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Santiam photos by Jala Neufeld & Andrea Hurn
2025 Santiam Cascade Endurance ride photos in Oregon by Jala Neufeld, DKTAJAY Photography:
https://dktajay.smugmug.com/event/Santiam-2025
and Andrea Hurn:
https://amhphotography.instaproofs.com/gallery/#events/2098384
Distance Horse National Championships are 60 days away
60 Days Away!
New Centerville, ID • August 29-31
The countdown is on to the 2025 Distance Horse National Championships, happening August 29-31 in New Centerville, Idaho!
Whether you're tackling Endurance or Competitive Trail, now is the perfect time to start prepping. We’ve pulled together all the key dates, ride details, and entry information in one convenient spot to help you hit the trail with confidence.
The Distance Horse National Championships is the overhead titled event, hosted by AHA, which includes partnered Breed National Championships along with Old Selam Open Rides. Our partnered breeds are Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC), Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA), Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry (PShR), American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA) and Akhal-Teke Association of America (ATAA).
Along with the Breed National Championships we also offer Open Old Selam 40 Mile Competitive Trail Ride recognized by AHA. We will also be holding Open Old Selam Limited Distance Ride, Open 50 Mile Endurance Rides and an Open 100 Mile Endurance Ride which is sanctioned by American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and AHA. We
also offer a Limited Distance Challenge which is the same horse/rider combination entered in all three Open Old Selam Limited Distance Rides; rules and information can be found under the Rider Information tab. All Old Selam Rides are open to all equines and have no qualifications or membership requirements!
We can’t wait to see you in Idaho as we celebrate the grit, grace, and endurance of the Arabian horse.
To enter, or see more information, click here:
https://arabianhorses.org/competition/national-events/distance-nationals/
Tevis Trail Flyover: It's that time again!
With just over two weeks left till the start of the 69th Tevis Cup, you might like to get a glimpse of the 100 miles of trail from Robie Park near Lake Tahoe, NV to the finish line at Auburn, California.
Created in 2012 by Steph Teeter of Endurance.net, now with over 40,000 views, this google earth flyover gives you a pretty accurate armchair look at the start-to-finish trail across the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of the Tevis Cup on July 12 here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2025TevisCup/
“See you in Auburn!”
Or link:
https://youtu.be/50mRSVybJfs?si=oC5QyMk7cXIZZy-W
US Equestrian Announces Athletes Selected to Represent U.S. Endurance Team for 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders
USEF.org
by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Jun 26, 2025
Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athlete and horse combinations selected to represent the U.S. Endurance Team for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders. The championship will take place in Buftea, Romania, on September 20, 2025.
The following athletes and horse combinations have been selected to compete on the U.S. Endurance Team are listed in alphabetical order:
• Jax Beloberk (Loomis, Calif.) and Highh Treason, a 2011 Arabian gelding (Tomanchie x Ecstatika) owned by Katie Beloberk
• AnnaMaria Clarke (Davis, Va.) and Southern Justice, a 2012 Arabian gelding (PA Gazsi x PA Ecolina) owned by Valerie Kanavy and Dessia Miller
• Alternate: Summerr Gold, a 2016 Half Arabian mare (Finish Golden x LM Parys) owned by Valerie Kanavy
• Vanessa Erickson (Rocklin, Calif.) and Leno, a 2016 Arabian gelding (Dahess x Ta Dance WithTheStar) owned by Samantha Ellis
• Uma Kraskin (Deland, Fla.) and Maggies Nchanted Pipi, a 2011 Arabian mare (FSF Dakaros Enchanter x Whizlin Comets Maggie) owned by Evelyn Baig
• Alternate: Zaed Al Shaqab, a 2012 Arabian gelding (Gazal Al Shaqab x WN Star Dynasty) owned by Stephen Rojek
• Lila Reeder (Loomis, Calif.) and Cricket MHF, a 2017 Arabian gelding (Jolly By Golly x Awesome Zell MHF) owned by Bethany Reeder
Competition Information:
The 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders begins with the opening ceremony taking place at 6:00 pm GMT+3/11:00 a.m. EST on September 18. The competition will begin with pre-ride horse inspections at 12:00 p.m. GMT+3/5:00 a.m. EST on September 19 and conclude with Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony at 12:00 pm GMT+3/5:00 a.m. EST on September 21.
More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-announces-athletes-selected-to-2
Bryce Canyon National Park Reassessing Horseback Travel
Compiled from NPS releases
June 24, 2025
The growth in horseback riding at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah has park officials reviewing their equestrian regulations and discussing how best park resources can be protected from that growth.
Between 2015 and 2021 the park saw a 650 percent increase in private riders, from 124 private riders in 33 group to 814 riders in 199 groups, and the growth has continued since then, according to a park release.
The park in 2014 had developed a reservation system for private riders to help spread riders out and avoid trail encounters between groups. In 2022, the park updated this system to avoid any overlap between private and guided rides, allowing private riders to reserve time slots between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., after the commercial rides were off the trail each day.
The decision to change the horseback regulations in 2022 was spurred by conflicts between concessioner and private horse groups on steep, narrow trails. When private and concessioner groups meet on the trail, unfamiliar horses can behave unpredictably, creating interactions that are especially difficult for inexperienced concessioner riders to control safely, the park said at the time. Riders may also be forced to turn around, often in areas where steep cliffs and sensitive resources give little room to do so.
