Endurance legend passes on

This is to let the endurance world know of the passing of Hugo, the mule, at 39 years of age in early January 2004. His endurance career perhaps predated AERC as an organization, but was of that beginning era.

As a 5-year-old novice in 1970, Hugo carried his partner Eva Taylor of Discovery Bay, Washington, to a 21st place finish of the Western States Endurance Ride (Tevis). Their finish raised not a few eyebrows amongst the old-timers! A mule that would travel, and travel well, without a "lead horse" seemed to surprise them. On the 1971 ride, traveling in fifth place at Echo Hills, he was pulled as being slightly lame. In 1972 he and Eva made a nonthreatening 20th place finish. In 1973 they crept up to 11th place. As a 9-year-old in 1974, Hugo romped easily into a sixth place finish in Auburn. He was awarded a very popular BC and the Haggin Cup that year.

Early on, Hugo and Eva twice completed John Wheeler's Diamond 100 mile ride, near Red Bluff, once in 10th place. The bicentennial year of 1976 brought news of a ride to begin on Memorial Day at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in upstate New York and to end on Labor Day in Sacramento, California, to be dubbed the "Great American Horse Race." Eva found a little molly-mule, named Sugar, to compete a three-member team, as allowed. So, she and Hugo and Sugar arrived in Sacramento in 10th place. Virl Norton of San Jose won with two other mules.

Hugo's buddy, Eva, succumbed to leukemia in 1992. Hugo had been in pasture retirement with other mules ever since, under the care of EvaÕs lifelong partner, Bud, at their homeplace near Discovery Bay.

It was my privilege to have known Hugo for his entire life and to have crewed him on most of his career rides. He was always the consummate professional, just the greatest mule ever!

Johnny Cook, AERC #14178 (inactive)

Brinnon, Washington

Thank you

In September of 2002 I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery the same month. This is an overdue "thank you" to some of the people in my life that were instrumental in my recovery and my return to the sport of endurance riding.

Our motto "to finish is to win" was never truer, but as in any ride, a good pit crew can make a difference at the finish. In my pit, I give special thanks to Dan Brown and Callie Thornburgh of Inyokern, California: Dan for his unique home exercise program (sitting in my saddle in front of the TV keeping my muscles toned), Callie for keeping Doc in shape waiting for my return.

In December 2002 I rode Doc for the first time since the surgery and started prepping myself mentally and physically for the Fire Mountain and 20 Mule Team.

Talking this over with my husband, who was skeptical to say the least (not a horse person), he finally agreed only if I kept to limited distance, and was cleared by my doctor. I had kept my doctor informed of my goal from the very beginning and was bouncing off the stall walls when she gave me the thumbs up saying she was very impressed with my progress. In both January and February rides, under the watchful eye of Lindy Manning and Carol Resner, we finished.

I now felt I was ready for a 50. I contacted longtime friend and fellow rider Sue Benson of Ridgecrest to see if I could ride along with her in April at the Hog Wild ride in Saugus. We rode a measured ride but I was pretty well played out when Sue and I crossed the finish line.

To the ladies at the finish line who shared my tears of happiness, thank you! But most of all, I say thank you and I love you to my husband for believing I can do this.

Connie Wilhorn, AERC #15020

Inyokern, California

Your letters to the editor are welcome! Mail letters to the AERC office at P.O. Box 6027, Auburn, CA 95604, fax to 530-823-7805, or e-mail to endurancenews@ foothill.net.