Cara Barnes haven't posted any updates yet.
<p>In September, 2010 I dashed off an entry for the Mongol Derby, never thinking I'd get a response. Imagine my shock when Katy called just a day later and soon offered me a spot in the 2011 Mongol Derby. Yikes! </p><p>I quickly began burning up the wires on Google, searching for endurance riding training centers, local barns, and any way at all to get access to horses nearby. You see, I hadn't ridden with any regularity in 20 years. Now, I was signed up for a 1000km race across Mongolia, the longest horse race in the world. It was fairly ludicrous.</p><p>The pieces began to fall into place and I got into a training rhythm. Michelle Thibault at Roaring Fork Hunter Jumpers set about getting my legs in shape with lots of arena work during the snowy Aspen winter. Christoph and Dian at Global Endurance Training Center in Moab, Utah were very encouraging, despite my inability to ride more than 15 miles at a time. Within four months they had me racing in my first series of 50 mile races. When I wasn't riding, I was cross-country skiing, road biking and hitting the gym. </p><p>i am grateful to have the most supportive husband and family ever. Ever. Robert has tagged along on more Moab training trips than I can count, and has not objected to the piles of tack and dirty boots that have overtaken our mudroom. </p><p> </p>