US Equestrian Names Jeffrey Stuart as Chef d’Equipe of the U.S. Endurance Team

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 3/2/2026

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey Stuart as the U.S. Endurance Team Chef d’Equipe for the 2026 competition year. Mr. Stuart will lead the program through the remainder of the 2026 season, culminating with preparation for the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship in Al Ula on November 28, 2026.

"I am so excited and grateful to be part of this team.” Mr. Stuart said, “The organization, horse owners, riders, vets, support/crews, and everyone involved have the best opportunity we’ve had to do great things in Alula Saudia Arabia this coming November. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and working with U.S. Endurance”

Mr. Stuart brings more than two decades of experience in endurance sport and a distinguished career in military leadership to the role. He began his involvement in endurance in 1999 and has since served the discipline in multiple capacities, including 11 years as a national endurance ride manager and as crew at several recent FEI Championships. Over the years, he had trained Endurance horses, including FEI Level, and worked closely with athletes competing at the highest levels of the sport.

In addition to his equestrian background, Mr. Stuart served in the United States military from 1976 to 2011, holding multiple leadership roles including Commander, Director, and Chief of Staff. His extensive experience guiding teams in high-pressure environments has shaped his philosophy on preparation, accountability, and collective success. He has frequently been invited to speak on teamwork, resilience, and the importance of being a critical member of a unified team — principles he intends to carry forward with the U.S. Endurance Team.

In his role as Chef d’Equipe, Stuart will oversee team coordination, preparation, and strategy for the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship with the help of team veterinarian, Dr. Olivia Rudolphi and Team Leader, Nicole Zerbee. His combined experience in endurance sport and high-level organizational leadership positions will support the U.S. Endurance Team for a focused and strategic path toward international success.

More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-names-jeffrey-stuart-as-chef

Endurance Horse Podcast: Shelah Wetter- 20,000 Miles on American Saddlebreds

EnduranceHorsePodcasdt - Listen

February 21 2026
hosted by Christina Hyke

What does it take to ride 20,000 endurance miles?

Belief. Patience. And the courage to ride your own path.

As part of our Year of the Horse spotlight, February celebrates the American Saddlebred — and in this episode, I sit down with lifelong Saddlebred horsewoman and endurance rider Shelah Wetter, owner of Blue Haven Stable.

Shelah has logged over 20,000 endurance miles aboard American Saddlebreds and was honored in 2025 as Sport Horse Owner and/or Breeder of the Year by the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association.

In this conversation we talk about:
• How she chose her endurance partner
• What makes a Saddlebred shine on the trail
• And how welcoming new riders strengthens the future of endurance

If you love strong partnerships and the long game — this one is for you!

Listen and see more at:
https://endurancehorsepodcast.podbean.com/e/shelah-wetter-20000-miles-on-american-saddlebreds/

Meet Vera Valdivia‑Abdallah, assistant principal

CDCR.Ca.gov - Full Article

Valdivia-Abdallah builds endurance in education and beyond

February 19, 2026

At California State Prison, Los Angeles County (LAC), Vera Valdivia-Abdallah brings the same perseverance to her role in education that carries her and her horse hundreds of miles across the country as a competitive endurance rider.

Valdivia-Abdallah oversees the ABE and GED education programs, as well as the college program at LAC as supervisor of Academic Instruction (Assistant Principal) at New Horizon Adult School.

She provides mentorship and support to teachers on two of the institution’s four yards. Her work centers on rehabilitation through education, with a focus on helping incarcerated individuals leave custody prepared for employment and long-term success.

“When someone is released, the goal is that they aren’t just free, but employable and prepared,” she said.

Valdivia-Abdallah joined CDCR nearly four years ago as a teacher and now brings a student-centered approach to her leadership role. She works closely with educators and students to maintain consistent, meaningful academic programming in a challenging correctional environment.

“Success in education takes time,” she said. “It requires patience, adaptability and commitment.”

That philosophy extends well beyond the classroom.

Endurance riding tests limits

Outside of work, Valdivia-Abdallah competes in endurance riding, a long-distance equestrian sport that challenges horse and rider teams to complete rides ranging from 25 to 100 miles in a single day. Courses often span unfamiliar terrain and changing weather conditions, with veterinary checkpoints built in to ensure horse welfare remains the top priority...

Read more here:
https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/insidecdcr/2026/02/19/meet-vera-valdivia-abdallah-assistant-principal/

Ralph "Buddy" Gleason Jr. 1943-2026

Legacy.com

Ralph Gleason Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Sullivan-King Mortuary & Crematory - Anderson on Feb. 11, 2026.

Ralph Newton "Buddy" Gleason Jr., 82, of Townville, passed away peacefully on Feb. 9, 2026, following several years of declining health.

