Sunday, November 24, 2024

ALL THE GREAT HORSES: AND HOW THEY ENRICHED MY LIFE THROUGH THE YEARS - Barb McGann

ALL THE GREAT HORSES: AND HOW THEY ENRICHED MY LIFE THROUGH THE YEARS

by Barb McGann (Author) 2024

All The Great Horses (And How They Enriched My Life Through The Years) is a new ebook release from Idaho Endurance rider Barb McGann. It joins the Endurance.net bookshelf as a keeper!

Seen through the eyes of a horse-crazy young 9-year-old girl, and now, a mature horse-crazy adult with a lifetime of equine wisdom, McGann shares with readers stories of some of the most memorable horses and riding adventures throughout her lifetime. From her first Quarter horse/Morgan mare Lil to her last horses Katie and Ellie, she recounts the accomplishments and personalities of these special horses that touched her heart and set the course(s) of her life.

As a young girl, McGann and her mom ran a riding stable in the red rock canyons of Utah, and besides the memorable horses they owned, taking German soldiers stationed at White Sands, NM, provided endless miles and memories and, in some cases, entertainment for both McGann and the German Dudes.

Once McGann discovered Endurance riding in the 1970s, the horse adventures took off in a whole new direction. Riding Arabians, Saddlebreds, Standardbreds, Quarter horses, and a Tennessee Walker over the decades, McGann’s escapades in and out of the saddle will surprise and delight anyone who has ever had - or wanted - a horse of their own.

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Catching up with Terrebonne’s Sanoma and Goober after book flies off shelves

CentralOregonDaily.com - Full Story

by Eric Lindstrom | Central Oregon Daily News
Friday, September 15th 2023

You may remember the story we brought you a couple weeks ago about Sanoma Blakeley and her horse, Goober. They improbably won the world’s most-prestigious endurance horse race — the Tevis Cup — back in 2019.

That story of the youngest female Tevis Cup champion and the horse she got for free on Craigslist is now a book — written by Sanoma — that is flying off shelves, bringing her newfound fame.

“Last week has been pretty crazy. It’s been it’s been a busy week,” Sanoma said.

The Cinderella story of Sanoma and Goober continues.

“It was so incredible to see the support of the community that had come out and really showed their support in buying my books, just telling me that they enjoyed my story, Goober’s story, that they were proud of us. And it was amazing to see this the community step up...”

Read more here:
https://centraloregondaily.com/tevis-cup-terrebonne-sanoma-goober-book-signing/

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Youngest female Tevis Cup winner releases book ahead of 2023 ride

GoldCountryMedia.com - Full Article

Sanoma Blakely's book, Chasing Dreams, chronicles her 2019 Tevis Cup victory.

Jordan Georgeson
Jul 25, 2023 3:00 PM

Sanoma Blakely was 18 years old when she won the Tevis Cup in 2019, crossing the finish line at McCann Stadium in 14 hours, 12 minutes.

Blakely was an underdog when she won the race, as she was neck and neck with former champions Jeremy and Heather Reynolds down the stretch.

The story of Blakely’s perseverance and resilience touched the hearts of endurance riding fans across the country, prompting her to write a book about her experience.

Blakely started writing "Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion" in early 2020, and it was released July 25, 2023...

Read more here:
https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/294791/youngest-female-tevis-cup-winner-releases-book-ahead-of-2023-ride/

Monday, July 24, 2023

Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion - Sanoma Blakeley

Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion

by Sanoma Blakeley (Author) - 2023

Chasing Dreams: The True Story of the Youngest Female Tevis Cup Champion is the incredible, action-packed memoir of Sanoma Blakeley’s 2019 Tevis Cup championship, won while riding her beloved horse Goober, and the tale of how she became the youngest woman to ever become a Tevis Cup champion. Beginning her endurance riding career at the age of seven, Blakeley writes about the years of training and teamwork required to win the most challenging and famous 100-mile horse race in the world aboard a horse she had originally acquired for free off of Craigslist.

Blakeley places readers on the ride with her so that they can experience the thrill of the most exciting horse endurance race in existence. Blakeley and Goober survive narrow mountain trails winding through the Sierra-Nevadas, containing over 19,000 feet of elevation gain; three steep, grueling canyons; crossing the shoulder-high American River; riding at night with only the light of the moon to guide them; temperatures that soared over 115 degrees; and, most excitingly, the final neck-and-neck sprint to the finish against a four-time Tevis Cup champion and world class competitor after 100 miles of some of the most rugged mountain trails in the world.

