Mtn Mist Mirage is an Appaloosa who during his career has demonstrated to the open, all breed world the very characteristics that our historic breed has become legend for. He has greatly contributed to the Appaloosa breed overall, and has earned a place of high honor among serious endurance and competitive trail riders in all of the western states he has competed in. Marilyn Orlando of Morgan Hill, had acquired 'Mirage', a dual registered ApHC/Arabian, in 1995 as a 4 year old. She had looked the country over in search of another great prospect to train for competitive trail and endurance after retiring her former endurance champion and C-WA Hall of Fame horse, Irish Coffee 76. Acknowledging the Arabians dominance in this field of competition, Marilyn has always believed that to meld the Arabians qualities with the heart, courage and stamina of her first love, the Appaloosa would be to achieve an unbeatable combination. Add to this great talent the Appaloosas bold color so that no competitor may have the slightest doubt as to who just passed in a blur of flying mane, tail and radiant spots.

Marilyn Orlando and Mirage pictured finishing their 50 mile endurance/retirement ride at the Comstock in Lemon Valley, Nevada on Oct 4, 2003 Together this duo has trekked over 2000 miles and have earned high praise and accolades.

On a tip from another endurance rider, Marilyn found her next champion in Sula, Montana. Foaled in 1991, the loud colored colt was bred by Cynthia Lusk and was sired by DL Cheval (AHRA) and out of the ApHC foundation mare, Patchy Star. Without a doubt Marilyn believed she had found the perfect competitive trail and endurance horse that she could finish her career with.

Marilyn trained and competed with Mirage for the next eight years and the duo earned high praise and top honors from both the ApHC and the International Arabian Horse Association (I.A.H.A.)

On October 4, 2003 Mirage finished the 50 mile Comstock ride in Lemon Valley, Nevada and in so doing achieved another great milestone in his career as he claimed his second 1,000 mile plaque from the American Endurance Riders Conference (A.E.R.C.), The Appaloosa Horse Club, The International Arabian Horse Association, Cal-Western Appaloosa Show Horse Association (C-WA) and the Golden State Appaloosa Association.

On his 'road' to fame, 'Mirage' has also claimed other lofty honors such as the Champion and Reserve Championship titles of Half-Arabian Endurance Horse from the I.A.H.A., as well as that associations Legion of Supreme Honor which entitles him to bear the most coveted +/ next to his name on his registration certificate, one of few Appaloosas to have ever attained this level of achievement.

The I.A.H.A. has also honored Mirage by publishing his photo and featuring him on the cover of their National Competitive Trail Ride Entry premium. His is also featured on the ApHC's Trail and Distance Program brochure and various promotional brochures for both I.A.H.A. and the ApHC along with numerous magazine articles in the Arabian Horse Magazine, the Appaloosa Journal, online horse magazines and regional newspaper reports.

In addition to his accomplishments on the trail, Mtn. Mist Mirage was used as a breeding stallion during 1994-1995. He sired six foals; all of them with color and characteristics out of both Appaloosa and Arabian mares. In 2003, one of his sons, Hot Spot, earned his bronze medallion in endurance and another one, Mtn Mist Image, completed his first 50-mile endurance ride. So the tradition and his legacy will live on in history.

Mtn. Mist Mirage has allowed Marilyn to fulfill all of her dreams in the competitive trail and endurance fields and now feels she is at last ready to retire to more leisurely rides with Mirage. She and her husband Frank have just purchased another 8 year old Appaloosa mare so that they may together, ride off into the sunset on their most beloved of Appaloosas and take the time to finally stop and smell those wild roses.

Story by: Patti Ansuini 2003

Mnt Mist Mirage ~ Lifetime Achievements
1996: First year to compete ~ First place Nov Horse NATRC, Reg. 1 ~ High Point Appaloosa NATRC, Reg. 1 ~ Pat Erespke Award/Combined High Point Horse & Rider, NATRC, Reg.1
1997: Second Open Lightweight Horse ~ Youngest Horse in Division, NATRC, Reg. 1 ~ High Point Appaloosa ~ NATRC, Reg. 1 ~ Fran & Carol Dupont Award ~ High Scoring First Year Open Horse, NATRC, Reg. 1 ~ ApHC Bronze Medallion/Competitive Trail ~ Cal-Western Appaloosa, Competitive Trail Champion ~ I.A.H.A. Reserve Champion, Reg. 3 ~ Golden State ApHA Champion ~ New Horizon Arabian Horse Association, Hall of Fame.
1998: Fourth Open Lightweight Horse, NATRC, region 1 ~ NATRC / High Point Appaloosa, Reg. 1 ~ ApHC Bronze Medallion, Competitive Trail ~ I.A.H.A., Champion Competitive Trail Horse, Reg(s) 2 & 3 ~ Cal-Western Appaloosa, Champion Competitive Trail Horse. ~ I.A.H.A. Legion of Honor (+) ~ Golden State ApHA, Champion Competitive Trail Horse.
1999: ApHC, Bronze Medallion, Endurance ~ Cal-Western Appaloosa, Championship(s) Competitive Trail & Endurance Horse ~ ApHC, Register of Merit ~ Golden State ApHA, Championship(s) Competitive Trail & Endurance Horse ~ I.A.H.A., Champion Endurance Reg. 3(/) ~ ApHC, 1,000 Mile plaque Competitive Trail ~ NATRC, 1,000 Mile Competitive Trail Award ~ I.A.H.A., 1,000 Mile Competitive Trail Award.
2000: ApHC Bronze Medallion, Endurance Champion ~ Cal-Western Appaloosa, Champion Endurance Horse ~ Golden State ApHA, Champion Endurance Horse ~ I.A.H.A. Legion of Supreme Honor (+/) ~ ApHC, Chief Joseph Award ~ I.A.H.A., Reserve Champion Endurance, Reg. 3 & 7.
2001: ApHC, Bronze Medallion ~ ApHC, Register of Merit, Endurance ~ Cal-Western Appaloosa, Champion, Endurance Horse ~ Golden State ApHA, Champion Endurance Horse.