Strike It Rich! Burro Racing

Strike It Rich! Burro Racing

You’ve heard of marathons, trail races, and even obstacle course competitions. But what about racing with a burro? In this episode of the Perception Podcast, Tom Garrity speaks with Shane Weigand of New Mexico Pack Burros about one of the state's most unique and entertaining outdoor pursuits. Shane is the creator of the Strike It Rich Pack Burro Race Series. The conversation includes burros, event planning and burro race strategy!  For more information visit NMPackBurros.com Tom Garrity / TGG [00:00:04] Six, five, four, three, two, one. What is the countdown and commotion all about? The Garity Group public relation fingerprints are on all of New Mexico's iconic brands. Balloon Fiesta, Roswell UFOs, New Mexico Green Chili. Now get ready for burro racing. On this episode of the Perception Podcast, we're going to learn about the Strike It Rich Pack Burro Race Series. It's a growing four-event racing circuit in New Mexico where human runners and burros team up to tackle multi-mile mountain trail courses. Runners cannot ride the burros. They must lead, coax, or guide them by a rope while the animals carry a traditional mining panel. This podcast is being produced in June, 2026. Future races include the Sierra Blanca-Burro Bonanza on August 22nd in Ruidoso, and the Silver Lode Scramble-Pack burro Race on September 12th in Silver City. The first two events have already occurred for this year's series, the Turquoise Trail-Pack Burro Race in Cerillos, and the Magdalena-Burro Stampede, which is located west of Socorro, and east of the Very Large Array. I had a chance to catch up with the person who organizes all of these races. His name is Shane Wiegand and we talked just as scores of burros and racers started the Turquoise Trail Pack Burro Race.  Shane, what just happened?   Shane Weigand [00:01:48] So we just had, I think, a little over 90 borough racing teams take off here in Sirios on Saturday, May 2. They all just took off down the street, flying at 100 miles an hour. They've got two different courses they're doing today. They've a three mile and a six mile. So the three mile is kind of a fun little loop around town. And the six mile is a straight up endurance course, a couple hundred feet of gain through the really tough Sirios Hills.   Tom Garrity / TGG [00:02:12] Wow, and they are tough. They are tough, so talk about what the experience is here today and how it got from, to this point.   Shane Weigand [00:02:19] Yeah, this is our, I think, fifth annual event here in Cerillos. So the whole story of pack row racing, right, started in 1949 out in Fairplay, Colorado. That's kind of a way to bring tourism and economic development back to some of these mining towns. And since then, we've been doing it for 76 years across the Southwest. I think 2021, we brought it here to Cerillos, here to New Mexico, and now four races planned for 2026.   Tom Garrity / TGG [00:02:46] So we're standing here in front of the start line, and it's quite an event. You have Main Street filled with a lot of vendors and art show going on and selling merchandise and just a lot of people taking pictures. What's the logistical effort to put something like this together?   Shane Weigand [00:03:02] Yeah, it's I mean at its core, right? It's porta potties and course race markers. As long as you have a really good race for the racers, like always keep it racer focused. The teams will always bring the spectators. So from there, you know, we've got some vendors. It's cool. This this event has really turned into a partnership with the local community. So they have art in the park going on at the same time. There's a number of other of our races that have similar partnerships with other festivals and fiestas. So Yeah, you've got vendors, you got the race teams, they all have electronic timing chips, so we do keep this really as a really good sport where it's got official times, official results, and from there, it's just making sure everybody's safe and having a good time.   Tom Garrity / TGG [00:03:48] How many volunteers are out here today working?   Shane Weigand [00:03:50] We've got about 30 volunteers for today, and they are so essential to helping spectators answer all their questions, keeping everybody safe, right? Because if you think about it, there's boroughs running up and down the road, so there's definitely a safety aspect. And then just helping with the little things, like parking and getting a cold water bottle in the hands of the racers.   Tom Garrity / TGG [00:04:11] And then how many racers? Let's talk about who they are and where they're from.   Shane Weigand [00:04:14] Yeah, I think I just counted. I think about just over 90. So I think 91 or 92. We had start today. They're from all over the west. They Folks often will rent a burrow for the day. So we've got a few ranches or a few rescues that alone a burro out to somebody for a day if you don't have a burro And then the rest of the folks haul their burrows from all across the west so Colorado, Arizona, obviously a ton of folks here from New Mexico. We've got people from Texas, Southern California and   Tom Garrity / TGG [00:04:42] Let us know a little bit about race strategy for, you know, those who might be on the long course today, six miles. What's going through their mind as they're leaving downtown Cerritos?   Shane Weigand [00:04:50] Yes, so there's a real race strategy to running with a burrow, right? So it's 50% you as a runner and it's 15% your burrow. And on the same day, you both have to have a good day together. And when you're competing with other teams, burrows are very visual. So they like to be able to see other burrows. So if you see a burro up in the head, your burro will get a little extra go to it and you try to catch that team in front of you. Likewise, if you're trying to get rid of a team, you can try to speed up as you around a corner and get out of kind of that visual zone of the borough behind you. And that slows them down dramatically. So there's definitely a little play in it and strategy.   Tom Garrity / TGG [00:05:23] Talk a little bit about the special nature of today's race as it relates to Axel, who was a previous participant and has done a number of different borough races.   Shane Weigand [00:05:34] Yeah, Axel's definitely in our heart today. He's a young man that is fighting bone cancer, a number of different types of cancer. He was a Pack Burro racer, so he's run a bunch of different races. And then unfortunately at a race last year, he had an injury and then they went and checked out that injury and come to find out it was bone cancer. So we, all of us are running for Axel this year, him and his whole family. We can't imagine everything they're going through, but they're here with us at every single race we go to every day.   Tom Garrity / TGG [00:06:04] And how can people get involved if they want to show up for Magdalena, Silver City or Ruidoso.   Shane Weigand [00:06:09] Yeah, we'd love to have you either come as a volunteer or a spectator. The spectators are always welcome at these events. Every one of the events starts at 10 a.m. I always recommend you get here about 9 so you can get good parking and get to meet the teams. Definitely walk around, take some pictures with the burros, and then race takeoff is 10 a. So definitely be here for that. And if you'd like to be a volunteer... NMPACBurrows.com, my email is on there. Just reach straight out, ask to be on our volunteer list, and I'll send you all the information for this race season.   Tom Garrity / TGG [00:06:40] Thank you to Shane Wiegand, New Mexico Pack Burrows, and the Strike It Rich Pack Burrow Race Series. For more information, visit nmpackburrows.com. Also, you can connect via Instagram, their handle, at @nmpackburros   The Garrity Group's non-profit, One Medal, was a sponsor of the race. The interview, though, was bonus, value-add, and we appreciate Shane making the time. Thank you for listening to the Perception Podcast sponsored by the Garrity Group Public Relations where we help small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. For more information about our group, visit garritypr.com. This is Tom Garrity, have a great day.

