Behind the Lens: Get to Know Endurance Ride Photographer Linda Sherrill

 

by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
March 15, 2020

"Behind the Lens" series is a snapshot, for readers and riders, of the Endurance Ride Photographers Guild members who capture your endurance moments on the trails and in camp.

The ERPG was formed in 2019, and consists of a group of two dozen professional, skilled photographers from around the USA dedicated to documenting AERC endurance ride events in the USA.

Linda Sherrill, of Justus Photography, is a full-time photographer, represented by a stock photo agency in Great Britain, where she was born. She sells photos to various horse magazines each month to illustrate articles, and she's been blessed to have had cover images on Endurance News, Saddle Up magazine, Equus magazine, TrailBlazer magazine, and The Horse magazine, as well as photos featured in books by 17 various authors, and calendars sold by Barnes & Noble.

Linda's business name, Justus, has a unique origin. "There are two men in the Bible named Justus," Linda said. "One was a man who was no one special; he just loved the Lord and did whatever he could to help. That spoke to me; hence the name Justus!"

Where do you live?
Southern New Mexico


How did you first get into photography?
I started photographing Arabian horses at a horse show for a friend in 1992. After that, I was hooked.

What equipment do you normally shoot with?
I shoot with a Canon Mark IV with a 70—200mm f/2.8 lens.

When did you start shooting endurance rides?
I started shooting endurance rides in the midwest in 1996.

Why do you like shooting endurance rides?
I competed in the sport for many years (started in 1987) and I love to still be able to see and visit with friends. I love saying hello to everyone as they go by. It’s nice when you’ve been in the sport this long, and can still find a way to connect.

What are challenges you find in shooting endurance rides?
As I’m sure every ride photographer faces, finding the perfect spot where the sun isn’t against you as the horses go by. It’s a challenge, but I always go out ahead of time and scout locations.

What are one or two of your favorite ride shooting stories/adventures/misadventures?
At the Ft. Stanton ride a few years ago, some Texas riders had just lost a friend to a horse riding accident. I think it meant the world to them to have photos of them all together riding. As they went past me on trail, They stopped in the middle of the trail, lined up for their group photo, and those are still some of the most beautiful photos I’ve taken. The feeling that they all just knew what it meant to have photos of each other.

And any other pertinent info you’d like to share with us?
There is nothing more satisfying as a photographer than to show a rider an image of their horse and themselves going down trail and getting an audible gasp from their reaction. I love what I do and have so many friends and fellow horsemen who appreciate our efforts to come out to the rides and photograph. It makes it all worthwhile!

www.lindasherrill.com

Below are a few shots from a couple of Linda's favorite rides over the years.

These 2 are just a sample of Linda's varied work





 

Trailblazer cover is a sample of Linda's magazine work


2 horses running to finish line are Nat'l Champion and Reserve Champion at the 2011 AERC National Championships at Stanton, New Mexico



Blake Potter riding Julia Lynn’s stallion at Ft Stanton a couple years ago.


_______

Behind the Lens: Becky Pearman profile is here:
http://tracks.endurance.net/2020/02/behind-lens-get-to-know-endurance-ride.html

Behind the Lens: Dave Honan profile is here:
http://tracks.endurance.net/2020/03/behind-lens-get-to-know-endurance-ride.html

Heart 2 Heart Ranch in Idaho: Mules and Much More

March 16 2020
by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

They are a familiar sight on our local Idaho/Oregon endurance trails: Heart 2 Heart ranch mules, carrying young (mostly) girls who are smiling and laughing as they cover the miles.

Trinity and Jeff Jackson's mules of Heart 2 Heart ranch in Parma, Idaho, have long played an essential role in the Matthews-Jackson families. The long-eared equines work their magic in developing healing bonds with children with disabilities - both mental and physical - and their families.

Trinity's dad Warren has trained or re-trained the Heart 2 Heart mules to make them suitable mounts for Trinity's program. They are used for arena and trail riding and lessons and sessions, and for endurance, rodeo, and parade mounts for Trinity's 'kids.' The idea of the ranch started and came together in the summer of 2009, beginning with 5 kids. Over 11 years, Heart 2 Heart's program has grown to where Trinity has a waiting list. In 2019, last year's roster had 39 kids, working with 16 mules.

Every kid starts one-on-one in the arena with Trinity and a mule. "In the lessons, they're learning how to ride mules, but they're also learning balance and coordination," Trinity said. "Every kid has their own program. I figure out what their goals are, what I see they need; and we put a plan together for them." The plan may just include assisted riding on an older, dependable mule for the more frail children, or advanced riding in competitions, depending on the physical and/or mental needs of the kids. Over time, Trinity matches up the kids with the mule that suits them best; the more experienced endurance riders have to be able to ride all of the mules.

In addition to her full-time teaching and coaching jobs, the ranch is a full-time job also, though it's busiest in the summers, when school is out. "It's a labor of love," Trinity said. Her family - dad Warren, husband Jeff, their 3 girls, sister Jill, and in-laws - have been involved since the beginning. And the entire community supports her program and shows up for the year-end awards in November, which is outgrowing the community church's meeting room.

Heart 2 Heart ranch's story and mules are featured in the March 2020 issue of Mules and More magazine. That's Irish, a 16-year-old Thoroughbred mule in the lead on the cover, at the Autumn Sun Pioneer endurance ride near Gooding, Idaho.

The March issue of Mules and More magazine is available at:
https://www.facebook.com/MulesAndMore/

You can find out more about Heart 2 Heart at
http://www.h2hranch.com/

AERC Statement Regarding Precautionary Measures Amid Coronavirus (COVID-19) Concerns

March 13 2020

Due to concerns regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) and public health, American Endurance Ride Conference is taking precautionary measures and is following the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) guidelines and recommendations on the proper steps to take to help prevent the spread of the virus. AERC continues to closely monitor the developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

We understand that some rides will be cancelled or rescheduled over the next few weeks. Some rides will amend their policies regarding, for example, whether meals can be provided.

In accordance with health guidelines and recommendations from the CDC, we encourage our members and volunteers to wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and to make use of the hand sanitizers. Additionally, we recommend that our members and volunteers avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and, for the safety of others, remain at home if they feel ill.

AERC will continue to monitor the situation and follow guidance from the World Health Organization, the CDC, as well as other federal, state and local authorities.

Monica Chapman
AERC President

A Letter from the President and CEO Regarding USEF Licensed Competitions

USEF.org

by US Equestrian Communications Department | Mar 13, 2020, 1:00 PM EST

Dear USEF Members,

Your health, safety and well-being and that of your horses is paramount to USEF. We are continuing to closely monitor communications on the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all USEF owned events, selection trials, training camps, clinics, and activities will be suspended for the next 30 days. Additionally, USEF strongly recommends that competition organizers suspend all USEF licensed competitions across the country for the next 30 days and that equestrians do not compete for the next 30 days. For those competitions that do run, there will be no accumulation of points, scores, money won, qualifications, or rankings toward any USEF awards programs, USEF owned event, or selection to a US team during this 30-day time period. This includes USEF National Championships.