Buddy was born to Ralph N. Gleason Sr. and Marjorie Little Gleason on Oct. 14, 1943, in Salem, Oregon. He was a graduate of Carson Newman College and earned a masters degree from East Tennessee State University.

He served in the U.S. Army for three years where he was assigned to military intelligence and spent most of his time in Heidelberg, Germany. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 8, 1972.

Buddy worked as a counselor for the Alston Wilkes Society in Anderson for many years. He had a love for animals and his passion was horseback riding with his many friends. He participated in many endurance riding events and was recognized with several awards by the American Endurance Ride Conference. Buddy was very patriotic and loved his country. He always looked forward to the annual Gleason family reunions in Townville and oversaw the reunion for many years.

Buddy and his family had the opportunity to visit and live in many places across the world while his father worked for the U.S. State Department.

He was predeceased by his parents and is survived by his siblings, Delno Rex Gleason (Cindy) of Mooresville, N.C.; Charles Stanley Gleason (Sonny) of Marietta, G.A.; Edward Dean Gleason (Kathryn) of Anderson, S.C.; Cindy Gleason Rush (Jeff) of Duncan S.C. He has several nieces and nephews.

Further arrangements will be forthcoming.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alston Wilkes Society (www.alstonwilkessociety.org), the American Endurance Ride Conference (www.aerc.org) or a charity of one's choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Kentucky Endurance Race Participants Raising Money for Aftercare

Bloodhorse.com - Full Article

Lucy Burnett and Bobbi Westbrook will ride in the 500-kilometer Gaucho Derby.

By Byron King
January 30 2026

Two Kentucky horsewomen will soon test their equestrian skills in one of the most remote and demanding races in the world while using the experience to raise funds for off-track Thoroughbreds.

Lucy Burnett and Bobbi Westbrook are two of more than 40 riders scheduled to compete in the upcoming Gaucho Derby, a 500-kilometer endurance race aboard equines across Patagonia in Argentina that tests riders' physical stamina and fortitude as much as riding skill. The contest, which begins Feb. 18, is organized by The Equestrianists and modeled after the better-known Mongol Derby. The 10-day ride sends competitors across rugged terrain, including mountains, open plains, river crossings, and grassy bogs, sometimes in volatile weather.

Riders navigate their mounts between checkpoints while carrying limited gear and supplies. Each rider alternates mounts throughout the race to be aboard fresh equines. The horses come from regional ranches, and they undergo regular veterinary inspections during the race to ensure soundness, hydration, and recovery. Time penalties are assessed for horses that do not meet recovery parameters, which, along with veterinary checks, are meant to ensure that participating horses are not overstressed...

Read more here:
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/289838/endurance-race-participants-raising-money-for-aftercare

Endurance Horse Podcast: A Decade Team and Three Tevis Completions: JayaMae Kaur & Foxfire’s Little Britches

EnduranceHorsePodcast - Listen

January 28 2026
by Christina Hyke

What happens when a rider from the hunter-jumper and Warmblood world heads out on her first endurance ride and quickly learns that endurance has a sense of humor of its own?

In this episode of Endurance Horse Podcast, host Christina Hyke sits down with JayaMae Kaur for a fun, honest, and heartfelt conversation that includes plenty of laughter, learning, and long miles.

JayaMae shares her journey from hunter jumpers to trails and endurance, exchanging Warmbloods for a remarkable Missouri Fox Trotter mare who became her decade team horse and carried her to three Tevis buckles. She reflects on what surprised her most at her very first endurance ride, what she learned along the way, and why that experience made her stick with the sport.

Beyond riding, JayaMae also brings an important ride-manager perspective, sharing the deeply meaningful reason she became involved in managing a memorial ride. We talk about the heart behind the Kristina Chesterman Memorial Ride, the importance of community fundraising, and how endurance riders can support education, remembrance, and one another.

This episode is part of our Year of the Horse series, highlighting different breeds and the riders who love them — and reminding us that every breed has a place and can achieve great things at any distance.

Expect laughter, honest stories, and a whole lot of heart.

Listen:
https://endurancehorsepodcast.podbean.com/e/a-decade-team-and-three-tevis-completions-jayamae-kaur-foxfire-s-little-britches/

Arlene Morris 1931-2026

Arlene Morris passed away on January 12, 2026, at the age of 94. 

Arlene was one of the founders of the Southwest Idaho Trail & Distance Riders. She and her husband, Bob Morris, were a force to be reckoned with in the early days of AERC. Arlene completed 16,605 endurance miles including 14 hundreds (14 starts/14 finishes). Her horses earned 29 best condition awards, and AERC records reflect only 2 pulls out of 180 starts.  That is a darned impressive record!  Over half (8085) of those miles were on a grade mare named Champagne (including 20 rides in 1985!). Nearly 5000 miles were on her bay mare, Messaoud's Peeco. 

