Ninth Year For The City Slicker Endurance Ride The City Slickers Endurance Ride was held again on March 20 , 2004 at Shelby Farms for the 9th year and drew riders from Maine, Florida, Kentucky, California, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia and Missouri. Many local riders also competed and they have continued to come back year after year. Rudy Watkins, Event Chairman said that, "The City Slickers Endurance Ride has brought fame to Memphis in the endurance community, one of the fastest growing equestrian sports in the world, because it is the only urban Endurance Ride in the World. Over 100 riders started the 25 and 50 mile ride that loops through Shelby Farms. The winning horse for the 25 mile ride completed the course in approximately 2 hour 36 minutes while the 50 mile horse finished in 4 hours 39 minutes. Some people, however, took a more leisurely trip and finish in 6 hours just to win aT-shirt that says they completed the ride. The horses were entered on Friday and are checked by a team of Veterinarians to make sure they are fit for the ride. Riders were given instructions about the course at a riders meeting that evening at the Show Place Arena's new meeting room provided by the Shelby Farms Equestrian Alliance. During the event horses are checked every 12 to 13 miles to insure that they are not stressed. Should a Veterinarian decide the horse is unable to continue it must retire and be transported back to the stables at the Show Place Arena. The award everyone sees as the top award is the best conditioned horse. The top 10 finishers in the 25 and 50 mile race were checked by the veterinarian at the end of the race. This years 50 mile best conditioned horse was Doug Sandlin from Franklin, Tennessee. ON OMARS APATCHEE and the 25 miler best conditioned horse was ridden by Becky Ridley on TOOT from Ringgold, Georgia. The City Slicker Endurance ride supports the work of the Shelby Farms Equestrian Alliance that since 1995 has worked to develop equestrian activities and facilities at Shelby Farms including shared use trails. The top ten finishers of the 50 mile ride includes: 1. Doug Sandlin on OMARS APATCHEE, 4:39; 2. Ed Kidd on MERLIN, 4:52; 3. Rick Melldan on OCCUR, 4:58:01; 4. Joni Buttram on FANTASTIQ LOVE, 4:58:02; 5. Patricia Bullock on FLAMINGO FIERO, 4:48:03; 6. Eva De Paulis on RIO DACIOUS, 4:58:04; 7. Alice Goff on MAMMIT, 4:58:05; 8. Jody Rogers-Buttram on JETS IRISH ROSE, 4:58:05; 9. Wesley Cochran on MICIAH, 5:19; 10. Rueter Nelia on BLACK SATIN BG, 5:19. Best conditioned award went to Doug Sandlin and OMARS APATCHEE. The top ten finishers of the 25 mile ride includes: 1. Lucinda Masterton on WHITE CHOCOLATE 2:36; 2. Trey McCrary on TRILILLIE 2:47; 3. Ann Liddell on RJ BASKANOVA 2:48; 4. Becky Ridley on TOOT 2:50; 5. Jenni Rich on BLACKS MISTAKE 2:53; 6. Brenda Read on TACKY 2:55; 7. Carl McCrary on STRZA 2:56; 8. Becky Cherry on DARRINGER 2:58; 9. Lucy Baessler on TA LESTAT 2:58; 10. Bill Huetteman on ATHENA 3:01. Best conditioned award went to Becky Ridley and TOOT.