Call us suicidal, but we brought 10 students and 4 staff members, a total of 14 riders, to the Hector Half Hundred this year!
As our local race, the Hector Half Hundred offers three route options through the Finger Lakes National Forest: 18 mile Introductory Ride, 30 Mile Limited Distance Race and the 50 mile Endurance Race.
This year we had 12 horses compete in the introductory ride while Jen and Erika, as instructors, competed in the 30 and 50 mile races.
The Painted Bar Stables Team:
50 Mile Competitor
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| Erika Eckstrom & Rainbows Poco Spade |
30 Mile Competitor
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| Jennifer Van Dusen & JPR Rock On |
15-18 Mile Competitors
TEAM APPALOOSA
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| Cody Middaugh & Spock the Mule |
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| Katie Shaw & Dun B A Whiskey Bandit Nicholas Bonsignore & Chief |
TEAM PONY
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| Randall Lam & Captain Teresa Fico & Bonita Ponyta |
TEAM RELATIONSHIP GOALS
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| Laura Engel & JKGs Awesome Desmond (aka Kasper) |
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| Pete Engel & Aspen Skipping Stone |
TEAM FAMILY
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| Elizabeth Dorward & Just a Smudge Laura Dorward & Panda Paws |
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| Kasiia Gurdak & SS Sultani (aka Nymeria) |
TEAM GROWNUPS
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| Shao Pei Chou & Pepsi Poco LeoDandy |
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| Colin McNaull & Bachelors Foolish Blonde (aka Dutchess) |
The entire event was a MAJOR community bonding experience with some real successes throughout the community. Many of the riders had never competed at distance riding before. For some of our adult teams, it was their first time going on new trails without a staff member leading the way.
A huge accomplishment was also Erika and Jen being able to compete independently for the first time and to not have to accompany riders and to truly represent the barn.
Jen placed 2nd in the 30 mile race out of 28 starting riders. The only rider to beat her was, in Jen's words "a beast!"
See the 30 mile results >>
This was Erika's first ever 50 mile endurance race. Erika not only completed the ride with Poco, but placed in 8th out of 39 starting riders!
See the 50 mile results >>
See the videos of their ride below:
More Photos from the Hector Half Hundred >>
