August 2, 2010 • Arabians, Endurance, International Customers, TREC • Author: Julie • Comments: (2)
Hello. I send you a picture of Shawa, my young Shagya stallion. He is a marvelous horse, very full of energy, but gentle and comfortable. I ride him to organize my trip with clients in our very nice area… Best regards.
Valérie du Retail
Accompagnatrice en montagne
Guide de tourisme équestre
Hameau des Liotards
www.leva-neve.com
Valérie offers guided horseback tours in the mountains of France. Visit her website, www.leva-neve.com, for more details, and stunning ride images, as well as more pictures of Shawa.
Shawa is typed “Homozygous Black”, with prestigious origins because his lineage includes the standard XXXIX Dahoman 11 - 66 and III Koheilan Shogun. Shawa represented the breed in the Arab Shagya Fair Equitalyon along with the USKA Traclin. In 2009 Valérie and Shawa participated in training by Olivier Gradwohl TREC, TREC world champion. This enabled Shawa to work among other horses and the obstacles he did not know. A day of training at all levels!
“Shawa finishing his first endurance ride, 20 kms (about 12 1/2 miles) - 1st prime.”
“Shawa with his new Long Riders Gear equipment!”
–Shawa’s new endurance gear includes a Toklat CoolBack Saddle Pad, Toklat CoolBack Huntstyle Breastplate, Zilco Marathon Endurance Halter Bridle, and RJ Flat Trail Reins.
July 9, 2010 • Endurance, International Customers, LRG Customers, Trail Gear Tips • Author: Julie • Comments: (0)
Here is a picture of me and Candelita, my Arab cross mare. This was taken at or first competition together, last month. Where we achieved our Certificate of Capability (COC) for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky. I purchased Candelita with the hope to get the COC as she already had the experience and rides required, but when she arrived at our barn she had a couple of really bad back galls and was really sore. My team and I had to train taking great care of her.
We selected the Toklat Woolback Saddle Pad to use with her, and purchased one from Long Riders Gear. They were really professional in all aspects of service and assistance in the purchase. The pad arrived just in time for the event and we did not have much time to test it, but everybody on the team was very impressed with the quality and we decided to try it on the first loop (25 miles). At the vet stop Candelita´s back was in such great condition - she had absolutely no rubs and no pain. The product performed flawlessly, so we decided to keep it until the end. It was great to have such comfort for her, and to be able to take one worry of my mind during that very important ride.
Guatemala has completed the qualifying process to the WEG, proudly announcing that we have our 5 binomials qualified. They are: Jaime Mansilla on Candelita; Clarrissa de Wit on Ail; Robeto Hernandez on Mr. Ha; Laura Paiz on Ganador, and Fernando Paiz on Faraon.
So thanks to many people and especially to Long Riders Gear and Toklat…!
Thanks! –Jaime Mansilla, Guatemalan Rider
Below are some photos from Jaime’s most recent ride… we agree with him, the last photo is pretty funny as it looks like he’s riding in the pickup bed! (Click thumbnails for a larger view.)
May 24, 2010 • Appaloosas, Competitive Trail, Endurance, International Customers, LRG Customers • Author: Julie • Comments: (0)
This is a ride close to Wellington (tough ride too)! The city and the harbour are in the background.
Sharon and I belong to the Wellington Area Trail Riding Club (WATRC). The club runs rides from late September to Early April in the lower western part of the North Island of New Zealand. The focus is on Competitive Trail Riding CTR)rather than pure endurance. Venues vary from beaches and dairy farms to steep hills in regional parks. Anyone can join WATRC, and as long as they have a sound horse and can stay aboard it somehow, then there is a class that will suit.
I’m on the Appy (in my martian hat 
… really keen to get something more comfortable. That’s Sharon on the black. The photographer is my partner David Fitzgerald-Irons. Note from LRG: See Leslie’s new, “More Comfortable” Riding Helmet
May 6, 2010 • Arabians, International Customers, LRG Customers, Natural Horsemanship Trail Horses, Quarter Horses, Trail Gear Tips • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
How do I look?….that’s me on the extreme left. This photo is taken from a view point above the Trans Canada Trail on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This is a 4 hour ride we love to do that takes us along an old logging rail bed and up on a ridge overlooking the valley we just rode through. On a clear day, we can see the snow covered Mt. Baker in Washington State as we look south. Of course, it is all about the horses, so, from left to right, is me (Lynn) on the purebred Arab, DA Propane. He was an endurance horse that we purchased from Texas and we all think he is a “super star”. In the middle is Justine on her rescued Standardbred, “Dave”. Next is Colleen on Puck. Puck is ranch-bred Quarter Horse who is an excellent competitive trail horse.