When Blakeley and Goober cross the finish line just a few feet ahead of their competition and Blakeley becomes the youngest woman in history to win the Tevis Cup, a lifetime of hard work that began when the author started training as a small child and who had long dreamed of winning the Tevis Cup was finally rewarded. Chasing Dreams contains action, heartwarming twists, and an epic ending that will leave readers in tears.

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Three Steps Up to Mediocrity: A woman afraid, a tough little horse and the man who brought them together - Pamela Reband

Three Steps Up to Mediocrity: A woman afraid, a tough little horse and the man who brought them together

by Pamela Reband MD (Author) - 2023

“I couldn’t stop reading it. It is well written with good imagery and appeals to those of us who have dealt with fear on any level…” ~ Bruce Weary, D.C., endurance rider

Sometimes raw, sometimes humorous, but always honest, this is a true account of a woman’s struggle to overcome a paralyzing fear, get back into the sport she loves, and the friendships she develops along the way.

After a lifetime of riding and owning horses and performing both in the show ring and on the trail, a difficult fall off her own horse on her own property leads Pam to realize age is catching up with her and she has become afraid to get back in the saddle. She embarks on a journey to find he perfect horse to help her get back into the tough sport of endurance riding, never knowing she would find help, both physically and emotionally, in a trainer and fellow rider who becomes a great friend.

This is a book for anyone who has fear or aging issues, anyone who loves riding horses, and anyone who needs a bit of hope.

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

The Adventures of Hot Wheelz the Horse: Lessons from a Majestic Beast - Lori McIntosh

The Adventures of Hot Wheelz the Horse: Lessons from a Majestic Beast

Lori McIntosh (Author), 2023

Lori was often hushed as a young girl, the youngest of four with busy parents who sometimes didn’t notice her. With three much louder and bigger older sisters, Lori didn’t have much say in what she wanted. It would be years before she could be herself, develop self-worth and self-esteem, and use her athletic skills to their fullest. Yet, she persevered throughout her life to become as independent as possible. She discovered horses at age eight, where she could sense how their energy, loyalty, and sereneness helped mold her into a successful leader as an adult. 30-plus years later, her life collided with Hot Wheelz, which led to big adventures.

Hot Wheelz was a lonely, neglected horse, too hot, too difficult to handle, with a mind of his own, and too quick for his own good. Many friends suggested that Lori sell him because he was a bit dangerous on the trail. He had several accidents, lost too much weight, nearly lost his life, was bullied by other horses, and rarely stood up for himself. Today he is the leader of his herd, and Lori is in full charge of her life with the support of her husband, Nigel. Together they all share the joy of day-to-day ranch living with their family of best friends.

About the Author
Lori McIntosh has been riding horses since she turned eight, starting as a camper at Triple R Ranch in Chesapeake, Virginia. She rode one hour every day over six days when at camp. The other hours she spent waiting for those six hours of riding.

After moving from Virginia as one of the most popular girls in junior high to a high school in Dallas, Texas, she became one of the most unpopular girls in school. Later, after graduating, she competed for the intercollegiate team at the University of Texas at Austin. Soon, she did a foolish thing, or not, and bought her first horse, Sorab, an experienced chestnut Thoroughbred using a brand new credit card she magically got as a student. She was judged in the arena for equitation and handling of the horse at Universities in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, and all over Texas.

She and her husband, Nigel, enjoy horse camping vacations. Lori “stole” Hot Wheelz from Nigel and rode three 100-mile races with him, plus many 50-mile rides along with several other disciplines. The family of horses expanded to Groovy, Jasper, Johnny Cash, and Donkey Oti. Sadly, Finn passed away in 2019.

Lori lives in Northern California, surrounded by trails. She rides her horses and has a business called Lori McIntosh Properties, helping people live in the country with their horses like her.

Find out more about Lori and her adventures at www.lorimcintosh.com.

