Hello folks, my name is Haily Daeumler. I am 9 years old and in the fourth grade. I live in Fremont but I stay at my greatgrandma's and greatgrandpa's--Gloria and Hugh Vanderford--during the summer. They taught me how to ride.

During my life I've ridden three horses. They are Casey (the LeMonds' horse), Salinas Royal (Grandpa Hugh's) and Sasha (Alosha). I am riding Sasha now. I call him my dad, because he takes care of me on the trail and in the pasture. I love him very much and would ride him everyday, if I didn't have to go to school. I have ridden Sasha in seven rides and I have 350 miles now. My goal this year is to get 500 miles. My next ride is the Fall Quicksilver.

My favorite thing to do on a ride is to go camping, because I love nature and animals too. I love being around all the horses and horse people. When I grow up I want to be a vet so I can take care of my horses and other animals. I would like you to know more about my horse Sasha. My greatgrandma Gloria will tell his story because I have only known him about a year and a half.

From Gloria: "Sasha was born in the spring of 1980 which makes him 23 years old. He had an impressive endurance record placing top 10 and winning some rides until he was about 12 years old. I rode him most of the time during this period but he was also ridden by Haily's mom, Amy--our granddaughter--on the Virginia City 100.

"A pasture accident caused by either a kick or running into a tree gave Sasha an injury known as a Sweeney shoulder. Our vet said he was in no pain but he might not be rideable even for pleasure. About six months later, Hugh and I both thought he looked so sad and not very healthy, we decided to call Dr. Loren DeRock, an acupuncturist and chiropractor for horses. She treated him and said get on him and ride him in the hillsÑride uphill and get off and walk downhill. With tears in my heart and eyes I took this gallant little bay to the toughest hills we could find and rode him while he shook and trembled up the hills. The sad look in eyes went away and he said 'I can do this.' Muscles redistributed, he was a little lopsided, but away he went.

"He won first overall on a five-day ride (with me riding him) and won three more 50s and two BCs. I used him as a back up horse for awhile because he only knew one way to go, all out.

"We decided he needed to be used all the time so he was offered, free lease, to any of Maryben Stover's juniors. We felt he shouldn't do endurance because of his 'go-go' attitude. He was kept at Lightfoot Stable for about six years. He was looked after by Maryben, Judith Ogus, Becky Hart and Heather Reynolds so we knew he was getting good care.

"Last year Heather said, 'Think you better pick him up, no one is riding him.' We were so happy because Haily needed a horse for endurance. He's so healthy and agile, better trained than when I rode him. With Haily on Sasha, and me following on Sunny at a good jog trot, those 11-hour 50s just fly by. We don't know about Sasha doing endurance with Haily next year but this year has been wonderful. What a treat it is to ride with my two favorite buddies."