'Many Miles & Many Smiles' in BC
DA Propane is out of the Zodiak Matador line and bred by Dolorosa Arabians, but he didn’t do well under the park horse training… it was extreme luck that I was able to purchase this horse. Quite often I only ride him with a neck string. I thought you might enjoy this video clip. Trail Riding in British Columbia
Here’ a photo of my other horse, Sweet Georgia. She is a real beauty, an appendix (QH/TB) with outstanding training… a Level 4 Parelli horse.
Trail Riding Views in Canada
Hi there, just wanted to let you know that everything arrived perfectly. The Cari Lite Corral is sure slick. By the way, thought you would get a good laugh out of what 15.1 (that’s me in the red) looks like beside 17.3 hands on the right and 16.3 on the left! Thanks again and happy trails to everyone.
BC Trail Buddies
Looking forward to the cantle saddlepack….my old one that I have had for years finally got torn, when one of my folding saws (to cut branches off trails) tore a hole in the bottom of my pack when it unfolded on its own. Luckily I noticed it when I was standing by a river and saw my pack gear nicely dropping along the ground - I almost didn’t believe it was my stuff. Good thing I had my cell phone, truck keys and camera in a small front pack. Here’s a photo my friend snapped last weekend - I still have the black pack on the saddle with good ole duct tape on the bottom side over the tear. –Lynn
Looking Forward to Red Saddlepack!
June 29, 2009 • Gaited Horses, International Customers, LRG Customers • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
My horse’s name is Pablo and my dog is Roxie. One of the best places in the province of Quebec I love to ride is Baie St-Paul, an hour and a half from Quebec city. This is our small Wyoming as would say the owner of the place I go.
You must know that Roxie comes always in trail with us when we are not too much people, not more than four.
We (my husband and me) bought a trailer with a hut (Lakota) and we try to see many places in Quebec. Maybe next year, we will go in the states if we can find a nice place not too far from home.
I hope you’ll understand because I don’t use my English very often.
 My horse Pabli, is a Rocky Mountain gaited horse who comes directly from the state of Kentucky. |
 My horse in winter. |
 A ride at Baie St-Paul |
June 12, 2009 • International Customers, LRG Customers • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
 Here is a picture just to give you an idea of the goofy little horse trailers we have in UK!! |
 Another photo of Cross and myself trying to kiss (carefully) over an electric fence on my birthday!! |
 Finally, a picture of my cat, Scribbles, on Cross |
December 5, 2008 • Arabians, Endurance, International Customers, Testimonials, Trail Gear Tips • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
What a ride that was! Only 60ks, but 3 great big hill climbs which proved the undoing of seven of the 12 entrants. The payoff was that we came in fourth, so I was very proud of my little 14.1hh Arabian. She is just 8 years old, and we are now starting our 4th full endurance season - 140ks so far.
I have 2 indispensable accessories that go with us everywhere even on recreational trail rides - my big endurance sea-sponge (it’s hanging from the saddle here) and my nice long riding helmet visor which keeps the sun’s glare off my glasses - both from LRG. Thanks!
Wendy Fowler
New Zealand
November 13, 2008 • International Customers, Testimonials, Trail Gear Tips • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
Hi, from trail riders in Alberta Canada! In our group picture above I’m the one on the palomino horse named Tuff, my wife is next to me on the liver chestnut named Meg.
I do have a lot of Long Riders gear and I use it all. I own at least three stowaway saddle bags, right now my favorite bag is the hoof boot bag which I bought for my Epic hoof boots that I also purchased from you (very good price I might add). The boot bag comes in handy for carrying everything I need for a day trip, It doesn’t seem that big but I get everything from my lunch to my first aid kit in it! Along with the boot bag I use the Stowaway water bottle holder. That’s about all you need for a good average 6-8 hour trip. I do use the western cantle packs for more aggressive rides like into the Rocky mountains.
This picture shows my wife, and four friends climbing to Mirror lake at the base on the Beehive in the Rocky Mountains, about two and a half hours from where I live. This picture was taken this summer.
Bye for now!
Tony Lewis