Monday, May 15, 2023

Follow the Ribbons, Missy - Ann Cofield

Follow the Ribbons, Missy

Ann Cofield (Author), 2021

Come along with Moria and the folks in Cherry Valley as they plan for an event in their community. On the Fourth of July, Jada announces that the local horse people will host an endurance ride. Soon the riders learn there are only three months to prepare 25 miles of trails in the National Forest. Things get hectic, both on the trails and in relationships as the summer unwinds. True to form, Jada wants all the glory and none of the responsibility. The planning falls to Moria, and her friend Maxine, who want to be sure the ride is a success. Their husbands, Jackson and Jeremy and the horse community are soon roped into preparations. As trail issues face the managers, the new Forest Ranger becomes a valued ally. Two young girls, who witnessed a murder, are sheltering in place at Rodney's farm, guarded by a member of the US Marshall Service. The youngsters are learning to be cowgirls and much more! A grumpy old guy with an inholding in the National Forest must be persuaded to let the ride come through his property. What is he growing in the hen house besides poinsettias? Will sparks fly between Moria and Jackson's old flame when she attends the ride and camps in their pasture? The Cherry Valley Ride comes to an unexpected finish as lives and relationships change in this sequel to Put Your Boots On, Missy.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Race Against Time: A girl, a pony, & the toughest 100-mile race in the world - Claire Eckard with Kyla & Natalie Law

Race Against Time

Claire Eckard, Kyla Law, Natalie Law (Authors), 2023

Flash was a pony that had fallen between the cracks-too small for most to ride, even for a Hackney pony, and too feral to be shown. What he needed was a person as small as he was-who had the guts and the patience to give a wild pony a chance. Then along came a little girl with a sensitive soul and a big heart.

Kyla Law was just nine years old when she met Flash, and neither of them could have anticipated that their partnership would make history.

In an inspiring true story of family, faith, and perseverance, Kyla and Flash's relationship mirrors the journey we must all take in life: one of highs and lows, successes and failures-theirs just happens to be along a hundred-mile historic trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains-the setting for the most famous endurance race in the world. From the moment they met, to the moment they crossed the finish line, their tenacity exhibits pure spirit: the human spirit, the Holy Spirit, and the fire-in-the-soul kind of spirit that helps us climb mountains and cross rivers, literally and figuratively.

This story is about a girl and her pony, and how in one amazing day they inspired an international community, as Flash became the smallest horse to ever finish the Western States One-Hundred-Mile, One-Day Ride-the Tevis Cup.

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Wanderlust: A story of personal growth, empathy, romance, and the harsh realities of a year long horseback adventure on the Asian steppe - Mayr, Breidahl

Wanderlust: A story of personal growth, empathy, romance, and the harsh realities of a year long horseback adventure on the Asian steppe

December 4, 2020 by Luisa Mayr and Pete Breidahl (Author)

A story of personal growth, empathy, romance, and the harsh realities of a yearlong horseback adventure on the Asian steppe.

The twists and turns that led a young woman and her faithful dog to ride across Asia with a complete stranger are complex, and not far off the script of a hastily slapped together sitcom. Pete and Luisa could not be more opposite; a wild and obnoxious Australian hunter with a dark past and a bubbly, free spirited former vegan and trained vegan chef from Bavaria.

United by their love of horses and dogs, they set off unprepared, under-equipped and way out of their depth just days after a chance meeting in a Mongolian park. It's a journey full of personal failures and triumphs; romance, and dreams shattered, lost, re-claimed and rebuilt only to fall apart once more. But if I am to start anywhere, then perhaps I start by saying we wrote this book for people just like us. So, if you do contemplate taking any sort of personal journey of self-discovery, you have a chance to avoid many of our failures.

We hope these stories both inspire and educate others that dream of doing something they can look back on and smile about in years to come... smile knowing they did something reckless, beautiful and inspiring; and that even in failure, there can be success. This is a book written by a dreamer and a drunk, who's ambitions exceeded their abilities to such a degree... magic happened daily amid the chaos.

Telling the story of our adventure chronologically seems wrong to us; instead, we’re excited to share the lessons that taught us the most, and offer a glimpse at our feelings and emotions, as well as advice on how to take your own crazy trip. If you are brave, empathetic, physically fit and a little crazy... then go make your own mistakes like we did.

We aren't special, we’re just normal people that decided life was too short.

“Wanderlust has a strong horse focus, but think of it more like the show Top Gear. It's got a little something for everyone; especially anyone who's gazed out the window at work and thought... man, I wish I could just walk out the door and never look back.” Breanna Wilson, Travel writer.

Wanderlust was updated in December 2021 to include 90 images, and to tidy it up as the original was written on a free version of word and an old laptop. This version is no longer available sorry.

