1979 UMECRA 1000 Mile Horses
Rafnetta - Theresa Nelson
We raised Rafnetta. She is a registered 7/8 Arabian mare sire by our Nebraska bred stallion, Jaraff(019324). She is bay and stand 15.2 hands. Rafnetta never liked people much and hated horses more, but she loved to go and she loved to run in front.
We started racing her in 1972 as a seven year old. She has 1635 AERC miles.
In 1974 she was HW Competitive UMECRA Reserve Champion. In1976, HW Endurance UMECRA Reserve Champion. In 1977, AERC - 9th in the nation, and 3rd UMECRA HW. In 1978, UMECRA HW Endurance Champion and took home the Bronze International Arabian Horse trophy by placing Reserve Champion Competitive Half-Arabian at the IAHA 2-day Competitive Ride.
In 1979, she was kicked in the knee on a competitive ride which put her into early retirement. This mare was truly a joy to ride due to her untiring spirit and willingness to compete - a once in a lifetime horse.
Caprison - Louise Riedel
Caprison's induction into the AERC Hall of Fame at the 1980 convention was the high point of an association between horse and rider that has been full of achievement, love, and mutual respect. Since then he has gone on to complete 4550 miles and place 16th nationally.
Caprison is beginning his 12th year of endurance competition this season; in fact his endurance record predates the founding of AERC by a couple of years. As is usual every spring, he has had to be convinced that it is not necessary to spook, snort, or to buck every time another horse gets ahead of him on a training ride; and that at the age of 17 he should behave with more maturity.
The plans for this year are for his six-year old stable mate to take on some of the endurance rides, but it remains to be seen whether the 'kid' can be a satisfactory replacement or not. Obviously there will never be a really satisfactory replacement.
Caprison's record includes; six times in AERC's top 25 national champion(3 times top 10); four times UMECRA champion; 23rd place on the '78 Tevis - one of only 85 finishers out of 200 starters. He also held the fastest time record for a 50-miler in 1977 with 2 hours, 27 minutes.
His record is all the more outstanding since, with a ride season of only five and a half months in the Midwest, this little Arab gelding has competed week after week, with only a rare weekend or two off between rides. Caprison has indeed been the "once in a lifetime" horse for me!
Candy - Larry Engevold
Registered Endurance Horse #346
Candy is a pretty, petite, 14.2 hand buckskin mare. She ahs a grade quarterhorse dam and her sire is Ibn Gwain, a purebred Arabian. Candy is a half sister to LA Raindrops, another 1000 mile horse.
Candy started her racing career as a 5 year old in 1976(very green broke). In 1977, with 500 miles under her, she completed the season as UMECRA Reserve HW Champion and 10th in the AERC overall.
Candy was raced on and off over the next few seasons. She was pulled out of the cobwebs again in 1982 to finish 3rd LW on the Neillsville 50.
S. A. Maxzi - Bonnie Kaufman (Mielke)
(Sterlings Pride x Rayfane)
Max is 15.1/2 hands, chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail and four socks. He was purchased as a 3 year old. Max was ridden competitively for the next 3 years. The third year he placed in UMECRA top ten HW with only 6 rides. At 7, he was ridden endurance. He has placed on every ride he completed. He was in UMECRA top 6 in 1978 and 1980. In 1979, he was UMECRA HW Endurance champion.
Max has completed the Kettle Moraine 100 three times. These were our greatest thrills. In 1981, on his last endurance race, he ran the Kettle Moraine 100 in 10 hours, 20 minutes in deep mud to win the International Arabian Senior Championship.
Max has tremendous heart. We have been racing together for seven years. His excellent trot and cheerful attitude have gotten us through many miles. Rides over 50 miles have been his best efforts.
Sky Rissar - Louise Riedel
Sky Rissar, a 14 year old chestnut Arabian gelding, owned by Louise Riedel, received his 1000 mile award in 1979, the first year UMECRA offered the award. He earned his 2000 miles in 1982 with a total of 2335 miles. Sky Rissar was purchased as an English Pleasure champion and was soon converted to a competitive horse after placing third in a tough LW division on his first ride. Since then he has been UMECRA LW Competitive Champion in 1977, 1980, and Reserve Champion in 1982.
Al-Sham-Kazam (Smokey) - Bob Mielke
Smokey was a dark grey, 15.2 hand gelding who was owned and ridden by Bob Mielke. Smokey was always a willing, easy mover. He had an exceptional trot. and never gave up. He set a HW endurance record a the Hayward 65 in 1981 of 4 hours, 22 minutes. He won the St. Jude Ride and got Best Condition for three years in a row.
Smokey's accomplishments include:
1978 LW Competitive Reserve Champion
1978 IAHA 1/2 Arab Competitive Champion
1980 HW Endurance Reserve Champion
1981 HW Endurance Champion
1981 IAHA Endurance Reserve Champion 1/2 Arab - 100 Miles
1981 Voted 1st UMECRA Horse of the Year
In six years of competitive and endurance racing, he completed all but three races. Smokey was retired in 1982.