Her horses earned 29 best condition awards. Champagne was inducted into AERC's Hall of Fame in 1985. Arlene and Peeco were members of the USA squad at the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Sweden. 

Arlene and her husband, Bob lived and rode in the Boise foothills. Arlene was always happy to mentor new riders. Going on a conditioning ride with Bob and Arlene on the Boise Front was always a thrill, and the endurance rides they put on were truly challenging. 

Arlene and Bob bred and raised several fine endurance horses over the years, usually naming them after a mineral, such as Magnetite, Niccolite, Tourmaline, and Phylite. Bob and Arlene were passionate advocates for equestrian trails as members of the Boise Front Coalition, which led to the Ridge to Rivers trail system. 

Arlene spent her final years of her adventurous life at the Brookdale Assisted Living Facility in Newberg, Oregon. She enjoyed playing poker with her fellow residents at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility. She attended every Saturday afternoon movie matinee and every Sunday afternoon Classical Music hour.  She also enjoyed CoffeeHouse Jazz on Friday afternoons. 

Minden rider trains for 310-mile Gaucho Derby across Patagonia

Press-Herald.com - Full Article

written by Amber McDown
Jan 11, 2026

A Minden woman and active-duty U.S. Air Force member is preparing for one of the most demanding equestrian endurance events in the world, a 10-day, 310-mile race across the Patagonian wilderness of Argentina known as the Gaucho Derby.

Cat Rafanello, who moved to Minden in 2022 after being stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, has been offered a bid to compete in the 2027 Gaucho Derby, an extreme test of horsemanship, navigation and survival that requires riders to switch horses throughout the race while traveling through rugged and remote terrain.

“My husband and I moved to Minden in March 2022 from Montana … when I got orders to Barksdale,” Rafanello said. “We brought our three horses, three dogs, three cats, and a plethora of chickens and geese with us to our beautiful little plot in Minden.”

Since then, she said, her family has put down roots in the community.

“My husband opened a mechanic shop, my sister and her husband have started a farm and are involved with the Minden Farmer’s Market, we are here to stay,” Rafanello said.

That sense of permanence, she said, has given her a strong base as she prepares for an international challenge that began with a simple moment of inspiration.

“I was listening to a Podcast about an Endurance Rider that I really look up to, and she had run in the Gaucho,” Rafanello said. “Someone whispered in my ear just then ‘Why don’t you just apply and see what happens?’”...

Read more here:
https://press-herald.com/minden-rider-trains-for-310-mile-gaucho-derby-across-patagonia/

2025 December's Horses in the Morning Endurance Podcast

HorseRadioNetwork.com - Listen

Guess the Endurance Acronym, Mongol Derby Bid, for December 9, 2025

Horses in the Morning
December 9, 2025

Karen Chaton is joined by Patti Stedman to tell us just about everything we need to know to get through our first Endurance ride. Heather ‘Flash’ Accardo talks about her preparations for the Mongol Derby and common Endurance acronyms are deciphered, plus we make up a few new ones. A classic re-visit. Listen in...

https://horseradionetwork.com/2025/12/guess-the-endurance-acronym-mongol-derby-bid-for-december-9-2025/

US Equestrian Announces 2025 Endurance Year-End Awards for Horses and Athletes

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 1/7/2026 Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian proudly congratulates the recipients of the 2025 USEF Endurance Year-End Awards. These awards celebrate and recognize the exceptional achievements of our endurance athletes and horses throughout the 2025 competition season. For detailed descriptions of the 2026 awards program, click here.

Top Ten National-Ranked Senior Athletes

Awarded to the top senior athletes on the national athlete ranking list

• Heather Davis - Maggie Price Endurance Excellence Award recipient for being the top nationally ranked Senior Rider

• Cheryl Van Deusen

• Nathalie Weemaels

• Nicole Wertz

• Alex Shampoe

• Mollie Quiroz

• Anastassia Savini

• Tom Rajala

• Claudie Gaspa-Ward

• Evelyn Baig

Top National-Ranked Junior/Young Rider Athletes

Awarded to the top Junior/Young Riders on the national athlete ranking list

• Uma Kraskin - Brunjes Junior/Young Rider Endurance Trophy recipient for being the top nationally ranked Junior/Young Rider

• AnnaMaria Clarke

• Vanessa Erickson

• Avery Betz-Conway

• Jax Beloberk

• Lila Reeder

• Ansley Conway

• Meghan Wert

• Aubrey Muthard

Endurance Athlete of the Year Award – Heather Davis
Awarded to the rider with the highest number of points between the annual athlete ranking lists

Heather Davis (The Plains, Va.) earned the 2025 Endurance Athlete of the Year Award following an ambitious season that was highlighted by international competition across multiple continents and top ten championship results. Competing consistently at the FEI level, Davis exemplified exceptional horsemanship and strategic riding.

