Les Carr and Tulip

Barn Name: Like Johnny Cash’s song. “A boy named Sue.”

Breed: Registered: Morab

Tulip: 18,365 AERC Miles (Now the All-Time AERC Hi-Mileage Horse)

Les Carr: Over 40,000 AERC miles Prior to AERC, 10,000+ competitive NATRAC miles.

                                          AND IT CAME TO PASS

Just before writing this article, I received a request from our “visionary XP leader” Dr. David Nicholson for me to not be “modest” in the writing of this article. So I pondered on Dr. Nicholson’s advice. It occurred to me that an endurance rider had no choice but to be quite modest, given the unpredictable and uncontrollable circumstances involved in completing all of the XP Rides-over 1,000 miles in one year, without the horse and/or rider bombing out on even one ride.

As you will note from viewing the XP Gold Medal Award website, the year of 2006 marked the second time that Tulip and I have won the Gold Medal Award (also won by Tulip and I in 2004). If you wish to learn more about the intimate folksy details of how Tulip and I actually struggled through winning the Gold Medal Award in 2004, then I would suggest that you carefully read and think about what I elaborated upon in the 2004 article. Following are exactly the same principles that I utilized for 2004 and 2006:

(1.)  My riding on top of Tulip most of the time rather than dismounting, so I could be in better control of Tulip, particularly in relatively precarious difficult situations involving runaway horses, steep downhill terrain and sliding,

       bad weather factors, etc.

(2.)  My obsessive focus on continually evaluating Tulip along the XP trail, and  the quality and timing of Tulip’s elimination of waste products (urine, feces,

             sweating, etc.)

(3.)  My standing up, straight up in the stirrups, almost all of the time, and therefore not impacting the back of Tulip (no back problems for 18,365 AERC miles.)

(4.)  My refraining from the temptation to use a variety of supplements---excepting for my use of Purina Equine Senior mixed with electrolyte powder, and use of thick flakes of alfalfa in the morning, and grass hay in the evening, along with two scoops of Equine Senior mixed with electrolytes in the morning and evening along with the hay.

(5.)  My repeatedly viewing the changes in conformation of Tulip as a result of his   aging, and consequently my change of saddles and saddle pads. I am not influenced by the high price of a saddle accompanied by outlandish marketing claims. The bottom line is to use a saddle and pad that works for both the rider and the horse. The saddle’s high price supported by positive testimonials is rather irrelevant and not an accurate measure of the saddles suitability for a horse.

(6.)  My doing a very slow, uneventful, consistent average pace, of 5 and a

half miles/hour (coming in toward the end of the riders and allotted time). So, Tulip and I do a relatively slow trot, never cantering, and walking up and down all hills and mountains. (We do trot down hills and mountains that have a very gradual, rather than steep decline.) Tulip and I work at riding at a consistent pace of trotting 5 and a half miles/hour. Understandably many riders would find such a pace to be a bit boring. Also, although Tulip is a “hi-mileage horse” who has completed 6,850 XP miles over 13 years, my strict policy has been to keep Tulip’s AERC total mileage for any particular year, less than 2,000 miles. Yes, this is an arbitrary policy on my part; but so be it. For example, Tulip was doing so well during the 2006 riding year, I was tempted to ride Tulip over my 2,000 mile limit. After all my years of riding, I did not find it easy to resist this temptation to exceed the 2,000 mile limit. We completed 1970 AERC miles

in 2006.

.

(7.)  My permitting and encouraging Tulip to eat all along the XP trails. So about every five to ten minutes or so, Tulip while trotting or just stopping eats his   

 favorite plants and grasses. For some riders and their horses who are “go-go” types, such frequent slowing down or the stopping of their faithful mount would drive them a bit nuts. For Tulip, 7/11 convenience stores are all along the way.

The above Seven Principles are exactly the same principles that I have abided by for the entire AERC history of Tulip and leading to his achievement of being the AERC Hi-Mileage horse with the accumulation of 18,365 AERC miles to date. I think of these Seven Principles as the “Magnificent Seven”, rather than myself as magnificent. Tulip is definitely a bit magnificent.

So, returning to Dr. Nicholson’s request that I should not be modest in this presentation, and I should not forget to mention that Tulip has won the XP Gold Medal Ride twice in 2004 and 2006, I would point out to you that I have gone along with Dr. Nicholson’s requests. You will note that at the beginning of each of the seven above “Magnificent” principles, I have started out with “MY” for each of the seven magnificent principles. Of course, I am proud to be humble!

