Trail Riding

Our family became involved in competitive trail riding in the early 1970's. We joined NATRC (North American Trail Ride Conference) and campaigned our horses in California, Arizona, Colorado and Missouri. Our sons, Michael and Jon rode as juniors for several years and in 1977 and 1978 Michael was Junior National Champion riding his horse W.L. Mirzaz. In 1978 he also won the award as the Top Junior in the Nation in NATRC. In 1979 Jon won his National Championship riding his Appaloosa mare, Cherokee Lady, and in 1982 he won another National Championship riding our Arabian, Il Nabil. Our youngest son, Kevin, rode his first ride as a 10 year old junior and got his share of blue ribbons.

Along with competitive trail riding, our family also rode some endurance rides... most notabley the Western States 100 Mile in One Day ride... the Tevis. In the 1980's the ride started in Squaw Valley, California, and followed a difficult trail through the rugged Sierra Nevadas and terminated in Auburn, California. The ride starts at 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning and to earn a completion buckle the rider must be at the finish line in Auburn by 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Michael has ridden and completed the ride 4 times and Bonnie has completed the ride one time.

Mike also rode Malibu on the first Capital to Capital ride. That ride started in Carson City, Nevada and ended in Sacramento, California. At 50 miles a day it took 5 days to complete the ride. Malibu was given the Best Condition award at the end of the ride.

Malibu was a very versatile horse. Besides being a fantastic long distance horse, he was shown successfully in halter classes, western pleasure classes and he carried a Cal Poly student to many inter-collegiate horse shows where she lettered in horsemanship.