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My first official long distance ride was a competitive trail ride when I was about 14 years old. I rode an American Saddlebred Gelding and trained and conditioned Arabian horses for a neighbor. It had always been my dream to one day ride the famous "Tevis Cup".

Riding my Saddlebred in competition.

Training an Arabian horse for 50-mile rides (I am on the bay on the left).

Waiting to be vetted with my Saddlebred gelding.

In 2008 I bought a Peruvian Paso gelding named ERB Danzador and began training him for endurance competition. I compete at AERC rides throughout Texas and Oklahoma. I've also borrowed and ridden a friend's quarter horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, and Arabian.

Distances of 25 and 30 miles are known as "limited distance" or LD rides. Distances of 50 miles and greater are known as endurance rides.

For the 2007 Season (all rides on ERB Danzador) I completed my first LD 25 mile ride at Armadillo in 4:48 hrs (avg speed 5.2 mph) and had the fastest "first time rider" time. I came in mid-pack at 21st place out of 45 starters and won a cute stuffed armadillo as an award.

My second LD was the Road Warrior 30 mile ride. I came in 4th place (top ten) out of 21 starters with a ride time of 4:48 hrs (avg speed 6.25 mph).

Danny at the Road Warrior 30 mile ride.

In 2008, I completed my first 50 mile ride on ERB Danzador (Danny) at the Freez R Burn. I was second to last or 30th place out of 40 starters (10 didn't complete). Our ride time was 9:05 (avg speed 5.5 mph).

First 50-mile completion at Freez R Burn.

My second 50 mile ride was a difficult ride at Redland Express. I was "turtle" with 13th place out of 20 starters (7 didn't complete). My ride time was 10:53 (avg speed 4.6 mph).

In April I attempted my third 50 mile ride at the Last Hoorah on Danny but was pulled at the 15 mile trot-by with Danny being slightly lame from a stone bruise.

In May I attempted a 50 mile ride at Hog Scramble on a Tennessee Walking Horse "Joe" but was pulled near the 40 mile marker. Joe was off on a hind leg and had had previous problems on rides.

Riding Joe in the Hog Scramble

I went back out on the trails riding a quick little Quarter Horse named La Jolla. We did back-to-back 25 mile rides at Old Glory. On day one we were 18th place out of 29 starters with a ride time of 4:20 (avg speed 6 mph). On day two we came in the Top Ten at 10th place with a ride time of 4 (avg speed 6.25 mph) out of 26 starters.

Riding Lajolla at Old Glory

My next ride was the Road Warrior with Danny. We did the 30 miles in 4:17 (avg speed 7 mph) and finished 14th out of 40 starters. This was my fastest and best finish on Danny. 

Danny showing his "termino" at Road Warrior 2008.