Navigating the Ups and Downs of Distance Riding in 2023
Some reflections on Distance Riding, EDRA, and the people who love this amazing sport:
“I used all of the wisdom and tips from incredible riders around me in the EDRA community and from sponsors.”
“Learning how to fail with grace, and no matter what, to love your horse. These are all things that are important to sportsmanship as well as life lessons. For the love of the horse.”
“I love the people in this community and whether I’m planning on racing or just tagging along on conditioning rides as we get more into this summer, I feel like Cinder and I will still benefit learning from everyone along the way.”
“I have had support and encouragement from so many people in endurance – it’s one of the reasons I really love the sport.”
“This sport and these people teach me more than just how to ride and how to get through a distance. I am learning skills now as a 16-year-old that will help carry me through the rest of my life.”
“Part of the joy of endurance is creating your village with other people who are just as crazy as you, and enjoy spending long hours in the saddle to see some of the most beautiful trails.”
How remarkably dedicated and tenacious you all are! Read on for “the rest of the story!”
Katie Daley and Three Socks at Sand Canyon – photo credit David Honan
Katie says, “This year has certainly had a lot packed into it! ….with the help of Shelah Wetter, we added another wonderful Saddlebred to the family to hopefully be my next up and coming endurance partner. I earned my Unaccompanied Youth status for EDRA and rode my first ride solo at Sand Canyon! I used all of the wisdom and tips from incredible riders around me in the EDRA community and from sponsors ..to shout out a few: Shelah Wetter, Kim Elkins, Sue Summers, Sandy Cheek, Cortney Honan, and Jamie Hughes. As well I started my senior year of high school. I have learned TONS from EDRA and my wonderful mentor Shelah.”
Shelah Wetter and Team Blue Haven at Don’t Fence Me In – Photo credit David Honan
Shelah Wetter doesn’t mince words when reflecting on the 2023 endurance season. She says, “2023 was a year of failure for Team Blue Haven. Now that’s a bold statement. It was not all bad; there were also many triumphs. But for many of my junior riders, it was a year of tough lessons. Many goals were not met, and life lessons were learned. Mainly how to pick yourself up, regroup, troubleshoot and continue on. Learning how to fail with grace, and no matter what, to love your horse. These are all things that are important to sportsmanship as well as life lessons. I am not the most touch feely type person, but I try hard to teach resilience by example. Cheers to 2024, may we all continue to work hard towards our goals. For the love of the horse.”
Beth Meenaghan and Foxy at Ride the Loup – photo credit David Honan
Beth Meenaghan shared what was truly an epic journey with her mare, Foxy. In 2022, she only did 2 rides, one of which was overtime. But in order to “Start Ready, Finish Proud” Beth decided “the best way to get long training miles was to go to endurance events. I created a fairly ambitious schedule ….and also joined EDRA, which helped me add more rides.” Beth ended up attending 8 rides in 2023! How’s that for achieving goals? She says, “Joining EDRA made a significant impact on my 2023 season. I ended up with 7 completions, including 5 Top Ten finishes.”
Beth says, “I have had support and encouragement from so many people in endurance – it’s one of the reasons I really love the sport. Amy Jones has always encouraged me to do things I don’t believe I can do. I was …a bit intimidated by the EDRA ride descriptions…but I finally joined EDRA with Amy’s encouragement. I learned that the EDRA rides are challenging – and that Foxy and I are up to the challenge.” And with Terri Powell’s encouragement, not only was Beth able to finish a ride in time, but she was in Top 10! She reflects, “I will never forget how I felt after that finish…I was in so much shock to have done so well….I realized that my lack of confidence had been holding us back. Going to so many rides this year allowed Foxy and I both to gain experience and confidence, and we overcame many of our initial challenges. By the time 2023 season was over, I was amazed how far Foxy and I had come since April. We learned so much – and had so much fun. I am looking forward to more in 2024.”
Kendal Ingraham with Stehekin and Cinder
Kendal plans ahead. Before she got a horse (actually two), she bought a horse trailer (see last year’s post), and six tons of hay. Now she was ready for Cinder, a 6-year-old Appaloosa Arabian with nary a spot on her. Kendal says, “Cinder and I took it slow to get to know one another and I quickly learned she was not a horse who can live by herself. So in November, along came Stehekin, an 11 year old Shetland pony. His manners and personality will make you like Shetlands! Cinder also has a great personality and although she lets me know her thoughts, she does it in a very well-mannered way. Will we pursue endurance? I’m not sure yet, but I love the people in this community and whether I’m planning on racing or just tagging along on conditioning rides as we get more into this summer, I feel like Cinder and I will still benefit learning from everyone along the way.”