Three Quotes That Shape My Leadership

What quotes are shaping you right now? Not the ones framed on a wall. Not the ones you repost on social media. The ones that quietly sit in front of you every day — and challenge you to lead better. Thank you for joining, me, this is Tom Garrity. This month on the Perception Podcast, I’m taking you on a short field trip — to my office. At the base of my computer screen are three Post-it notes. They’ve survived desk clean-offs, office moves, and new monitors. They’re still there because they still matter. In the spirit of one beggar showing another beggar where to get food — here are three sayings that continue to shape my perceptions and my leadership. 1. “People want to be part of something bigger than themselves.” You’ve heard versions of this from leaders across philanthropy, national service, and business. It aligns closely with Simon Sinek’s concept of starting with “Why.” That’s likely how it ended up on my screen — I’m a big fan. At its core, this statement reflects a fundamental human truth: People crave meaning. We move from “me” to “we.” From task to purpose. From activity to impact. Whether in business, community building, or family life, people want to know their effort matters — that it connects to something larger than their job description. This quote reminds me that leadership is not about spotlight — it’s about stewardship. It’s not about building a platform for an individual; it’s about building a mission that others can step into. It also checks motivation. Am I creating space for others to contribute to something meaningful? Or am I unintentionally shrinking the vision? When people feel part of something bigger, you get engagement. You get loyalty. You get legacy. The second saying you will find on my computer monitor screen… 2. “Humility tells a better story.” This one likely came to me through the He Gets Us campaign, and it stuck. In a culture that rewards volume and self-promotion, humility feels countercultural — and powerful. “Humility tells a better story” suggests that service, self-awareness, and quiet confidence are more compelling than bravado. A better story is not one where the hero dominates the stage. It’s one where the hero grows. Humility shifts the focus outward. It allows empathy. It invites collaboration. It leaves room to admit mistakes and evolve. Arrogance creates a brittle narrative — one that cracks under pressure. Humility creates resilience — because it allows learning. As leaders, especially in communications and public life, it’s tempting to control the narrative. But the most compelling leaders don’t force their story — they live it. Humility tells a better story because it’s believable. The third and final saying you will find on my computer, at least for now… 3. “People are not the enemy. They are the opportunity.” In today’s environment — especially online — it’s easy to see disagreement as combat. We all have seen what happens when keyboard warriors get the best of us. Social media is very good at telling us what’s wrong and who to blame. That line from The American President still rings true. But this Post-it note of wisdom forces a shift of mindset. When I see someone as an enemy, I conserve energy for defense. When I see someone as an opportunity, I conserve energy for growth. This quote reminds me that people with different perspectives are not obstacles — they are invitations. Invitation to listen. Invitation to understand. Invitation to collaborate better. It demands empathy as a first response, not a last resort. Even when there is disagreement — especially when there is disagreement — there is opportunity for refinement, for perspective, for better solutions. And sometimes, for personal growth. <

