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 28, 2010 • Endurance, Gaited Horses, LRG Customers, Testimonials, Trail Gear Tips • Author: Julie • Comments: (0)
Lynda Zimmerman, and her Paso Fino mare, Zia, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, forge a river at the 2010 Wildcat Ride.
“One word: AMAZING! Well, I could add more adjectives: remarkable, significant, superb! The EZ Ride Stirrups and saddle tush cushion made a HUGE improvement for me (I also wore the new Ariat boots/riding shoes I mentioned).
My back was still a little tender the morning of the ride (after unloading and setting up our campsite Fri. night), and I wondered if I was going to be able to walk at the end of the day. Overnight we had a thunderstorm with heavy rain which turned the “pretty level trail terrain” into puddles, lakes, rivulets and submerged trails with tree roots, rocks and lots of mud. That turned the easy ride I was expecting into a jostling, dodge-the-obstacles, and trot whenever we can trek. We had a couple river crossings, and one was chest-high on many of the horses.
There were two holds for the 35 comp. ride, and each time I dismounted I felt twinges of pain. But, I tried to stay loose and relaxed in the saddle, and stretched my back some by leaning forward on my mare’s neck and reaching toward the sky with alternate arms. I was exhausted by the end of the day, but not feeling too bad. When we returned to camp, I stayed on my feet and kept moving around so I wouldn’t stiffen up…
The BIG difference came Sunday morning when I woke up with less back pain than Saturday morning pre-ride! Amazing! I’m sure the stirrups and tush cushion played a significant part in the improvement. We trotted a lot, walked only a very little - and that was through mud or water - and did almost no cantering. The back of my neck, arms and shoulders were tired from the exertion, but my back was GREAT! Thank you!
You probably can’t see the EasyCare Stirrups very well or the Cashel Tush Cushion at all, but they were there helping us get through the day. They made a significant difference for me!
…We took 3rd place.. and this was our first 35 mile distance! Yahoo! We have been very fortunate to place at each of the three rides we’ve completed this year, and we’ve completed all that we attempted. This is our Rookie year, so I have lots to learn, but it is going very well. I’m very relieved that I don’t have to worry about damaging my back anymore! In fact, I think we will try two 25 mile events back-to-back on the next ride, depending on how Zia does…
My husband, Bob, took pictures at the river crossing (by special Jeep trip and half-mile walk to get there). Thanks again for all your help and for making sure the items reached me in time! I feel like we can continue on with the competitions now!” 
~ Lynda
Lynda’s Paso Fino mare, Zia, sports other gear, including a royal blue Toklat CoolBack Pad, Zilco Tack, and a Stowaway Pommel Pack. Click on the thumbnails for beautiful ride photos by Lynda’s talented husband, Bob. Rides include the Wildcat Endurance Ride & the Mosquito Run, both put on by the Upper Midwest Endurance & Competitive Rides Assoc.
At the 2010 Wildcat Ride, photographer, Bob, gets a new hair style from a fellow rider's horse in camp.
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 20, 2010 • Arabians, Endurance, LRG Customers, Trail Gear Tips • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
I’ve been ordering from you guys for several years. I am an endurance rider and love all your stuff! My last order had a note asking for pictures, so I’ve attached a picture of my horse, Bart, and me. It was taken by Terri Rashid last October at the Lake Sonoma Endurance Ride. We were actually doing a pre-ride the day before and Terri decided to take some pictures. Bart is pretty “amped up” as you can see and she thought he looked like a carousel horse! I love that picture too as it really captures his dynamic and quirky personality!
I have bought lots of things from you, from tack to the HiTie and Jokers Horse Cookies… and I will keep doing so. In fact, I need to place an order for cookies so will go to the website and do so now!
Thanks so much for including us in your blog. –Kathy Brayton
May 5, 2010 • Endurance, LRG Customers, Testimonials • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
Lasair and I completed our first 25 miler this past Saturday at the Descanso Endurance Ride. He’s a 4 yr old Thoroughbred. Just thought I’d share this picture with you all in appreciation of all your help in getting us geared up for the ride. I got the EZ-Ride Stirrups in time and am using them, along with all the other gear I bought from you guys. LOL – you can see the stirrups and sponge in the picture. You can’t see all the other things, but we’re using everything we ordered and everything is working great! Lasair appreciates the Equipedic Pad too! Thanks again! –Dawn Champion
July 8, 2009 • Appaloosas, Endurance, LRG Customers, Mounted Patrol/Parks/Rescue, Testimonials • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
Hi Ladies!
Long Rider’s Gear has always been my favorite place to buy endurance tack! I’m finally back on the endurance trail with my new guy, J.J. (Jovial Jubellee). Here we are last weekend at the “Tour de Cooley,” day 2 of the Cooley Ranch Ride. His 2nd ride and we had a blast! I was lucky to be able to use my Ortho-Flex saddle from my previous horse with him, which with the help of a Woolback Pad, suits him perfectly! Much of the tack you see in the photo came from your store over the years, including the cantle bag, Zilco Breastplate, endurance reins and more.
When we’re not riding LD endurance, you’ll often find us on the trails as part of the California State Parks and Sonoma County Regional Parks Mounted Assistance Units. We love doing MAU work, providing assistance for lost hikers, clearing trail hazards and reporting problems to the head ranger. J.J. is such a steady individual, we also do Geocaching. This GPS guided treasure hunt is lots of fun, you can find out more at: Geocaching.com.
Thanks for you years of hard work, keep it up!
Susan Johnson
July 5, 2009 • Arabians, Endurance, LRG Customers • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
This picture was taken by Lynne Glazer the first day of the Cuyama Oaks XP 2009. My 8 yr. old 1/2 Arab Pinto “Splash” and I had a great day, and she completed her first 50 mile endurance ride! Since then we’ve been zipping down the trail with four more 50’s under our belt!
See you on the trails!
Mindy Wolfe
July 1, 2009 • Arabians, Endurance, LRG Customers, Testimonials • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
Hi All,
I have been dealing with the gals at Long Riders Gear for years and they are the best! They answer your questions and ship your order out in Top 10 Time !! Thanks Gals & Keep up the good work !
- Heidi Helly & Andreti +/ 2005 & 2008 First Place in FW Division in PS Region
The photo is of the April 2008 100 Miler at Git R Done in Inyokern, CA where we placed 10th. Lots of good stuff on the saddle prepared us for the journey! Photo by Gore/Baylor Photography and I have their blessing to use it.
June 15, 2009 • Endurance, LRG Customers • Author: Tracy • Comments: (0)
Bella (Belesema Natasha) graciously tailing Anne Sands up the Ranger Trail along a high ridge line of the Schell Creek Range in eastern Nevada on Day 5 of Fort Schellbourne XP (250 miles in 5 days). Bella and Anne completed all 5 days.
Photo by Steve Bradley, who rode his off-road motorcycle up to the high ridges to get his shots!
