With content submission by Kat Irvine
Earle Baxter of Mill Bank, ON, began endurance riding in 1979 at the age of 38. Now at 82 years young, and after five decades in the sport, the list of rides he has ridden, and awards he’s won, nationally and internationally, could fill a book.
Baxter’s horses have had incredible accomplishments and awards most riders could not even imagine. Among them, in 2007 “CH Catch Me IF You Can” and Baxter were awarded with the American Endurance Riding Conference (AERC) “Perfect Ten Equines” Award. The only Canadian combination to ever be recognized for this impressive award, the winners must have completed 10 years, 10,000 miles, 10 first places and 10 Best Conditions.
On January 26, 2019, at the age of 19, I AM Amazing, also known as ‘Champ’ reached his 7,000 miles lifetime achievement with AERC.
Many accolades were given to Baxter by those who bought his horses, touting how kind and trusting they were. These compliments have been a tribute to his training and insight on the horse as an individual.
In 1986, Baxter was instrumental in providing early support of the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) in Canada by trucking four horses to the first North American Endurance Championship in California. His background as a self-employed long-haul trucker and a horseman had everything always going forward decisively.
Baxter went on to be a member on the FEI Canadian team at the first World Equestrian Championships in 1990 in Stockholm, Sweden, where he was the first Canadian to finish the 100-mile Endurance Championship. He was the team leader of the Canadian team for five more championship competitions in North America and overseas.
While he was leading teams to medals and winning individual awards for himself and his horses, he was simultaneously accumulating mileage in the Ontario Competitive Trail Riding Association. Additionally, he was gathering honours such as Best Conditioned and Heavyweight Championships in Canada and the United States; burning up the track in both competitive trail, and ride and tie races.
When he competes, he has a set goal whether he is riding a young horse at a relatively slow speed, or a top-level horse at a championship pace. One of the secrets to his success is his ability to ride his horse according to trail conditions and at a consistent pace. At water stops, he takes a set time and doesn’t move on until his horse’s heart rate has dropped to 64 beats per minute. He walks into vet checks dismounted and it’s no surprise to the crew team and vets that the horse’s pulse reaches parameters within one or two minutes.
Attentive to junior riders, one year he trucked a promising young rider to an FEI ride on the American west coast. Baxter also mentored many young riders, who remain in the sport today.
Among his achievements, he is also a marathoner, always advancing forward, riding every step of the trail regardless of distance or terrain. He respects the trail as his main opponent.
He has been described as considerate, resourceful, determined, capable, helpful, competitive, efficient, and always moving forward. Baxter’s education, determination, and horsemanship skills are a combination that makes him a true champion in North America.
In April 2022, less than a year ago, things took an unfortunate turn for him. During his normal daily chores, he sustained a back injury which the doctors said would cause him to never walk again.
It is no surprise that with all the “move forward” attitudes and attributes that make Baxter who he is, he is now up and on crutches, getting around using a cane, and proving them wrong.
A summary of his riding record speaks for itself by documenting over 40 years of competitions. It involves a total of over 900 rides, with over 50 of them 100’s (100-mile rides). In total, that adds up to well over 45,000+ competitive miles!
He is indeed an icon and a pillar in the endurance community. It is no wonder they call him “Boss.”