Update:
*Aug 12, 2010
The Observation Trials were held on Aug 10, in Danville,
Illinois. We arrived safely. Carl left us and flew back
home. I set up camp with my friend and coach Trevor
Copland from New Zealand, along with Iza Watcher from
San Miguel, Mexico and both Steel and Bogart.
Acclimating to the weather has been great. HOT and
Humid can't even begin to cover what we have lived in.
It has paid off, with the fact that we don't feel the
heat any longer even though it has been in the 100+
and 85+% humidity.
Horses have a way of bringing us the greatest joys
as well as teaching us life long lessons. I am grateful
to have experienced both and this trip was a mixture
of the two.
The horses were going well, although I still had concerns
that Steel's knee was a bit problematic.
Bogart VF was perfection.The day before the trials
Trevor, and I along with Sue Hedgecock and Cheryl Dell
were out previewing the trail. Trev was cantering in
the rear and suddendly the trail gave way and he was
knee deep in a hole.
Thankfully Bogart did not break anything, but certainly
stained himself.
When we returned, we felt he was slightly off. BUMMER!
Becky came up about that time and I let her know. If
I could have withdrawn him, I would have. I knew that
I did not want to risk any permanate injury, but without
starting the trials my chances would be over. Bogart
is a great horse with a hugh heart, tougher than nails
and fiercely competitive.
Between the two of us, Trevor and I did some body work
on him and within the given time we were able to vet
him in sound.
The next day rain was predicted but as we had experienced
all week, it would pour down with thunder and lightening,
then stop. Once it stops the sun shines, the ground
steams and the air becomes heavy.
The first loop was fast and slippery because of the
dew. My shoes were not perfect for the conditions, but
I felt that Steel was doing well. Trevor was riding
Bogart in a separate group. As any of you know, no one
rides Bogart but Carl and myself, Trevor did a fine
job riding him. They definitely had a good repoiire
and I was confident that they would be successful.
Because of the humidity the horses were all struggling
a bit to recover, but both Steel and Bogart were doing
alright.
Unfortunately Steel's knee was slighlty ouchy at the
first loop he was pulled after the first loop. The vets
were super conservative pulling horses so that they
were not to create added injury. Steel looks pretty
good today and with a little time off should be ready
to start training again.
I got the approval to take Trevor's place on Bogart
when they came in. Lady luck was not on our side and
Bogart had a bit of glitch also so he was out. 12 horses
finished out of 29 starting. The rain hit and the trial
had become vey slippey. They called the course at 52
miles instead of the set 80 that they had anticiapted.
Yesterday we all had to re-present the horses. Trevor
showed Bogart fantastically. He looked spectacular.
We had hope that the pull was not our demise.
We all waited for 5 hours while the selectors, Chef
d'equipe and vets met.. The squad was announced and
I was named as alternate.Which means we need to stick
around until Monday.It is disappointing but I have maintained
a positive outlook and won't concede until the end.
It's not over until its over.
I am looking to see why things happen as they do and
haven't worked out the lessons yet, but will keep you
all posted. I have met some fine people and learned
a bunch.
We changed up my shoeing and I think that was a fortunate
thing. Without the slipping and sliding I wouldn't have
had the opportunity to work with the team farrier, Jeff
Pauley.
Carl, has been as always supportive and helpfu and
along with Augustine, Iza and Trevor worth their weight
in gold.
Maybe one of the reasons for all of this is to discover
who we are in the face of adversity. The most stressful
pat of any endurance ride is the before and after, The
riding for me is always the easy part.
To be on my horse riding though the country, gives
me a sense of freedom unparelled. I am Blessed, no matter
the outcome of this journey.
Plans are in the works to go to Tasmania for the Qulty
in 2012 on a horse of Trevors.
European Championship next year...WEG, 2012 in England....
Keep your fingers crossed for Monday when they tell
me they need me. As they say" it's not over until
the fat lady sings".