Living Intentional: A Simple Practice for a New Year

By the second week of January, most New Year’s resolutions are already negotiating their exit strategy. The gym is a little less crowded. The notebook with the fresh goals is sitting closed. And the optimism we felt on January 1st is now competing with real life. If you’ve ever set a goal with the best of intentions—and then quietly watched it fade—you’re not alone. Today, on the Perception Podcast, I want to share a simple practice that has helped me not just set intentions, but actually live them. Welcome to the Perception Podcast, presented by The Garrity Group Public Relations where we help small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. I’m Tom Garrity. It’s a new year—and new years are usually filled with good intentions, goals, and resolutions, all born from a healthy dose of optimism. If you’re anything like me, you’ve identified an intention, set a goal, or decided on something you want to accomplish over the next 365 days—otherwise known, now, as 2026. Sometimes setting a goal is easy. Sometimes it takes real soul-searching. And short of writing it in wax on your bathroom mirror, sticking it on the refrigerator, or posting it on your vehicle dashboard—all of which I’ve tried at one point or another—how do you actually keep these life improvements top of mind? In the spirit of one beggar showing another beggar where to get food, I want to share a tip—a hack—a small nugget of wisdom about how I’ve gotten into the habit of setting, and more importantly, living, my intentions. Full disclosure: I did not invent this. I heard it once on a radio program and thought, “That’s a great idea. I think I’ll try that.” The first step is identifying your intentions or goals for the coming year. For me, that usually includes a few categories: * A relationship intention—something I want to experience or accomplish with one or both of my daughters * An activity or travel goal * A personal goal * A professional goal * And sometimes a project around the house—build a wall, add a gate, replace the windows And then I choose a theme for the year. Heads up: choosing a theme can be a bit of a preview of things to come. In 2020, my word was perseverance—which came in handy during COVID. 2021 was resilience. 2022 was forward. 2023 was balance. 2024 was transition. 2025 was flourish. And my word for 2026 is intentional. We all have different words. We all have different things we want to accomplish. The question is: how do we remember them? Those of you who know me… know my social media world mostly lives on Instagram. Yes, I’m connected on Facebook, Threads, Twitter, and TikTok—because who doesn’t enjoy a good doom scroll on TikTok from time to time? Okay… I digress. During the first week or two of the year, I capture an image on my phone—something that could live on my Instagram feed. Something that represents a memory, a hope, or an adventure. I send the iPhone image to Walgreens, have it printed as a 4x4, pick it up, and write my intentions on the back of the photo with a thin Sharpie. Then I place it in what has become my “intentions photo frame.” To the visitor or guest, only the 2026 photo is visible, only I know what’s written on the back. That frame holds photos and intentions going all the way back to 2018, and it sits right next to my coffee maker—so I see it every single morning. Do I remember and recite everything I wrote down? No. I wish I did. But here’s what’s really cool. Once or twice a year, I’ll get curious and open the back of the frame—only to discover that I’ve been living many of the intentions I set months earlier. Sure, s