Emilee Randal and Robin
Emilee’s story is the essence of “Ups and Downs” of this sport. She got a new horse whom she adores; she had a wild adventure trip with her mentor Jennifer Kaplan to ride in Utah; she had 100% completion rate on her races, in particular at the tough Diamond in the Rough ride and got Junior BC (or Youth) at every ride she entered. Lots of reasons to feel happy. But sadly, she had to retire her wonderful horse Robin from endurance. Nevertheless, Emilee had a great season. “In 2023, I rode almost 400 competition miles and that would not have been possible without Jennifer Kaplan, my mentor. She mentors me both in life and the sport and I am so grateful for her guidance. Without her, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to go to Utah, which was a life-changing experience. She’s taught me so much about becoming a better horsewoman and I do not think I would have done so well this year without her.” Emilee also indicated her deep appreciation for each her sponsors: “Darlene Merlich, Alex Gesheva, Sandy Cheek, Libby Kalkoske, Kelsey Lene, Jeff Moor, Danielle Delamater, Jessica DiCamillo, and Carry Loughry – have all taught me something. This will be my third season and I am so thankful to everyone, especially to my mom, for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow. This sport and these people teach me more than just how to ride and how to get through a distance. I am learning skills now as a 16-year-old that will help carry me through the rest of my life.”
Nancy Zukewich’s 3-year-old fillies
In 2022, Nancy realized a lifelong dream and brought her horses home to her very own farm. She’s been working hard and is happy to report a highlight was “getting hydro (that’s Canadian for electrical power) at the farm so no more running the well with a generator!” On the horse front, with the help of her friend and mentor Leslie Lloyd, she backed both her filles and is well on her way to preparing two prospects for a life of distance riding!
Cristina Vaughan and Jax at Diamond in the Rough – photo credit David Honan
“2023 was my first year of doing 50 mile rides….It was a year full of learning about our partnership and how to handle the increased distance, especially the starts as he is a very hot horse. At one particularly difficult ride, because he was being so difficult, we did have a discussion about donating him to a tiger sanctuary due to his behavior, but we worked through it and finished with terrific vet scores. We still have some issues, but we have both improved significantly from our first 50. I learned how to travel long distances with Jax going to a ride in Colorado. I was very proud that we were able to complete all the rides we attempted this season both healthy and sound.” When asked about help along the way, Cristina said, “I couldn’t have completed all the rides without may fantastic mentor team. Becky Osborn as my official mentor is always there to answer my many, many questions regarding everything endurance related. Sandy Cheek…was always happy to give sound advice on everything from pacing, to where to start in the pack, to lending me a cooling jacket on one of the hottest rides of the year. She always believed in me and Jax when I had doubts about our partnership and is the reason I never gave up on him despite him being a complicated little horse.” She also called out thanks to “my many conditioning and travel buddies including Kelsey Corey, Katie LeFramboise, Sara Campbell, and Cori Smith. Part of the joy of endurance is creating your village with other people who are just as crazy as you, and enjoy spending long hours in the saddle to see some of the most beautiful trails.”
“Some of my greatest challenges still include trying to have a calm start and encouraging Jax to eat throughout the ride. Continuing to take Jax to rides as well as going on low-stress camping trips have helped his travel anxiety immensely, and I am still tweaking his feeding to find out what he will eat best. We are working through some medical challenges currently, and hope to be back for the 2024 season…but if needed, might take a season off to figure things out.”
Valerie Pflughoeft and Rus at Ride the Loup – photo credit David Honan
Valerie says “the two big things for me in 2023 were finishing my first 50 at Don’t Fence Me In and then doing the 50 at Ride the Loup. But the biggest change for her was in how her riding evolved from one ride to the other, and how her relationship with Russ has strengthened as a result. She reflected on her challenges on the first 50 – post-ride fatigue and soreness – and signed up for a clinic with Solange Ellis (who will be at the EDRA conference in March!). At Ride the Loup in the fall, “I was able to sit Russy’s downhill trot, stayed secure in the saddle and stopped him when dogs ran out of the woods and he bolted and did an efficient and effective posting trot. I was able to walk normally and was “normally” exhausted, but so incredibly proud of both of us.” She goes on to say “In 2022, Rus dumped me at the start of Ride the Loup. In 2023, we have come a huge ways in our partnership and communication. I love that little horse, and I was so proud of us finishing a 50 in 2023 when we weren’t able to start the same 25 in 2022.”
The tag line for EDRA is “Start Ready, Finish Proud.” These EDRA members have demonstrated tremendous commitment to doing exactly that – preparing their horses for new challenges, and no matter what the outcome, learning and growing into better horsemen and women and better people.