If you choose to compete, USEF recommends that you take immediate steps to limit your exposure and create social distancing. Based on information and guidance, in particular, from the CDC, the USEF provides the following recommendations to our membership. Participate in events that:

Are venues within close proximity (driving distance) to your residence;
Limit out of state competitors (and for currently operating winter circuits limit new out of state competitors);
Restrict free access in stabling areas to only essential personnel (ie; riders, grooms, farriers, vets, officials);
Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer at in-gates, competition offices, vendors and convenient places throughout the competition grounds;
Ensure restroom facilities are regularly cleaned;
Operate without spectators;
Limit social gatherings to less than 250 people as recommended by the CDC; and
Ensure that food services are of the type that limit contamination, buffets are strongly discouraged.

We are providing these same recommendations to Competition Organizers and asking them to comply within the next few days. Some may choose not to cancel their event but, all are expected to take steps to limit exposure and create social distancing. Some may impose additional restrictions and safety measures in line with guidance from local public health authorities. Therefore, we are requiring organizers to post all relevant information to their website and provide it to the USEF Competitions Department.

We are counting on you to make responsible decisions based on the information available, the conditions in your geographic area and the recommendations from your local public health authorities. USEF will continue to assess the situation on a daily basis and will update our position as circumstances warrant.

Resources from the CDC, WHO, USOPC, and the FEI are available on the USEF website (click here). Links found on this webpage provide you with direct access to valuable information on each organization’s website which is updated regularly.

If you have any questions, please contact us using this email: CustomerCare@usef.org and your inquiry will be addressed by the appropriate department.


Sincerely,
Murray S. Kessler
William J. Moroney

The Horse Show Podcast: S5E7 - Equestrian Legend; Endurance Rider Julie Suhr

Chrisstafford.podbean.com - Listen

March 9 2020

Californian Julie Suhr has broken records in Endurance competitions and milestones in horseback adventures around the globe. Since her first ride in the world renown 100 mile Tevis Cup, Julie has completed twenty-two times out of twenty-nine starts [updated to 33 Tevis Cup buckles]. She has collected three Haggin Cups for the Best Conditioned Horse to finish in the Top Ten and she famously garnered three in one year – the Turtle Award for being last to finish; the Hard Luck Award when her horse fell and she endured a full body mud bath and for being the Oldest rider. With a recorded 30,282 miles in competition which represents 63 one hundred mile rides and almost 500 fifty mile rides, Julie last completed the Tevis Cup at the age of 76 although four years later she made her final attempt and came within two miles of another record finish. Her adventure rides have taken her from the remote expanses of Outer Mongolia to the searing heights of the Himalayas. Julie is the author of Ten Feet Tall Still, Julie and Bob Suhr (deceased) have three children, Barbara, Robert, Nancy (deceased) and John as well as six grandchildren. Julie lives in Scotts Valley, California.

Listen:
https://chrisstafford.podbean.com/e/the-horse-show-s5e7-equestrian-legend-endurance-rider-julie-suhr/?fbclid=IwAR286v0htuoMM1CS_8F_1u2M9JJVwATpvBEeT9VK-q_7L6FWcjJUGSGpjcU

Endurance Horse Podcast: Long Feather Racing

Endurancehorsepodcast - Listen

March 7 2020

Welcome to the Long Feather Racing episode of Endurance Horse Podcast with The Milwaukee Art Museum & Veterans Light Up the Arts

This topic may seem to have little to do with endurance riding, we distance riders are often talking about riding the same horse over many miles, in this episode we talk to a father who manages a racing team that is comprised of his family members. Long Feather Racing Team stands tall among the many skilled teams who participate in Indian Relay Racing.

One rider, 3 horses and many team members comprise the team. Riders must mount bareback on their own power and relay onto three horses to win this race. Though swapping horses, high speeds and bareback seem to have little to do with endurance, I reached out to Richard Long Feather of Standing Rock Reservation to connect with him and listen in as shares his love of Indian Relay Racing.

It is funny how things come together if you track them backwards. As you may know, I had the idea for WARHORSE Endurance ride, that then also led me to loan an idea and name for a second ride to Laura to change the name and theme of her ride. I loaned her the name I had for another ride, Spirit Horse. Laura then spoke to people who gave her the idea to fund raise for an equine program at Rosebud Reservation- which brought me to purchasing the DVD, HORSE NATION, which helped me to find out about the Mankato ride, and the Wounded Knee ride, and then apparently FB suggested Long Feather Racing- and so I found Richard’s family & now Richard is on Endurance Horse Podcast.

Richard’s family works as a team traveling during the racing season covering many miles with typically six horses to care for. This sounded very familiar to the ride camp we all travel around to. I wanted to make a connection with Endurance Horse Podcast and this amazing family. As you can see, what started out as a short interview turned into much more as I found myself enjoying this man’s love for his horses and his home. I hope you all can forgive me as I learn the more technical side of recording. I think that we had a bad phone connection, though I hope you can listen long enough to see what a good horse connection we made.

Sit back, hold on and enjoy the ride!

Christina Hyke

Cheers to 2020!

Listen:
https://endurancehorsepodcast.podbean.com/e/long-feather-racing-also-milwaukee-art-museum-veterans-light-up-the-arts/

AERC Announces New Hall of Fame Members

March 9 2020

At the annual AERC Convention, held over the weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, AERC Newest Hall of Famers were announced at Saturday night's banquet.

Laurie Birch, from Rosamond, California, and her mare Scudd Run were recipients of the Pard'ners Award. The pair have, over 13 endurance seasons, completed 11,155 miles together.

Stagg and Cheryl Newman were co-recipients of Hall of Fame Person(s). From Candler, North Carolina, they are long-time endurance riders, and ride managers of the Biltmore Challenge and supporters of the sport of endurance.

Fire Mt Malabar, owned and ridden by Lee Pearce and Naomi Preston of Baker City, Oregon, was named Hall of Fame horse. With over 8000 miles to his credit over 13 seasons of endurance, the son of Sierra Fadwah recorded his second-highest mileage season last year, with 925 miles. In 2011 the gelding won the National Best Condition award with Lee.

Congrats to all the winners!

2019 AERC High Mileage Standardbred winner announced

USTrottingNews.com - Full Article

March 5, 2020, by Jessica Schroeder, USTA Membership Enrichment and Outreach Coordinator

Columbus, OH — The 2020 American Endurance Ride Conference convention is this weekend, March 6-7, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Fla.

Along with educational seminars, a tack swap and trade show, the National Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday evening. One of the awards announced will be the AERC 2019 High Mileage Standardbred. This year’s winner is last year’s High Mileage Standardbred Solar Partner (a.k.a. Trooper) and Bruce Weary. The award, presented by the USTA since 2011, has only one other team that won back-to-back years.

The now 12-year-old Trooper is by Shark St Partners, out of the Admirals Galley mare Solars Lady B. While Trooper and Weary recorded 520 total miles in 2018, in 2019 they only completed 290 miles at six out of the seven rides they attended. The non-completion ride was Tevis, the 24-hour, 100 mile ride held in California mid-summer each year.

“We just didn’t get to as many rides in 2019,” explained Weary. “At Tevis, my wife and I rode together and she was on a faster Arab. Trooper carried more weight and struggled to keep up at a speed that wasn’t best for him. I still think he could do it with a lightweight rider.”

