Arabian Horse Stories

In recognition of his hard work and enduring bond with his riders, "Doc" was inducted into the AERC Hall of Fame in 1998. Started in 1975, it has only inducted 23 horses, through 2000. The Hall of Fame wishes to "honor horses and persons for their lifetime achievements by recognizing outstanding performances or outstanding contributions to the sport or to the AERC."

Doc has performed spectacularly in his lifetime and his riders have shown the same kind of attitude and courage that deserve a place in the Hall of Fame. They agree that their goal is to earn mileage, not to take first place. What is important to them is that their horse is sound and that he finishes every race he begins. Doc has never been pulled for metabolics and has only been pulled six times for minor lameness. He completed five Tevis Rides between 1988 and 1994 and has placed eight times in the top two for the Jim Jones High Mileage Stallion Award over the past 13 years. Doc consistently placed in races, earning multiple top ten placements every year and surprising his riders at every turn.

Doc started his AERC endurance career as a 5-year-old in 1988. As a 15-year-old in 1998, he became the Highest Mileage Stallion and third overall highest mileage horse in AERC history. Through June 2001, Doc has 264 starts and 258 completions. His achievements include five Tevis completions, three wins, 50 top tens, seven Best Condition, and two overall Best Condition awards at three-day 150s. His 14,480 miles include 10,205 miles in 100-mile and multi-day rides and 5,815 miles finishing in the top ten. While his race and award records are impressive, it is Doc's attitude and perseverance that make him that much more special.

In Ledbetter's 1997 Hall of Fame nomination letter for Doc, she lets us in on more than just his riding accomplishments and endurance. The 15.1-hand black bay stallion with a faint white star loves to have his head scratched and plays the role of "pet" at home. She says, "When non-horse people or children come to visit, he is the one who gets his nose petted, or is bridled up to be the 'dude horse' in the arena."

Doc is a kind horse, says Ledbetter. While he may start his trail rides bucking and snorting, if you put a small child on his back, he will refuse to move. And, he's a ham, too. When people come to visit, Doc will definitely put on a show. With his rearing and bucking, running and snorting, he plays the role of a stallion to a 'T'. But Ledbetter puts her complete trust in him, whether it be over a rough trail, a deep water crossing, riding fast in the dark, or in weather only a fool (or an endurance rider) would be out in. That trust started with their first endurance ride together.

As a 5-year-old, Doc had only completed three-50 mile rides. Ledbetter had been given an entry to the Tevis ride as a gift from friend Roxanne Greene, but she didn't have a horse to use. So, there was Doc. Ledbetter bet the odds against the horse and decided to take him. As she said, "Neither of us knew what we were getting into!"

Ledbetter already knew the last 40 miles of Tevis Trail, but it was brand new to Doc. They were doing well, but Ledbetter began to feel guilty. The pair wasn't used to the repetition of coming to a check, having to remove the saddle, being checked by a veterinarian, re-fueling for a short time, and then putting the saddle back on and taking off down the trail again. But they made it through. And, by the time they made it back to the fairgrounds, both were exhausted -- rider perhaps more than mount!

After the two had taken their victory lap and had retired to the stalls to rest, Doc decided he was ready to head back out. About 45 minutes after Ledbetter had snuggled into her sleeping bag, hoping to catch some shut eye, Doc came shuffling over, blowing and looking at Ledbetter as if to say, "Aren't we going to keep going? Why are you just laying there?"

Ledbetter climbed into his corral, threw her arms around his graceful neck and told him they were done, that it was time to rest. As she got back into her sleeping bag, she noticed Doc looking at her. After about five minutes of watching his new best friend, he apparently believed her. He finally went over and laid down himself, ready for a well-deserved rest.

Their first Tevis ride was just the beginning of an amazing friendship and endurance riding career. The two would go on to complete four more Tevis rides and nearly 7,000 miles together. While Briscoe did have another horse, and the two would switch occasionally, Doc was always Ledbetter's favorite.

Near the end of 1999 that all changed. Ledbetter was in an accident that left her quadriplegic. A professional rider since age 18, she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to sit on a horse alone again. The spinal cord injury that Ledbetter suffered left her completely paralyzed for three months and then partially paralyzed thereafter. After six long months of therapy, Ledbetter was able to accomplish what her doctors thought impossible. In April of 2000, she rode Doc. He had always been there before, carrying her successfully over 7,000 miles of trail and taking care of her on those long rides. This time he was by her side again.

"I was dying to ride," Ledbetter said. Her stepfather, Jeff, had moved a portion of stairs next to the arena to help her get on. Standing as still as a statue, Doc allowed a crowd of six people to help Ledbetter mount and sit on the back of her best friend for the first time in six months. He carried her safely and slowly around the arena, assisted by friends and family. Although she was scared at first, she soon felt confident enough to take Doc on her own. Against the protests of her parents and friends, she took the reins as Doc pushed everyone out of the way.

"It was fabulous to walk around the arena," Ledbetter says, "Even though I wasn't able to use my leg cues, Doc caught on. When I asked for a jog and began bouncing around, unsteady, Doc just stopped."

Ledbetter is now able to ride at a walk, trot or canter. Since that first day back on Doc, she has ridden him more than a few times and her parents have even helped by hauling Doc down to Norco, California for Ledbetter to enjoy a short trail ride.

Doc has proven himself time after time, regardless of what is asked of him. With Doc's induction into the AERC Hall of Fame, Briscoe and Ledbetter decided to semi-retire him. But after a year of relaxing, visiting mares and playing in his pasture, he was eager to get back on the trail. They say they will continue to ride Doc on the trails he enjoys, as long as he is happy and sound. To Ledbetter and her parents, Doc is more than an amazing endurance horse, he is a leader, protector and best friend.