One hundred miles in one day, the ultimate endurance challenge. Current ride statistics show that 100-mile ride entries are declining, and have been for several years. While multiday ride entries are gradually increasing, and limited distance entries are increasing at an even greater rate, fewer riders are taking the ultimate challenge of the one-day 100: riding one horse over a course of 100 miles within a 24 hour period.

So I thought I might take this opportunity to encourage some of you: You can do it! If you have never attempted a 100-miler, it probably seems a daunting challenge -- but if you are an endurance rider, it is a worthy and attainable goal, and probably easier than you realize! If you do not have a serious physical handicap, and you and your horse can comfortably do a 50-mile ride, then you are the perfect candidate for the 100.

I don't mean to minimize the challenge, and you must certainly consider that the pacing and strategy required to complete a 100 mile ride are unique, and must be taken very seriously. But it can be done, and it is well worth the challenge. Do some research, find the best 100 mile ride for your first attempt, and if possible find somebody to ride with -- both you and your horse may greatly benefit mentally by having company.

Or do as many of us did . . . and just dive in with your eyes closed! My first 100 was a rainy, mountainous ride in Montana. On an impulse I scratched out my 50-mile entry and signed up for the 100 (totally unprepared). After the first 50 miles I was discouraged and exhausted from trying to rate an overeager horse over challenging wilderness trail, in the rain. I was thinking I could never finish, and then had the great fortune to meet up with Hal "Tevis" Hall from California. Having the company of Hal and his horse was a tremendous boost for me and for my equally discouraged horse. The next 50 miles faded into blissful hours of listening to Hal's wonderful stories, and experiencing that first magic of riding in the dark. Hooked!

You'll find tons of information out there on training, competing, surviving -- how to do it right. Here are a few quotes snatched from Ridecamp@endurance. net that I hope will inspire you, and ignite your interest in taking on the challenge of the 100-mile ride:

Julie Suhr: I think newcomers to endurance riding figure they have to be in super shape themselves, work out, run many miles on foot, ride the dickens out of the poor horse. That is not true. Riding your horse in training will get your own body ready. Then just make sure you don't bring a tired horse to a 100 miler, one worn out by too many training miles and too many 50 milers leading up to the 100 miler. But don't be afraid of trying a hundred miler. If I can ride the Tevis at age 76 as someone who literally cannot trot their horse out for the vets, who has to stand on a milk crate to get topside, then just about anybody can do it. The only ingredient you can't do without is desire. Without it, don't even try. Hundred milers tax you mentally more than physically. Nobody I know condemns anyone for trying. Failing is not the end of the world. Daring to risk failure will make you a bigger person regardless of the outcome. Just remember that your top priority is not crossing the finish line but being a compassionate rider, a rider who recognizes when his horse has had enough for that day. You will find that if your horse is up to the challenge, you will find the inner strength to hang on and go with him. Don't doubt it for a minute. You can't soar if you don't try.

Dick Dawson: My wife and I have been in and out of endurance since 1971. Went over to the Tevis '69-'70 and helped crew Bill Thornburgh. Went home and pulled the old grey mare out and rode her five miles and thought we were both going to die. She did go on to finish Tevis in '72, '73 and '74. Both of our sons, wife and myself have been able to finish Tevis a few times. If you have a sound horse that can do a 50 and are in good shape at the end just go on and ride the other 50. Just slow down and don't try and top ten every ride you are entered in and take care of your horse . . . If you don't do anything else with the rest of your life at least try the Tevis one time. At first it was the most difficult thing I have ever done. . . . But that trail is so beautiful that once you have tried it, you just can't stop.

Nick Warhol: Maybe I'm just strange, but the reason I love doing 100 mile rides is they let me ride longer. That's what I love about this sport, being able to go out and ride a horse for a long, long way. What Julie said about 100s being a mental game is right on. If you have a positive attitude, and you are physically comfortable in the saddle, and if you have a good, reliable horse, you can do a 100 mile ride. I started to get all psyched out about trying my first 100, which was the Tevis. I decided my theme was that "I knew that my horse could do it, I knew that I could do it, I just needed a little luck." It really surprised me that it was as easy as it seemed. I highly recommend trying one. They really are the best rides. And if you get pulled, don't worry -- it happens to the best of them. There will always be another ride another day.

Tom Sites: There can never be a better view of endurance than after the completion of 100 miles. Yes, it hurts and you can't walk right for days and you wonder why when you are doing it you want to go on. But you do and you go on and that's why it's called endurance. It hurts but it feels good.

Angie McGhee: What kept me from doing 100s for so long wasn't fear for myself. I just couldn't imagine asking my horse to do that. I just knew that he'd hate me. I used to want to try a 100 using two different horses just to see if I could finish without making one horse do 100 miles. When I finally tried it I was shocked. My horse never looked surprised to be going back out, and he never hesitated, even though his first 100 had every check in camp and he was standing tied to his picket line unsaddled for 30 minutes at the 90-mile mark. When I started getting on, he headed for the out gate before I was in that saddle. I've tried to talk more people into 100s. And in response to a novice's comment, "As a newbie, 100-milers are like gods to me, kind of like an airline pilot; you want to think they're invincible, that they have something very extra special." Good grief, have you ever met some of us? Come up and introduce yourself. I can almost guarantee you'll go away thinking "if she can do it I know I can!"

Cindy Budler (South Africa): The reason I love 100 milers is the speed. I have accepted that my goal in endurance is completion -- I just cannot push any horse I ride to complete a 50 miler in the speeds required to win, especially out here where winning speeds are all in excess of 25 kilometers per hour. I just am too chicken, too conservative and too damn scared of what those speeds might do to my horse!

So, where can I be competitive? In 100 milers!! Have myself and my horse fitter than most others, really work harder and understand more about metabolics, nutrition, and the management and pacing of my horse and put it to the ultimate test.

Hundred milers are more difficult -- this is where all the management really shows, but luck is as ever always a big factor. I have only done a few 100 milers on my previous horse, but nothing has ever and will ever eclipse that feeling of completing 100 miles on a horse that is sound and happy and still spooking at the finish line!! And a bonus is that really back-of-pack "slow" speed that gets you nowhere in a 50 miler can, with a bit of luck and tactics, put you in top 10 for a 100 miler!

Truman Prevatt: There is something about the 100 mile ride that is good for the soul. It can't be duplicated by any number of 50s. It's unique and it can only be found on an out-of-control horse at 95 miles.

Rusty Toth: The feeling is truly beyond this world, to be on your horse as the sun rises and to be on your horse when the sun sets and to be on your horse when the moon is high and camp has fallen asleep . . . what could be better? I always think "they're asleep but I am still riding, yahoo!!" The feeling of being with your best friend and trusting each other to find the trail and ride-ride-ride for that many hours and challenges. They are not as hard as most think and you would not be disappointed.

Had enough? I could go on forever; actually I could go on for a hundred miles. . . . Give it some thought, have a heart-to-heart with your horse. The one-day 100 is an amazing event. There is nothing else like it.