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