2019 Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North

USEF.org

The Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North is the premier equestrian competition in North America for children, junior and young riders, age 12-21. Young equestrians vie for team and individual FEI medals in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing.The competition is run under rules of the FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale), the international governing body for equestrian sport, and is the only FEI championship held annually on this continent.

The NAYC for Eventing will be held in conjunction with The Event at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, Mont.), an existing CCI one-two-, and three-star, as well as a CIC three-star, from July 24-28, 2019. The NAYC for Jumping and Dressage will be held as a stand-alone event at Old Salem Farm (North Salem, N.Y.) from July 30-August 4, 2019.

The 2019 NAYC will feature many new improvements which include:

• Expanded prizes including $50,000 in the Junior Jumping Championship and $75,000 in the Young Rider Jumping Championship
• USEF Network live streaming of all competitions as well as FEITV live streaming
• Educational events to provide competitors and parents the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to pursue a career in competitive riding from some of equestrian sports’ greatest stars
• Enhanced social media will allow followers to connect with the Adequan/FEI North American Youth Championships presented by Gotham North @FEINAYC on Facebook and Twitter. Use #FEINAYC.

More information at:
https://www.usef.org/events/youth-championships

Lady Long Rider: Alone Across America on Horseback

GreatFallsTribune.com - Full Article

Carole Ann Clark, For the Tribune Published 9:00 a.m. MT May 26, 2019

“In the midst of space--age, high-speed technologies, a band of humans has slowed down the earth and sky sweeping past them by seeing the world from the back of a horse. They are called Long Riders”—quoted from the Long Riders Guild.

If you picked up a copy of the October/November 2018 issue of Montana Senior News, you are already familiar with Bernice Ende and her famous straw hat. The cover of her book gives a back view of Bernice, her hat, her two horses and her dog, Claire. The back view is fitting, since this famed member of the Long Riders Guild seems always to be heading away, down the road, on to the next adventure, leaving behind new-found friends...

Read more here:
https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/life/2019/05/26/lady-long-rider-alone-across-america-horseback/3754340002/

Ready to Ride at City of Rocks Pioneer

The 9th rendition of City of Rocks Pioneer endurance ride is coming up: June 6-7-8 in Almo, Idaho.

Basecamp is a large field adjacent to the City of Rocks National Preserve, elevation 5500 ft. The trail footing in this area is very good, with just a few rocky sections - it is NOT a rocky ride! City of Rocks is known for its botanical diversity - you'll see cactus, pinion pine, sagebrush, aspen and sub-alpine fire - all on one day's ride! The wildflowers should be in full bloom in June!

The park has amazing rock formations and scenery, as well as a rich pioneer history which you will experience on the trail. We will have marked Trail rides as well as 25 and 50 mile rides each day. There are plenty of things to do for families and fun. Durfee Hotsprings has swimming and soaking pools for every temperature preference (be sure to bring your swim suit!). Try the Great Pizza at Rock City, and explore the trails and scenic spots. 

City of Rocks is also the first leg of the Idaho Ironhorse: One Horse & Rider, Nine Days, 465 Miles, of City of Rocks, Top O' The World Pioneer (July 26-28) and Autumn Sun Pioneer (October 11-13).

Trail maps have been updated: Day 1, with a 30- and 50-miler, takes you to and through Castle Rocks State Park; day 2 and 3 trails are in COR National Reserve up to Indian Grove at the top of the park, with a 25/55 on day 2 and a 25/50 on day 3.

Riders may register on site, or you can also email your info: [Name, AERC#, Horse(s) AERC# ] to Regina Rose at rrose4u2002@yahoo.com to give us a head count.

For more information see
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019CityOfRocks/

Prepare For the Next Endurance.Net "HORSIE" Photo Contest!

May 22 2019

Self photographers and voters from around the world enthusiastically participated in Endurance.net's first photo contest, "Between the Ears", sharing their favorite trail views from the saddle. Bonnie Girod, from Libby, Montana, and her grade half Arabian Luna won first place and a custom painting by Steph Teeter.

Now, plan your creation and charge your camera batteries, and prepare to enter the Endurance.net's second photo contest, "HORSIE"!

Soon we will take entries for this event with your "HORSIE" shots - Horse + Selfie. Take a selfie photo of you with your horse. Be creative, be humorous, be artistic. Include a few short details - your name, horse's name, and where the photo was taken.

We'll upload them to a page on Endurance.net, and post updates on Facebook, and everybody will be able to choose their favorite and vote via email. First, second, third, fourth, and fifth places will be determined by sheer number of votes and will receive special prizes.