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Gallant: The Call of The Trail - Claire Eckard

Gallant: The Call of The Trail

Claire Eckard author, 2021
Phylicia Mann illustrator

Gallant and Gracie have a special bond, rarely seen between human and horse. Separated by a bad accident when Gallant is five, each gets a second chance of happiness pursuing the long-distance sport of endurance riding, neither knowing they are leading parallel lives.

Gallant's arch nemesis, The Almighty Flash, threatens to destroy all that Gallant has worked for. His misguided ambition and greed, developed at the hands of an abusive owner, has created a darkness in his soul that turns to blind fury when his endurance career is threatened.

When Gracie meets Jack, she realizes that nothing will ever be as simple as it used to be.

The characters' lives are beautifully woven together against the backdrop of a sport that tests the physical and mental endurance of horse and rider like no other. Gallant: The Call of The Trail, is ultimately a saga of love, adventure, and self-discovery, with an unexpected ending that threatens to change everything.

"All ages are in for a treat when you put author Claire Eckard's enthusiasm and talent between the covers of a book. This story plays with your emotions in each chapter and then leaves you wanting more as the last page is turned." -Julie Suhr, author, endurance rider, 30,857 recorded competition miles.

"Just finished the book, with tears streaming down my face! The story of a young girl and her love and devotion to her horse is heartwarming! In this world of uncertainty, it was refreshing to read a wholesome, loving book, suitable for all ages." -Diane Marquard, author, endurance rider, 12,654 recorded competition miles.

"The Gallant Series promises to be what Black Beauty, National Velvet, and Lassie were to the youth of previous generations. Eckard has written a riveting story of faith, affection, and adventure that follows the lives of two teenagers as they train to compete in the heart stopping sport of endurance riding. Brilliantly written by Eckard and brought to life by the vivid illustrations of artist Phylicia Mann, this first book is sure to become a classic and will leave you breathlessly waiting for the story to continue in the trilogy of books to follow." -Lucian Spataro, Jr., Ph.D., Author of the "The Long Ride", Endurance Rider and Senior Fellow, Civics, Arizona State University

Claire Eckard is an award-winning author who lives in Arizona. She grew up in England and travels there regularly, where she is still obsessed with clotted cream teas, and the tranquil English countryside of her youth. She is married with two grown sons and two beautiful granddaughters. Gallant is her first novel and is the first in a trilogy of books highlighting the sport of endurance riding. She has several published children's books which can be found on her website at www.claireeckardauthor.com, as well as at Amazon.com and other major online sites and bookstores.

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

On The Hoof: Pacific to Atlantic, A 3,800-Mile Adventure - Jesse Alexander McNeil

On The Hoof: Pacific to Atlantic, A 3,800-Mile Adventure

Jesse Alexander McNeil, 2021

The true tale of a voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse.

At 36 Jesse McNeil—at times carpenter, commercial fisherman, dabbler in real estate—decided to buy an untrained horse, make himself into a horseman, and ride all the way across the United States, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.

A fiercely independent traveler, Jesse had navigated previous coast-to-coast trips—solo journeys by moped, bicycle, and small airplane. This time, however, he had a partner: a five-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse named Pepper. An inexperienced horseman with an equally inexperienced mount, Jesse would quickly discover the immense challenges of his new undertaking. Over the course of eight months and fourteen states—beginning in Oregon and ending on a beach in New Hampshire—he would be tested many times over as he learned not only what it took to keep Pepper safe and healthy, but the true value of qualities that he had once easily dismissed: patience and companionship.

The generosity of strangers, from helpful ranchers and storekeepers to suburban families, shaped the pair's journey east. And while at some points the miles didn't unfold as Jesse hoped, others yielded unexpected events that changed his perspective—and quite possibly, his future. Written with honesty, grit, and grace, On the Hoof captures an arduous voyage that broke a man down and built him back up, with the help of one special horse.

Monday, December 14, 2020

A Lady's Life In The Rocky Mountains - Isabella Bird

A Lady's Life In The Rocky Mountains

Isabella Bird, (1879) 2015

Born in 1831, Isabella, daughter of a clergyman, set off alone to the Antipodes in 1872 'in search of health' and found she had embarked on a life of adventurous travel. In 1873, wearing Hawaiian riding dress, she rode on her spirited horse Birdie through the American 'Wild West', a terrain only recently opened to pioneer settlement. Here she met Rocky Mountain Jim, her 'dear (one-eyed) desperado', fond of poetry and whisky - 'a man any women might love, but no sane woman would marry'. He helped her climb the 'American Matterhorn' and round up cattle on horseback.

