President's Message, March, 2001
Hi there!
Well, here it is another month which has gone by all too quickly! Has anyone other than me noticed how fast the months/years seem to be going? It's definitely not like being a kid anymore who is waiting for Christmas. I just want things to slow down a bit!
Our Quicksilver Awards Banquet was absolutely wonderful (as it has always been in the past) thanks to the very competent ministrations of Maryben. The awards seem to get better every year with Joanne and Don of Brown's Arabian Ranch playing a huge part in this! Steve Lenheim supplied us with another beautifully done calendar, the cover of which was thoughtfully and professionally designed by Judith Ogus. I understand that Jan Jeffers put in a lot of time working on the calendar, also. Steve took the great awards banquet pictures, some of which appear elsewhere in our newsletter. Thanks bunches for jobs really well done!
Next month we're having presentations on barefoot trimming and the new Swiss boots, which should be exciting and innovative. Be there!
On a more sober note, those of you who have horses with Melanoma (greys, of course) would do well to keep a close eye on any lumps of unknown origin, especially in and around lymph nodes (bars of jaw, throat latch area to name a few). It does spread contrary to popular belief! Any swelling which starts to become lobular is particularly suspicious. If you wish to delve further into this subject, please give me a call. I'm following up on the use of Cimetidine and herbal therapies so your comments, questions or suggestions would be helpful.
'Til next time,
Diane
Special Notice
Due to a scheduling
problem, this issue of Quicksilver Quips is for the months of March and
April. For April information that may be lacking in this issue, please
check the QS Endurance page at:
http://www.homestead.com/qsendurance/files.
Any problems - check
with Mike Maul at: Michael.Maul@nsc.com or President, Diane Enderle, at
408-353-2077.
MARCH and APRIL 2001
March 14 QUICKSILVER MEETING
Speakers....see page 2
Trilby's Barn: 7 p.m.
March 17 LAND OF THE NEVERSWEATS
Ginger L. Bill 530-254-6449
March 17 Geo Bun Busters 30/50
Chris Elton 760-764-2593
March 24 SHINE AND SHINE ONLY III III
Becky Hart 408-997-0184
April 7 DERBY DITCH
50
Gene Myers 775-246-7972
April 11 QUICKSILVER MEETING
See page 2
April 14 MOUNTAINSIDE ENDURANCE RIDE
25/50
Mike Lynch 530-549-3014
April 15 EASTER SUNDAY
April 28 SHINE AND SHINE ONLY IV 25/50
Becky Hart 408-997-0814
Special Meeting
Jan Jeffers reports that the March 14th meeting of Quicksilver Club at Trilby's barn will be especially interesting. There will be two speakers: Jerry Young - Endurance and Pleasure Equestrian and Tom Lewis---Farrier and Endurance Equestrian. Their topics will be Natural Hoof Care, Hoof Boot Alternatives, Riding Barefooted Horses.
Trilby lives
at 20535 Rome Drive, San Jose and if you need directions, call her at 408-997-7500.
For information on the program, call Jan jeffers at 408-779-4722 or you
can e-mail her at:
sleeeker@garlic.com
Special Thanks
Steve Lenheim and Jan
Jeffers deserve our gratitude for putting together a great picture calendar
which includes the names and addresses of our members on the back.
It is a sort of a thankless job. Maryben collected the
points and miles and
figured the year end results. She then fed this information to
Steve who collected the pictures and worked with Jan Jeffers on the
design of the whole thing. Then Judith Ogus came up with the nifty
original colorful cover.
Maryben made the arrangements for our banquet at Harry Hofbrau and bought all of the awards and set them up for display. Most of them came from Quicksilver friends Don Brown and Joanne Evan's tack shop on Almaden Road. They make sure we get the best prices. Then Maryben is our Mistress of Ceremonies. She is great, but she needs a mike. You know she is up there being funny as heck, but the people in the back can't hear her We will correct that next year.
It was the biggest crowd we have had but we missed regulars like the Carters, Bill and Sandie Parker. the Quinns, Chere, Pat, Carolyn, Kathy, Becky and Judith and the The Glaser/Spilman family and other favorite people. It was good to see Kay Allison up and about after her surgery.
Trilby received a long overdue Hall of Fame Person Award, handed out by last year's winner Nancy Elliott. We offer our 50,000 mile rider our congratulations.
Hugh Vanderford’s wonderful mare, Salinas, became a Hall of Famer in the horse department. Salinas, whom Hugh and Gloria have had for 16 years, has done it all for them, Tevis, multi-day rides, Top Tens, Best Conditions. Now she gets to take their great granddaughter down the trail.
