Trail Tract #5 - Miss Fit by Elwin Wines

Endurance Riding is the name of the game and Miss Fit was at the top of it. She was a 850 lb 7 year old 1/2 Arab 1/2 Standardbred mare who significantly raised the bar in this Olympic level sport of long distance racing. After her record shattering year, 1975, Arabian Horse News magazine printed a two page article about Miss Fit's credits: National high point endurance record of 1852 points; Most consecutive race wins (12); Most consecutive wins in one season (9); Most Best Conditions in one season (5); Fastest total elapsed time for 100 miles (11 hrs. 15 min) {making her the 1st horse in Endurance Riding history to run a measured 100 miles in under 12 hours} minus 3 hrs of vet check time = a new record Ride Time of 8 hrs. 15 min., a record which still stands under the rules which applied that day.

These accomplishments qualified her to be crowned as the American Endurance Ride Conference National Champion Endurance Horse. In his book, "Endurance Riding, from Beginning to Winning," Lew Hollander writes, "...of all the horses I have had a chance to race against, Miss Fit is the BEST endurance horse to ever go down the trail."

Miss Fit was one tough horse and had a heart as big as all outdoors. You've heard the statement, "When the going gets tough the tough get going." That was Miss Fit. She never quit. The only two times she failed to win was due to my mistake, such as taking a wrong turn on a poorly marked trail.

Many factors contribute to develop an endurance horse: genetics, nutrition, conditioning, etc., but perhaps the most important factor is "life style." Miss Fit never knew a barn, a blanket, fly spray, or fine pasture. She grew up fighting the elements, scrambling mountain sides for feed, alert for predators. Thus when things got tough at race time she never thought of relief or pampering, but only that life is tough and this is life.

The Christian life is tough also: one of trials, testings, temptations, and even persecution (Mt. 5:3-12; 2 Cor. 11:23-30; 2 Tim. 2:3), and it is only as we endure that we become strong. Furthermore, an endurance ride is not complete until it is complete--the finish line. To be the front runner at the half way point is not a win. Jesus says, "He that endures to the end shall be saved (Mt. 24:13)." That means no "quit!!" A Bible writer testifies, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to all those who love his (Jesus) appearing (2 Tim 4:7-8)."

Friend, what is your endurance record when life gets tough? I encourage you to speak this prayer: "Dear God, forgive me. The trail you want me to take is clearly marked in the Bible but I keep coming up lame or taking wrong turns and trying to find short-cuts. I know the trail is long and hard but I've been a quitter. I'm right now taking a fresh start and a long look down the trail before me, asking you to mount up and ride me through to the end. I'll not quit on you, Lord. LET'S RIDE!! Amen."

If this is your prayer, contact us at C.T.R.F. so we can rejoice with you. Praise the Lord!!