Becky Lange and Mocha Jack
Barn name: M
XP name: Jack
Breed: Kentucky Mountain Horse
Both M and I started endurance in 2009 and our very first ride was Cuyama. We have 2 years in now and 1510 miles. 2009 – 405 and 2010 – 1105
I just love the Cuyama ride – it’s only 20 miles from where I live and it was my 1st ride.
I found Bryce to be the most challenging ride because the footing was very rocky and there were a lot of steep climbs and steep downhills.
What I learned from doing the XP series was that I have the most awesome little horse in the world. He will do anything I ask, willingly and seems to be having so much fun doing it. Every ride was a blast. Being gaited – M is like riding in an easy chair which makes it so enjoyable for me. I can just sit back and take in the scenery.
I guess the only thing I could have done differently was ride all 4 days at Eastern Mojave, and all 5 days at Bryce and the Grand Canyon – but my goal was to do 1000 miles and we did that in style. M top 10’d all 20 races that he competed in – he has never been pulled. He is always sound and he seems to really enjoy his job.
We have met a lot of great people doing these rides. Everyone has always been very friendly and helpful. I started in this sport knowing very little and I have learned so much over the past two years.
I look forward to doing as many of the XP rides as I can in 2011. M is my one and only little horse so I have to take really good care of him just like he takes really good care of me.
M has also done Tevis in both 2009 and 2010 and completed both years – 2009 – 19th and 2010 – 25th.
M is #1 lightweight in the Pacific Southwest, #2 overall in the Pacific Southwest and #3 lightweight Pioneer horse with just 2 rides and 405 miles.