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US Equestrian Names Jeffrey Stuart as Chef d’Equipe of the U.S. Endurance Team
USEF.org
by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 3/2/2026
Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey Stuart as the U.S. Endurance Team Chef d’Equipe for the 2026 competition year. Mr. Stuart will lead the program through the remainder of the 2026 season, culminating with preparation for the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship in Al Ula on November 28, 2026.
"I am so excited and grateful to be part of this team.” Mr. Stuart said, “The organization, horse owners, riders, vets, support/crews, and everyone involved have the best opportunity we’ve had to do great things in Alula Saudia Arabia this coming November. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and working with U.S. Endurance”
Mr. Stuart brings more than two decades of experience in endurance sport and a distinguished career in military leadership to the role. He began his involvement in endurance in 1999 and has since served the discipline in multiple capacities, including 11 years as a national endurance ride manager and as crew at several recent FEI Championships. Over the years, he had trained Endurance horses, including FEI Level, and worked closely with athletes competing at the highest levels of the sport.
In addition to his equestrian background, Mr. Stuart served in the United States military from 1976 to 2011, holding multiple leadership roles including Commander, Director, and Chief of Staff. His extensive experience guiding teams in high-pressure environments has shaped his philosophy on preparation, accountability, and collective success. He has frequently been invited to speak on teamwork, resilience, and the importance of being a critical member of a unified team — principles he intends to carry forward with the U.S. Endurance Team.
In his role as Chef d’Equipe, Stuart will oversee team coordination, preparation, and strategy for the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship with the help of team veterinarian, Dr. Olivia Rudolphi and Team Leader, Nicole Zerbee. His combined experience in endurance sport and high-level organizational leadership positions will support the U.S. Endurance Team for a focused and strategic path toward international success.
More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-names-jeffrey-stuart-as-chef
Endurance Horse Podcast: Shelah Wetter- 20,000 Miles on American Saddlebreds
EnduranceHorsePodcasdt - Listen
February 21 2026
hosted by Christina Hyke
What does it take to ride 20,000 endurance miles?
Belief. Patience. And the courage to ride your own path.
As part of our Year of the Horse spotlight, February celebrates the American Saddlebred — and in this episode, I sit down with lifelong Saddlebred horsewoman and endurance rider Shelah Wetter, owner of Blue Haven Stable.
Shelah has logged over 20,000 endurance miles aboard American Saddlebreds and was honored in 2025 as Sport Horse Owner and/or Breeder of the Year by the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association.
In this conversation we talk about:
• How she chose her endurance partner
• What makes a Saddlebred shine on the trail
• And how welcoming new riders strengthens the future of endurance
If you love strong partnerships and the long game — this one is for you!
Listen and see more at:
https://endurancehorsepodcast.podbean.com/e/shelah-wetter-20000-miles-on-american-saddlebreds/
AlFursan Review: Operational Trials and Technical Readiness Venue Audit
SOURCE: ENDURANCE.NET - February 28 2026 - The recently completed test event, specifically the AlFursan Endurance AlUla 2026 and the associated Mutadil Endurance Cup, served as the final major operational trial ahead of the FEI Endurance World Championship scheduled for November 2026. The event provided critical insights into the readiness of the venue and the course, with significant feedback gathering from participating teams and National Federations (NFs).
Event Overview and Results
The competition featured intense racing across varied desert terrain, attracting elite riders from around the world...
Read the rest here:
http://endurance.net/international/SaudiArabia/2026WorldEnduranceChampionship/PostAlFursanVenueAudit.html
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Race Day 9 – Wind Returns. Emotional Finishes.
Equestrianists.com - Full Story
Stevie Delahunt
27th February 2026
The wind is back today and so is a majority of the field. We started the day with the 15th place rider tie between AMC JDO and LST into a secure finish. The finish line flags were at full throttle which made the horses engage full breaks. Nevertheless these girls got their mounts across in one last trail riding challenge and managed to pass the vet check with ease as well. AMC wanted to bring her finish line ride home with her and the two spent some good cuddle time after he came in at an admirable 46bpm...
Read the rest here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-race-day-9-wind-returns-emotional-finishes/
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Race Day 8 – Full Send. Winners Crowned.
Equestrianists.com - Full Story
Stevie Delahunt
26th February 2026
Yeeeehawww!!! If you were anywhere near that finish line today you either lost your voice, your mind, or both. Fourteen riders are in and what a wild ride it has been. With twenty seven riders still out there living their best cinematic adventure the fourteen who made it home have done their mates proud and given the world a show complete with suspense, plot twists, and questionable life choices.
