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OUTLAW TRAIL - MEMORIALS |
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PRITZLAFF TRUST ESCALANTE, UTAH GETTING THERE PRODUCTS TRAILS
RIDE OT COUNTRY OUTLAW TRAIL - HISTORICAL RIDE |
The Outlaw Trail Historical Ride was
established in 1978. The ride based out of Desert Downs, the Escalante
town race track, was the first ever AERC sanctioned two day ride and first
Utah 100 mile event. On these historic trails pioneers, outlaws and lawmen
treasured the beauty and mystery of the Canyonlands just as endurance
riders still do today. In a special tribute to those Outlaw friends who
have left us to ride the trail in spirit we dedicated our ride each year on
the O.T. Kid Curry 55.
We pay tribute to our "Ghost Riders"...Bill Stuckey,
Jackie Jewkes, Arlene
Gilbert, Doris Anderson,
Ron Bracken,
Ben Harrison, Andy
Bender, Louise "Turtle" Clark,
Herm Pollock, Andy
Ballard,
Bill Tanner and John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr., K.
St.J John & Mary Dell Pritzlaff
John Charles Pritzlaff, Jr., K. St.J May 10, 1925 - May 2, 2005
John was instrumental in our connection with his
uncle, our friend Richard Pritzlaff. John quickly became our trusted
friend. John and his lovely wife of 54 years, Mary Dell, invited us to
share many fond visits at Rancho San Ignacio. We were honored to be a
part of the special memorial services upon Richard's passing.
Our friendship grew through the common bond of
interest in Richard's breeding program, conserving not only this select
breed but also of the future of Rancho San Ignacio (RSI). John trusted
Crockett to design a restoration plan for the vast acres of the Ranch,
which is currently being implemented under the direction of Manual
Jaureque, ranch foreman. As executor of Richard's estate, he was the
driving force to preserve the natural and cultural resources of Ranch
San Ignacio.
Foremost in John's life were his love of God,
family and country. John was known always for his fair, thoughtful and
civil dialogue. He was an avid conservationist, gardener, brother,
uncle, mentor and beloved friend.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin John early life
accomplishments led him to a graduate of Princeton University, enlisting
in the United States Army Intelligence Corps and a return to Milwaukee
to join a four-generation family wholesale hardware business, the John
C. Pritzlaff Hardware Company, as vice president of priorities and
general manager.
Among his other actives in Wisconsin, he
enjoyed dedicated and rewarding political adventures: Treasurer of the
Republican Party, four terms as Arizona House of Representatives and
became the first Republican to chair the Appropriation Committee. He
was appointed in 1969 as ambassador to Malta, G.C. until 1972. He
served as special representative for European Commercial and Economic
Affairs and upon return to Phoenix he was appointed to fill the state
senate seat vacated by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. He was in the State
Senate for eight years serving as Minority Whip, Chairman of the Senate
Appropriation Committee, and Chairman of the Joint Legislative Budget
Committee. In 1986, John was knighted in the order of St. John at Grace
Cathedral, San Francisco, in recognition of his years of public service
and philanthropy.
John, a man of great stature, integrity, honesty,
and respectful of all he made contact with, remains a special mentor to
us. I miss our hand written letter exchange over the years. Our
communication kept Richard, his preservation of the Egyptian Horse and
RSI "alive"! I know his love for Mary Dell was of great passion and
respect, a treasure one can only hope to share in a marriage.
Thank you John for sharing part of your grand
presence with us!
September 25. 1919 - January 11, 2004
Bill arrived in Teasdale on his birthday September 25, 1989 to ride the
Outlaw Trail. His old pickup truck and camper towing his old two
horse trailer and his awesome grey Arab Sweet Pea. Bill, with his
loving smile and tattered cowboy hat in his hand said, "where can a guy
sign up for this here ride"! At that time I questioned if he meant
the Outlaw Trail, or just around camp! If I worried about how he
could ride, I really worried about him staying alive since he took off
day one with a couple of front runners who were known not only as wild
and crazy riders but also the most likely to get lost! When
everyone but Bill and those first to be lost did not show at the vet
check everyone was concerned about Bill. Eventually as the sky
turned black, Bill and Sweet Pea (leading the "front runners") crossed
the finish line with that same smile and as we all gave him hugs he
said, "what a great ride... and I am sure glad to see you"! Bill
joined the Outlaw Family that very instant and remains now as then deep
in our heart and soul!
