About FHA

HISTORY OF THE 3-DAY 100

In the 1940’s Jess Allen, an avid horseman, made it a habit to invite other horsemen to his
ranch located in Altoona, FL.   They played games, feasted on covered dish meals brought
by guests and spent hour and after hour riding the scrub trails of the Ocala National
Forest. Those were the days of dirt roads, few neighbors, untouched wilderness and
miles upon miles of unmarked riding trails. Only the true diehard riders would venture far
out into the Ocala National Forest with no trail markers!

Some years later at one of the gatherings, discussion was held about organizing and
holding a more “formal” and “competitive” trail ride event. Those attending that day were
Ernest Sewell, Douglas & Irene Sewell of Umatilla, Edith Whiting, her father, Jack Whiting
of Holly Hill, Willis V. McCall of Eustis, Claude Harden of Lakeland, Lucille Kenyon and
Roland Roberts, both from Jacksonville.   From this meeting of the minds a decision was
made to obtain the ride rules from the organizers of the very first 3-Day 100 (which began
in 1937), the Vermont 3-Day 100. Once that was done, this ambitious group of horsemen
and horsewomen, who called themselves, the Florida Horsemen’s Association, decided to
embark on the 2nd oldest 3-Day 100, the Florida 100. The year was 1951.

Plans were made to hold the first FHA 3-Day 100 CTR at a place called Reedy Camp which
was located on the west side of S.R. 19 in Umatilla, FL. (Today, Reedy Camp is called
Fiddler’s Green.) The entry fee was $15.00 and the stalls were roofless, gateless pens.
There was only one weight division back then and some riders had to carry extra weight
so that all horses had the same advantage. The horses were ridden to Jennings Fruit
Company and weighed on cattle scales at check in and completion. There were 12
competitors and each wore an arm band complete with crayon numbers which were made
from torn bed sheets. Only 6 finished the ride. A pat on the back and a certificate were the
only awards given for completing the ride. Margaret Ann (Sewell) Craig was the first junior
rider.

Ernest Sewell was in charge of “trail marking”. His job was to drive ahead of the riders in
his truck and whenever he turned a corner, a young man in the back of the truck would
strew a line of lime around the curve. No lime meant go straight! “Hopefully, you got there
before all the lime was gone, especially if it was raining! Good fun!!!” said Margaret Ann
(Sewell) Craig. Lucille Kenyon said at one time, “Guess what?! We thought we were
happy. Small rugs of lupin, colored mosses and elegant blue jays lined the narrow sand
and pine needle trails. We didn’t know enough to fear the deep sand or infrequency of
water. We had a great competition and reason to ride in the forest.”

The ride was a success and so the tradition carried on. The 2nd year of the FHA 100 was
also held at Reedy camp and there was still only one weight division.   In 1953 the ride was
moved to the Fairgrounds in Eustis, FL and still only one weight division. Then in 1954,
the Sewell Ranch in Umatilla. FL became the home of the FHA 3-Day 100 and the first year
to have three weight divisions. The trails were marked with paper arrows and the plentiful
deer, that called the Ocala National Forest their home, could be seen nibbling on the paper
arrows on occasion. More fun!!

The Sewell Ranch tradition (23 years) continued on through 1977 and then in 1978,
Rocking Horse Ranch in Eustis, FL (owned by Marion “Mel” Viles) became the home of the
FHA 3-Day 100. The Rocking Horse Ranch tradition continued through 2004 (26 years)
when for the first time, the 3-Day 100 was held at Renab Ranch (owned by Lillian Banner)
in Lecanto, FL.

The 2008 58th Annual FHA 3-Day 100 is scheduled for March 13-16 and will be held at
Rocking Horse Ranch in Eustis, FL.   Please help us continue the tradition by making
plans to attend! It promises to be a great time!

HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGE TROPHIES

HIGH POINT CHALLENGE TROPHIES

JOHN BECKER CHALLENGE TROPHY (for Grand Champion)** came into existence in
1953. This was the very first FHA challenge trophy. This trophy was won by Max
Culpepper and his dark bay, Arab gelding, Michael in 1956, 1957 and 1959. By winning
grand champion three times, Max and Michael were able to retire the trophy. To replace
the trophy, Max donated the “Michael Challenge Trophy” in 1960.

MICHAEL CHALLENGE TROPHY (for Grand Champion)** - Retired by Sky Hopper and his
dark chestnut, leggy Arab gelding, Kamin Ku. Sky and Kamin Ku were grand champions
in 1966, 1972 and 1973. Sky then replaced the Michael Challenge Trophy with the “Kamin
Ku Challenge Trophy”.

KAMIN KU CHALLENGE TROPHY (for Grand Champion)** - Donated in 1974 by Sky
Hopper. The trophy has yet to be won three times by the same horse and rider team as of
2008.

