A message from Kathleen Pillo President of EDRA,

Hello and Welcome to the Equine Distance Riding Association! My name is Kathleen Pillo and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve you as President of EDRA for the next two seasons.

As we move into 2021, EDRA leadership remains focused on staying true to our mission statement by promoting safe, competitive equine distance riding events and experiences. In EDRA we are invested in our members’ success. When members are successful, we have more competitive events, we have healthier horses, and we have more fun. For our youth riders these events plant seeds of resilience, hard work, and positive experience. Things they will draw from later in life when they experience disappointment or hard times.

 In our most recent BOD meeting I asked our team of highly capable, motivated volunteers to consider the question; “What makes an experience gratifying to you?”

I would encourage all our members and future members to think about this question and even send me your thoughts if you are willing.

For me, the most gratifying experiences I have had in distance riding are when I can see the fruits of my labor pay off.

                -That first completion for a horse new to the sport.

                -Seeing my 9 year old daughter complete her first race on a horse I trained.

                -Completing Tevis on my first try with a horse I found, trained, and conditioned with the goal of developing her as a 100 mile horse. I took advantage of having an experienced EDRA mentor who wanted me to have success and helped me achieve this goal.

I have noticed that the things that are gratifying to me are things that were HARD. This sport takes hard work. In a world that tries to attract people to spend money and time on things by making them easy, EDRA is here to help you to inspire you – to participate in something hard.

What EDRA will make easy is access to mentors, education, and welcoming / inclusive distancing riding events.

I look forward to a successful 2021.

Respectfully,

Kathleen Pillo

2021 EDRA Officers List

Mission Statement

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.