My special shout out goes to Shannon Grieffer of MOBen
clothing and Bank Card USA for their generous sponsorship.
xox
Charisse
July 31, 2010
Hello ALL. Sorry to be remise in communications.. Cell
service is dismal and WI FI almost non existent..
We got on the road as planned in the wee hours of the
27th of July.
Trevor,my good friend from New Zealand flew in on th
26th so that he could travel with us. He has come to
give me a hand and ride on of my horses in the Trial..
( Horse still to be determined).
All was going well as we left. Carl, Trev and myself
in the truck, and Iza my intern/ groom or as she affectionaltely
calls herself, " my slave" in the Living quarters
of the trailer.
^ hours later we stopped for fuel in Needles. When
we restarted the truck, it had a " funny sound".
Continued forward to Kingman AZ and thanks to our trusty
Iphone was able to find a Dodge dealer and Fairgrounds.
Dropped off the trailer along with Iza, Trev and myself
at the FG and Carl went to the dealer.
It was hot or so we thought ( nothing comparable to
Illinois).
Carl arrived back and we waited until the mechanics
wee able to look at it.
We had no shelter for the horses in the arena unless
we put them in a box stall which I did not want to do
so they hung out in the HOT HOT sun all day. Good training
for what we were heading into. They ran around for a
bit then settled and rolled and ate and rolled and sweated
and rolled ......
Finally around 4pm nechanics called back and said we
needed a new engine but "how about a new truck
instead?'
We called our mechanic Gary, back home.
Decided to flat bed our trailer back home, but then
were STUCK in Kingman!!!!!
In life we are lucky to count on one hand friends
that will bed there in a pinch for you, my dear friend
Robin is a friend like that. She was the only person
I could think of that had a truck equipped to pull our
rig.
I know that she DOES NOT loan out he truck so to call
and ask was a difficult call to make.
She thought about it for a nano second and said yes.
WOW what a friend..
We organized for her hubby Bill to drive out and then
to return with the flatbed and out truck..
He arrived about 4 in the morn and we were back on the
road by 5am.
In the interim we all sprawled outside under the trailer
or gooseneck, trying to survive the flies and heat.
Inside of the Living quaters was hotter than outside
and outside was bloody hot!
On the road again and happy with it, Carl and Trev traded
off driving and we hauled nearly 24 hrs ending up in
Oklahoma city, OK and a great place, with turnout space
and hot showers.
Had some sleep and headed out again in the late afternoon
to travel thru the night.
Arrive in Danville, Ill the next day around 10:30,
It took all day to set up, go shopping, and eat, by
the time we finished up it was 9pm. We needed to get
some sleep, we were all working on about 2-3 hrs of
sleep so far. Carl had a flight back home at 5 am, so
we had be on the road by 1:30 am to drive to Indianapolis
ID to the airport. Trev came with me and Iza stayed
in camp. Trev and I returned back around 6 am, had a
few hrs sleep .
One note about our sleep depravation... Iza made up
for all of us in the sleep department. She managed to
sleep most of the journey here, with wake up breaks
for food and water. So no one can accuse us of overwork
to our slave.
No in Illinois , the weather in AZ seems mild. The
other day was 105-115degrees with 100% humidity. It
was like living in sauna. It was so hot that the stores
and gas stations closed down because the electiricy
went out.
Flies as big as a silver dollars, mosquitos, fleas,
chiggers just add to the fun!
A few days ago, we had a great thunder storm with
the lightening actually hitting camp.
Blew out the electricity and the water pump.
Trevor and I went out yesterday and rode 4 hs thru out
the park. Mainly at a walk, exploring all of the nooks
and cranies. There is a river that runs thru it and
lots of watering holes for the horses and dogs.
Tezi, Chloe and Saka are here, Trooper had to stay home.
There are good parts on the trail that will be fine
at speed, but there are concerns about the quality of
some of the trail...
We'll see how it plays out in the next few days.