RESERVE CHAMPION 2ND HIGH POINT ADULT/RIDER HORSE** came into existence in
1953. This trophy has not been won three times by the same horse/rider combination as
of 2008.

HIGH POINT FAMILY CHALLENGE TROPHY** - Donated by the Whitson Family.

HIGH POINT FLORIDA BRED (DOYLE CONNER FLORIDA BRED CHALLENGE TROPHY) -
Donated by Doyle Conner, Florida Secretary of Agriculture, at the Sewell Ranch in the
1960’s.

SPECIAL AWARDS CHALLENGE TROPHIES

(Chosen by the Special Awards Judge or the Horsemanship Judge, except for the
Eastern States Challenge Trophy)

EASTERN STATES CHALLENGE TROPHY – FHA presents this trophy annually to the
winner of the previous year. The trophy goes to the rider, with the same horse, who has
completed and accumulated the most points in three 100 mile rides in the East in one
calendar year. The rider may choose any 3 of the following rides: Florida, Virginia, New
Jersey, New York, Maine, Vermont and North Carolina. All breeds are eligible as well as
unregistered stock. The trophy started in 1966. (The North Carolina 100 does not exist as
of 2008. Hopefully, it will return.)

BUBBA MANUCY SPORTSMANSHIP CHALLENGE TROPHY- Donated by Steve and Dinah
Rojek in 2006 in memory of Bubba Manucy. This trophy is presented to the man who
epitomizes the sportsman that Bubba Manucy was.

BEST SENIOR RIDER CHALLENGE TROPHY** - Awarded to the person having good
equitation, always in balance with the horse, maintains a correct position in every gait and
movement and possesses a commanding, but relaxed presence. This trophy was
donated by Winburn.A. Shearouse.

BEST HORSE & RIDER COMBINATION CHALLENGE TROPHY - Awarded to the horse and
rider that best exhibit themselves as a “team”. This trophy was donated in 1990 by Wes
and Carolyn Maillard in memory of Marge Campbell. Marge Campbell was a strong
supporter of distance riding. Marge was one of the founding members of the Altoona Trail
Riders, a group aimed at families and riders interested in camping and she was one of the
founding members of SEDRA (South Eastern Distance Riders Assoc.). Marge helped
institute the very first 25 mile CTR in Florida, The Altoona 25 and she was involved in all
aspects of distance riding from management to bringing the junior riders along.

PERPETUAL HORSEMANSHIP CHALLENGE TROPHY – Awarded to the rider that exhibits
the best care, handling and riding of their mounts throughout the ride. This includes
grooming, in-hand presentation, tack and equipment, trail care, trail safety and courtesy
and stabling. This trophy was donated by Jewel Griffin in 2005 in memory of Edith
Whiting. Edith Whiting was one of the original founders of FHA along with Lucille Kenyon
and others.

BEST REGISTERED TRAIL HORSE (BLOUNT CHALLENGE TROPHY) – Awarded to the
best registered trail horse (any breed) that exhibits the best manners, way of going,
conformation and endurance. It is not necessarily the winning horse. This trophy was
originally donated by Captain Downey Blount in the 1953. Captain Blount was a friend of
then FHA President, Willis McCall. Willis asked Captain Blount to serve as the trail horse
judge on the 1952 3-Day 100.

BEST UNREGISTERED TRAIL HORSE – Awarded to the best unregistered trail horse (any
breed) that exhibits the best manners, way of going, conformation and endurance. It is not
necessarily the winning horse.

BEST REG. ARAB OR HALF-ARAB (THE MISKA MILAKA CHALLENGE TROPHY)** -
Awarded to the best registered Arab or registered half-Arab. This trophy was donated by
Eileen Cornwell after retiring the original Best Reg. Arab or Reg. Half Arab Challenge
Trophy. Eileen and her half Arab mare, Miska Milaka, won in 1985, 1986 and 1987. As of
2008, Miska Milaka is 30 years young and still going strong.

CHANCES R MAC BEST QUARTER HORSE CHALLENGE TROPHY – Awarded to the best
overall Quarter Horse. This trophy was donated in 1992 by Sue Foust in memory of her
Quarter Horse gelding, Chance R Mac.

BEST MANNERED STALLION CHALLENGE TROPHY** – Awarded to the stallion that
exhibits the best manners throughout the entire ride. This trophy was donated by the
Manucy boys in 1970.

MARION “MEL” VILES HARD LUCK TROPHY – Donated by Mel Viles, owner of Rocking
Horse Ranch. Rocking Horse Ranch was home to the FHA 3-Day 100 from 1978-2004.

**Trophy may be retired if won three times by the same rider/horse combination.

If you have questions please go to our FAQ's page. Most of your questions will be
answered there. If you do not see an answer to your question, go to our Board of
Directors page and email anyone with your question. They will be happy to respond.

Membership - is open to all.   Cost of Membership is $10.00 per year.