Weary once again chose a blanket honoring Trooper’s accomplishments with the AERC; he sold the gelding last fall and this will be a way to remember him...

Read more here:
http://ustrottingnews.com/2019-aerc-high-mileage-standardbred-winner-announced/

Two area Montana women take on "world's toughest horse race"

MTStandard.com - Full Article

March 5 2020
Kristine DeLeon

or the next 10 days, two Montana women will be thundering deep into the wilds of Patagonia astride a series of horses they've never met.

With only a steed, a pack horse and minimal supplies, they will be navigating across some of the wildest terrain on Earth attempting to finish one of the toughest and most unusual equine challenges in modern history.

They will face countless problems, possibly encountering dehydration, hypothermia, dysentery, intense sleep deprivation, and overall fatigue.

Even for experienced horse riders, they know this is no mean feat. To top it all off, there will be no prize.

But that’s what Corie Downey of Whitehall and Marie Griffis of Manhattan signed up for when they applied to race in the Gaucho Derby, a 300-mile multi-horse race in Patagonia, Argentina...

Read more here:
https://mtstandard.com/news/local/two-area-women-take-on-world-s-toughest-horse-race/article_fa1c5275-be5c-593c-876c-b5f3e1156ec4.html

The last remaining member of the original Yucaipa Police Department retires

NewsMirror.net - Full Article

Rachael Gustuson
Mar 1, 2020

Torgils Wold was the last remaining member of the original Yucaipa Police Department, transferring to Yucaipa shortly after the city incorporated in 1989. As of Feb. 13, 2020, he is officially retired.

At the station, an overflowing crowd filled up the community room on Feb. 13, to say goodbye to a longtime fixture of YPD Wold and Secretary Kristina King, who will be transferring to another position.

Police Chief James Williams and Lt. James Porter shared Wold’s story with the large law enforcement crowd...

Read more here:
https://www.newsmirror.net/news/local/the-last-remaining-member-of-the-original-yucaipa-police-department/article_552a1e9e-598d-11ea-85ac-972ac4ef2392.html

Behind the Lens: Get to Know Endurance Ride Photographer Dave Honan

 

by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
March 2, 2020

The Endurance Ride Photographers Guild, ERPG, was formed in 2019, and consists of a group of two dozen professional, skilled photographers from around the USA dedicated to documenting AERC endurance ride events in the USA.

"Behind the Lens" series is a snapshot for readers and riders of the ERPG photographers who capture your endurance moments on the trails and in camp.

David Honan is a civil engineer, and a self-professed Train and Airplane geek, who has long been a contributor to Trains Magazine; highlights include winning their 2009 Photo Contest and having three covers, including the March 2020 issue currently on newsstands. The American Society of Civil Engineers has featured Dave's photos numerous times in their annual Bridges Wall Calendar, and he's twice had the honor of judging their Bridges Photo Contest.

His equine work has been featured on the covers of Endurance News multiple times, and Appaloosa Journal once.

Where do you live?
Snoqualmie, Washington

How did you first get into photography?
I've taken photos for fun almost as long as I can remember. I've had a lifelong passion for trains, so that's been a primary focus since the beginning. I'm also an avgeek and these days seem to spend more time on airplane photography than anything else.

What equipment do you normally shoot with?
I have a couple Canon DSLRs and a collection of L series lenses.

When did you start shooting endurance rides?
Spring of 2016.  My wife, Cortney, had been riding endurance for a few years and saw a post from Karen Bumgarner seeking a photographer for her Owyhee River Challenge. There's lots of great railroad photography to be found in Eastern Oregon, so I immediately accepted. Unexpectedly, I landed an Endurance News cover from that ride -- beginner's luck.

Why do you like shooting endurance rides?
The people in the endurance community are amazing, and I've always felt welcomed at rides.  It's really a delight to help create memories for Pacific Northwest riders.  Also, I enjoy using the opportunity for travel to ride sites to engage in my other photography interests.

What are challenges you find in shooting endurance rides?
I try to find dramatic backgrounds that are distinctive to the ride. It can be difficult to bring together great scenes with the time of day and direction riders are traveling.  A piece of advice I offer ride managers so they can help identify photo spots is to ride their loops backwards to see the trail as photographers will.

What are one or two of your favorite ride shooting stories/adventures/misadventures?
One year at Owyhee River Challenge I decided to shoot one of the Succor Creek crossings, but the water was too deep to ford in my car.  It took a couple trips of wading across to get all my gear to the far side... and I didn't quite time things correctly, resulting in at least one rider arriving before I got my pants back on.

A nice part about being on trail with a car is serving as additional event support.  Over the years I've handed up countless bottles of water to thirsty riders, and my wife takes particular pleasure in having a place to dump excess layers of clothing.

My worst misadventure was last year at Top o' the World, when my memory card with photos from the Continental Divide Trail failed before I could download the photos at home.  It was heartbreaking to have put in so much effort to capture those photos and come away with nothing. To prevent this in the future, I obtained a portable backup device this winter so I can download photos every day.

And any other pertinent info you’d like to share with us?
Find me on social media at www.facebook.com/DavidHonanPhotography, or @dwhonan on Twitter & Instagram.  Ride photos can be purchased via my website, www.davehonan.com.

Below are two shots from a couple of Dave's favorite rides over the years.


Cortney Honan and Amira riding the Continental Divide at Top O' The World near Spencer, Idaho


This photo of Karen Bumgarner aboard Owyhee Justice at the Owyhee River Challenge near Adrian, Oregon, made the cover of both Endurance News and Appaloosa Journal
___

Behind the Lens: Get to Know Endurance Ride Photographer Becky Pearman profile is here:
http://tracks.endurance.net/2020/02/behind-lens-get-to-know-endurance-ride.html

The Idaho IronHorse Challenge ​2020

Idaho IronHorse Challenge

Are you tough? Got what it takes to be crowned the 2020 Idaho IronHorse Champion? (Or the Idaho IronButt Champion?)

Last year's inaugural Idaho IronHorse Challenge saw endurance riding's rather famous Dave Rabe and his rather famous three horses, White Cloud, Cheys Cocamoe Joe, and Rushcreek Okay, crowned the Idaho IronButt Champion. No single horse and rider team was crowned the Idaho IronHorse Champion, though Nance Worman and Second Chance Fance came so close.

This year's Idaho IronHorse Challenge is a chance for you to test your mettle in Southern Idaho's four, AERC-sanctioned Pioneer rides: City of Rocks (June 11-12-13 in Almo), Top O' the World (July 24-25-26 near Spencer), Old Selam (September 4-5-6 near Idaho City), and Autumn Sun (October 9-10-11 near Gooding).

There are many categories you can compete in, with one horse or more, Limited Distance or endurance or a combination. The awards and subsequent fame are enormously gratifying.

Now get out on the trails and start conditioning!

For more information, see:
https://www.thesweatyequestrian.com/idahoironhorsechallenge.html

Challenging Ride at the 20 Mule Team

February 24 2020

The sometimes-deceptive terrain, and the always unpredictable weather, made for a challenging edition of this year's Twenty Mule Team endurance rides in Ridgecrest, California which ended in the wee hours of Sunday morning with a lower than normal finish percentage.

