Sharma-Gaponoff---GCXP-Day-Ib-8x10-2015---01-1000pxSince over the past weeks and months I have documented some of the common issues that can arise with endurance competitions and to endurance horses, I thought you might be interested in reading an actual story from one of our endurance clients – Sharma Gaponoff, who is the author of TEVIS (the 100 mile, 24 hour annual Western States Trail ride that ends with the Tevis Cup). Read more about this race here if you’re interested.

I actually just read about an even more horrendous ride in a recent Toronto Star about a ride somewhere in the Middle East through the desert on horseback, which makes these 50 or 100 mile races look like a walk in the park (which they obviously aren’t, but just in comparison…). Oh, and please excuse the fact that this reads in places like a testimonial, which I didn’t mean it to be.

Sharma writes:
“I had a WONDERFUL time at the Grand Canyon ride which was fabulous. I felt privileged to be able to ride on such beautiful trails. The Grand Canyon XP Ride venue was both literally and figuratively world class. I had loads of fun meeting new people, too. Although I had a lot of trepidation about riding five days in a row, it turned out to be much easier on my body than I anticipated it would be. Read the full article here.

~ Sharma Gaponoff for Saddlefit 4 Life® and Jochen Schleese