NOW FOR THE REST OF THE STORY: Yes, the Magnificent Seven Principles utilized without any exciting or adventurous variation, for both the 2004 and 2006 Gold Medal challenges, were highly significant factors in increasing the probability of successful completion of all the XP rides-a requirement to win the XP Gold Medal Award. But Tulip and I could not have succeeded twice without other equally important principles being operative:

These include:

1. Plain Unadulterated Luck Driving Back and Forth to the Ride: This is especially operative in driving one’s truck and horsetrailer back and forth to the ride. Both my wife and I share equally the challenge of getting safely to the ride and safely home. Along the highways my wife and I are confronted with drivers of automobiles who have no sense of what is involved in pulling a rig, and are impatient with our driving at a relatively slow speed of 60 miles per hour. They react with their mini mobile units whipping in and out of lanes, and cutting off our rig necessitating our brake actions. A serious accident that might result in fatal injuries to the drivers and/or horses is a continuing concern. So, one major accident would have probably resulted in a significant delay and loss of the opportunity to even get to the XP Ride on time to complete all 3 or 5 XP days.

2. Weathering the Weather: Tulip is blessed with the capacity to truly enjoy bad weather, for example, intense rain storms, hail, snow blizzard intensity, etc. In fact the worst the weather, the more Tulip is happy, and stimulated physically and mentally. There are those A-1 endurance horses that simply do not do well in bad weather. And there is a quantum difference from a horse doing well for one day and doing well for five days---or riding in terrible weather conditions for all five days. Although I would much prefer to ride in sunny beautiful relatively cool weather, I have the capacity to bear terrible weather all day long, while I listen on my earphones to country Western music-all day long.

3. Rider Conditioning: At my age of 71, and fast going on to 72-hopefully, in order to ride some many AERC miles (1970 miles in 2006 including all the XP Rides), I keep my weight down (148 pounds, 5’8” in height) and do bodybuilding

and weightlifting between rides. I also like to do heavy labor on our ranch.

4. The Supportive Nicholson Family: XP rides are a Nicholson family commitment that results in an unusually supportive environment for both rider and horse. I can remember in 2005, when at the Eastern Mojave Ride, Tulip came in at the end, laid down, and proceeded to continually stretch his head and neck. Something was wrong with Tulip, since I had never seen this behavior before. I immediately took Tulip to a vet at the ride. Soon, two other vets at the ride joined the first vet in attempting to diagnose Tulip’s behavior which he was repeating at the vet check. About an hour later with the vets and Tulip still at the vet check and no progress, Dr. Nicholson on his way to a ride meeting observed the three vets puzzling over Tulip’s behavior. Dr. Nicholson took a quick look and indicated that something was stuck in Tulip’s throat. Dr. Nicholson proceeded to insert a tube to flush down the blockage in his throat.  A few minutes later, Tulip was up and fine. At the same time, I was rather concerned and disturbed, given Tulip’s behavior. Annie Nicholson observing my discomfort brought me a cup of hot coffee which was truly welcomed and helped me to get warmed and  relaxed.

I have chosen consistently not to participate in any ride that has “cut-off” times (usually designed for the economic benefit of ride management and the vets).  Cut-off times often cause riders to push their horses beyond the horse’s limits. Also, Tulip’s pace of 5 and a half miles does not lend itself to cut-off

times. I have also chosen to avoid endurance rides that are focused on competition to an extreme. Such highly competitive rides may create an environment that is “distinguished” by nervous and less than friendly and supportive riders, ride management, as well as some vets. So, the XP family has created a culture or environment that challenges the rider and horse; but is also friendly, helpful, and fun. The AERC motto might become “To Finish and Have Fun Is to Win”, rather than the current AERC motto,“To Finish is to Win”.

5. The “GOD” Medal Award: For me very personally, and for all my years of doing endurance and competitive rides, it is a very spiritual experience where I am blessed with the opportunity to feel a connection with God; the universe; and the immediate trail environment. I find that occasional silent praying along the trail, and before and after the ride, is a great help to me personally, and perhaps Tulip as well. So for me, Tulip and my receiving the Gold Medal Award is a blessing from God.

MRR Pyro and Karen Fredrickson

AKA:  Murphy and Duane’s wife

          Murphy and I have been together since he was two. At the time I bought him, I was looking for a dark mare, maybe a black or dark bay, with very little white, around 15 hands. Murphy didn't fit my wish list.   His gender was wrong.  He had three white legs and a noticeable blaze.  He was a chestnut, and not a liver chestnut either.  And he was tall, well on the way to being the solid 15'3" he is today.  But more importantly, he had a good mind, good bone and moved beautifully.  Oh, and he was cheap.

          So I took Murphy home and taught him the cowhorse's trade. It lays a good foundation.  The days are long and slow.  Hunting cows takes you over the ridges, down into canyons and along the creek beds.  A good cow horse learns to expect the unexpected, to pick his way over rocks and through down trees, and to trust to his rider.  

