N ews
Fifty mile equine event ends with tie
Julie Moore and Margaret Reynolds crossed the finish line together to win the 50-mile equine endurance event held April 24 at Big Hill Lake. Moore, riding the bay Arabian Taizz Dash, and Reynolds, riding another bay Arabian, VA Caradelle, finished the course in the rain with a ride time of 7:48.
Ride manager Melissa Martinez had polled the riders who unanimously voted to allow ties. Riders often agree to tie after riding long distances to honor their horses’ efforts and acknowledge both horses have performed at a high level and forgo a “race” over rough terrain on a narrow trail in less than ideal weather.
“The rain was just enough to make the trails wet and cause a little slipping,” noted Martinez. Thirteen 50mile riders timed out at 6:30 a.m. and 11 riders finished the course. Vetting her first sanctioned AERC event, Dr. Kati Stenger, DVM, of McPherson, checked the horses for soundness and overall condition during the event to ensure equine safety.
Amy Budke, riding a gray Arabian, Khalid, finished first in the 30-mile event with a ride time of 4:35.
“These were good times considering the weather,” Martinez said. “Even wet, Big Hill trails offer places to move out and make good time.” Nine of the 10 30-mile riders finished the course in less than the roughly six hours allowed.
See RIDE, Page 3.
During final awards, Bruce Burton’s CR Blonde Bombshell was awarded best condition in the 50 mile event. He finished only six minutes behind the first-place horses. Budke’s Khalid took home the best condition award in addition to her first-place finish.
Weather and trail conditions forced the cancellation of the Sunday event, but Martinez plans to return to Big Hill in 2026 to offer equine enthusiasts the opportunity to Ride Like the Wind.