The wonderful letters which make up this volume were first published in 1879 and were enormously popular in Isabella Bird's lifetime. They tell of magnificent unspoilt landscapes and abundant wildlife, of small remote townships, of her encounters with rattlesnakes, wolves, pumas and grizzly bears and her reactions to the volatile passions of the miners and pioneer settlers.

Monday, December 7, 2020

From East to West by Saddle is Best: A horseback journey across the Scottish Highlands - Claire Alldritt

From East to West By Saddle is Best - A horseback journey across the Scottish Highlands

Claire Alldritt, 2020

What started as an idea on maps spread out along the length of her kitchen floor, turned into a challenging journey over mountains, through glens and around lochs. Against the backdrop of stunning Highland scenery, Claire Alldritt made her way from the east coast of Scotland, journeying with her two horses, working her way across to the west to dip her toes in the Atlantic Ocean.

Often using old drovers’ roads and avoiding as much tarmac as she could, this is a story of exploration, trust and resilience mixed with insightful glances into the history of the land passed through. Claire’s journey shows the value of friends old and new (whether with four legs or two) written with lively imagination and humour as they make their way along the trail.

Saddle up and take a ride across the Highlands with Claire, Swift and Yogi!

What they are saying:

“It was a delight to read, beautifully descriptive, a good mix of humour, history, trials and tribulations, anxieties, how to overcome things, teamwork, talking horses and what a journey!”

“I've now got cold coffee; I didn’t even turn the TV on last night as I couldn’t put it down and I am often chuckling out loud. A great mix of anecdote, history, description, and discussion with horses.”

“I thought it would just be something for the interested horsey person, but I love it as a travel book. Some nice ingredients there - personal anecdotes, a lively bit of imagination and some travel description. I loved it!”

“I love your descriptiveness; I can visualize it well. It made me actually smell the pine trees! Lovely to see the horse’s characters coming through and I love that your horses ‘talk’.”

Friday, December 4, 2020

Distant Skies: An American Journey on Horseback - Melissa A Priblo Chapman

Distant Skies: An American Journey on Horseback

Melissa A Priblo Chapman, 2020

Part American road trip, part coming-of-age adventure, and part uncommon love story—a remarkable memoir that explores the evolution of the human-animal relationship, along with the raw beauty of a life lived outdoors.

Melissa Chapman was 23 years old and part of a happy, loving family. She had a decent job, a boyfriend she cared about, and friends she enjoyed. Yet she said goodbye to all of it. Carrying a puppy named Gypsy, she climbed aboard a horse and rode away from everything, heading west.

With no cell phone, no GPS, no support team or truck following with supplies, Chapman quickly learned that the reality of a cross-country horseback journey was quite different from the fantasy. Her solo adventure would immediately test her mental, physical, and emotional resources as she and her four-legged companions were forced to adapt to the dangers and loneliness of a trek that would span over 2,600 miles, beginning in New York State and reaching its end on the other side of the country, in California.

Enchanted by the freedom a nomadic life seemed to promise, the young woman would soon find herself only more deeply connected…to the animals that accompanied her, to the varying and challenging landscapes through which she traveled, and to the people she met on the farms and back roads that crisscross the United States. Chapman's vigilance in detailing the quietest moments of heroism and beauty, as well as the startling and tragic, yields a read that convinces one of both the magnificence of the countryside and the generosity of the people who call it home. A book for the equestrian, the animal lover, and the outdoor enthusiast—or anyone who dreams about one day bringing a longed-for adventure to life.

Monday, February 3, 2020

Cities of Gold: A Journey Across the American Southwest in Pursuit of Coronado - Douglas Preston

Cities of Gold: A Journey Across the American Southwest in Pursuit of Coronado

by Douglas Preston, 2017

This new ebook edition includes for first time over 100 never-before-published photographs taken during the author's epic, thousand mile horseback journey across Arizona and New Mexico. It also includes rare and extraordinary historical photographs of the Old West, Native Americans, pioneers, prospectors, Indian pueblos, and vanished landscapes.

