Start Ready, Finish Proud
The mission of the Equine Distance Riding Association is to promote, at all levels and to all members, safe, competitive equine distance riding events and experiences.
EDRA boundaries include the continental US and Canada. Lifetime miles of equine and rider will be compiled for EDRA sanctioned events within these boundaries. Central to EDRA’s mission is a robust mentoring program that supports the development of equines, riders and ride managers to their maximum capabilities while protecting horse and rider. Fun, friendly, and fair competition in a learning environment is our goal.
News and Updates
Conference Schedule and Ride Times
Riders – Check Your Ride Time Here Conference Schedule Arrival and Check-in Official registration and check-in begin at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 27th. If you wish to arrive early on Thursday, March 26th, you may do so; however, please note that this is outside of the EDRA event dates. Early arrivals must pay the Palouse Fairgrounds directly via the on-site drop box ($15 per horse for stall rental and $15 for the extra night of camping). What to Bring – All Attendees: Comfortable clothing and athletic shoes for the movement and exercise session with Tamara Baysinger, and a dish to share for the Friday night potluck (see previous email) – All attendees: We encourage you to bring cash for the fundraisers! – Horse
EDRA Conference Tack Sale
EDRA Conference Tack Sale Tack Sale Form Supporting the Mary & Anna Memorial Youth Fund We’ll be hosting a Tack Sale during the conference to benefit the Mary & Anna Memorial Youth Fund. Twenty percent of all sales will go directly toward subsidizing youth ride entries. Bringing items to sell? Please read carefully and fill out the Tack Sale Form: • Items must be clean and in good, usable condition• No items needing repair or cleaning• Sellers must pick up and take home any unsold items• Cash only — no checks or card processing available Acceptable items include: • Saddles, bridles, pads, and other tack• Horse blankets• Unused supplements• Safety vests• Hoof boots• Riding tights, sun shirts, and other equestrian clothing Please bring quality items
2026 EDRA Conference
2026 Conference Agenda Riders – Check your Clinic Ride Time Here Tack Sale We’re pleased to share that registration is now open for current EDRA members for the 2026 EDRA Conference, to be held March 27–29 at the Palouse Fairgrounds in Colfax, Washington. This year’s conference brings together education, horse clinics, rider fitness, veterinary knowledge, and opportunities to connect with fellow endurance riders — all in one weekend. Conference OverviewDates: March 27–29, 2026Location: Palouse Fairgrounds, Colfax, WA Registration is currently open to EDRA members only.We plan to open registration to PNER members and non-members around February 1, and will share that date when confirmed. Register here. Horse ClinicsFriday, March 27 — Clinic with Shelah WetterShelah will offer three distinct 45-minute sessions. Riders may participate in
Education & More
Arena Work for Endurance Riding
With the winter weather acting up, I haven’t been able to hit the trails for a while. One particular challenge for me is that while I might be having a great, sunny day at approx. 300ft elevation, my trailheads at 1800ft elevation have vastly different weather and the 3 miles in between can be treacherous so… no trails. Luckily, we’ve been able to maintain regular riding thanks to access to a local indoor arena, especially since I rely on giving horse lessons to make ends meet. Generally speaking, we hit up the arena 2-3 times per week. Most of my younger students ride Vinnie with close supervision, while my older students have grown to love Zorro and ride fairly independently. Both horses have pretty light walk/trot work
Forward Progress During Winter
As I sit by the fireplace watching snow fall, I can’t help but think, “how in the world am I going to be ready for the first endurance ride of the season?”. If you know me, you know I really really love planning. My plans change every other week, but I think I have my early season stuff pretty solidified. Winter presents unique challenges for us endurance riders. Shorter days, colder temperatures, and adverse weather conditions can make training difficult. However, maintaining forward progress during the winter is crucial to ensuring that both you and your horse are prepared for the upcoming ride season if you’d like to begin your season early (April or May, as opposed to July/August). The key to success is finding the right balance between rest
Setting Realistic Goals
Submitted by EDRA member Emilee Randal Setting Realistic Goals for Your Endurance Season When I first started endurance riding, my dreams were big— why wouldn’t they be? I’d spent hours scrolling through photos of riders crossing iconic finish lines and imagined myself achieving the same milestones. But as any endurance rider will tell you, this sport has a way of humbling you. That first, second, and third (especially the third, aka 2024) season taught me a valuable lesson: success in endurance isn’t just about determination; it’s about setting realistic goals that honor both your abilities and your horse’s well-being. Now, as the new season approaches, I want to share what I’ve learned about goal-setting, especially for ambitious novice riders eager to dive into this challenging