Kim Fuess has competed in endurance events since 1987.  Her philosophy for endurance racing has been to take every horse she campaigns to it’s highest potential in the sport be that 50 mile rides, multi-day rides or 100 mile rides.  The challenge in this sport for Kim is to identify a horse’s strengths and weaknesses, train out those weakness or manage those weakness, and race to that horse’s strengths.  Kim draws on her background in ultra running and competitive dog agility as well as almost 25 years of equestrian experience to get the best performance from the horses she conditions and races. 

Kim and her husband Richard started FX Ranch over 10 years ago.  FX Ranch specializes in breeding Arabian and Arabian crossed horses for performance events, especially distance riding/racing competition.  FX Ranch recognizes that genetics and bloodlines are an integral part of any successful breeding program.  The horses chosen for this breeding program are the most successful performance lines found in endurance riding. 

Many of the brood mares were bred by the Rushcreek Ranch in Nebraska, a breeding program that has produced some of the finest working Arabians and endurance horses in the history of the sport. These

mares go back to Al Marah Knight (AERC Hall of Fame) and/or Karlisle daughters. This cross produced Tevis Cup Winners Rushcreek Hans, Rushcreek Eaton, and high mileage and AERC Hall of Fame horse Rushcreek Lad, as well as several other top endurance horses.  FX Ranch also has mares by Bezatal (AERC Hall of Fame) and Cougar Rock in their breeding program.  Many of the mares have a proven endurance record before joining the brood mare band. 

The senior stallion, Zumirez (AKA Jake), is a Wazir Karahty son (36 wins and 28 Best Conditions) son out of a ZES (Zontelli Endurance Stock) mare.  Both the sire and dam of Zumirez are proven endurance horses with excellent racing records. Jake has completed both single day and multi day endurance events.

FX Ranch is a co founder and sponsor for the Pacific Southwest 100 mile horse recognition program.  FX Ranch believes that the 100 mile distance is the ultimate challenge in distance riding/race and one all endurance competitors should aspire to.  The PS 100 mile program provides incentives to AERC Pacific Southwest region riders to accept the 100 mile challenge and gives recognition to the 100 mile horses in this regions.  Visit the PS 100 mile website (www.100mileriders.com)  for more information on this unique program.