Michele Shaw received the Horse of the Year Award for the wonderful comeback story on the mustang, Robin Hood. Very seriously ill last year, he made a whale of a comeback with 2,000 miles of competition this year and 5 Best Condition awards.
The Eleanor Norton award, our Club's highest honor, went to Pat McKendry. Our 1999 winner, Melissa Ribley, recalled Eleanor fondly as a fellow classmate in making the presentation to Pat as this year's winner. With 30 years of devotion to the sport of endurance riding, either on the ground or astride, Pat has been the essence of sportsmanship which Eleanor represented. Pat has a new horse and is planning on getting her 10th Tevis Cup Buckle this year.
On the last page of this Newsletter you will find a pictorial report of our evening out that was saved for posterity by Steve and his camera. Thanks, Steve. We had a good time.
Special Offers
Ortho-Flex SoftSteel
Patriot, only 10 months old, EXCELLENT condition. I believe it is a 15
or 15 1/2 inch seat. Used only lightly. I love this saddle, but my horse's
back changed and now I need something a little different for him. Saddle
is like new, no scuffs or marks. It is black with a stitch down seat (not
the smooth one they are making now) & easy ride stirrups with safety
cages. Comes with one set of booties (black with white fleece) & ortho-flex
22 inch girth. Selling for $725 firm. Also have custom skito pad to fit
saddle (a really pretty deep purple color), with 3/4" foam inserts. Pad
was $135 new, only used for 2 months, and not very often at that. Will
sell pad for $100, or if you are buying the saddle, will sell pad for $75.
Will also consider trading this saddle for a used 15" Endurance Sport Saddle
in very good condition. Please call (408) 224-4181 or e-mail me at:
jackie.davidson@alza.com
Year 2000 Circle J
Riata XL 3 horse slant load trailer. Mid-tack and large dressing
room, water tank, gooseneck, $10,500. Excellent Condition.
Get in touch with:
christopher_sansom@credence.com
WESTERN
STATES
HORSE
SUMMIT
The first Western States Horse Summit for California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and New Mexico -- states which have basically over 90% of federal lands -- will be held in the Cal Expo Center at Cal Expo, Sacramento, California, Thursday, May 31st, 2001. This Summit will address issues affecting horse owners regardless of what state they may live in or in what state they may ride multi-use trails. Some of the issues to be covered include water quality, weed free feed, liability!
Confirmed speakers include: Dr. Atwill, DVM, MPVM, Ph.D. of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, "Does Your Horse Pose a Risk to Human Health & the Environment?"; Joanna Clines, US Forest Service Botanist, "Weed Free"; Charlie Willard, Chief, Office of Grants and Local Services, "Trails, Who Gets to Use Them?"; Terry Noonan, Trails Coordinator, East Bay Regional Parks District, "Without Conflict --Trails in Urban America"; Bonnie Davis, Free Lance Writer, "How to Respond to EIRs Using Scientific Data & Common Sense"; Sandra Tozzini, Assistant Professor of Law, University of La Verne College of Law, Ontario, California, "Equine Limited Liability Laws: What Do They Mean? Where Do We Stand?" and Donald E. Pugh, President, Disabled Equestrians Organization, "The Wilderness Wheelchair -- A Horse". Other speakers will be announced as confirmed.
Sponsorship fees for the Summit are solicited and shall include table and two chairs plus listing in program. Hosted by the Western States Horse Expo, the Ohlone Riders Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen of California has contributed a $250 sponsorship to the Summit as a challenge' for others to "match or provide what sponsorship a group can to help make this Summit a huge success".
It is important for all horse owners as individuals, members of groups plus clubs, organizations, associations, horse councils attend or send representatives to this Summit! Political
and environmental actions
being formulated now will affect multi-use trails and usages throughout
the western states. Knowledge, ideas, scientific data and the how-to
obtained at this Summit will
serve as guidelines
in responding to those actions.
Summit registration fee postmarked before May 14, 2001 is $45 and includes: Wednesday night early preregistration; hors d'oeuvres; California Horse Council formation; conversation and networking with others; Thursday morning 'lite' breakfast; Summit attendance; Fan Fare Box lunch and a free one-day pass to the Western States Horse Expo. Summit registration postmarked after May 14, 2001 or at the 'door' will be $55 and is for Summit attendance only -- no lunch or pass to Expo.
For Summit or sponsorship information and registration packet, contact Rita Schlim at rschlim@juno.com, call (510) 657-5827 or write Western States Horse Summit, Rita Schlim, Coordinator, 2331 Jackson St., Fremont, Ca. 94539.
--END--
To be placed on Summit
press release list:
Bonnie Davis, P.O.
