Linda Morelli, riding her Arab gelding ‘BLAZER’, splashed to a second-place finish on Day Two of the Las Cienegas “Mud Fest” 50-mile endurance race held in Sonoita, Arizona. On Day Three, Linda did it again with her other Arab gelding ‘FALLING LEAF’, finishing in 4th.
Congratulations to BLAZER, LEAF and Linda!
An E-mail from Linda Morelli to Renegade® Hoof Boots:
Subject: Boots Do It Again!
Well Kirt….an update…I must admit that as I lay awake in my trailer Saturday night before the Las Cienegas ride held in Sonoita this past weekend….I was wishing for my old steel shoes.
Now let me explain!
After watching the weather for a week and knowing it was going to be horrible on Friday and Saturday yet forecast as “much improved” on Sunday and Monday, I decided to take a chance and drive the 6 hours away to attend the latter 2 days of the 3 day ride. In spite of the bad weather, I decided to go anyhow because I figured in that area, the footing is kind of sandy and the mud would not be too bad, or so I thought!
I drove down in the horrible storm on Saturday…set up camp and got to talking with some of the riders that had completed that first day in the rain….and they said “THE FOOTING SUCKED” with much mud and boggy messy stuff. Well, I got panicky and was wishing for my old steel shoes… but what’s a girl to do? My horses are now barefoot (about six months) and the Renegades are ready to slip on the next AM (I have to have foot covering to do the 2 days).
With a ride start time of 7:30 AM I nervously got up at 5:30 to boot Blazer (my Sunday mount) as I wanted to make sure I did everything right.
I must say, while I did spend a fair amount of time looking down at my boots over the first loop of about 25 miles because it was a muddy/boggy mess, I never once had to dismount to do anything with them. On the 2nd day with my other horse, Leaf, who has a little more action in his step, same scenario….loads of mud, bogs and puddles and yet… I never had a problem except to fix a strap once cause it got away from the black keeper band. I’ll try the tie wrap next time as you suggest for the mud.
Anyway, I had a number of inquiries about the boots and their performance….what could I say?
Of all the footwear is saw there at the ride, and I don’t know the exact numbers… but of the numerous horse shoes and other boot brands…the RENEGADES were the only footwear that never came off! YIPEE!
And how did my horses finish? Well, Blazer finished 2nd the first day and Leaf finished 4th the 2nd day, and I’m still cleaning mud out of the nooks and crannies, but I couldn’t be happier.
I give much thanks to Michelle Mueller for a fabulous fitting of the boots and a great trimming job too! And for anybody looking for a great trimmer in the greater Prescott, AZ area, they should contact Michelle at 928-632-0600.
Thanks,
Linda