Update:

As many of you know, I have been training for the USA Endurance Team, one of 8 disciplines to participate in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). It will be held September 26, in Lexington, KY.

For those of you who don’t know me, I am a Southern California endurance rider, the only So Cal rider qualified and nominated for the World Equestrian Games. My qualified horses are also born and bred in So Cal, Bogart VF from Ventura Farms and Steel Patriot aka Steel, from breeders Kristine and Robin Lindsey.

Since Endurance Racing is not yet an Olympic sport, the WEG is the highest International level that an Endurance rider can aspire to.

It has been a three year process. I set my sights on having multiple horses qualified to give me the best possible chance to make the elusive slot as one of 5 riders for the team.

I have met my goal by successfully qualifying two horses, Bogart VF and Steel.

Last Fall I was a member of the PAC South team, competing in the North American Endurance Team Challenge. The NAETC was a competition that was comprised of 5 teams from the USA, two teams from Canada and a team from Mexico. This event was held on the WEG course in Lexington, KY, giving riders a chance to preview the course. I was one of two riders on my team to complete the course that day. The conditions were terrible- torrential rain and deep mud, and unfortunately a majority of the starters were pulled. With concern for the horse’s welfare, the race directors actually shortened the course from 160km (100 miles) to 120km (75mile).

The process has been long .The Endurance Riders Ranking List (ERRL) was created in 2007 in order to make the selection process more egalitarian. In Dec of 2007, I was on the first ever ERRL.

Once on the ERRL, through a point system, you needed to qualify in the top 35, which constitutes the National Training List.
From that you needed to maintain your position, qualify your horses through a series of named FEI ( Federation d’Equestian International) events and qualify yourself as well.

Each time I have made it to the next level which was in fact the “short list”. The “short list” then became the “long list” again.
I have felt like I am in a virtual video game, I Keep moving up a level, without getting any closer to the end

Well Now I do feel closer…
I just returned from Oregon, which was the first of three Selection Trials. Only nominated, qualified horses competed there. Not really a competition as much as an exhibition, it was a place for our Chef d’Equipe (coach), Becky Hart, to ask us to ride at very specific speeds for specific distances. We needed to exhibit speed, soundness and metabolic stability in our horses. The riders needed to exhibit focus under pressure, determination, sportsmanship and clear thinking. Our crew needed to show that they were experienced and professional. The Selection process consists of a panel of 5 Selectors, 3 Veterinarians and the Chef d’Equipe to evaluate the horses, riders and crew.

I am now on my way to the second Selection Trial that is being held in Danville, Illinois mid-August.
I am packing for 8 weeks on the road, with fingers crossed that I move up to the next level.
In Illinois, they will make the “Official” cut to 10 riders and 12 horses.
Because of how the WEG is organized this year, there will be 5 riders and one alternate horse (not alternate horse and rider) for the team. Which means that one rider must have two qualified, sound and FAST horses.

From Illinois, I will head out to Kentucky to acclimate for three weeks before training together with the other “10” at Shaker village.
On Sept 17, 9 days before the WEG, the team of 5 will be named.
My sights are set on being on the team of 5, and with Lady Luck on my side, I will make it!

Charisse with Dyll at Ribiers ** France