First Place will receive a small painted portrait of your choice (horse or other pet), courtesy Steph Teeter (www.idaho.com/StephTeeterArt/consignment/ ).

Second place will receive a copy of Merri Melde's book, Tevis Cup Magic: Taking on the World's Toughest Endurance Ride (soft cover or ebook).

Third place will receive a copy of Leonard Liesen’s book ‘Endurance: a French Perspective'.

Fourth, fifth, and sixth places will receive a gift certificate from Riding Warehouse for $50, $25, and $10, respectively.


We'll open up entries and voting right after the City of Rocks Pioneer endurance ride, so look for details and be ready beginning June 10!

Once we open the contest, you can vote for your favorite photo by email. Only one vote per email address per day. Previous first place winners are not eligible for prizes.

After the contest we'll post your photos in an album on our EnduranceNet Facebook page to ogle in perpetuity.

**Photos can be taken anywhere around the world, but USA addresses only are eligible for prizes, unless you want to pay postage and insurance**

City of Rocks Pioneer: Got Your Swimsuit?

May 21 2019

Don't forget to pack your swimsuit for the Durfee Hot Springs (reasonable fee required) plunge every evening at City of Rocks Pioneer endurance ride, June 6-7-8.

Don't forget to pack your horse for the trails: trail rides, 25/30 milers and 50/55 milers each day through City of Rocks National Reserve and/or Castle Rocks State Park.

City of Rocks is the first leg of the Idaho Ironhorse - 9 days, 465 miles, one horse & rider (or variations thereof!) - which includes Top O' The World Pioneer July 26-28 near Spencer, and Autumn Sun Pioneer October 10-13 near Gooding.

City of Rocks begins in just over two weeks. For more information see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019CityOfRocks/

Biltmore Endurance Challenge attracts big number of competitors

Endurance-world.com - Full Article

20 May 2019
Race Report made with the assistance of Becky Pearman

Biltmore Equestrian Center; Asheville, NC. Friday 3 and Saturday 4 May 2019. The 26th running of the Biltmore Endurance Challenge drew 228 competitors from at least twelve different countries. Both open and FEI races were offered.

The ride, which is un-arguably one of the largest two-day endurance events held in the United States, has a history of traveling through one of the most beautiful estates on American soil.

The Biltmore estate is an 8000 acre working farm and vineyard situated along the French Broad River in Ashville, North Carolina. The trail system traverses hills and woodlands as well as open vineyards and pastures on the west side of the river. Many grand views of the Vanderbilt mansion can be seen from points along the course. This trail can also be technical, with very little flat country.

On Friday, fifty-seven horses started the 50 mile race, and another fifty-three started on the 25 mile ride...

Read more here:
http://endurance-world.com/biltmore-endurance-challenge-attracts-big-number-of-competitors/

Virginia Tech graduate takes love for horses around the globe

Roanoke.com - Full Article

May 16 2019
By Robby Korth robby.korth@roanoke.com

CHRISTIANSBURG — Hanna Bartnick loves horses and adventure — and she got to combine the two in her academic career and beyond at Virginia Tech.

She’ll graduate Friday with a degree in animal science, specializing in equine sciences.

To get to graduation, Bartnick took a winding, grinding journey where she worked hard and got her fill of adventure along the way, traveling across continents on horseback. The journey is encapsulated in her capstone class, where she took her passion for endurance riding and wrote a term paper about horse care in the process.

“My whole life revolves around these animals,” said Bartnick, 23, a Roanoke native who graduated from Auburn High School in Riner.

Bartnick’s love for horses started when she was about 5 years old and attending Penn Forest Elementary School in Roanoke County. She would see horses in a nearby field on her way to school and ask her father if she could ride them, she said.

Thinking she’d give up, he said she could get lessons when she turned 8. Bartnick never did, however, and she began taking lessons and clearing stalls and taking care of horses in exchange for riding lessons at that age. By 14, she’d purchased a 6-month-old foal.

Bartnick has a way with troubled horses, her friend and former Tech classmate Casey Lowe said.

Lowe, who worked with Bartnick at Flanagan Stables in Christiansburg, said Bartnick could consistently take in an abused or difficult horse and get them used to people and ready to ride.

“You have to really have a love and trust and respect for the animal,” Lowe said. “Hanna cares deeply about the well-being of her horses...

