Carla Richardson

2011 Gold Medal: Carla Richardson and SS Kharady Khid +/

Carla and Khid at the 2011 Grand Canyon XP. Photo by Steve Bradley.

Rider and horse name: Carla Richardson and SS Kharady Khid +/Horse Barn name: Khid, and at times, Goober Pea, or Roo (as in Tigger and Roo)Breed: Arabian purebred

Horse & rider years in endurance & # of miles 4 years, 6,635 miles at the end of the 2011 ride year. (Currently 6,835 miles after Death Valley 2011)

Which XP ride did you enjoy the most this year? Grand Canyon, as always, because of the beauty, because it’s not a hot (temperature) ride, I love the crisp cold mornings and the gold aspen leaves, the occasional snow on the ground… although this year the snow was more than “occasional.” (and that’s A-OK with me!)

Which ride did you find the most challenging, and why? A TIE, between Death Valley, because of the climbs, the dry climate and no grass, but it is also one of my favorites because of the vast space and beauty of the views. And the other, Outlaw & Virgin, which would not have been hard except for the rain that made for muddy slick trails. It was so beautiful and the challenge was well worth it, though. It proved to me that I could really trust my horse on a scary trail.

Carla and Khid at the 2011 Grand Canyon XP. Photo by Steve Bradley.

What do you feel is the most important thing you learned about yourself and your horse this past year? Trailering — Always be sure to stop every 4 hours when I trailer him, Khid arrives in camp better when I make frequent stops on the way when we have to trailer for all day. He doesn’t always drink, but he does get to get out and walk around, get his head down and graze a little when I can find grass for him. He’s so great about unloading and loading back up, no problems on the road. As always, I am the weak link, not my horse – he is strong and true. I wish I wasn’t 60 years old, it would have been wonderful to have discovered this sport when I was 25 instead of 55, but I am so lucky to have Khid. He is the perfect horse for me.

Is there anything you did this year that you would do differently next year? (or, if you had a chance to do this last year over again)? I can’t think of anything that I would do differently, Khid had a wonderful year and stayed in shape all year. The vets and other riders always complimented him on his condition and his attitude.

What do you think was the best thing that you did do? To just keep going. I was not able to go to the 2011 XP ride, which was agonizing to me. I read the facebook posts from Karen Chaton and Tom Noll, which kept me vicariously involved. I had wanted to go, but there was no way for me to leave home for two (or more) months, or get that much time off work. So, instead, I went to the “other” XP rides — Death Valley, Eastern Mojave, Mt. Carmel, Bryce, Outlaw and Virgin, and Grand Canyon. Almost half of my rides this year were XP rides. There is simply NO comparison of other endurance rides and the XP rides, they are so well run and so beautiful. Khid reached 5,000 miles at Mt Carmel XP (he reached 3000 miles at Mt Carmel in 2010!) and he reached 6,000 miles right before Grand Canyon XP, and now he’s very close to 7,000 miles. I am anticipating reaching that 7,000 milestone at Eastern Mojave Scenic in February 2012. I am also very proud that he achieved his AHA Legion of Supreme Honor this year. Going to the XP rides made all of this possible.

What are your horses best qualities? He is incredibly sweet, and is so smart, so resilient, and tough (understatement!). He loves going down the trail and I love being with him. He is a great trail horse that has a 5 mph walk, which saves my knees! He has wonderful legs and hooves that just keep going and going – he’s my energizer bunny horse. He has been the ultimate multi-day horse, having completed a very tough 3 day, two 4 day rides and two 5 day rides in this year’s XP rides, not to mention previous years multi-day rides.

Did anything funny or strange happen on any of the rides this year? I can’t think of anything especially funny or strange, I am pretty boring. I guess that could be a good thing. I am so thankful for all the friends I have met by going to the various XP rides, and seeing everyone again is a huge motivation for me to keep going, to keep getting in my truck and heading down the road, just so I can get to the next XP ride camp. Khid definitely knows when he’s in ride camp, he settles right in, happy to be there, just as I am.

“Thank you” will never be enough, for this joy: to Karen Chaton, who works so hard in keeping the records and the write-ups of all the riders, and to Ann and Dave Nicholson and the rest of the Duck Gang, for keeping all these incredible historic trails open for us.

2010 Gold Medal: Carla Richardson and Khid

Congratulations to Carla and Khid for achieving Gold Medal XP status in 2010! They completed 1,005 miles of XP and SRR rides!

Carla and Khid at Bryce Canyon. Photo by Steve Bradley.

Carla and Khid at Bryce. Photo by Steve Bradley.

Rider and horse name: Carla Richardson, SS Kharady Khid

Barn name of horse: Khid

Breed: Arabian

Horse & rider years in endurance & # of miles: All our miles are together, 4310 endurance miles, 3 years, started December 2007 at Death Valley

Which XP ride did you enjoy the most this year?

Grand Canyon XP, it’s my favorite I think, although they are ALL great!

Which ride did you find the most challenging, and why?

Mt Carmel XP, it was a 5 day this year and early enough in the year that we’re less “in condition” for a 5 day.  Lots of deep sand, too, and it’s fairly warm, which makes it harder for me.  It is a fun ride, though, with great views, so it’s still one of my favorites.  There is no bad XP ride!

What do you feel is the most important thing you learned about yourself and your horse this past year?

I learned that I am really the weak link of the team, and that I needed a saddle that fit me better.  My riding is not as balanced as it really ought to be, partly because I’m not as fit as I should be, and partly due to not having a saddle that’s right for me.  My horse continues to amaze me at how adaptable he is, how willing he is, to carry me mile after mile.  I believe that having him in boots, barefoot with boots, also helps him successfully complete so many miles.

Is there anything you did this year that you would do differently next year?

I can’t really think of anything.  I feel very fortunate to be able to go to endurance rides.

Carla and Khid at Grand Canyon. Photo by Steve Bradley.

Carla and Khid at Grand Canyon. Photo by Steve Bradley.

What do you think was the best thing that you did do?

I believe Khid travels (to and from the rides) better now than he did when we started out.  I have learned more about know how to feed him prior to leaving home to help him be better hydrated and ready for the long trailer rides. Buying a topper shell for my truck also helped a lot, no more setting up and pulling down a tent.  I can sleep in the back of the truck!

What are your horses best qualities?

His sweet disposition, his willingness, his ability to just keep going, never lame, never complaining.  Also, so important, he does not spook on the trail, and he doesn’t mind being alone or being passed by other horses.  His attitude is priceless.

Did anything funny or strange happen on any of the rides this year?

Khid definitely remembers the trails, now that we’ve been coming back to several of the rides that we’ve done before, I can tell he remembers where we are.  One time, I was sure we were going the right way, but Khid kept trying to turn left, and sure enough, he was right about where the trail was supposed to go; it surprised me.  We turned around and I found the turn I had missed, luckily it wasn’t far back.  He’s a great horse and I feel very fortunate to have him.