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Horses Sport Family Spencer Creek Valley previews
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Sarah and her horse Raven ride into history
as the youngest novice junior competitor in this fall's Pacific Northwest
Endurance Rides held in the Ashland area. This Eugene girl grew-up in the saddle
as a third generation endurance rider, learning on her mother's saddle. This horse
sport is competitive but the axiom among endurance riders is "to finish is to
win", and not to push your horse. Enthusiasts predict that cross-country, horse
camping competition will soon be an Olympic sport. It takes a special love of horses and adventures to ride long distances. "If you love and treat them right, your horse wants to help you and please you. They love to go the distance", says Susan Walz-Mendelson, Sarah's trainer and mother. "Some families play instruments together, some fish together. We ride together." Susan, owner of End Results Grooming and Marsan Kennels in Eugene, grew up in the saddle, too. Her father established endurance riding competitions in New Jersey when she was growing up. A family riding together solves some of the potential problems our columnist Kimball Lewis warns about in the Neglected Backyard Horse. "It is a way to be together, with our great friends, our horses and share ourselves in a special way." |
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Resource Links: endurance.net rockymountainhorses.com |
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Susan and Sarah holding hands horseback. |