From that first OT Bill arrived in Teasdale every Outlaw Year until
2003. He rode all five days and became one of the Invincible 10 in
1989, 3 days of OT 1991, and 2 days of 1992. Sweet Pea was there
for those years and if Bill did not ride then he would allow another
rider to take Sweet Pea on the trails for him. In 1991 Sweet Pea
completed all five OT days. Sweet Pea completed 5 more OT days in
1993 and 2 in 1994.
Riders admired the duo and several tried to buy Sweet Pea as everyone
knew what a fantastic endurance horse Sweet Pea was. Sadly, Sweet
Pea did go to another home and succumbed to colic in 1995. It is a
picture to treasure now, seeing Bill and Sweet Pea all saddled up and
gazing out over the heavens!
Bill's family wrote in his memory: "Bill enjoyed hunting, camping,
fishing and exploring the great outdoors on horseback. One of this
happiest memories was completing the 260 mile Outlaw Trail Endurance
Ride in southern Utah. He was in his 70's. He is survived by
his two sons, Jerry & Terry and daughter Sandra, grandchildren, great
grandchildren, two sisters and a brother and dad's horse Cactus and dog
Sam". Just as he treated his family, Bill loved and treated his horses
and pets as special people & friends.
Bill served in the US Army during WWII and one of his veteran friends
and fellow Outlaw was Obie Shakespear. Obie allowed us use of
his corrals, pasture and water for the OT vet check in Tropic.
Two old army pals met face to face for the first time since the war on
the Outlaw Trail!
Sandra, Bill and Sam arrived in camp to visit those years when he was not riding. We knew Bill was in camp as he always left us a big box of his fresh garden tomatoes, bedded carefully in freshly picked tall orchard grass. We grabbed the salt shaker, a tomato to feast upon and searched the camp for Bill who was usually checking out the competition!
Bill had heart surgery and some other health challenges but nothing
could keep him from riding his horses and getting up every day. He
was a gentle, loving horseman that one knew would live forever.
Bill and Sweet Pea, keep us Outlaws young in your spirit and as gentle
and loving to our horses as we ride for you on the trails. Butch &
Etta
October 1, 1921 - June 4, 2002 “Like a turtle, the slower we grasp knowledge the longer it will remain in our hearts and mind” The Outlaw Trail dedicated the 2001 event to Turtle’s health and the 2002 Ride in celebration of her life! Turtle shared our trails, our joys and our challenges. We will always be thinking of her! Turtle was born Louise Stone in Waltham, Massachusetts. She married Lincoln D. Clark in 1949 and had other interests before she became a famous “Outlaw” and endeared endurance rider & friend to all riders! She attended Concord Academy, Smith College, and was part of the first class of 12 women who graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1949. She became Board eligible in Internal Medicine but chose to practice psychiatry. At her retirement in 2000 and 28 years of practice with Valley Mental Health (SLC, UT) she was honored for her high quality, consistent patient care that made a difference not only in the lives of her patients but also to those who worked with her. Turtle owned horses all her life and rode as well as taught children at Camp Wabasso in New Hampshire. She won many jumping and horsemanship awards long before she competed in endurance rides at 70+ years young! Turtle loved to snow ski, camp and of course travel with her family. She spent many years with friends and family at the Quarter Circle XX ranch in Williams, Arizona. It was there that she rediscovered endurance riding. Turtle’s lifetime passion for her love of horses was shared with her daughter Linda of whom she shared and offered total support in many 50, 100 & multi-day rides. Turtle’s kind and constant concern for the welfare of others made her a person everyone wanted to be around. Everyone she met was drawn to her engaging personality and loving smile. Somehow Turtle managed to crew, take P & R’s, time or do “whatever” for ride management and still be there for Linda at each and every vet check. For those of us who shared those “patient miles” between vet checks with Turtle we will truly miss the wonderful funny, fun and wise lady who always listened… listened to our current problem, our latest joke, the new scuttle-butt, a horse issue, and anything else we needed vent. Turtle was there, with that smile and a volume of wise, wonderful, positive input… sometimes it only was a few words… but always the right ones. “Turtle”… what’s in a name? The turtle is an important figure in Indian Cultures as one who invokes health, healing and well being. Turtles have a central nervous system and a well-developed brain. They have keen senses that they use to interpret their world. They have sharp vision and can recognize patterns and colors and their eyes are adapted for seeing