Endurance Photos: 20 Mule Team 2000

This is a continuing series of photos that illustrate the differences between an endurance seat and a dressage seat.

In this photo, Montoya and I have just left a one hour vet check and are traveling down an 8 mile long dirt road.  These long, flat stretches can be difficult for the horses because it's easy to over-ride them over such easy terrain.  A typical strategy on stretches like this (for those aiming to complete, not win) is to trot for 5 minutes and walk 2 minutes.  The lighter hair along the underside of her neck is where I clipped off her winter coat.  A small clip like this can help reveal the veins to the cooler air which aids in cooling.  We finished the 100 miles in 22nd place out of 49 riders with a ride time of 16 hours and 15 minutes.