SEDRA Hall of Fame!

2024-25 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Rider:  Valerie Kanavy

Valerie has been competing in distance rides for close to forty years. She has competed and won rides in many, if not all, of the AERC regions including  AERC championships and The Race of Champions. She has completed on some of the toughest rides in the United States, notably the Old Dominion, Fort Valley, and Big Horn. Valerie has represented the Unites States throughout the world and was the 1994 and 1998 World Endurance Gold Medalist. She has six AHA 100-mile championships and four 100-mile reserve championships along with other victories and honors. Her AERC mileage is impressive with 23,995 endurance miles and 1195 limited distance miles with 373 starts, 332 completions (89% completion rate). She has started 117 100-mile rides and completed 102 (87% completion rate). Valerie has ridden dozens of horses during her career, many of them bred and trained by her. AERC statistics show that Valerie’s horses have been awarded Best Condition 64 times.

She has sponsored and trained numerous young riders with, most if not all, achieving success in competitions around the globe. She has shared her expertise with adult riders as well. Her willingness to assist others in their endeavors is well known. Valerie is an exceptional rider, mentor, and ambassador to the sport of distance riding and well-deserving of this award.

Equine: Treasured Moments

The Arabian mare, Treasured Moments, has been competing for ten years in distance sports. She has close to 4000 miles total of limited distance, endurance and competitive trail to her credit. Treasured Moments “Treasure” has competed and won all over the US as well and internationally. In 2021, at the Italian Championships, she became the first US horse to win overseas since the 1990s. Treasure has won numerous BC awards, including the Western States Trail Ride “Tevis” Haggin Cup. And, after her FIFTH Tevis completion under her girth, she received the Wendell Robie Trophy.

Treasure is exceptional not only for her ability to compete and win, but she also has the temperament to be safely ridden 100 miles over some of the roughest terrain on the planet without a bridle! 

Treasure has one offspring, a daughter, who is following in her hoofprints, already completing four of five 100 mile starts. An impressive record and the ability to pass on the same potential to a descendant are true measures of greatness.

Exemplary Person: Kaleigh Kozdras 

Kaleigh may not have many competition miles, but her contribution to the world of distance sports and to SEDRA has been significant. She has promoted and continues to promote distance riding through social media and when interacting with other riders. She volunteers her time by assisting with distance trail maintenance, most notably at McCulley Farm which was hit hard by three hurricanes in eighteen months, sustaining much damage to farm infrastructure and to the environment.  

Kaleigh took over as ride manager of the McCulley Farm endurance ride several years ago. Without a tremendous amount of background in sport, let alone experience as a ride manager, she turned it into one of the best run and most fun rides in the area. She has forged a good relationship with the ride camp owners and has made sure they, as well as volunteers and riders, have felt supported, even in difficult times. 

She has used her talents to create her own personalized ride awards. She makes ride meetings entertaining all the while not missing a beat when important information needs to be disseminated. Kaleigh has been an excellent role model to all for her positivity, her grace under pressure and for her wonderfully planned out rides and marked trails. She works hard to serve the distance community. Her commitment to our sport is impressive and exemplary and deserving of this award.

 Horse and Rider:  BSF Take AChance and Cindy Bell

About 20 years ago, I was searching for an endurance horse to replace my horse that had passed. This was before Facebook, where one had to rely on internet posts on horse sites or word of mouth.

The “chase” had me driving all over Florida and Georgia.

Cindy Bell and Kevin joined me on a trip to Brooksville to meet up with Thurmon who had a horse in which I was interested. He also knew of a horse that Cindy may like.

My horse didn’t quite work out, but Cindy had an interest in Chance.

Hmmm, he pulls people’s arms out of their sockets, whoa means nothing to him and you better have a Velcro seat oh, and he’s a wee bit bull headed. Sure…perfect for Cindy.

Chance truly was “hair, teeth and eyeballs”. His legs moved in separate directions much like animated animals on cartoon shows. He’d be trotting in the font and God only knows what he was doing with the back legs. Cantering, pacing, nobody knew! He was not a ride for the faint at heart or anyone who preferred not to eat meals from a wheelchair and straw.

While competing together, they amassed 2105 AERC miles and many SEDRA miles too. He was 6 for 6 on 1 day 100’s with an overall completion of 36 rides out of 37. Only 2 of those rides were Luxury Distance. Lately they have enjoyed training rides, trail rides and camping with friends. Even as he aged, he still had the stamina to get down the trail. Arthritis was beginning to catch up, so they enjoyed leisurely walkie-talkies with Farley and I and many others including his best gal pal horse, Niffy.

On Cindy’s birthday (04/20) they made the Century Club. Sadly, at the age of 29, it was time to go shake things up in horse heaven. I envision Wameco meeting him at the gate, and they are tearing up the trails like only they could again.

You were a good one Chance. You and Cindy made the impossible work.

Click here for Hall of Fame Criteria