Read more here:
https://www.roanoke.com/news/virginia-tech-graduate-takes-love-for-horses-around-the-globe/article_37b37ff1-d023-5bd2-9b9d-214c7be02685.html

2019 May's Endurance Day on Horses in the Morning

Horsesinthemorning.com - Listen

Hoof Jewelry, AERC Young Rider Programs, Torrey Creek Pioneer Ride, Endurance Day May 14, 2019
May 14, 2019

Sheila Noel talks about hoof art and Mustangs, Connie Caudill has the latest on the AERC Young Riders programs, and Erin Riley Kelley has a preview of the upcoming Torrey Creek ride in Eureka, NV.

Listen in:
https://www.horsesinthemorning.com/hoof-jewelry-aerc-young-rider-programs-torrey-creek-pioneer-ride-endurance-day-may-14-2019/

USEF Announces Positive Tests of Cannabinoids (CBD) Will Result in GR4 Violations as of September 1, 2019

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Department | May 14, 2019, 4:06 PM EST

Tasked with protecting the welfare of equine athletes and ensuring the balance of competition, the US Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equine Drugs and Medications Program consistently monitors new products and product claims. From time to time, new products appear on the equine supplement market claiming to enhance a horse’s performance. Over the last several years, cannabinoids have gained increased attention and have become nearly mainstream.

In 2018 Congress passed the Agriculture Improvement Act, also known as the “Farm Bill”, which defines “hemp” as both the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). With the enactment of this bill, “hemp” is no longer considered a controlled substance under federal law, but THC remains a Schedule I drug with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The passage of the Farm Bill has created some potential confusion with respect to the use of these substances with competition horses.

USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Rules prohibit cannabidiols (CBD) and their metabolites. While hemp does not contain more than 0.3% THC, it does contain CBD. CBD, both natural and synthetic forms, are likely to effect the performance of a horse due to its reported anxiolytic effects. This substance is no different than legitimate therapeutics that effect mentation and behavior in horses. It is for these reasons that USEF prohibits CBD and all related cannabinoids. Horses competing under USEF rules who test positive for natural cannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids and other cannabimimetics will be considered in violation of GR4 beginning September 1, 2019.

It is important to note that analytical methods are being implemented to detect CBD and similar cannabinoids. Both USEF and FEI list natural cannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, and other cannabimimetics as prohibited substances. Caution is important when using these products as their composition widely varies and may not be representative of their label claims as there is no regulatory oversight from the FDA, nor guarantee of their safety in horses.

As published literature does not exist noting detection times of these substances in the horse, and because products can widely vary in their compositions and concentrations, detections prior to September 1 will receive warnings. They will be considered to be in “Prior” violation if there are additional detections of cannabinoids following September 1. GR411 Conditions For Therapeutic Administrations of Prohibited Substances does not apply for cannabinoids and medication report forms do not apply.

With regards to human use, any athlete who is subject to testing under the World Anti-Doping Code can refer to the regulations for human use of cannabinoids here.

First Leg of Idaho Ironhorse Begins in a Month at City of Rocks Pioneer

Wednesday May 8 2019

Idaho Ironhorse Challenge: One Horse & Rider, 9 Days, 465 Miles

What are you and your horse made of?

You're just a month away from the first leg of the Idaho 'endurance Triple Crown': the Idaho Ironhorse. This ultimate endurance riding challenge consists of all 3 days of City of Rocks Pioneer June 6-8 in Almo, Idaho; all 3 days of Top O The World Pioneer July 26-28 near Spencer, Idaho; and all 3 days of the Autumn Sun Pioneer October 11-13 near Gooding, Idaho. Ride the California Trail, the Continental Divide, and the Magic Valley. It will test your horse's ability and your management skill as a rider whether you are riding LDs or 50s.

Rules are: get a completion with the same horse, same rider, same distance, ALL NINE DAYS of City Of Rocks Pioneer, Top O The World Pioneer, and Autumn Sun Pioneer. That’s the whole challenge!

Beginning Friday, June 6, and offering a 25 or 30, or a 50 or 55 every day, City of Rocks Pioneer trails traverse City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park.

Basecamp is in a meadow at 5000' outside the park. The trails are challenging with elevations up to 6700' on Day 1, and 7500' on Days 2 and 3. Footing is very good though, very little rock (except for the scenery), some gravel road, lots of single track in the mountains and jeep roads and cow trails through the BLM land. 

Amenities, you ask? Almo has THE BEST pizza (and an amazing beer collection) at Rock City, a nice steak house at the Almo Inn, and don't forget the hot springs/pools every night at Durfee Hot Springs!

