Speaking of Horses...Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurance Ride is Creating a Buzz!!

Whether you love horses or are just interested in fun, unique events and neat people the Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurance Ride might be something you'd like to attend.

RVers love to explore new territory, relive unique history, take part in events and make new friends along the way. This August 31st, in conjunction with the great states of Kansas and New Mexico, over 50 riders and horses will embark upon a 515 mile, 14 day equestrian endurance event with riders retracing part of the most famous trail in America – the Great Santa Fe Trail – and RVers and campers are invited to follow the race and partake in some or all of the exciting activities.


















August 31 – September 13, 2008 will be the 2nd Annual Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurance Ride and is designed to bring interest to this historic horse trail and surrounding communities while developing a world class equine event. 21 states were represented in the 2007 race as well as England, Belgium, and Canada.

Trail’s end each day will find Santa Fe Ride race participants and their teams at the Race Village - communities along the trail where riders and RVers can gather together reliving the day, sharing meals and experiences, and in some cases, making lifelong friends. Race organizers have compiled a unique and interesting itinerary for RVers to enjoy including stops at the historic Fort Union National Monument near Wagon Mound, New Mexico to the New Mexico Ghost Town of Yates to Dodge City, Kansas – Queen of the Cowtowns (longhorns, that is) to the World’s Largest Chuck Wagon Supper and Race Finale Celebration in Council Grove, Kansas on September 13th – all along the historic Santa Fe Trail.

There will be ample room for RVers to dry camp in the race villages with 10 overnight villages throughout the 14 days. Arrangements for water and sewer needs will be made and parks with hook-ups will be available and welcoming nearby. Reservations are appreciated but not required for overnight campsites at the race villages, running $15/night. RVers may purchase a 14-night package for $120 – saving $90 over the individual night fees. Some meals will be available for an additional charge and advance meal reservations must be made. Details, to be determined, will be posted at www.sfthorserace.com in the very near future.

Bring your RV and an appetite for adventure. Come for the fun of it or volunteer to help out as an “in- or out-timer, water distributor, traffic controller” or more. Whether you come along to marvel at the amazing endurance race, get up close and personal with some of today’s finest equestrian athletes, cheer on your favorite rider as they compete for the coveted “Spirit of Comanche Award” and the “Aubry Trophy” or to simply have a good time and make new friends chances are that in all your RVing you have never experienced anything like this before!

Log on to www.sfthorserace.com for further details or email Rob Phillips, Race Organizer, at sfthorserace@aol.com.

Photo of 2007 Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurance Ride courtesy of Maggi Rankin.