underwater. They have a good sense of smell and sensitive to the touch. Turtles’ ability to hear sounds that travel through the air is limited to low frequencies, but they can perceive vibrations transmitted through the ground or water. Their shell although heavy provides protection and shelter from those elements of harm. One would read and think, yes, this is how Turtle earned her nickname… Her wisdom, patience and ability to not only see people as they wanted to be seen, but know the person they truly were. Turtle’s integrity and compassion only complimented her gracious manner. (However truth be known, Turtle’s nickname came from some kidding for her ability to play tennis!) Turtle was not adverse to taking risks. “Like every time the persistent turtle takes a step, it sticks it neck out”, Turtle was willing to risk all to live. She made the most of her time and was beautiful, caring and appreciative of life and all her friends and family to her last moment. “Even Solomon spoke of the beautiful time after winter when the flowers come and the voice of the turtle is heard on the land” “Remember Me” I cannot speak, but I can listen. I cannot be seen, but I can be heard. As you gaze at the stars or watch children play, Remember me. Remember me in your hearts and in your thoughts. Remember all the good times we shared. For if you always think of me, I will have never gone.
Andy Bender
September 22, 1944 - A man with a superb appreciation of life, fine horses and endurance riding. A generous and unconditional friend. Andy loved life and was determined to outlive his cancer. He gave new meaning to the term endurance. Andy loved our sport. He supported and promoted International events and served as a highly respected Chef'dEquipe. He was one of the all-time advocates of historic trails and multi-day events. Andy was born in Pennsylvania but was raised in the San Francisco area. He was a talented and inventive machinist, specializing in the electronics industry. Andy loved to hunt, fish and golf and then found his passion in horses and endurance riding in 1973. This is where we all met and enjoyed the friendship and appreciation of Andy the endurance rider. With his trade and his passion for horses, Andy became a skilled farrier. He combined his trade with passion and designed fine furniture; horses shoes as his mark. Andy had a true appreciation of art as well. He collected and prized fine bronze works and especially noted western art. He was lost in the peace of the Canyonlands, and Indian flute music. Andy was at home in the Santa Fe Opera in a Tux as he was in wranglers and Adidas looking for "the trail"… as a guest of Taos Inn as the last finisher of a 50 mile ride. Andy's passion for good horses, historic trails and friendship came in one package. As he loved a fine wine, he loved his Rushcreek horses and he was most content at the trails end of a 5 day ride… horses brushed and eating, he sitting on the side of his trailer with a fine glass of wine and "evaluating" the ride as well as the riders and laughing… his laugh…listen, you will hear it now. As he rode mile after mile of the rides he became the advocate of the trails that would preserve the future of endurance riding. Andy also saw the future of endurance riding in the International circles of competition. He was one of the few who could see the vision of endurance in the Olympics yet preserve the backyard 50 mile rides of which our sport is founded. Andy was generous. He would stop for a rider in trouble, thunder past you on a better horse and always mend fences, … except for maybe one of two. Andy knew everyone and had an opinion about everything. This is why you will see him on the trail.... you will meet people whose lives he touched....and you will ride this ride he so loved. If you shared time with Andy… treasure it… he rides with us and for us, he watches over us. The day before Andy died I was laughing and sharing lies and truths with him at his bedside. Andy never changed even to his last day. He was strong, determined and wise. He left in peace and of his will… his way, his time. He spoke of his horses, his favorite picture of he and Jake, his friends, and his ideas of a perfect 100-mile championship. We hashed over the perfect recipe for Green Chili Stew and "to finish is to finish… to win is to win." Andy was Andy and conventions ride camps and the Outlaw Trail will never be the same without him. Andy, the majestic Escalante Canyon walls will forever embrace your courage, the outlaw rivers will always flow with your courageous spirit and the echo of hooves on Slickrock will awaken the miles and memories you shared with so many of us thinking of you now. Andy, you are the wind for Jake's wings… watch over us… ride with us! In loving memory of Andy, OL' Man Bender, who put his heart and soul into the Outlaw Trail and left us with a bond of love and appreciation of one hell'va adventure.