One rider described it as "A steady all day precipitation from misting to hail to pouring rain," that horses and riders contended with, though it did serve to keep the horses cool.

22 started the 65, with 13 finishing. Leahe Daby and Lucy won the 65 in a ride time of 9.01 and got Best Condition.

25 started the 100, with 10 finishing. Reyna Mero and Vaz Djets On won in a ride time of 14.01. Kaitlin Cummins and VA Anastahzi finished third in a ride time of 17.07 and got Best Condition.

For unofficial results and stories from riders, see:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2020TwentyMuleTeam/

Happy Trails Podcast: Finding Healing on Horseback

RideClimb.com - Listen

Recorded on February 27, 2020

My guest, Kathy Burns overcame personal trauma by immersing herself in nature while traveling the country, camping and riding. She is the author of SHLEP: Finding Healing on Horseback in the Lower 48 States. In the book, she describes her experiences traveling solo with her dog and horses, while healing herself on the trail and through her art.

She set out on her own in September 2013, with a goal to ride and paint in all 48 states. She was an inexperienced trailer driver and had never been horse camping in her life. She ran into many problems early on as she became accustomed to traveling full time with horses in unfamiliar territory.

Along the way, she met many kind-hearted people who opened their arms providing the support she needed so desperately. Eventually, the pieces of her broken life began to fall back into place.

Kathy’s story is moving and so inspiring. We all experience lows in life and it’s good to be reminded by tales like her’s, that no matter how bad it gets, there’s always hope for the future.

Happy Trails was produced by Jessica Isbrecht. Music by Jason Shaw.

Listen to the episode:
https://rideclimb.com/podcast/finding-healing-on-horseback/

Arizona: 100-mile endurance ride comes to Boyd Ranch

WickenburgSun.com - Full Article

February 19 2020
By Shawn Byrne

Sun Editor

A weekend of horseback endurance riding will take place from Feb. 29-March 1 at Boyd Ranch with distances of 30 miles, 50 and 100, and a 12-mile introduction ride across four divisions based on weight and one junior division.

Endurance riding near Wickenburg first appeared in the early 1970s, according to Dr. Lawrence Serrano and his wife, Maureen, mangers of the upcoming Land of the Sun Endurance Ride. The sport combines the athleticism that it takes to win, or even complete a ride, with the love of a nature ride on a desert trail by horseback.

“Boyd Ranch is a really nice ride,” said Crockett Dumas, a 74-year-old rider from Utah. “The most spectacular is the old growth saguaro. It’s the best ride in Arizona. The Serranos have worked hard putting on that ride...”\

Read more here:
http://www.wickenburgsun.com/around_town/image_c2bb41a8-534e-11ea-8feb-d7de4d287c1a.html

2020 February's Endurance Day on Horses in the Morning

Horsesinthemorning.com - Listen

Feb 11, 2020

Endurance Day: Karen’s Endurance Tip on getting medications for less, getting your Class A license, the Equilab app, Saddle fitting the Endurance horse and horse trekking in Mongolia. Listen in...

http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/endurance-day-equilab-app-saddle-fitting-and-horse-trekking-in-mongolia-for-02-11-2020/

Behind the Lens: Get to know Endurance Ride Photographer Becky Pearman

by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
February 18, 2020


The Endurance Ride Photographers Guild, ERPG, was formed in 2019, and consists of a group of two dozen professional, skilled photographers from around the USA dedicated to documenting AERC endurance ride events in the USA.

The aim of the ERPG is to preserve and promote the prestige of the AERC, the sport of endurance riding, and the quality and integrity of their photographers, in a mutually beneficial relationship of support, education, promotion, and protection. They also aim to provide unique, quality photographs of riders and horses for lasting memories of a sport we all love.
You can follow the ERPG here:
https://www.facebook.com/aercenduranceridephotographersguild/

Throughout the year, I’ll be spotlighting an ERPG photographer in Behind the Lens interviews, so that we get a snapshot of the human who’s behind the lens, capturing your best (and hopefully not worst!) moments on the trails and in camp.

Becky Pearman, https://beckypearman.smugmug.com/ is one of our long-time professional endurance ride photographers. In addition to endurance ride photography, she’s been published in numerous national magazines and websites, including John Lyon’s Perfect Horse magazine, US Equestrian Federation publications and online media, and breed magazines including Standardbred and Appaloosa. Some of her highest accomplishments are having been the US Endurance Team photographer in France for the 2014 World Equestrian Games, and covering the 2015 Young Riders World Championship in Chile for FEI and USEF. She currently has 49 magazine covers to her credit.

Where do you live?
Ivanhoe, Virginia

How did you first get into photography?
I inherited my dad's Zeiss-Icon 35mm camera when he passed - I was 13 that summer. My mom gave it to me out of nine kids. I never looked back. I started taking pictures of all the horses I could, and by the time I was about 19 I got my first money for competitive trail riding prints of my friend's horses. I still have that camera!

I have never had formal photography education besides my ninth grade teacher schooling me in darkroom techniques and camera settings. I worked on my high school yearbook staff.

What equipment do you normally shoot with?
Canon 7d Mark ii, which is a phenomenal crop sensor sports camera. Favorite lens is a 70-200 2.8 Canon. I’m getting ready to invest in my first full frame camera body!

When did you start shooting endurance rides?
I shot my first endurance ride in 1988 (I had been shooting CTR until then).

Why do you like shooting endurance rides?
My mom told me once that "horse" was probably the first word out of my mouth. Since then, my obsession with horses has never waned.

I love shooting endurance for the the natural action of horses and riders truly enjoying going down the trail with joy. I love the outdoors and seeing new places, experiencing all kinds of weather conditions and saying hi to riders on trail.

What are some challenges you find in shooting endurance rides?
Crummy lighting in the East regions because of so many wooded areas. Lack of accessibility to the best photo spots.

What are one or two of your favorite ride shooting stories/adventures/misadventures?
One time while shooting the Million Pines ride in Georgia about 2008, I had to park along Interstate 16 and climb a six foot fence to get to my photo spot at "Bobcat Rock". I was told to back my truck way up the bank to sort of be out of sight. Well that year I got my truck stuck. I just got enough cell service to call ride management and they sent Danny Herlong to pull me out. Which he did while I stayed in my spot shooting. 

I'd have to say my favorite memories though are of sitting in the rivers waiting on horses at the Big South Fork ride in Tennessee and Ride Between the Rivers in West Virginia. I was usually able to capture some unusual action in these spots and the beauty is incredible.

Also in 2018 at Leatherwood in North Carolina when it snowed. I'd been shooting over 30 years and that was the first time I ever shot endurance in the snow.

And any other pertinent info you’d like to share with us?
If you are reading this and ever plan to get into endurance photography, it can be the most rewarding, challenging, frustrating, crazy and (sometimes dangerous) way to "eke" out a meager income. But, it is super tough to be competitive in this digital world - be prepared for a challenge.

If you are reading this and are a customer of ride photographers, we thank you for your on-going business. Please be respectful of our copyright limits and always check with the photographer if you are not certain how that photo can be used, displayed or shared on social media! Now let's ride!

Below are three of of Becky’s favorite shots over the years.