More to come so stay tuned, but dont forget to send
your energy this way on August 10th!!!!
about a minute ago · Edit Post · Delete
Post
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
| RACE |
DATE |
HORSE/PLACING |
RIDER |
| Bar
H 50 Mile |
May 2020 |
Steel 1st Place |
Charisse |
| Git
R Done |
April 2010 |
Karahty's Cayman 1st Place
Myscha 5th Place 120km ** |
Charisse
Kelly |
| Git
R Done Special 160km *** |
Jan. 16, 2010 |
Bogart VF 3rd Place |
Charisse |
| DeathValley
Warm up 50 day 2 |
Dec 13, 2009 |
Karathy's Cayman 1st place |
Charisse |
| DeathValley
Warm up 50 Day 1 |
Dec 12, 2009 |
Bogart VF 1st Place
Karathy's Cayman 2nd Place |
Charisse
Daniela |
| 2010 |
|
|
|
| North
American Team Challenge *** 160km ( 120km) |
Oct 14, 2009 |
Laramie 25th
Ben 22nd |
Charisse
Kim |
| Shine
and Shine Only III** |
Aug. 8,2009 |
Bogart Vf 120km**
4th Pl aerc BC /3rd
Pl FEI BC
Rushcreek Laramine
7th Pl aerc/6th Pl FEI
FX Zuma Rose 120km V/O |
Charisse
Kim
Deborah Reich |
| Ft
Howes |
June 6,7,2009 |
FX Zuma Rose 120km** 11th
Bogart VF 160km *** RO/Withdrawl
Oso Myzcha 90km * |
Carl
Charisse
Kelly |
| Oreana |
May 25,2009, |
Steel Patriot 160*** 8th
place |
Charisse |
Git
R Done 80km */120km**
|
April, 2009 |
Steel Patriot 120** 11th
PL
TBD |
Noriko Endo
Kim |
| 2008 |
|
|
|
*Desert
Gold 80km**/50m |
Nov.28-30,2008 |
Karahtys Cayman V/O
Awesome Lady V/O
FX Zuma Rose 1st Pl FEI/BC
Steel Patriot Completition only |
Charisse
Shelby
Charisse
Shelby |
| *Git
R Done 80km**/50m |
Oct. 18,,2008 |
Bogart VF 1st Pl/
FEI BC
FX Zuma Rose 3rd Pl/1st
Pl FEI young rider |
Charisse
Shelby
|
Tom Quilty Australia
160km/100m |
Sept.
20, 2008 |
Silver Lace 58th
Pl
Ricky RO |
Charisse
Kim
|
| *Desert
Classic 80km**/50m |
Sept
6, 2008 |
Karahtys Cayman V/O
Rushcreek Koko 4th Pl
FX Zuma Rose V/O
Rushcreek Laramie 5th Pl
Steel Patriot 3rd/1stYR/1st FEI |
Charisse
Kim
Brianna
Carl
Shelby |
*Tevis/Western
States 100
CANCELLED DUE TO FIRES |
July
19, 2008 |
Steel Pariot
Laramie |
Charisse
Kim |
| Old Dominon |
July
14,2008 |
Dime a Dance |
Kim |
Californio's
100
Californio's 35 |
June,7,2008 |
Ben RO
Ala Chall 2nd PL
Karathys Cayman 3rd Pl BC
Awesome Lady 4th Pl |
Kim
Carl
Charisse
Brianna |
| *Owyhee 160km***/100m |
May
25 ,2008 |
Bogart VF 8th Place COC
|
Charisse
|
| Malibu 50 |
May
3, 2008 |
Rushcreek Laramie V/O
Steel Patriot 2nd Place |
Kim
Charisse |
| *Git R Done 160km***
/100m |
April
19, 2008 |
Awesome Lady VO/Lame
Ben 2nd Place |
Charisse
Kim |
| *Mule Team 160km/100m |
March
8,2008 |
BogartVF 3rd Place
BC
Ben RO |
Charisse
Kim |
| Fire Mountain
50 |
Jan
26, 2008 |
Bogart VF 3rd Place |
Charisse |
|