Man Wins Belt Buckle in Endurance Race

[conlor]

A Seattle man won a 515-mile horse race from New Mexico to Missouri and all he won was an engraved belt buckle.

But that was enough for Scott Griffin, 47, who spent between seven and 12 hours a day in the saddle to capture the inaugural 2007 Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race, run between Sept. 3-15. The Seattle Times reported Sunday. Only eight of the 60 riders who started made it to the finish line.

"I like opportunities where you have to dig deep and see what you're made of," said Griffin, who paid $3,000 plus costs for the privilege of competing in a race with no cash prize.

Rob Phillips of Lawrence, Kan., organized the race to spur tourism and stoke his interest in the old West. He tailored it after an 1848 competition won by 26-year-old Francis X. Aubry, who traveled 800 miles across the Santa Fe Trail, winning the then-princely sum of $1,000. Aubry strapped himself to his saddle to avoid falling from his horse if he fell asleep.

Griffin said he rode standing most of the time.

"I was sore as hell for the first three or four days," he said.

Man wins belt buckle in endurance race - A Seattle man won a 515-mile horse race from New Mexico to M...

Seattle man wins horse endurance race | More Washington News | NWCN.com | Northwest News and Weather