This is at the spring Sand Hills Ride in South Carolina. I would get this sunrise shot while riders warmed up for the 50 miler. It was used on convention magnets a couple years ago, and a vertical shot like this one made the cover of Endurance News that year.

 
This family is the Issacs from Tennessee. Karen has been in AERC for about 25 yrs, and I photographed their daughter Madeline getting a bath in a horse bucket when she was a few months old at an endurance ride.

 
The group shot was taken at Leatherwood two years ago when it snowed. I had been photographing endurance about thirty years then and it was my first time shooting riders in the snow!

Endurance Horse Podcast: Rider Health - Part Three

EnduranceHorsePodcast - Listen

Created February 7, 2020

Welcome to episode 34 of Endurance Horse Podcast!

This topic has been a popular one, and I am having to expand it to a third part! We are chatting with Chrystal Stephens, the Director of Operations for Lifestriders Theraputic Riding Center in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Chrystal shares her extensive knowledge gained from working twelve years with two of the premier theraputic riding centers in Wisconsin. We will also hear from endurance rider Kim Fosler and her overcoming a back injury, Brooke Moeller will share how she is dealing with riding after having a difficult fall, we will hear more from Bridget Helms and what she does to stay fit to ride.

To wrap the episode up Jim & I chat a bit about the upcoming two year anniversary of Endurance Horse Podcast, so sit back, hold on and enjoy the ride!

Christina Hyke

Cheers to 2020!

Listen to the podcast:
https://endurancehorsepodcast.podbean.com/e/rider-health-part-three-interview-with-chrystal-stephens/

Boyd Zontelli Passes Away

by Maria Cooper

Heaven gained another angel last night. My dad, Boyd Zontelli, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends.
Those of you who knew him, knew what an incredible man he was. I don't say this just because he was my dad. I say this because the Dos Equis man had absolutely nothing on him. His life was fascinating. He was born into an Italian family in Minnesota in a small mining town (where he developed his love of horses) and then moved to Hollywood at a young age to pursue acting where met and befriended a few of the legends of the time. He had lots of acting roles and Burt Lancaster recommended him to John Ford. John Ford wanted him to co-star in a John Wayne movie and tried to sign him but he ultimately decided to pursue another path. He did, however, maintain his friendship with Steve McQueen and they were motorcycle riding buddies until Steve's passing.

His love of animals, particularly horses, is what drove him. When he spoke about horses his eyes would light up. He was kind and gentle and offered a new way of riding that was not typical in the horse world. He proved to everyone that his way, to show love and kindness and respect to the horse, was the winning way. He won the Tevis Cup three times and still holds the record. He was both a kind and gentle man but also a badass. He is a true Legend. I loved him so much and the world will not be the same without him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRE36uqEPZk

Arabian Horse Association Announces 2019 AERC High Point Winners

ArabianHorses.org

BETHANY GREYC+// (BEAUDACIOUS BEY X LU-NOIR DAKILA+), a 2008 mare is the Arabian AERC 100 Mile High Point Winner!

Bethany earned a total of 1,447 points for completing six 100 mile rides with owner and rider Gerald Cummings. “She may not be the fastest or the strongest horse in the race, but she has attitude and grit and for that I am extremely thankful for” Gerald says. The pair has completed a total of 2,805 lifetime miles since 2013 with 780 of those miles earned in the 2019 season.

The AERC Middle Distance High Point is an AHA nomination-based annual award given to the Arabian and Half-Arabian/Anglo-Arabian with the highest AERC points accumulated in the year through 50-99 mile Endurance rides.

BETHANY GREYC+// was also the winner of the Arabian AERC 50-99 Mile High Point award earning a total of 410.5 points.


Our 2019 Half Arabian/ Anglo Arabian AERC Mile High Point Winner is GREENBRIAR AL JABAL owned by Suzanne Hayes.

GREENBRIAR AL JABAL, ‘Atlas’ (WW SUN DANCER + X GO TIGER GO) is a 2003 gelding. Atlas has earned a total of 795 points for completing three 100 mile rides with owner and rider Suzanne Hayes. Suzanne states that “Atlas has over 3,000 miles in competition, is a decade horse (10+ years of competition), and has completed fourteen 100 Mile Rides. Hopefully with even more to come!”


We would also like to award an Honorable Mention for a Distance Horse which goes to NPS TANGO!

NPS TANGO (MURKANA MIKE X DOYA JUANA DANCE) owned and ridden by Geneva Soule is a 2003 mare that has completed 7 rides this year totaling 410 miles; since 2008 the pair has completed a total of 1,045 miles. Geneva states “Tango is pretty much the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Thanks to her breeder, Sandy Terp, for making our partnership possible! She’s one heck of a horse and our bond is like no other.”

Local Grass Roots Clubs Make the Endurance World Go Round

by Merri Melde-Endurance.net
February 10 2020

Saturday night in Boise, a group of some 75 endurance riders from Southwest Idaho Trail & Distance Riders gathered for a banquet and celebration of the previous year's endurance riding accomplishments. Most, dressed in unusual finery, were almost unrecognizable without helmets, helmet hair, dust and grime, or their horses. And nobody had to rush away after dinner to care for their horses after a day on the trail.

While AERC is the overall country-wide main endurance organization, the local, grass roots clubs around the country bring people together for their own closer relationships, awards, and fun. For 41 years, SWITnDR has been in existence for riders in the southern Idaho and eastern Oregon area (and a few from Washington and Wyoming!) who enjoy the sport of distance riding.

Saturday's catered dinner was a gastronomic delight, and the volume in the gathering space was deafening, as endurance riders have a lot to say to each other when they aren't concentrating on steering their mounts down the trails.


The awards for 2019's top mileage horses and riders were fleece coolers with the embroidered SWIT logo. Kim Johnson of Belesemo Arabians annually gives away an award for the high point Belesemo line Arabian; this year's winner was Belesemo Asfaloth, ridden by Veronica and Matthew Stanley.


Lots of swag was handed out to the six horse-and-rider teams who completed all nine days in the Limited Distance division of the first ever Idaho Ironhorse - three days at City of Rocks Pioneer, three days at Top O' the World Pioneer, and three days at Autumn Sun Pioneer. A big thank you goes out to ride managers Steph Teeter, Jessica Cobbley and Jessica Huber, and to sponsors Renegade Hoof Boots, Platinum Performance, Valley Vet, Pure Sole Hoof Products, and Redmond Equine. And as always, thank you to Riding Warehouse, who donated coupons for prizes at the banquet, and who for years has supported many of our rids in the Northwest.

Next year, the new three-day Old Selam Pioneer (formerly a one or two-day ride) will join the Idaho Ironhorse Challenge, opening the door to a Super Duper Ultimate Idaho IronHorse.


At the end of the evening, everybody said goodbye in their finery, knowing that next time we meet, it will be under helmets and aboard horses for the start of the 2020 endurance season in the April Tough Sucker ride.

Ride on!


Photo gallery:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ANjUQXp72gTjHzfe6

Endurance Horse Podcast: Rider Health - Part Two

Endurancehorsepodcast - Listen

Focused on Rider Health

Created February 4, 2020

Welcome to episode 33 of Endurance Horse Podcast!

