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Leaving for Wagon Mound
The crew, riders, volunteers, and veterinarians are en route to Wagon Mound, NM. Wagon Mound is the most prominent natural landmark on the complete Santa Fe Trail. For those of you wanting to find the Wagon Mound ride camp/race village, it is just off of State Hwy 120, immediately east of the village of Wagon Mound. The camp is very popular because there was always plenty of water, as there is still today. Wagon Mound is appoximately 100 miles north of Santa Fe off of I-25.
Directions and 19 Days To Go!!
 (At the base of Wagon Mound, looking up!)  (Looking over to Wagon Mound from a gas station.) I just got off the phone with Helen Lynn of Frewsburg, New York. I was able to go over a number of details about the ride and how to get to the start at base camp. Should anyone have any questions please call me 785/218-3265 or email me at sfthorserace@aol.com. The camp at Wagon Mound is on the south side of Hwy 120. There is only one exit off of I-25 into Wagon Mound. You will exit onto Hwy 120, travel east through Wagon Mound about 6-8 blocks, look on the right (south) and you can't miss the camp. People will start to arrive on the 26th. Safe travels to everyone!!
Clayton, New Mexico Ride Camp
The ride camp at the end of Day 3 is at the Clayton Fairgrounds. This is an excellent facility. It has plenty of water for both humans and horses, plenty of space to park, and some stalls and pens to use. The stalls and pens must be cleaned here, as well as at all the facilities we stop at. Clayton is the first stop where major services exsist. Feed stores, fuel services, grocery store, restaurants, laundry mat, etc. On September 3, 2008 we have a day off. During the day off we will move approximately 45 miles to Boise Cuty, Oklahoma for the start of Day 4.
Day 3 - Pasamonte Ranch to Clayton, New Mexico
 Day 3 ride is a 50 mile ride from the Pasamonte Ranch to Clayton, New Mexico. This ride is through more ranch country, but the first 5 miles is alongside Highway 56. Most of the remainder of the ride is beside rural county roads. Above is a picture of such a trail. Note the cow path on the road edge-this provides excellent footing.
Pasamonte Ranch Ride Camp
This ride camp is located on the prairie of the Pasamonte Ranch, alongside Highway 56. It will be in an enclosed large pasture. There are no facilities. Water will be transported into camp by the ride management staff. Driving distance via paved road is approximately 48 miles from the Roy Fairgrounds.
Day 2 Trail - Roy, NM to the Pasamonte Ranch
 Photo of June Mahoney and Nicole Wasylyshyn. This was taken on the Day 2 Trail, while inspecting vet check locations and trail conditions  Ute River Canyon, riders will ride through this canyon on Day 2.  Antelope on Day 2 Trail. Day 2 ride is from Roy, NM to the Pasamonte Ranch. Again, the trail is on some what level praire land, but also going through the Ute River Canyon. Antelope are seen quite frequnetly while we were checking the trail.
Day 1 Trail - Wagon Mound, NM to Roy, NM
 Canadian River Canyon On the first day, riders will take a trail through the Canadian River Canyon, pictured above. This is typical northeast New Mexico terrain. This will be a fifty mile ride. It is our plan to once again put water out every 5 miles, although the canyon will most likely pose a challenge.
Roy, New Mexico
 Local grocery store in Roy, New Mexico  Annette's Cafe in Roy, New Mexico At the end of Day 1, riders will be at the fairgrounds in Roy, New Mexico. The travel distance by vehicle is approximately 38 miles. The fairgrounds has plenty of water for humans and horses, restroom facilities, plenty of space to park, but unfortunately no showers. The community has a small restaurant and a full service grocery. There is one fuel station with limited service, a person must have a credit card to operate the pumps. Once the riders get to Clayton, NM, approximately 100 miles from Roy, there are plenty of fuel stations.
Wagon Mound, New Mexico Ride Camp
 Photo of "Leroy's" Grocery Store in Wagon Mound The village of Wagon Mound comes alive each Labor Day Weekend with their annual Bean Day Festival. The festival includes a parade, 3-day rodeo, lots of bean related food, and other great activities. This year the Village will also be the staging area for the 2008 Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurance Ride. The ride camp for the race will be located on the north base of the famous Wagon Mound Hill. Staff and representatives will arrive 4 or 5 days prior to the race start.  Photo of the Village with Wagon Mound in the background.  Photo of the Village taken from the Wagon Mound.  Photo of the ride camp area taken from Wagon Mound. Riders and RVer's should notify the ride staff as to the expected day of arrival. There will be water available at the camp for both people and horses. Sanitation dumping will be made available by the Village. The village of Wagon Mound has limited ervices; one small grocery store, two gas stations with diesel fuel, which one is a travel center.
100 Days Before The Big Ride
We are down to 100 days before the big ride. I am sure that riders are spending lots of hours in the saddle now-a-days. Horses and humans are out and about conditioning. Last year after the completion of the ride, Laura Hayes wrote a brief story of her experience on the 2007 Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurnce Ride. It can be seen on her page under the "Riders"page.
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