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The USA Mountain Zone Endurance Team is made up horses, riders and support crew from the mountain time zone states of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and parts of Nebraska, Kansas, the Dakota's and Texas. It exists for the sole purpose of competing in bi-annual continental championship 100 mile endurance rides. .
NEW TEAM CHALLENGE
ENDURANCE RIDE THIS FALL
A different twist to endurance riding will take place the weekend of September 22nd at Fort Howes in Ashland, Montana. The Zone Team Endurance Challenge (ZTEC) is a three star FEI and open AERC 100 mile ride with an emphasis on team competition. An unlimited number of FEI Zone teams will be created by riders themselves. Teams will be composed of three to four members and one alternate in order to compete against other Zone teams. There will also be wild card teams which will compete in a non-FEI division as well as an FEI Young Riders team division for those 16-21 years old. This format will allow more experienced FEI competitors a chance to work on team riding skills as they try out for a spot on the National Team and will let those interested in international give it a try without all the expense of passports, etc. And of course for those of you who want to pick up some year-end points on a great trail while riding solo or are thinking about trying your first 100 after a season of riding, this is the place for you. More info is coming soon!
Mountain Zone takes individual Gold at the North American Endurance Championship
Six Mountain Zone riders along with crews and other support personnel headed east to Fairhill, Maryland for the NAEC in early
October. Karen Kroon of Wyoming, Tracy Webb of New Mexico, Susan White-Hedgecock of Utah, MJ Jackson of Utah, Heather
Stevens of Montana and Susie Jones of New Mexico all set their sights on bringing home a medal for Mountain Zone. The 2005
North American Endurance Championship was one of the featured highlights when the Fair Hill International Festival in the Country
was held, October 13-16. The Fair Hill International included competition in three disciplines — eventing, driving and endurance —
and took place at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area in the beautiful countryside of Fair Hill, MD.
The North American Endurance Championship, was held on Saturday October 15. Seven zones throughout North America entered to compete - USA East, USA Central, USA Mountain, USA Pacific North, USA Pacific South, Canada East and Canada West as well as International teams from Brazil, Great Britain, and Japan. Each zone brought between 6 and 12 riders, with USA East, as the host zone, bringing the maximum allotment of 18.
The Mountain Zone kicked off the week of festivities with an official Maryland Crab feast which was hosted by Chef d Equipe's Holly Ulyate , Susie Schomburg and Jan Stevens. We had no idea how many crabs were in a bushels but we do now! On Wednesday, the process of setting up stabling, initial inspection of horses, setting up vet checks and meetings began. Even though the rains fell pretty consistently for the entire week, the spirits of the team could not be dampened and everyone went about their business preparing for the event.
Opening Ceremonies for the Endurance Championships were held on the main Festival grounds on Thursday, October 13. The Maryland Mounted Guard rode beautiful Clydesdales to lead the parade of riders and their crews and the Mountain Zone put on quite the show with their beautiful banner and state flags. Friday was the final veterinary inspection and all of our horses passed with flying colors. After the inspection, the Chef'd Equipe's and head vet, Wade Semper announced that Karen Kroon, Tracy Webb, Susan White-Hedgecock, and MJ Jackson would be riding for the team. The 5:00 AM start came bright and early Saturday morning and the race was on. Karen and Tracy rode toward the front for most of the morning and MJ And Susan Hedgcock followed in about 13th and 14th place with Susie Jones and Heather riding at a comfortable middle of the pack pace. The team crews and individual crew members worked cooperatively to assist each horse in getting through the vet checks and half way through the race all six horses were still going along nicely. At 60 miles, however, some problems began to arise and both MJ and Susie Jones pulled their horses from the race. That left 3 of our team riders and Heather still in the ride so we kept our fingers crossed. At this point Karen was still in the running for an individual medal and the Mountain team was only one minute behind for the team gold. Tracy had backed off earlier in the day but unfortunately the early speed caught up to her horse and she was pulled at the 75 mile check which eliminated us from the team competition. We still had three riders in the ride and Karen was now running in the lead. Paschal and Deb Karl had manned the "pit stops" all day long and kept us apprised of our horses' progress and we all anxiously gathered at the finish line waiting for what we hoped would be a first place finish. At just a little past 8 pm, Karen and Rokket (with ears up and tale in the air over his back)came galloping across the finish line. They vetted through easily and the cheers went up in the Mountain Zone camp. A while later, Sue Hedgecock came in finishing in 13th place and at 11 PM, Heather Stevens rounded out the Top 20. It was a great showing by our small but "game' Mountain Zone horse and rider teams. The closing ceremonies were held on Sunday with everyone getting their awards and accolades and then the process of packing up and getting ready for the long trip home started. The NAEC was a huge success but we never could have pulled it off had it not been for the support of all the people who ventured out to Maryland to help. Other teams were amazed that we had people who were just willing to come out and help the team and they thought that was awesome. Of course, we know that the Mountain Zone is the very best anywhere! Holly Ulyate, Jan Stevens and I want to thank everyone who bought a t-shirt, a raffle ticket, or an auction item or who sponsored the team or supported our benefit ride, but we must take this opportunity to say a special thanks to Wade Semper, our team vet, Jack Evers, our team farrier, Deb and Paschal Karl, our team photographers and pit stop managers extraordinaire, Ralph and Joanne Kewish, our team sponsors, crew members and chief statistician, Cheryl and Randy Winter and Susie Hayes, our incredible team crew members and Glenn Schaffner, our team "chef". We also want to thank the individual crew members, Bill Stevens, Dean Jackson, David Kaden, Marilyn McCoy and Jim for all their hard work. The Mountain Zone has made a statement so get your horse qualified and come be part of the next amazing event!
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