Box 14130, Fremont, Ca. 94539
horsecamping@home.com,
(510-657-5239) (fax) 683-9162
---
20
MULE TEAM RIDERS- 2001
Mike Maul Reporting
The 20 MT ride took place Feb. 17, 2001 with a large QSER membership participation and some nice results.
First the statistics - it was a large ride - 55 in the 100 with 42 finishing. There were 78 in the 65 mile ride with 57 finishing and the LD 35 mile ride had 67 starters with 64 finishing. In the 100 - Heather Bergantz on Red took 2nd place with Dom Freeman coming in 3rd. Dabney Finch was first. The Ribleys took 27 and 28th place with Jeff Luternauer coming in 40th. Jennifer Kurtzhall on Tucker was trying her first 100 but was pulled at the first vet check. Two of the first 4 horses in the 100 were pulled at the finish. The 100 mile ride times were fast with Heather in around 8:30 and only 15 minutes behind first. The front runner - ridden by Suzy Kelly - was in an hour earlier but was pulled. Start time was 6 AM.
In the 65 - Mike Maul and Thor came in 28th with Steve Shaw in 47th on a loaned horse. Bing Voight and Nusaam were also pulled at the first vet check. Trilby was a non-starter in the 65 due to a possible case of food poisoning the day before. She had pretty well recovered by Sat. evening. Steve said this was his first "real" endurance ride with being out there for 13 hours finishing when the horse decided all it would do was a walk and occasional jog in the last 30 miles. Renee Bowers finished first.
The "real" star was Michele Shaw finishing Reserve Champion in the LD with a second. She said I would be in deep trouble if I reported this but the truth has to come out... :-) Next stop - a run for the LD mileage award?
Val and Brian were both working the ride with Val riding drag for some of the loops. Michele also served as part of the vet team after a number of vets scheduled to take part didn't come. At the ride meeting - the "Duck" said that there were only 3.5 vets for the about 200 horses so Michele was a welcome addition after she finished her ride.
The trails - to me - were slower than last year in the first 35 miles. There was a reasonable amount of snow and mud between the first VC at 15 miles and the second at 35. Most people slowed down in the snow/mud that could suck off your shoes and easyboots. Last year - the trails were dry and solid everywhere. This was my longest ride that was not a 100. We spent almost 10 1/2 hours out there due to the mud/snow and my horse not eating/drinking well in the first 35 miles. He started eating and drinking well at the lunch break so we were able to pick up the pace in the afternoon when he felt like a fresh horse.
The weather was good - cold Friday night with no cloud cover - cool during the ride with the sun out for only a few hours in the afternoon. There were a few sprinkles during the evening on the 100 finishers but nothing much. The cloud cover made it fairly warm Sat. evening.
Jackie ran her usual
great ride - well organized and fun - she said this was about the 20th
annual 20 MT. The trail
markings were excellent
plus following the tracks of 100+ other horses made it even easier.
We would find chalk
marks in places along
the trail saying - "Are you still having fun?" She was still giving
out Top 10 and completion awards from the Eastern High Sierra ride.
The fairgrounds are a very nice place to ride from and camp.
Finally a few personal observations -
Something not to do - at the finish line when a group of us were all watching our horses drink well - I said "I'm really glad I don't have to go back out again" and then after the silence that greeted this remark - one of the group who all turned out to be 100 mile competitors - said "Thanks for reminding me". I think there was a smile there.
There were a number of snow geese with black-tipped wings around - don't know if they winter here or just come to enjoy the scenery. The mountains had a beautiful snow cover in the distance and very very white.
I rode for a short while with Sharon Kirkpatrick who has a remarkable achievement -she has 2 horses - each with a different problem or handicap - that she has now ridden in 40 rides without a pull on either one. This sport has different goals for us all - from the FEI rider to people who are demonstrating superior horsemanship in other ways.
I was also struck by
what each of us consider the other end of the country. The "Duck" referred
to the racing contingent back East in Kansas when he talked about the things
that could go wrong. When I lived in New Jersey -some people thought
the far end of Pennsylvania was the start of the West.
We are all "endurance
riders"...
As we were leaving early Sunday morning - we had a view into how horses play a role in a small community like Ridgecrest. We were tuned into the Horseman's hour - with ads for flex-free, saddle pads, and a benediction by the pastor of the Horseman's association. In addition, you were invited to join the "Horsemen for Christ Association". It's a big difference between this and our silicon valley environment of San Jose.
And last - coming back on 152 from 99 - the medians were covered with beautiful wildflowers. Spring is really here...
Mike
COE BACKCOUNTRY WEEKEND---April 28-29th
The following announcement
is of the Coe Backcountry Weekend sponsored by the Pine Ridge Association
of Henry W. Coe State Park and California State Parks. Please
include this in your February newsletter, or March if there is no February
issue, since it will be of interest to your members and the deadline for
applications is March 31, 2001. If you have any questions about the announcement,
please contact me.