This topic has been a popular one, and I am having to expand it to a second part and now a part three putting together soon. We are chatting about everything from overcoming injures, dealing with illnesses, how horses are therapist and yes, some about rider fitness & emotional health. Jim joins me for the intro of the podcast & we try to share a walk down memory lane sharing how horses have affected our lives—- though Itty Bitty Naughty Kitty kept biting my feet, take a listen, you will see…we do love Bitty, even when he’s naughty.

There is a bit more about fitness aspect of rider health, and more about horses as therapy.

Sit back, hold on and enjoy the ride!

Welcome to Episode 33 of Endurance Horse Podcast!

~Christina Hyke~

Listen:
https://endurancehorsepodcast.podbean.com/e/rider-health-part-two/

Endurance Horse Podcast: Rider Health - Part One

Endurance Horse Podcast - Listen

Created February 3, 2020

Welcome to episode 32 of Endurance Horse Podcast!

Rider health is the topic today & it has been a popular one, not surprising, all of us are riders & all have health to deal with. When it comes to rider health we are referring to an encompassing topic. Today we are chatting about everything from overcoming injures, dealing with illnesses, how horses are therapist and yes, some about riders fitness & emotional health. Guess what? SO many files were sent in I couldn't possibly fit them all into one episode, and believe it or not I am about to leave here in an hour to go do a second interview on this topic!

Honestly I was hesitant to cover this topic, as I know some of it can be hard to hear. It maybe easier to trot through a ride camp world where we all just smile and wave at each other- and not be the tiniest bit aware of what could be going on in the body of the other rider--- though think about how much we pay attention to the health of the rider's horse. I hope this episode does a lot to remind us all that all riders have more to contend with than the weather, the horse and the trail.

Christina Hyke

Cheers to the first episode of 2020!

Listen:
https://endurancehorsepodcast.podbean.com/e/rider-health-part-one/?fbclid=IwAR2Pjk-a81apf7-vpZDt3uGuTd2GEBZ2HBn-rJIbMMSYhmyB2ovDE6AkV_g

John Lyttle Passes Away

Endersandshirley.com

January 14, 1952 - February 2, 2020

John Edward Lyttle, 68, of Berryville, Virginia, died Sunday, February 2, 2020 at his home.

Mr. Lyttle was born January 14, 1952 in Washington, DC, son of the late Joseph Hester Lyttle and Mabel Virginia Reedy Lyttle.

He was a teacher for 30 years from 1976-2006 for Clarke County High School.

A member of Berryville Baptist Church for 43 years, he served as Deacon, church moderator and Chairman of the financial committee, and was a lay minister.

He married Kim McClinton Lyttle on August 17, 1975 in Washington, D.C.

Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Joy Marie KuyKendall and her husband, David, of Richmond, VA and Kristin Elizabeth Foltz and her husband, Wayne, of Berryville, VA; a sister, Mary Jane Lyttle Sennett of Vienna, VA; four grandchildren, Haley and Josh Foltz and Christine and John KuyKendall; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

His twin sons, Joseph Robert Lyttle and John Harold Lyttle and brother, Robert Joseph Lyttle, all preceded him in death.

A celebration of life will be held 12:00 Noon, Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Berryville Baptist Church, Berryville, VA with Rev. Dan Stanley officiating. A time of food and fellowship will follow. Burial will be private.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Berryville Baptist Church, 114 Academy St., Berryville, VA 22611, Shenandoah Valley Equine Rescue Network, SVERN, PO Box 527, Winchester, VA 22604 or to Clarke County Education Foundation, PO Box 1252, Berryville, VA 22611.

Pat Jones Oliva Passes Away

The endurance community lost a huge icon and legend on January 21. Pat Jones Oliva has passed away. She will be missed by so many near and far. Pat rode her last endurance ride at Foxcatcher in April 2017 earning her and Pepper the coveted Century Club recognition. Though she did not compete after that, she has NEVER stopped riding, and stayed connected to the endurance family by volunteering at several rides in the past few years.

Pat earned over 22,200 miles in endurance, earned the Decade Team award in 2003 with Pepper, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. When I think of Pat many words come to mind:

She had the most POSITIVE outlook on life (no matter what hardship was sent her way)
She had an infectious SMILE and LAUGH!
A wonderful ZEST for life and endless DETERMINATION
She was FIERCELY INDEPENDENT (to a fault... LOL)
Extremely OPINIONATED....LOL!
FAITHFUL and LOYAL to all who knew her
MENTOR to so many of us
Pat will be missed by so many of us!!!!
There will be a celebration of life in a month or so. Info will be posted when available

by Diane Connolly

Talkin' Trot: Endurance Riding News and Views

Talkin' Trot Podcast - Listen

Episode 1 - Talkin' Trot
January 31, 2020

Get to know your podcast hosts. Angie and Bridget give a short bio of who they are and how they got started in endurance riding.

Listen...
https://www.buzzsprout.com/793154/2627935-episode-1-talkin-trot?fbclid=IwAR23pM29McziF42ZXEFVyrCmZBj3lGkEipJBCOlv_5uaPsweL8VnmTdZQQE

Jessica Isbrecht’s “Happy Trails” - The New Trail Riding Podcast

From Organic Farm owner to Digital Nomad to Rock Climber to Endurance Rider to Podcast Host: Meet Jessica Isbrecht

by Merri Melde-Endurance.net

February 1 2020

Ride + Climb: Seeing the world, one trail or cliff at a time

The name of Jessica Isbrecht’s blog, Ride+Climb, tells you most of what you need to know about her: she’s a passionate horse rider, bold rock climber, and intrepid traveler. Because as you can imagine, it takes a bit of enterprising gumption to live as a digital nomad, to venture onto unexplored trails, and to hang off a cliff - which is how she and her partner Byron have lived for the last year and a half.

The nomadism started in the summer of 2018, following a very successful, but ultimately stressful entrepreneurial career as an organic farm owner in New Jersey. Green Duchess Farm was a way for Jess to be closer to nature and farms and animals, and to honor the memory of her mother, who had passed away too young and too suddenly from a rare form of lymphoma. “I wanted to help people lead healthier lives and hopefully not get sick,” Jessica said. 

The farm was so successful - she sold her products to restaurants all over New Jersey, to clients in Manhattan and Philadelphia, and on Amazon Fresh - that it wore her down physically and mentally. For those reasons and other issues and pressures, she and her partner Byron decided to close up, pull up stakes, and hit the road. “We decided that as long as I could take my horse with me, we were going to become nomads and go wherever there was good weather and good rock climbing.”

They bought a travel trailer, loaded up her horse Mackenzie in a horse trailer, and left New Jersey in June, heading north to Rumney, New Hampshire, a world class rock climbing destination. What had to be a good omen was that Jess happened to find a place to stay called Buck-N-Horse campground, about 10 minutes from the rock climbing cliffs. “We met some really wonderful, interesting characters at that campground, and they kind of became our family for the summer.”

While in the Northeast, Jessica took Mackenzie to Maine for their first endurance ride, the Pine Tree.

Jess had been in 4H for 12 years as a kid, and in New Jersey at the time, she and her mom were part of a competitive trail riding team. “That was my introduction to distance riding, and I absolutely loved it. And I loved it so much, that after I graduated from the 4H program, both my mom and I coached our county’s 4H distance riding program.