“The Old West’s last glimmers flicker through this piercingly beautiful adventure, an unforgettable saga in which Preston, astride his horse Popeye, traverses the desert and mountain wilderness of Arizona and New Mexico retracing the trail-blazing 1540-41 expedition of Spanish Explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold … In place of the mythical winning of the West, Preston unfolds a harrowing tale of loss.” –Publishers Weekly

“The entire book is a sheer pleasure to read.” –The San Diego Union-Tribune

“A Blue Highways on horseback, well worth the trip.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A riveting yarn, with as many turns as a switchback road.” –The Christian Science Monitor

“A fearful, fascinating tale.” –Los Angeles Times

“A journey of historical importance.” –The New York Times

“By setting out with a companion and four horses to track Coronado’s army across a thousand miles of brutal desert and mountain country, from the Mexican border through Arizona and New Mexico, the author is ready to risk his life to try to see with his own eyes, as it were, ‘that moment, 450 years ago, when the peoples of the Old World and New World first encountered each other’ and quickly began the strife-torn redefining of America. Throughout the book, Preston intersperses the original reports and memoirs of Coronado’s adventure with accounts of his own party’s hard progress, making the centuries dissolve into a common, first-person, present-tense narrative. And along the way he records stories of the people and places he encounters, making brief excursions into mining booms and busts, the history of livestock ranching, the impact of barbed wire and windmills, the first mail routes, homesteading, the destruction of the Indian nations, and much more.” –Smithsonian magazine

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Enduring Memories: Remembering those horses and riders who came before us on the endurance trail - Lori Oleson

Enduring Memories: Remembering those horses and riders who came before us on the endurance trail

by Lori Oleson, 2018

Join us on a magical journey through the history of equine endurance riding and meet some of the talented and determined horses and riders who have made the sport great.

Those that came before us in the 1960s through the year 2000 have a story to tell. Their memories should live on and learning about the success and struggles are an inspiration. Learn about the great stallion, Bezatal. His story has it all, athleticism, family drama, successful progeny and the love of a girl and her horse. Another inspirational story is Omner. A powerhouse on the trail became gravely ill and overcame it all to ultimately give back to children, giving them hope.

Monday, May 27, 2019

Man & Horse: The Long Ride Across America - John Egenes

Man & Horse: The Long Ride Across America

by John Egenes, 2017

In 1974 a disenfranchised young man from a broken home set out to do the impossible. With a hundred dollars in his pocket, a beat up cavalry saddle, and a faraway look in his eye, John Egenes saddled his horse Gizmo and started down the trail on an adventure across the North American continent. Their seven month journey took them across 11 states from California to Virginia, ocean to ocean.

As they left the pressing confinement of the city behind them, the pair experienced the isolation and loneliness of the southwestern deserts, the vastness of the prairie, and the great landscapes that make up America. Across hundreds of miles of empty land they slept with coyotes and wild horses under the stars, and in urban areas they camped alone in graveyards and abandoned shacks.

Along the way John and Gizmo were transformed from inexperienced horse and rider to veterans of the trail. With his young horse as his spiritual guide John slowly began to comprehend his own place in the world and to find peace within himself. Full of heart and humor, Egenes serves up a tale that's as big as the America he witnessed, an America that no longer exists. It was a journey that could only have been experienced step by step, mile by mile, from the view between a horse's ears.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Long Ride Home: Guts, Guns and Grizzlies - Filipe Masetti Leite

Long Ride Home: Guts, Guns and Grizzlies

by Filipe Masetti Leite, 2018

Soon to be a major motion picture!How far would you go to chase your dreams?

This is the story of a Ryerson Journalism student who rode 10,000 miles from Canada through the Americas to his home in Brazil. Two years. Three magnificent horses. Ten countries. A thousand stories of drug cartels, mass migration, the glorious wilderness, the old cowboy ways, the kindness of strangers and the powerful connection between man and beast. This is a tale of grit and inspiration, of Filipe and Frenchie, Bruiser and Dude chasing a dream, one hoof at a time.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Lady Long Rider: Alone Across America on Horseback - Bernice Ende

Lady Long Rider: Alone Across America on Horseback

by Bernice Ende, 2018

In her incredible memoir, Lady Long Rider: Alone Across America on Horseback we are introduced to Bernice Ende, a solitary figure with the daunting goal of traveling from Trego, Montana to New Mexico in a single ride. At the age of 50, Bernice turned south into the unknown and began her first voyage on the way to becoming a world-class long rider. Since that fateful decision she hasn't looked back. Accompanied by her horses and an exceptional dog named Claire, Ende has logged more than 29,000 miles in the saddle, crisscrossing North America and beyond.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Cowgirl - Judith Ayres Burke

Cowgirl

by Judith Ayres Burke, 2019

COWGIRL is a galloping historical novel of the TEVIS CUP- the world famous100 mile one day endurance horse race over California's Sierra Nevada and a mother and daughter aiming to win.