          When Murphy came of age, 5 years ago, we hit the endurance trail.  He has proven to be as talented an endurance horse as he is a cow pony.  He is also an XP horse through and through.  He began his endurance career on the 2001, completed 600 miles on the 04 and has now earned a gold medal in 2006. Murphy has 5,190 lifetime AERC miles, 3,550 of the best of them are XP miles.

          Dave said not to be modest when I wrote this, so I won?t be. Besides bragging on Murphy is my not-so-secret pleasure.  Our goal for 2006 was to complete all the XP rides with a sound and happy horse.  All else flows from that accomplishment.   2006 was very good for Murphy and me.  This year, nationally, we ranked 6^th   in mileage and first in our weight division in Pioneer Rides.  Regionally we ranked first in our weight division and first over all. We were second in Regional Best Condition.  Most importantly, we earned an XP Gold Medal. Along the way, Murphy earned 4 individual best conditions, four over-all best conditions and won Grand Canyon.  Best yet, he turned 5,000 miles with a flourish.  At Lake Sonoma, he completed 5,000 AERC and was best condition to boot. How about that! It could only have been better if it had happened on the trail with the XP family.

          But even without the accolades, 2006 would have been a banner year for Murphy and me.  Murphy is the endurance horse he is because he is made right with good bone and long legs. He is tough and smart.  He takes good care of himself, always willing to eat and drink.  To him each day is an adventure and he goes gladly to meet it.   And this year, on top of that, Murphy was as fit and strong as he has ever been.  To ride him was pure joy.

          And really that's what I did this year. I rode Murphy.  He knows his job. He knows endurance.  I believe he recognizes turn ribbons and arrows when he sees them.  He knows his way through the vet checks.  He could go through without me.  I trained Murphy with a heart monitor, so he knows how to pace.  He knows when his heart rate gets to 130 its time to slow down and he does - when his mind is engaged that is.  My job in our partnership is to keep his mind engaged, to remind him we never race, ever.   Not at the beginning.  Not at the end.  Not when other horses leave us or pass us. Never.

          Murphy and I traveled all the XP trails this year, which was pretty perfect, even if the weather wasn't always.  On the trail, conversation often turns to the virtues of the 5 XP rides.  There is no consensus as to which is best.  I often think Shelburne might be my favorite.  I love riding from the valley floor up into the mountains and canyons, to look over the last ridges of Nevada into Utah.  But then there is Bryce with the red rock, the hoodoos, and the trail under the rim. That's pretty nice too.  And of course, Grand Canyon which is, well, grand, even this year under snow.   My advice is not to choose, but to ride them all.

           Murphy is my horse of a lifetime.  Not every horseman is so blessed and I am gratefully for him everyday.  I am equally gratefully to Dave and Ann for providing the XP rides.  Without them, my life would be less.

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Palmer-DuRoss and Hadji Halef Omar, 14 year old Arabian. 

I really wanted to try for the Gold Medal XP Award this year.  It was a good excuse for me to drive to Cuyama Oaks which is the only XP Ride I had never done.  Hadji has 5 years of endurance and 2670 miles.  I have 19 years in endurance and 4850 miles.  I enjoyed Mt. Carmel the most this year because it is always beautiful and the weather was wonderful after the rain the day before the ride.  The most challenging ride was a toss up between Ft. Schellbourne and Grand Canyon.  Ft. Schellbourne was so hot I think I got heat stroke the first day then by the end of the week I was dodging lightning and freezing riding up El Capitan.  Grand Canyon was so cold riding in the rain.  It was overall freezing at Grand Canyon, but it was actually beautiful riding in the snow.  This year I learned to put into action all the things I have learned from Dave and going to XP rides and riding multidays over the last 6 years.  The most important thing I learned about Hadji and myself is to ride his ride and he will be consistent and finish strong.  The only thing I would do differently is carry a rain jacket on my saddle, because once you get soaked you never get warm.  I learned more than I ever wanted to know about scratches and everyone has a cure.  Hadji earned fastest overall time at Mt. Carmel and Ft Schellbourne and won overall Best condition at Grand Canyon along with 3 individual one day Best conditions.  Hadji has the most consistent and efficient trot that is not fast but he can go in it all day.  He has incredible recoveries.  I am so proud of Hadji and feel so lucky to have such a incredible partner.  I want to thank my incredible Husband Pete DuRoss for taking care of every thing while I was always at a ride and putting up with me.  I want to thank my dad Dick Palmer for being the best crew and babysitter ever.  I want to thank Dave, Anne, Calina, Joe, Duane and Paul for helping and putting on the best rides ever.