“I always knew endurance existed, and I wanted to do it eventually, but my young adulthood and trying to build a career got in the way. So I didn’t pick up the idea of endurance riding again until the winter before we were planning on leaving New Jersey and picking up this mobile lifestyle. I was kind of looking for something to motivate me to get out and ride more, because I was so obsessed with my farm and the business, that I pretty much spent five years nearly ignoring my horse and only riding occasionally. 

“I really wanted that thing to get me motivated to ride more, and I stumbled onto the Green Bean program. I just latched onto that, and I started going out in the snow and 19 degrees and conditioning and getting out riding. And I was just super excited.” The Pine Tree ride was hard and hot and humid and Jess was exhausted after they completed, but by the end of the evening she was looking at the AERC ride calendar, planning her next competition. “Am I crazy?” She wrote on her blog. “Perhaps. Am I addicted? Most likely.”

Frosty Oak Mackenzie, a 15-year-old Cleveland Bay Thoroughbred cross that had belonged to Jess’s mom, traveled solo with Jess and Byron for six months, from New Jersey up to Main, then south through the Appalachian states to Louisiana, “where we hung a right and went West all the way to Arizona.” Everywhere along their travels, Jess trail rode Mackenzie, and she and Byron both climbed.

In Arizona they looked for and bought a horse for Byron, so that he could ride with Jess, instead of bike or hike. They ended up with 8-year-old River, a Tennessee Walker mare. “She was nothing fancy to look at,” Jess said, “and I honestly wasn’t thrilled at the idea of getting another mare. She was the right price so we ended up taking a chance. And I’m so happy that we did, because she is just absolutely wonderful. She has carted Byron around as a beginner all over rocky steep trails, and he’s learned a lot riding her, and she just has the sweetest personality.”

River has joined the endurance world too; since that first Pine Tree ride in Maine, Jess has now done endurance rides in Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and California, aboard Mackenzie and River.

Jess and Byron have also trail ridden all over the country, in such beautiful and diverse areas, that it was almost a given that Jess would come up with another innovative idea to create something wonderful from their experiences.

“I’m a dedicated fan of Horses in the Morning podcast. It has shows dedicated to all different disciplines - there’s an endurance podcast with Karen Chaton, there’s a dressage show, and eventing, and one for off track thoroughbreds. It’s anything and everything horse related you can think of. 

“But the one thing that they don’t have is a show for trail riding. So I figured if I’m out here traveling all over the country and riding in different places all the time and experiencing all these things and meeting all these amazing people, what better fit is there.”

Even though Jessica has spent most of her horse life focused on competition, she’s always loved trail riding. “There’s just something about it, being alone with your horse, surrounded by the beauty of Nature - it’s just so special.”

In the Happy Trails podcast Jessica and her special guests will share amazing places around the country (and the world!) to ride and camp with your horse, how to travel and camp with horses, navigation skills and first aid and preparedness for riding in the wilderness, training your trail horse, horse packing, trail riding etiquette, trail access, and tales from other riders.

“Everybody has some kind of story, experiences to talk about, so I thought it would be cool to have a virtual campfire and get everybody to talk about it.”

And so the first Happy Trails podcast is live. Pull up a camp chair around the campfire and listen in here: http://rideclimb.com/podcast/

Jessica Isbrecht photos

2020 Distance Horse National Championship Set for September

The 2020 Distance Horse National Championships will be held this year in La Pine, OR at the Lava Cast Forest site on September 25-27. This is the first year at the Oregon location and we are very excited for the opportunity to hold the ride in Region 4. This year we are again partnered with the Appaloosa Horse Club, Paso Fino Horse Association, Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry, American Morgan Horse Association, Akhal-Teke Association of America and the American Saddlebred Registry to host their National Championship Ride(s). Among the many National Championships offered we also have three Limited Distance and 50 Open AERC/AHA Rides and a 100 Mile AERC /AHA Open Ride, along with an Open AHA Competitive Trail Ride. These Open Rides only require AERC membership and have no qualification requirements, however previously competing in a ride is recommended.
 
If you are interested in sponsoring this great event or have questions please visit the DNL Webpage or contact Paige Lockard at paige.lockard@arabianhorses.org or (303) 696-4535. See you all in Oregon!

2020 Canadian Nationals

The 2020 Canadian Schedule is now online with comments being received. Please email CanadaComm@arabianhorses.org.
Click here for more information.

AERC Decade Team: Standardbred East Meets West and Patricia Clark

by Patricia Clark
January 26 2020

This is a post that has been 12 years in the making. I adopted "Eli" from New Vocations back in 2009. He completed his first LD that season and then had a full season of LDs culminating with his first 50. Since then, he was the first USTA Standardbred distance horse of the year. He has also won SERA's 10 Consecutive Finishes award. He has 1280 Endurance and 525 LD miles.

We had a few setbacks last year and he didn't get to compete. We were all set to go to Carolina in November but he had a heel grab injury that needed more time. So, I decided to bring the big guy to Broxton Bridge which would undoubtedly be his kind of weather and ride.

We had a fantastic ride yesterday at Broxton. He was a handful for the first couple of loops but settled into his rhythmic big trot. We rode pretty conservatively and still managed to finish in 11th out of 28 and first lightweight. That was a quite a surprise! I figured we were in the 20s.

However, the most important and lasting victory for us was the completion of the ride that will award us AERC Decade Team. For those of you unfamiliar with the achievement, it is when an AERC partnership completes at least one 50 mile ride a year for 10 years. Anita Rees is checking around for me, but I believe that Eli may be the first Standardbred to achieve that designation. He has been a trail blazer for the Standardbred endurance horse in many ways and the pride I have for him cannot be put into words.

Thank you to all the amazing vets, volunteers, and ride management at Broxton. Job well done!

Oregon: Sisters Endurance Boot Camp

Sisters Endurance Boot Camp

Sisters Endurance Boot Camp on Saturday, April 25th and Sunday, April 26th. The clinic is designed to give you and your horse a real life endurance ride experience without the pressure of competition. Saturday will include three hours of discussion about various aspects of endurance riding led by practitioners, a community potluck and a "ride meeting". Sunday will feature a 4 mile and 12 mile loop with experienced riders available to accompany folks upon request. Fitness exams for your horse ("vet checks") with a real veterinarian are included. The ride will be based out of the Sisters Rodeo Grounds.

The cost is $40 for adults and $20 for juniors. Registration is limited to 30 riders. Auditors without horses are welcome to attend in exchange for helping out. If you're interested, please contact Jeff Tryens via email at jeff.tryens@gmail.com

Endurance Riding Convention Set for March 6 and 7 in Jacksonville, Florida

January 24 2020
 
Endurance competitors and enthusiasts from all over the United States and Canada will gather for the annual American Endurance Ride Conference convention March 6-7, 2020, in Jacksonville, Florida.

The two-day extravaganza at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront will include vendor booths, free and paid seminars, awards programs, and a chance for those interested in the sport to find out more about endurance riding from those who are more than happy to share their knowledge and welcome new riders to their ranks.

“This is AERC’s first national convention in Florida,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. “There are so many equestrian opportunities in the area, and we’re excited to welcome riders from other disciplines who want to see what endurance is all about.”