Post Script
Doris & Taikhan - about 1973
July 21, 1930 - August 3, 1999 Doris lived in Fallon, NV for 23 years and there she and Deane owned and operated T & A Ranch. They raised alfalfa, beef cattle and Arabian Endurance horses. Doris achieved National AERC recognition with 15,430 career miles along with many wins, best conditions and multi-day awards. She was highly respected for her horsemanship. She enjoyed many hobbies, including doll collecting, genealogy, photography, hunting and fishing. In 1991, she received a Nevada Trophy Big Game Certificate for her Pronghorn Antelope that scored 79-2/8. Doris, the mother of 7 children, was voted as "Mother of the Year" in 1965. She took great pride in her family and loved spending time with them. After raising her family Doris went to school to become a registered nurse. Doris rode the Outlaw Trail in 1990 and I will always remember the look on her face when she crossed the finish line at Desert Downs… she marched up to “Butch” and gave him her honest evaluation of riding the Escalante River with all the flavor and spice of her “ultimate endurance adventure”! You could have heard a pin drop in the dusty paddocks as everyone waited for the silence to break. Butch was speechless!
Doris & Sweet Pea - 1989 Doris & Cougar's Zephyr - 1983 Bill Tanner & Herm Pollock
Samuel Herman Pollock "Herm" joined the Outlaw Remuda with stories, music and tall tales around the evening campfires for our first Ultimate Adventure. He was a renown interpreter of Utah history and especially that of Ebenezer Bryce and the Pareah River Canyon. For nine OT September's Herm would join up with the Outlaw Gang and recite historical events, stories of the country and trails riders had just ridden. His guitar and songs provided old time history with a special flare of treasured memories. He could take you back in time, pulling carts with the early Mormon settlers and put fear and fire into stories from the Bible. His time with us was special and truly a treasure.
Ben Harrison
Ben was one of the first 1000 mile Outlaws and possessed more positive energy & zest of life, love of horses as well as love of his “bride” than our trails have ever known! Raised in one blink of an eye town call Smith Valley, Nevada, Ben was driving the school bus at the age of 16 and was one of the 7 in his graduation class! Then he joined the Air Force and returned to Smith four years later to work for the Power Company. He became an instrumental control technician, transferred to Winnemucca and there became the company’s computer expert. Ben’s love of horses and riding in the wilderness brought him to the Outlaw Trail in 1989. There in the shadows of Capitol Reef National Park, our base camp, he fell black hat over dusty boots in love with Heidi Erickson. Heidi was living in Washington State but had adventured to the Outlaw Trail to help day manage the ride. Ben & Heidi became the first Historical Outlaw Love Affair! Heidi only left Ben’s saddlebags long enough to gather up her remuda and join up with him at the November Carson River Ride. They married in April of 1991 and settled a hideout in Reno! Ben loved the “Lure of the Dim Trail” as well as he loved to cook. He had learned to weld and with the help of a friend became an expert farrier. Ben designed and gave ol’ Butch a portable horse hoof stand which Butch stows away in his horse trailer and uses often at rides. Just like Butch Cassidy, Ben always had a special way of showing appreciation of his friends. Ben & Heidi designed their own “restaurant on wheels” and cozy horse coach for their horses to go to endurance rides and entertain friends. The Harrison Hideout featured a walk in pantry; formal dinning area and even Ben’s specially designed attached deluxe B-B-Q grill. On their annual trip to the Outlaw Trail the party at Teasdale would be an awesome gathering. BBQ turkey for 12 could only be trumped by our annual convention trip visits to their Reno Ranch steak cookouts! On January 13, 1993 Ben was diagnosed with a rare form of multiple myeloma cancer. He never gave an inch to battle for life. He would spend his days working on the house or in his shop welding horseshoes into masterpieces. With IV lines and portable pain pumps in tow, Ben finished a specially designed saddle stand to hold six saddles just a few weeks before he died. Ben, a wilderness adventure full of life and laughter, will forever share the spirit of the Outlaw Trail with those of us who appreciate the lure of the dim trail.
ANDY BALLARD
JACKIE JEWKES
Crockett &
Sharon Dumas
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