Our top five riders came screaming in like they had somewhere important to be, throwing caution to the wind and gambling hard on passing the extremely low heart rate ruling we have set. It was less calculated endurance strategy and more riverboat poker with a stopwatch.
It’s been reported that when SWA and HMC decided to pump the gas to the line everyone locked eyes and collectively thought, “well here we go!” No one wanted to pull up and concede the lead but all were very aware they were about to bet their entire finish on a pulse check...
Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-race-day-8-full-send-winners-crowned/
Gaucho Derby – Race Day 7 – Six Strong. One Shot.
Equestrianists.com - Full Story
Stevie Delahunt
25th February 2026
Ooooh, is this ever shaping up to be a photo finish. Thanks to a diabolical alignment of hold times and a healthy number of riders hitting it like the brick wall that it is, the front pack is about to be dropped into an even start gate. That’s right, folks. All six riders at the sharp end of the field are spending the night together and will launch at the gun at 8am sharp our time. If there were ever a night for obsessive map staring, second guessing, and ruthless gear trimming, this is it. One has to wonder how many layers and bits of luggage quietly disappear tonight in the name of horse speed.
We can already imagine professional sailor, navigator, 2023 Mongol Derby finisher, and Tevis Cup finisher LJO doing exactly that. Or perhaps professional steeplechaser SWA will remind us all of his prime jockey skills, alongside teammate ASL, who comes from a long line of racehorse fanatics and has been casually demonstrating those jockey instincts all week long.
Then there is 2022 Mongol Derby veteran HMC, who took a nasty tumble in the 2024 Gaucho Derby. After returning home with busted ribs and punctured lungs, his daughter reportedly said, “Whenever we fell off you made us get back on and finish. You didn’t finish.” And so here he is. Not just finishing, but absolutely crushing this race...
Read the rest here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-race-day-7-six-strong-one-shot/
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Day 6 – Weather Turns. Race Ignites.
Equestrianists.com - Full Article
Stevie Delahunt
23rd February 2026
The constant winds have finally brought some change.
In the weather.
And in the leaderboard.
And in morale.
Today the relentless rage of the Patagonian gods delivered wind with a side of rain and a generous helping of hail, and, we hear, the only clap of thunder to rumble across the pampas in years! Riders were oh so very excited to test their rain gear and also notch things up a gear as they tumbled out of the delightful mountains and forests. At least the dust got wiped off of their smiling faces.
Our original leading three, ASL, VBU, and SWA, tore away from the pack, but disaster struck yet again when a heart rate penalty entered the chat. The nuances of the course and shifting locations along the route have had the front running packs trading places back and forth, but it now appears LJO, RTO, HMC, and VBU are breaking away and properly going for it. But more on that in a moment...
Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-day-6-weather-turns-race-ignites/
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Day 5 – Down, But Not Out.
Equestrianists.com - Full Story
Stevie Delahunt
23rd February 2026
These kids are alright. It’s been just five days since they all graduated start camp and cantered off. They grow up so fast. And on race day five it appears our graduates are stepping up and taking the reins or just stepping down; and we mean down but not out! In the past we’ve watched all sorts of professional horsemen (and just plain professionals) taken out by these horses, this terrain and the race course itself. But these riders are impressing us! Day five and we’ve had our first two transition into Adventure category but every last one of them is still in it...
Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-day-5-down-but-not-out/
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Day 4 – Walk First. Ride Later.
Equestrianists.com - Full Story
Stevie Delahunt
22nd February 2026
Today kicked off with ODU and GHE performing the iconic walk of shame after their horses buggered off thanks to some self-admitted poor judgment. The horses slipped their hobbles, their riders, and any remaining sense of accountability, then promptly made it back to the corrals on their own. ODU and GHE marked the location of their bags and hiked their saddles back in on foot so they could reunite with their mounts and ride out again, all without tipping into the dreaded “outside assistance” adventure category. Style points for doing it the hard way.
AKE also had a brief horse-catching moment this morning when her mischievous mount decided to mosey off. She caught him, got rolling, and stayed firmly in touch with her front-running pack like it was all part of the plan...
Read the rest here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-day-4-walk-first-ride-later/
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/
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Day 3 – Saddles Hot. Spirits Not.
Equestrianists.com - Full Story
Stevie Delahunt
21st February 2026
Okay sports fans! It’s really shaping up to be a race today as riders begin to spread themselves enthusiastically across the map and, more importantly, across the vet stations.
Sportsmanship and horsemanship are still taking precedence, but morale took a bit of a dip as altitude dropped straight down into our second horse change. The horses came in spicy, and the riders got their first real taste of catching their drawn mounts; a moment equal parts skill, optimism, and quiet bargaining with the universe.
