barsaleau, DVM, about the '66 Tevis and
the choosing and preparation of the winning and BC horses as well as a
few other top tenners. The winning horse was a big Arab cross, 15.3
hands and 1100lbs, named Red Chief R (Pancho) and ridden by Bud Dardi.
(His background and breeding can be found on pg.3 of the Dec '66 issue.
Wow, what a Heinz 57!) The Haggin Cup went to a big TB/QH named Barney
and ridden by Frank Moan of OR. Neither of these horses look much like
our front runners of today and both were working ranch horses.
The late '50's and the '60's issues of "Western Horseman" magazine have
lots of very interesting articles on the beginnings of endurance riding
both here and in Australia. Lots of people have collections of this
magazine, so you might want to ask around and see if you can find
someone who has them. I've photocopied the tables of contents and
highlighted the trail, endurance, and Arabian articles in my collection
to make research easier. I realize that "Western Horseman" may be
harder to find in the UK, so if you need more info, I can try to find it
for you.
Good Luck!, Nikki

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