Distance horseback riding group taps local
Durango resident Rusty Toth was installed as a Mountain Region director of the American Endurance Ride Conference, a group dedicated to long-distance horseback riding.
Founded in 1972, the nonprofit organization sanctions competitions ranging from 25 to 100 miles in one day.
Toth has been an active participant in endurance riding for 15 years and has nearly 6,000 miles of competitions with distances of 50 miles or longer.
Toth and his horse Take A Break, an Arabian gelding, won the 2013 running of the premier endurance ride in the country, the Western States Endurance Ride, also called the Tevis Cup, which traverses 100 miles of the Sierra Nevadas. He and FV Aul Mystery, another Arabian gelding, also took the lightweight championship at last summer’s Vettec AERC National Championship ride in Idaho’s City of Rocks.
The sport, with roots in 100-mile competitions, now encompasses rides of 25, 50 and 100 miles, plus “pioneer rides” of at least three days and 155 miles.
For more information, call (866) 271-2372, email aerc@foothill.net or visit www.aerc.org.
Sportsmen’s roundtable to meet Monday
All hunters and anglers concerned about wildlife and related issues are invited to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Southwest Region “Sportsmen’s Roundtable” meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Monte Vista Co-Op, east of Monte Vista on the north side of U.S. Highway 160.
Wildlife managers will do a presentation about an ongoing elk research project in the South San Juan Mountains, and roundtable members will talk about the work of the statewide roundtable committee, the issues it is discussing and future plans. Parks and Wildlife staff also will talk about current issues and projects and take questions from the public.
People unable to attend but interested in more information should email Joe Lewandowski at joe.lewandowski@state.co.us or call 375-6708.
For more information, visit http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Roundtable.aspx.
Nature Studies announces events
Durango Nature Studies will host these events:
A full-moon hike under the Pink Moon will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Overend Mountain Park. The hike is free for members and $10 for nonmembers.
Docent training will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. April 19. Trained docents will spend one or two Saturdays of their choice between May and October greeting people at the Nature Center Welcome Building in Bondad.
Earth Day 5K and Family Fun Run celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26 at For the Birds near Rotary Park. The cost is $15 in advance, $20 race day and $10 per family for the 1-mile fun run. There will be music, beer and pizza from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Race registration is available at Brown’s Sport Shoes, Backcountry Experience or online at www.durangonaturestudies.org/earthday.htm.
New Moon Astro-Tour will take place at 8:30 p.m. April 26 at the Nature Center. The tour is free for members and $10 for nonmembers.
A bird walk at For the Birds will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday.
To register for these events, email sally@durangonaturestudies.org or call 769-1800.
Seniors Outdoors announces events
Seniors Outdoors will host these events:
A moderate hike is planned Sunday along Raider Ridge starting in Horse Gulch, continuing past Skyline Trail to Ute Pass and then down to Sky Ridge. A shuttle is planned. Dogs are not allowed. To RSVP, call Dorothy Bregar at 385-1814 or email dorothy.bregar@yahoo.com.
The Monday Durango-area bike ride will start from Home Depot. For more information, call Jim Newman at 884-7717 or email Newmanji10@aol.com.
An Aztec Arches Scramble in the canyons of northern New Mexico will take place Monday. High-clearance vehicles are required. The steep access points are not passable for dogs. To RSVP, call Bob Thompson at 382-9271.
The Wednesday Wanderers will hike the Fort Lewis Loop Trail beginning at the trailhead at East Eighth Avenue and Eighth Street. Dogs on leash will be allowed. Only nonmembers should RSVP to Tricia Bayless at 799-4535.
The Thursday bike ride will start from Santa Rita Park. Helmets and gloves are required. For more information, call Jim Newman at 884-7717 or email Newmanji10@aol.com.
For more information, visit www.seniorsoutdoors.org.
Spirit Runners run/walk to be held April 19
The Spirit Runners 5K/1-mile Fund Run/Walk, a benefit for Title VII Native American Education, will be held April 19 at Durango High School.
The event will take place in Rank Park and the Animas River Trail behind the high school.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the 5K starting at 9 and the 1-mile run/walk starting at 9:15.
Goodie bags will go to the first 50 runners, and the first 30 5K registrants will receive a T-shirt. Medals will be awarded to winners.
Entry fee is $20 for adults, $15 for elders and teens, $5 for children younger than 12 and $35 for a family of four.
For more information, contact Lucinda Long-Webb at llong-webb@durango.k12.co.us or 946-1751, or Teri Nuhn at tnuhn@durnago.k12.co.us or 946-1197.
Bike swap set for May 3; volunteers needed
The Durango Devo Bike Swap will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 3 at the Chapman Pavilion.
All bike-related gear is welcome. Gear drop-off will be from 3 to 8 p.m. May 2. Pickup of unsold items will be from 9 a.m. to noon May 4.
Twenty percent of the proceeds will benefit Devo, a cycling organization with programs for more than 300 kids, 40 coaches and 20 groups.
Devo also is seeking volunteers for a variety of jobs on the three days. Those who want to help out can register online through VolunteerSpot:
Visit the invitation page at http://vols.pt/w2b9JX.
Enter your email address. You will not have to register an account.
Choose your spots. VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders.
VolunteerSpot does not share your email address. If you prefer not to use your email address, email Devo Director Amy Haggert at amy@durangodevo.com, and she can sign you up manually.
Herald Staff
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