A few penalties were sat, but the hospitality and food very nearly made up for the lengthy process of getting through this check. Almost.
Several riders also reported catching the rider flu that’s loping around the field. ARA was the next to hop on that trend, reporting that she’s “definitely felt better,” which is never the sentence you want to hear mid-derby...
Read more here: https://equestrianists.com/updates/25425/
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Day 2 – Turtles, Toes & Tailwinds
Equestrianists.com - Full Story
Stevie Delahunt
20th February 2026
Hola, dot watchers!!!
It’s been another day here in Patagonia, and we simply must spill the mate (tea? leaf soup? emotional support beverage?) with you.
We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it again: this group is blowing us away with their professionalism… or perhaps we’re just being literally blown away by this relentless Patagonian wind. Hard to say.
Today’s forecast promised rain, and history promised unplanned dismounts. Thankfully, neither showed up in any meaningful way across our mountains and pampas. In fact, by some small miracle, all forty riders are still in the game, and very few encountered anything worse than breathtaking terrain and truly gorgeous horses.
Ironically, the most damage today happened on foot. Riders like ODU reported toe-stubbing and tripping while leading horses. She’s fairly certain she broke her toe but plans to tough it out and simply pay closer attention to her feet whenever she decides to hoof it from here on out...
Read the rest here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-day-2-turtles-toes-tailwinds/
Saudi Arabia: Al Fursan Cup - Alisija Zabavska
Lithuania’s Alisija Zabavska shares her experience riding the FEI** 120-km Al Fursan Cup
February 13 2026
By Alisija Zabavska
The best friendships are built on a bonds, that are created by overcoming a struggles, an adventures, mutual interests, things in common and a happy ends. This is exactly how this one was built.
Efi Koutsafti and I didn’t know of one another at all, till we met in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia for the first time, representing Greece & Lithuania, at a prestigious FEI **120km Al Fursan Cup, which drew 200 starters from a record 71 countries.
As soon as I finally got there, from a 35 hour travel on a day of a vet inspection, we were thrown on the horses we were entered on, to go for a quick test ride and then immediately after that I needed to get some sleep. That’s when I found out that a farm stay, that was booked for us, had only one room for the ladies, with a king size bed and a bathroom to share. Neither of us were thrilled about it but in this situation it was too late to make any last minute changes. We didn’t get a chance to chat at all, because when Efi got to the farm that evening - I was already passed out.
Next morning, we got up early to get picked up to go to the venue…
Read the rest here:
http://endurance.net/international/SaudiArabia/2026WorldEnduranceChampionship/ZabavskaFursanCup.html
Gaucho Derby 2026 – Day 1 – Sparks Cancelled. Sniffles Confirmed.
Image credits to @adventuristbarbie @merypastrana_fotografia
Equestrianists.com - Full Story
Stevie Delahunt
19th February 2026
We’ve been wondering… ‘What happened to the fireworks?’
Start line was quite boring for all the crew today as every rider, and ever more spectacularly yet- every saddlebag managed to defy gravity off the start line. This year’s riders have been especially professional and on top of their game.
The pack promptly cantered off into the wilderness together and then decided to make a holiday of it and settled into a big mob camp out at Vet Check One...
Read more here:
https://equestrianists.com/updates/gaucho-derby-2026-day-1-sparks-cancelled-sniffles-confirmed/
Meet the Amazonian racing 500km across Patagonia for women's health
AboutAmazon.eu - Full Article
Written by About Amazon Team
February 17 2026
Madeleine, Pan-EU Account Executive at Amazon in France, is preparing for one of the world's toughest horse races: the Gaucho Derby, a 500km orientation endurance challenge across Patagonia.
The 10-day race isn't just about personal achievement—Madeleine is raising funds for a charity which provides healthcare access to France's most vulnerable women.
After completing the 1,000km Mongol Derby in 2022 and raising €18,000 for charity, Madeleine is back in the saddle with an even bigger mission. On February 18, Madeleine Motelay will mount a horse she's never ridden before and begin racing across 500 kilometres of Patagonian wilderness. For the next 10 days, the CDG10-based Account Executive will navigate through the mountains, sleep in a tent alone, and switch to a new horse every 70 kilometres. We caught up with Madeleine before her departure to learn what motivates her, how she's preparing, and why vulnerable women's healthcare access matters so much to her...
Read more here:
https://www.aboutamazon.eu/news/community-engagement/meet-the-amazonian-racing-500km-across-patagonia-for-womens-health
2025 Gator Run photos by Maria Phillips
2026 Gator Run Endurance ride photos in Florida by Maria Phillips:
https://mariaphillips.smugmug.com/Endurance-2026/Gator-Run2026
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