DREAMS HAVE A WAY OF CHANGING. That’s what Cowgirl is always reminding her fourteen-year-old daughter, Lizzy. They certainly changed eight years earlier when Cowgirl’s husband and Lizzy’s father was incapacitated in a bull riding wreck.

But for Cowgirl, one dream has remained constant. That she and Lizzy would one day complete the Tevis Cup, the world-famous, hundred-mile, tenty-four hour endurance horse race over the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lizzy shares the dream but it is Cowgirl’s life mission on race day.

COWGIRL is the story of their attempt. With the support of their unique and skilled trail crew- a giant, a dwarf, an invalid and a tough old broad- the challenges they face, from both the natural world and the human condition, drive the evocative plot. Taking place over twenty-four hours, the saga chronicles a number of heroic journeys, not all of which involve a horse race.

Friday, March 15, 2019

Tevis Cup Magic: Taking on the world's toughest 100 mile endurance ride - Merri Melde

Tevis Cup Magic: Taking on the world's toughest 100 mile endurance ride

by Merri Melde, 2016

Every horse endurance ride has its challenges and difficulties, but the Tevis Cup has 100 miles of it. It's extreme, challenging, relentless, frantic, exhilarating, heart-breaking, exhausting, exasperating, beautiful, treacherous, insane, exciting.

Merri Melde’s dramatic story of her unplanned and unforeseen attempt at the Tevis Cup, the world’s toughest 100 mile endurance ride, will put you in the saddle, gripping the reins, racing the clock to cross the finish line in the 24 hour time limit, on a beautiful, gallant gray horse.

Endurance...Years Gone By - Lori Oleson

Endurance...Years Gone By

by Lori Oleson, 2015

'Endurance...Years Gone By' is a historical look back of great horses and riders from the 70's, 80's and 90's in the sport of endurance. There is rich history of interesting characters that taught us and shaped the sport into what we have today. Their memories should never be forgotten. //// "The history told in these pages is enlightening, fascinating and downright entertaining." Heather Reynolds - Tevis Cup winner, Haggin Cup winner, Pan American Champion, over 20,000 miles. //// "The thing that makes Lori’s book so special is that we are treated to a succession of stories. As you finish each chapter, a story unto itself, you can’t help but reflect on its contents. The respect Lori has shown for the riders and the good horses she portrays between the covers of Endurance…Years Gone By will bring you closer to understanding what makes a few stand out among the many.” Julie Suhr - Haggin Cup winner, AERC Hall of Fame, over 30,000 miles. //// "Is Endurance…Years Gone By light entertainment, a source of inspiration or a string of cautionary tales (and I challenge you to read it through without thinking or saying, “Holy cow, they did WHAT?!” at least a half dozen times). While it can be any and all of those, I suggest looking for the pearls of wisdom contained in almost every chapter, whether those pearls instruct on how to be better by following in their footsteps, or by stampeding onto another path." Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, MS, AERC Director-at-Large, Chair - AERC Education Committee.

Ride Like Potato - Potato Richardson

Ride Like Potato

by Potato Richardson, 2015

Attention; The profits from the sale of this book will be used to build a Brozne Life size statue of Wendell Robie the man who started the Tevis Cup ride in 1955. Potato Richardson has won the Tevis 100 Mile One Day Horse Race that starts near Lake Tahoe and finishes in Auburn, California. The route travels over the Sierra Nevada Mountains using the trails of the early gold and silver miners. In his 40 plus years of involvement in the sport of endurance and trail riding Potato has won the Tevis Cup three times and finished nine times in the top ten out of thirty one attempts and twenty two finishes. Let him share his experience with you on the trails as well as in competitions. The funds needed to start the project is $35,000 USD. There will be limited editions of the statue available and offered first to the buyers of the book. The statue will be built by world famous Doug Van Howd. http://douglasvanhowd.com/about-the-artist

Strike a Long Trot: Legendary Horsewoman Linda Tellington-Jones - Shannon Yewell Weil

