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6 Comments

  1. Cindy K Roberts
    October 21, 2019 @ 7:34 am

    Absolutely delightful and thank you for sharing.

    Reply

  2. Trina Backes
    December 21, 2020 @ 2:48 pm

    My father was in this race. My mother my sister and I were his pit crew. I was 15 y/o that summer. My father finished 32nd. Norman Monarch from Bakersfield, California. Great experience for sure.

    Reply

    • Jeff Harvey
      July 2, 2021 @ 1:23 pm

      I hadn’t heard of this, but no doubt it’s true. The moment I read the mules had entered I knew it was over for the horses.

      Reply

    • Pierce Norton
      September 23, 2021 @ 10:51 pm

      Hello Trina,

      I crewed for my Dad on this race as a 16 year old. I certainly remember Norm and I’m sure that was a great family experience for you. It sure was a highlight for me.

      Pierce Norton

      Reply

  3. Gwen
    May 17, 2023 @ 3:19 pm

    Hey Pierce, my ranch was nearby your dads, i used to ride over often to visit. I got to ride Leroy, wow was he big. He told me all about this race and how proud he was of you. Virl was such a very kind person I will always remember him. I will also always remember him trying to train Zebras to pull a wagon haha! how many wagons did he go through? :)
    I hope you are doing well.

    Reply

  4. Scott Vilander
    May 19, 2023 @ 1:16 pm

    My sister Karen Vilander also completed the GAHR on her Appaloosa mare Rainbow. I crewed for Karen. She was 20 and I was 19 and we were a team. Great memories. I remember Virl, Pierce and Norm Monarch. Many others. Karen still raises horses, trains and competes in Endurance Races in 2023. 47 years later. She’s in Etna Ca.. I’m in Santa Barbara Ca.

    Leeroy Memory. I once drove to San Jose on a business trip. and stopped in Morgan Hill area to pay a visit to Leeroy. (Lord Fauntleroy). This was many years after the race and he was living the good life in retirement. I sat on the fence and called him. I didn’t see his caretaker around or I would have asked permssion. So he ambled over and I patted his head and rubbed his amazing ears. He liked that. Offered him some carots and sugar cubes. He liked that too. Leeory was a great competitior with a big heart. He is missed.

    Reply

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