Ann Briggs,
480 Hale St., Palo Alto, CA 94301 650/324-1455, email
ambcoe@earthlink.com
VISIT THE BACKCOUNTRY OF HENRY W. COE STATE PARK
For one spectacular
weekend this spring, Henry W. Coe State Park will open the gate at Bell
Station on Highway 152 east of Gilroy. The annual Coe Backcountry
Weekend, held in the little- traveled east side of the 83,600 acre park
is scheduled for April 28-29, 2001. This event, sponsored
by the Pine Ridge Association, allows visitors vehicle access to
a remote and beautiful area. Hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers
have a unique opportunity to see and enjoy an area isolated from the park's
Morgan Hill entrance by long distances and rugged terrain.
This area of
the park puts on a spring extravaganza of colorful wildflowers in the oak
woodland. Fishing for bass and sunfish is excellent in secluded ponds
and reservoirs. The trails provide panoramic views of the Diablo Range.
Visitors may come into the park for the day, camp overnight at Orestimba
Corral or Pacheco Creek Crossing, or backpack to one of the seldom visited
areas of the park. They may explore on their own, join a guided ride
or hike, or participate in interpretive activities. Brochures, maps,
information, activities, and volunteer assistance will be available.
Participants will travel 8.5 miles on an unpaved road from Bell Station to Pacheco Creek Crossing or an additional 3.8 miles to the Orestimba Corral. The road is in good condition and passable by two-wheel drive vehicles, although there are some narrow and steep sections requiring high clearance. Four-wheel drive is strongly recommended for towing horse trailers. Because of space limitations, steep hills and creek crossings with sharp embankments, camp trailers and motor homes are prohibited.
Entry for the weekend is by reservation only. Flyers announcing the event and providing an application form are available at the Coe Park web site (http://www.coepark.parks.ca.gov); the REI stores in Berkeley, San Carlos, and Cupertino; Silacci’s Feed Barn in Gilroy; Gunther’s Feed Store in Morgan Hill; FISCO Farm & Home Store in Modesto; and at the Coe Park Visitor Center. Written requests for applications (self-addressed stamped business envelopes included) should be addressed to Application Forms, Coe Sector Office, 5750 Obata Way, Suite A., Gilroy, CA 95020.
Applications and entry fees, $10.00 per vehicle for day use, $20.00 per vehicle for overnight, must be postmarked by SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2001. One vehicle per application, please. We strongly encourage car pooling. A random drawing will be held to meet the 350 vehicles per day space limitation. All unsuccessful application forms will be returned with their checks to the applicants. No dogs are allowed. Camp stoves will be permitted, but no open fires, barbecues, or hibachis. A group campfire will be held on Saturday night.
Join us for an unforgettable experience. The backcountry of Henry W. Coe State Park on a spring weekend is not to be missed.
Quicksilver
Secretary Jackie Davidson
has some laughs for us.......
Handy Euphemisms for
Falling Off
Your Horse
* Joining Airborne
Equitation International (affectionately
known as AAEEEEEEEEEI!).
* I'm in a transitional
relationship with my saddle.
* Dirt for dessert.
* High-fiving
a nightcrawler.
* Swan dive
(water optional).
* Spending a
little quality time with gravity.
* Checking your
girth...from the bottom.
* Doing the
rootin' tootin', grass-scorching, scare-the-spectators
boogie.
* A quick trip
to Dirtsville.
* Trolling for
paramedics.
* Just seeing
if the judge was paying attention.
* A Richter-Scale-5
spot check of footing quality.
* Insufficient
flapping.
* Studying impact
craters at close range.
* Spontaneous
retrograde.
* Pushing down
daisies.
* Turf surfing.
* Incoming!!
* Taking a dirt
nap
* A short step-over
four feet south of Hermes, France.
* Vulture baiting.
A hearty Quicksilver
welcome to new member,
Cassie Conley
of Santa Clara. Cassie is a scientist with NASA and
does glass blowing
as a hobby.
Congratulations to
Hillorie Bachmann of Morgan Hill on becoming
a member of our Quicksilver
Endurance Riders. Hillorie keeps her horse at
Lightfoot Stables
and works in the High Tech world.
Always tend to your
horse's needs before
your own.
Code of the West
QUICKSILVER
FEBRUARY MINUTES - None due to banquet
Published by the Quicksilver
Endurance Riders Inc.
P.O. Box 71, New Almaden,
CA 95042
Julie Suhr, Editor
TEL and FAX 831-335-5933
e-mail marinera@aol.com