Challenge Ranch is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to providing recreation with support, encouragement, and inspiration to underprivileged children in San Diego County in Southern California (tax ID #86-1113014). For more information visit our website at www.challengeranch.com or phone 619-445-0598.

The care and preparation of the horses teaches responsibility, organization skills, teamwork and gives the children one-on-one time to spend with their horse. Even children new to the Challenge Ranch Program realize that at times the horse may have all the same feelings they do -- hungry, hot, tired, scared -- and, in turn, the children have more empathy for other people's feelings. The young people at Challenge Ranch always look forward to the Manzanita and Warner Springs endurance rides, managed by Terry Woolley Howe, which are held here in our county.

Thank you, Terry, and all the ride volunteers for making us all feel so welcome at these events. Thank you to the smiling riders who offer encouraging words to our young riders. This is so much more than just an endurance ride for the Challenge Ranch participants.

Jane Tomczak (AERC #M33994), president of Challenge Ranch

Meet Challenge Ranch junior riders

Hey, my name is Linnea. I wasn't able to take riding lessons until I was 13 or 14 and it took me a while to improve to the point where I was even capable of going on an endurance ride. The first endurance ride I completed was early in October 2005 at Manzanita, at the ripe old age of 17. Sadly I was unable to qualify as a junior rider, but I was so new to the sport (and still am) that I definitely considered myself one (and still do).

Honestly, when I first started that 25-mile ride I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and by the time we reached the vet check I was the one the vet really should have been looking at. I'm so glad that I was riding Jetstream -- he was the perfect partner and took care of me 100% of the way. I was terrified to the point of throwing up the night before because I wasn't sure how Jetty would behave, but once we were out there he knew exactly what to do. Jetty and I also had our endurance buddies, Patrick and a Quarter Horse named Shady Lady. We kept a fairly slow pace (that was my fault . . . ) but still managed to get in under the required time.

When the ride was over Jetstream was eager to do another 25 and even got fifth for best condition. I, on the other hand, wanted to soak in a bubble bath for hours. By the end I had even more respect for the younger riders than I did before. I just want to let the younger riders at Challenge Ranch know how much I respect them for the time, care, and effort they put into preparing for these rides. Most are under 14 and work so hard to keep themselves and their horses in peak physical condition and are an inspiration for me to try just as hard. Great job guys!

Hi, my name is Geneva, and I am 12 years old. I have been riding at Challenge Ranch for about five years. I have completed seven rides. My first was a 15-mile fun ride with Rockafella, an older grey Arab cross, who looked after me. The other six rides were all LD 25-mile rides with Kokomo, a beautiful chestnut Arab gelding with a pink-pig nose. Most exciting, this January I will be riding my first 50-mile ride. I think this is an awesome way to bond with your horse. I love endurance!

My name is Courtney. I am 13 and I love endurance! My first ride was at Warner Springs, California. I rode Shooter, a black Tennessee Walker.

I was so nervous. I didn't know what to expect! There was rocky, meadowy, and grassy terrain in the ride. And everything was just so beautiful, like the views. As we were going across a windy plain I looked out and around us to see grass, grass, a tree and a cow -- that was it! There was no one here who was going to judge you on how you look or ride.

The people pass by you all smiles, as if they didn't have a problem in the world. That's when it hit me (no, not the branch -- that came later) that this is what I want to do! My next ride will be in Manzanita, California. It will be my fourth ride and I can't wait!