AERC, whose motto is “to finish is to win,” is headquartered in Auburn, California, which bills itself as the “endurance capital of the world.” Founded in 1972, AERC sanctions more than 700 rides from 25 to 100 miles in distance.

The no-cost vendor area, open to all from 8-6 on Friday, March 6, and 8-5 on Saturday, March 7, puts riders directly in touch with tack, equestrian clothing and gear, and saddle vendors and an assortment of other knowledgeable sellers of both needed (feed) and fun (jewelry) goods. A tack swap held during vendor hours is super for finding pre-owned items at bargain rates.

Shopping aside, education is a main component of AERC’s convention, with seven seminars on Friday and Saturday that will provide cutting-edge knowledge for current and prospective endurance riders. Seminar tickets, sold by the day, can be purchased at AERC.org/Convention or at the venue.

Seminars at the 2020 AERC convention:

· Extending the Longevity of Your Horse’s Career with Melissa Ribley, DVM

· Gaining, Training and Retaining Younger Riders, with Jay Randle of the Australian Endurance Riders Association

· Recognizing Cardiac/Respiratory Problems with Mariano Mora-Pereira, LV, MS, DACVIM

· Joint and Tendon Therapies: What’s New? with Jennifer Taintor, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVSMR

· The Evolution of AERC’s Drug Rule, with Jeanette Mero, DVM

· Equine Chiropractic, with Troy (Ike) Nelson, DVM

· Lameness Evaluation (See What the Veterinarians See) with Robert Marshall, DVM

But the convention isn’t all serious education. It’s also a celebration of accomplishments, with both regional and national award ceremonies, and a Friday night dance with The Snacks Blues Band.

In addition, conference attendees always enjoy the popular annual Tack Swap that allows riders to pick up tack and related items at bargain prices, with 10% of proceeds benefitting the AERC. 

Local organizations, including The Old Dominion Equestrian Endurance Organization, Inc., East Coast Ride & Tie, Southeast Endurance Riders Association (SERA) and South Eastern Distance Riders Association (SEDRA) will be present to talk about local riding and competition opportunities.

The Green Bean Organization, designed for “green” or new endurance riders, will have a booth at the convention, and will provide friendly information to those new to the sport.

For more information, and to register and receive the best pricing on conference seminars, please visit https://aerc.org/convention.
 
About AERC

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as a national governing body for long distance riding. Over the years it has developed a set of rules and guidelines designed to provide a standardized format and strict veterinary controls.

In addition to promoting the sport of endurance riding, the AERC encourages the use, protection, and development of equestrian trails, especially those with historic significance. These rides promote awareness of the importance of trail preservation for future generations and foster an appreciation of our American heritage. For more information please visit us at www.aerc.org.

Contact: Troy Smith
AERC Publications
866-271-2372
endurancenews@aerc.org

2020 January's Endurance Day on Horses in the Morning

HorsesInTheMorning.com - Listen

Jan 14, 2020

Endurance Day Revisit: Sharing the trails with others, Dr. Jerrie Gillespie speaks about “Discovering the Dehydration Tipping Point”, Lori McIntosh speaks about Radiant Longevity and Karen’s clipper fiasco. Listen in...

https://www.horsesinthemorning.com/endurance-day-hydration-study-and-radiant-longevity-revisit-for-01-14-2020/

Endurance Horse Podcast: Episode 31 Updates & Happy NEW YEAR!

EnduranceHorsePodcast - Listen

Welcome to episode 31 of Endurance Horse Podcast!

Sit back, hold on and enjoy the ride!

And Happy New Year or New Year’s Eve depending on which side of the great globe you reside on! Thank you for listening in, sharing and sending in audio files to Endurance Horse Podcast- you made 2019 a very happy and memorable year! Here’s to many more miles & many more memories in 2020! As we say goodbye to the last decade, lets say hello to some updates and friends new and familiar! Blessings to you all as you embark on the new journey that is rolling out in front of you in 2020!

~Christina Hyke~

Cheers to the last episode of 2019!

Listen:
https://endurancehorsepodcast.podbean.com/e/episode-31-updates-happy-new-year/

Canada's 2019 Endurance Year-End Award Recipients Announced

Equestrian.ca

Ottawa, ON, Jan. 20, 2020 – The Equestrian Canada (EC) Endurance Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 Endurance Year-End Awards. These awards recognize individuals and equines that have put countless hours and tireless effort towards the pursuit of personal excellence in endurance, and the sport’s growth in Canada.

See the list here:
https://www.equestrian.ca/news/nFLaXzG8wRs9YgSdq/2019-endurance-year-end-award-recipients

Jim Baldwin Tevis Trail Memorial Fund

GoFundMe.com

Sue Hunter Jaffe is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Western States Trail Endowment Fund. Donations are 100% tax deductible.

Created January 1, 2020

This fund is to raise money to memoralize our dear friend Dr. Jim Baldwin, DVM who passed on December 31, 2019. These funds will go directly to the Western States Trail Endowment Fund and will be used to adopt sections of the trail with the balance going to support ongoing maintenance of the trail in Jim's name.

Jim first got involved with endurance riding back in the mid 1980's when he was asked to work as a ride veterinarian. He later took up riding endurance himself. Jim traveled the world serving in many different roles supporting endurance riding. Jim loved the Tevis endurance ride and served as a ride veterinarian more than a dozen times. Jim rode and completed the Tevis in 1995 on his gelding Goose.

You can learn more about the Western States Trail Endowment Fund and the Tevis Endurance ride by going to http://www.teviscup.org/

WSTEF is a qualified Charitable Organization. Your Adopt-the-Trail donations may qualify as a deduction for tax purposes. You should consult with your tax advisor for complete information. Upon request, the WSTEF Office will provide a donation receipt for your records. You can reach them at Western States Trail Endowment Fund, 150A Gum Lane, #103, Auburn, CA 95603. Phone number (530) 823-7281.

More information at:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/jim-baldwin-tevis-trail-memorial-fund?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_lico%2Bupdate&fbclid=IwAR1VN6HxN9I9qhBHVc55Aucu77AamWRdrY0Pu-P4ZYHkX7KLchtefJyoDX4

Juniors and Young Riders: 2020 Anne Ayala Scholarship Deadline is February 1

AERC members from high school senior year through age 21 are invited to apply for the 2020 Anne Ayala Scholarship. Deadline for application: February 1, 2020.

• Open to AERC Juniors and Young Riders in good standing from their high school senior year through age 21 (must be younger than 22 as of 1/1/2019)
• Applicants must have a minimum of 500 AERC lifetime miles
• Applicants must have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0
•A minimum of one scholarship of $1000 will be awarded.The AERC scholarship can be applied to colleges and universitiesas well as technical schools and specialized training programs.
•Applications will be reviewed by the AERC Hall of Fame Committee
•Scholarship announcement will take place at the AERC Annual Convention on March 7, 2020, in Jacksonville, FloridaaPast recipients are not eligible

Applications must be received by February 1, 2020, and must be submitted tothe AERC office via mail: AERC, Attn: Scholarship, P.O. Box 6027, Auburn, CA 95604or e-mail: office@aerc.org. See application form for details:
https://aerc.org/static/Temp/2020Scholarship.pdf