Strike a Long Trot: Legendary Horsewoman Linda Tellington-Jones

by Shannon Yewell Weil, 2013

“Strike a Long Trot” chronicles the distinguished early career of Linda Tellington-Jones, ranging from the 100-mile Tevis Cup Ride to Hunter Trials at Pebble Beach. As a brilliant educator at her Pacific Coast Equestrian Research Farm and School of Horsemanship, Linda shined. A destiny in Linda’s early life was fulfilled when she was sought by a wealthy Hungarian countess to promote her Hungarian horses, once revered as the finest warhorses in Europe. The book tells a charming story about how Linda transformed the stallion Hungarian Brado from a U.S. Equestrian Team reject into a multi-discipline champion. At the Westwind Hungarian Horse Farm, Linda literally hung up her tack and competitive lifestyle and followed her heart to create what is known around the world today as the Tellington TTouch® Training Method.

Horse My Heart - Nancy Reed

Horse My Heart

by Nancy Reed, 2014

A dozen short stories from the true experiences of the author's life living on ranches and training, breeding and competing on horse back. From bucking and biting wild horses, to a 100 mile race across the mountains, she's seen it ALL! Nancy was born in the city and moved with her family onto a 800 acre cattle ranch in Central California, where she trained , rode and showed horses and wrangled cattle in the wilderness. Now, on her own small ranch in the Sierra Nevada, she lives with and trains her own horses, and competes on endurance rides of 50 to 100 miles. Now battling cancer, she hopes to share her extensive experiences with horses in her own heart-felt way, with other readers and lovers of animals.

Camptown Races - Sandra Adams

Camptown Races

by Sandra Adams

For the truly stalwart sports fans, this short missive will surely tweak whatever remote interest the reader might have in "out of the box" sports. It is not the best spectator sport, but one, when experienced, is addictive. Visit "base camp" once - at least by reading if not in person! There are other endurance riding books which aptly explain the "how-to" of preparing for and completing a ride. This, on the other hand, will assist in preparing a person for the "everything else" of the sport - camping, planning, companionship, or not, and so forth.

America's Long Distance Challenge II: New Century, New Trails, and More Miles - Karen Bumgarner

America's Long Distance Challenge II: New Century, New Trails, and More Miles

by Karen Bumgarner, 2013

America's Long Distance Challenge II: New Century, New Trails, and More Miles by Karen Bumgarner

...but it wasn't the horse's fault - Julie Suhr

...but it wasn't the horse's fault by Julie Suhr

If your day is long and you need a smile, you will find it in the pages of this book. Each chapter tackles a different subject. By the last page, the heros are the horses who have inspired and then guided many lives to take a different course.

This is a story of emotions, the incredible soaring that accompanies conquering fear and the empty feeling when it escapes you. Mix it with levity, and you have ...but it wasn’t the horse’s fault!

For the non-horse lovers there is plenty of literary substance to ponder. The captive horse lover will nod in agreement for most of us have trod the same path. It will never be long enough.

Richly illustrated with both pictures and colorful cartoons, a visual delight accompanies the text with the message: It is always the trail ahead that counts, not the one left behind.

Endurance Ride Junkie (E.R.J.) trailer decal included with each book.erg Every copy of …but it wasn't the horse's fault is autographed.

All profits from the sale of this book go to:
The Center for Equine Health
School of Veterinary Medicine
Davis, California
www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh

Ten Feet Tall, Still - Julie Suhr

Ten Feet Tall, Still\

by Julie Suhr, 2002

This engaging story is not for horse lovers alone but for all ages and all walks of life who have ever had dreams. It take you on one woman's journey from childhood to old age in a life of joy and passion.

You will find her failures and her successes full of inspiration, motivation, laughter and tears.

Endurance 101 - Aarene Storms

Endurance 101

by Aarene Storms, 2012

The first book geared specifically towards beginning endurance riders, Endurance 101 is a step-by-step guide to getting started in the sport of endurance, from selecting a horse and tack to training for the trail, conditioning, feeding and competition, along with advice for solving problems along the way. Author Aarene Storms' easy narrative style will guide you down the trail, and the numerous photographs, illustrations, anecdotes and informative sidebars will give you an insider's view of endurance riding. The appendix is packed with links so you can connect with other endurance riders in your region via discussion groups and regional organizations, find endurance-specfic tack and more articles and books. Aarene Storms has been an endurance rider and writer for many years, contributing articles to "Endurance News" and other equestrian publications, and is a regular competitor at rides in the Pacific Northwest with her Standardbred mare Fiddle.