Davis opened her 2025 FEI season with a decisive victory at the Broxton Bridge Ride in the Low Country, winning the CEI2* 120km aboard HM Kaiser Milo. She continued her campaign in South America and Europe, completing a series of FEI rides at the CEI2* and CEI1* levels in Uruguay and Portugal, including solid finishes at CEI Loma Azul, CEI Punta del Este, and a CEI1* victory at Estremoz (POR) aboard SM Mi Anay. The pair also competed at the CEI2* (ESP) where they finished in second place with only 1 second between them and the first-place finisher. Stepping up to the sport’s most demanding distances, Davis successfully completed the CEI3* 160km at Barroca d’Alva (POR), finishing fifth against a strong international field.

The pinnacle of Davis’s season came at the 2025 FEI Endurance Pan American Championships in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, where she and HM Kaiser Tesla, a 2016 Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Haras Paso Manzanero, delivered a standout performance. The pair finished ninth overall individually in the Senior Championship, marking Davis’s first top ten finish at the championship level and a significant milestone in her international career.

Endurance Horse of the Year Award – Tru Beau Sardi

Awarded to the owner of the horse ranked first on the annual national horse ranking list

Tru Beau Sardi, a 2013 Arabian gelding (Trussardi x Precious Beaunita+), is owned and bred by Cheryl Van Deusen (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) Campaigned throughout the USEF competition year in a demanding FEI schedule, Tru Beau Sardi delivered top performances from 100km to 160km, beginning with a victory in the CEIYJ2* 120km at the Broxton Bridge Ride in the Low Country (S.C.) with Ansley Conway, before stepping up to complete the CEI3* 160km at Fun in the Sun (Fla.) with owner Cheryl Van Deusen.

He continued his strong season with a win in the CEIYJ1* 100km at the Scenic Spruce Creek Spring Fling (Fla.) and a second-place finish at the Broxton Bridge Let’s Have Fun Ride (S.C.) with Sofía Alvarez Camas, followed by a third-place finish in the CEI1* 100km at the Fall Ride at Biltmore (N.C.) with Clarke Martin, and closed the year with a third-place finish in the CEI3* 160km at Broxton Bridge Fall Rides (S.C.) under Van Deusen.

Endurance Best Condition Season Award – Highh Tops Awarded to the owner of the horse ranked first on the annual national best condition standings Highh Tops, a 2018 Arabian mare (Vangogh FPA x Edelika), is owned by Samantha Ellis (Newcastle, Calif.) and bred by Jessica Lemmons. Competing across four FEI endurance events during the USEF competition year, Highh Tops met and exceeded all eligibility requirements, finishing her first FEI season with a 100% completion rate and consistently demonstrating superior recovery, soundness, and condition at veterinary inspections. At all four events, Highh Tops was awarded Best Conditioned Horse within her division at the competition.

More from USEF:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-announces-2025-endurance-year-end

2025 Distance Horse of the Year: Suzanne Ford Huff’s Ezprezzo

Arabian Horse Association announces Distance Horse of 2025

January 9 2026

At 16 years old, Ezprezzo proves that heart, grit, and partnership never go out of style.

This Old World Pure Polish–bred gelding (SS Hypnotic x Eukadra), owned and ridden by Suzanne Ford Huff of the West Region, had an unforgettable season—earning:

 • West Region Featherweight Mileage Champion

 • AERC Decade Team Award

 • 3rd Place Tevis Cup

 • Reserve Champion, AHA Distance National 100

 • AERC Gold Level 100-Mile Award

 • Over 3,000 lifetime AERC miles

Even more inspiring? Ezprezzo returned to peak form after overcoming two major pasture injuries, showcasing the resilience, longevity, and heart that define the Arabian endurance horse.

With 18 first places, 8 BCs, excellent recoveries, and unwavering enthusiasm on the trail, Ezprezzo is the definition of a true endurance partner.

Congratulations to our 2025 Distance Horse of the Year, Ezprezzo, and rider Suzanne Ford Huff!

Photo Credit: Sonja Barrera from the 2025 Tevis

Tom Sites: Finding Peace in the Great American Horse Race | Travel Grit Podcast

Travel Grit podcast - Listen

Tom Sites showed up to the starting line of the Great American Horse Race with $750, a $15 saddle, and a horse he barely knew—100 days later, he was one of only 54 finishers out of 92 starters.

Click here to listen to Tom’s Great American Horse Race story.