And Juniors ride free in every leg of the Idaho Ironhorse!

If you know you are coming to City of Rocks, please pre-register with Regina Rose at rrose4u2002@yahoo.com so we have an idea of the numbers coming.

All information for City of Rocks, including trail maps, photos, videos, and stories, can be seen here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2019CityOfRocks/

For more information on the Idaho Ironhorse challenge, see:
https://www.facebook.com/idironhorse/

Lady Long Rider touches the heart of a nation

Dansvileonline.com - Full Article

By Jasmine Willis / Genesee Country Express
Posted May 2, 2019 at 12:44 PM
Updated May 2, 2019 at 12:44 PM

DANSVILLE — Imagine embarking on a personal quest across the nation on horseback, and being able to see the human spirit in a very unique way.

Bernice Ende, of Montana, did just that when she began her 15 year journey in 2005 as Lady Long Rider. Ende has traveled all across America and parts of Canada in a 30,000 mile adventure on horseback. This is a historic accomplishment no other has done in recent times. Last year she did hundreds of miles in France as well. However, in all of her travels she feels the northeast is her favorite.

“I had ridden the southwest quite a bit, I had crossed the plains, and been through the rocky mountains. At that time I had crossed the rocky mountains about eight times,” Ende said. “I had ridden through the Sahara desert and little red desert a few times. I had never been out northeast, and I kept wondering what those people were like. I had never had enough money to haul over there. I never had a truck or trailer until this book tour...”

Read more here:
https://www.dansvilleonline.com/news/20190502/lady-long-rider-touches-heart-of-nation

Application Period Open for US Equestrian Youth Sportsman’s Award

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Department | May 2, 2019, 1:30 PM EST

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that the application period for the 2019 Youth Sportsman’s Award is now open. The award serves to identify future leaders across US Equestrian’s 29 recognized breeds and disciplines and to distinguish outstanding youth for their achievements.

Active members aged 17 years and younger as of December 1, 2018, and in good standing with US Equestrian and their recognized national affiliate/international discipline associations are eligible to apply.

The winner will receive a commemorative trophy, a $1,000 grant payable to the educational program of their choice, and a nomination to the US Equestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year award. The reserve winner receives a $500 grant payable to the educational program of their choice.

Applicants should demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the promotion of equestrian sport, serve as positive role models, and exhibit characteristics that exemplify sportsmanship principles. Applicants must also demonstrate their involvement in their community’s equestrian activities, as well as involvement at any level of competition, including local, regional, and national events.

To apply, download the application online or contact your recognized affiliate. Applicants must submit a résumé that outlines their participation in various equestrian organizations and activities and obtain three references. The résumé will be accepted in lieu of the essays previously required for consideration for the award.

All required materials must be submitted directly to your respective US Equestrian-recognized affiliate on or before September 5, 2019. Each affiliate may select one national nominee after this deadline.

Find more information about the US Equestrian Youth Sportsman’s Award application guidelines and requirements, affiliate contact information, and selection procedures here. Additional questions may be directed to Natalie Norwood, Director, National Affiliates, at nnorwood@usef.org or (859) 225-6951.

Oregon: Sisters hosts endurance boot camp

NuggetNews.com - Full Article

By Sasha Komar
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 1:37 PM

The grassy field of the Sisters Rodeo Grounds was full of horses, camping trailers, and excited riders on Saturday, April 27, for the beginning of the Sisters Endurance Boot Camp. In this boot camp, horses and riders learned the basics of endurance riding, tips on how to be more a efficient trail rider, and endurance riding horse care.

The first event of the boot camp was learning how to do a vet check, led by Dr. Kelly Jones. A vet check consists of a veterinarian evaluating the condition that the horse is in by checking its heart rate, gait, level of hydration and gut sounds. The vet check is important because it lets the rider know if her/his horse is fit and healthy enough to compete or go on with the race.

Riders learned how to make sure their horse stands still while the vet evaluates it, and the importance of making sure that the horse is comfortable with the stethoscope. Dr. Jones identified two horses that were not fit to compete due to lameness issues, so they were “pulled” — a good thing for the horse but a big letdown for the excited rider.

Next on the endurance ride boot camp agenda was a seminar in which many speakers shared their strategies, “hacks,” and experiences with endurance riding...

Read more here:
https://nuggetnews.com/Content/Sports-Recreation/Sports-Recreation/Article/Sisters-hosts-endurance-boot-camp/6/6/28192