Small Business Featured on the Perception Podcast

Small Business Featured on the Perception Podcast This episode of the Perception Podcast will focus on small business and major business corporations. In addition to sharing insights on how New Mexico residents view small business and major business corporations, we are going to hear from Chrystal Trykoski of Enchanting Soap Collections.  This is a small business that providing a path forward for women in a very unique way. Learn more about Enchanting Soap Collections by visiting: https://enchantingsoapcollections.com [https://enchantingsoapcollections.com/] ==================================== Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group Welcome to the Perception Podcast presented by The Garrity Group Public Relations. I'm your host, Tom Garrity. Today's episode focuses on one of the most consistent storylines in the 2025 Garrity Perception Survey: New Mexico's Unwavering Support for Small Business. Every year since 2011, The Garrity Group has partnered with Research and Pulling Inc. To understand who New Mexico residents trust. In February of this year, a statistically valid sample of 415 New Mexico residents shared their thoughts, giving us a 95% level of confidence in the results. And once again, small business rises to the top. Let's start with the numbers. Consistent with past surveys, four out of five New Mexico residents, 79%, hold a favorable opinion of small business. Only 5% hold an unfavorable view, and 16% are neutral or unsure. Compare that with the perception of major business corporations, which has a 30% favorability of New Mexico residents. That means major corporations have the lowest favorability. Among all 17 of the measured industries and institutions that were in the 2025 study. To put it into perspective, corporate favorability has dropped sharply over time, from 50% in 2020 down to 42% in 2023, and now just sitting at 30% favorability. Geographically, support for small business is especially strong in North Central, Eastern, and Central New Mexico. Meanwhile, the areas where major corporations perform best, relatively speaking, are North Central and Northwest New Mexico. At The Garrity Group, we often say that we help small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. Much of our early work involved partnering with organizations that help entrepreneurial communities thrive, including one of our first clients known as Accion. Now it's known as DreamSpring, and they are a community development financial institution that's committed to supporting entrepreneurs through resources, mentorship, and microloans. One of my favorite memories from that time involves a simple bar of soap, Dream Spring, often highlighted products created by entrepreneurs they serve. And at this particular event that I was at about a year and a half ago, at our table sat a bar of soap with packaging. About a story that has stayed with me since that time. Fast forward about 18 months, I'm walking through the New Mexico Artisan Market at Hotel Albuquerque when I spot a booth. Beautiful soaps, handcrafted and familiar. I pick one up and immediately read the packaging. And I know that I've seen this before. That's when I had the honor of meeting the owner Chrystal Trykowski of Enchanting Soap Collections, a New Mexico small business rooted in purpose, sustainability, and a remarkable entrepreneurial story. I'm delighted to have her on the podcast today. Welcome to the Perception Podcast, Chrystal. Thank you so much, Tom. When I came up and we talked at the New Mexico Artisans Market, you shared a story and it was it was powerful. Share with our listeners your story.  Chystal Trykoski, Enchanting Soal Collections [00:03:47] My mother and I, Roberta, we founded this company in 2006. In 2009 I exited this business for about 12 years. And then I got sober in 2019 for the last time. And in 2022, I rejoined Roberta on this journey, on this mission to empowe

Trust in the Election Process

This episode of the Perception Podcast will focus on trust in the election process—a topic that shapes how we view democracy itself. Our conversation spotlights one of our clients Observe New Mexico Elections. Observe New Mexico Elections is a nonpartisan group working to build confidence through independent election observation across 11 municipalities statewide. The organization’s immediate focus is the 2025 Municipal Election.  It’s long term focus is on confidence in our election process. Tom Garrity hosts this podcast which includes Carmen Lopez, co-leader of Observe New Mexico Elections, and Kelly Fajardo, a former state representative and member of Observe New Mexico Elections’ advisory committee. ======================================= Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group [00:00:05] Welcome to the Perception Podcast from The Garrity Group, where we help small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. I'm Tom Garrity. Today, we're focusing on trust in the election process, a topic that shapes how we view democracy itself. Our conversation spotlights one of our clients, Observe New Mexico Elections. Observe New Mexico Elections is a nonpartisan group working to build confidence through independent election observation across 11 municipalities statewide. The organization's immediate focus is the 2025 municipal election. Joining the Perception Podcast today, Carmen Lopez, co-leader of Observe New Mexico Elections, and Kelly Fajardo, a former state representative and member of Observe New Mexico Elections Advisory Committee. Welcome both Carmen and Kelly to the Perception Podcast.   Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group [00:01:02] Carmen, let's start with the big picture. For listeners who may not be familiar, what is Observe New Mexico elections and what inspired its creation?   Carmen Lopez, ONME Co-Leader [00:01:12] So Observe New Mexico Elections is a nonprofit in New Mexico. We are funded by The Carter Center, the Jimmy and Roslyn Carter Center in Atlanta. And we're concerned about the increase in both political polarization and the decline in trust and election outcomes. And so our goal is to increase people's knowledge level about elections, the transparency of elections, and as a result, to increase the public's level of trust in New Mexico's elections. And we do that by providing in-depth training about election law and process to hundreds of New Mexicans each year and supporting nonpartisan observers to watch elections throughout the entire state during the voting process and then throughout all the various election processes. And then we compile all that data into a final report that we share with the public. And we're led by an amazing board of high profile, accomplished people from across the political spectrum who care deeply about well-run elections and people's trust in election outcomes. Our board is led by former Governor Gary Carruthers, former Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, Barbara Vihel, Ryan Cangiolosi, who is the chair of the Republican Party, Maureen Sanders, who's a civil rights attorney, and Kelly Fajardo, who's a former representative, and Leonard Gorman from the Navajo Nations Civil Rights Division.  Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group [00:02:39] It's a it's a great board, including Kelly Fajardo. And Kelly, from your perspective as a former state legislator and current lobbyist, why did you decide to join Observe New Mexico Elections Advisory Committee? And what makes the initiative important to you?  Kelly Fajardo, ONME Advisory Committee [00:02:55] I joined because of personal experience. So when I first started when I first ran for office back in 2012, there was a lot of distrust of the election process. A lot of it continues today. And back in the day down in Valencia County, me and my colleagues, we decided to put poll watchers into the different polls around the cou