The park has recognized a growing interest in more riding opportunities — guided riding has increased by a marginal percentage, and private rides have increased by more than 700 percent since 2015.
Horseback riding, including guided and private riding, is integral to the park’s history and visitor experience, the release said. Guided horseback riding tours provide thousands of visitors with a unique experience to ride among the hoodoos. Private riders are also allowed to ride their own stock (horses and mules) on designated park trails.
That said, the increase in horseback travel has park staff assessing ways to provide access for horseback riders while also protecting natural and cultural resources and providing for a safe and enjoyable experience for both private users and guided tour groups...
Read more here:
https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2025/06/bryce-canyon-national-park-reassessing-horseback-travel
Oman's HH Sayyid Ali Al Said seals FEI Endurance World Championship berth in AlUla
Timesofoman.com - Full Article
22/June/2025
By: Times News Service
MUSCAT: Oman’s endurance rider His Highness Sayyid Ali Ghalib al Said secured a slot in the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship finals which will take place in AlUla city in Saudi Arabia next year following his successful completion of the prestigious Buchen 160km international endurance race in Germany recently.
The race, conducted under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), was a crucial qualification milestone and a challenging test for elite riders. This marks the second time that HH Sayyid Ali officially qualified for the World Endurance Championship finals and it is showcasing his remarkable presence on the global endurance stage. HH Sayyid Ali completed the six-phase 160 km course which was divided into several segments including 35 km, 25 km, 35 km, 25 km, 20 km, and 20 km in aboard through horse Attila with a timing of 10 hours, 23 minutes, and 20 seconds...
Read more here:
https://timesofoman.com/article/159528-hh-sayyid-ali-al-said-seals-fei-endurance-world-championship-berth-in-alula
Oman Royal Cavalry riders qualify for World Endurance Championship
TimesOfOman.com - Full Article
21/June/2025
by ONA
Paris: Horse riders Saleh bin Salim Al Balushi and Hussain bin Ali Al Farsi from the Royal Cavalry (RC) have qualified for the World Endurance Championship 2026, scheduled in Al Ula City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The two riders have qualified in the competition at the French Compiegne Horse -racing organised by the World Equestrian Federation for 160 kilometres.
The race saw tough competitions and a wide participation of horse riders from different countries competing in six stages; the first for 32 kilometres, the second for 30 kilometres, the third for 28 kilometres, the fourth for 21 kilometres, the fifth for 28 kilometres and the sixth for 21 kilometres...
Read more here:
https://timesofoman.com/article/159513-royal-cavalry-riders-qualify-for-world-endurance-championship
Visser and Spain Win European Endurance Titles
21 June 2025
Words by Rebecca Kinnarney
Images by Massimo Argenziano
All the latest action...
Marijke Visser (NED) and Chaitana des Chaises take individual gold in the Zigulì FEI Endurance European Championship 2025 at Castiglione del Lago in Umbria (ITA). Visser dominated the race from its start at 6am on 21 June but was forced to vie for the lead all day by the others in the front group.
After 160km of close competition and expert horsemanship, Visser took her first Individual gold and the first Individual gold for the Netherlands in their Endurance history.
After a magnificent final trot up and vetting, where the 13-year-old Arab mare, Chaitana des Chaises, truly looked like she could do it all over again, Visser described her as tricky to ride but said that “they are the best ones”.
The Individual silver medal went to the French combination, France Paul and D'Arohz Rouge du Val. This championship debut pairing crossed the line a mere three seconds after Visser, followed hotly by Spain's Gil Berenger Carrera, again only seconds behind the leading two. Berenger Carrera returns to Spain with his first senior Individual bronze medal after a thrilling day of the highest quality Endurance riding.
Spain take Team honours
Spain secured the gold medal in the team event thanks to a strong collective performance...
Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/visser-and-spain-win-european-endurance-titles
More than 250 million public land acres in the West proposed for sale
Yellow are BLM lands, green are Forest Service lands eligible for sale
The Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Utah Senator Mike Lee, has proposed selling off more than 250 million acres of public lands across the West.
Millions of acres of forest service and BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, are eligible under the Lee-Daines amendment to the “Big Beautiful Bill”.
The proposed land sales were scrubbed from the House version of the bill, but once it went to the Senate, this much more drastic version was slipped into the budget proposal late on the night of June 11.
Lee has said, “We’re opening underused federal land to expand housing, support local development and get Washington, D.C., out of the way of communities that are just trying to grow,” though the “housing” accessibility and affordability will likely be limited. The administration has also hinted at greatly increasing mineral production.
Once the land is sold to private interests, accessibility to potentially millions of acres by the public will be eliminated, affecting recreation, hiking, hunting, fishing, OHV, riding, camping, ranching, grazing, and more.
As to where or to whom the money from the public land sales will go, that has not been fully addressed.
Follow this link to the map of Public lands eligible for sale in the Senate Reconciliation Bill
https://wilderness.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=821970f0212d46d7aa854718aac42310
The Lee-Daines amendment will be voted on by the full Senate sometime between now and the July 4 deadline they’ve arbitrarily set for completing the budget. If you’re concerned with this potential loss of public land, contact your representatives NOW, or use this link:
https://www.outdooralliance.org/blog/2025/6/16/33millionacres-publicland-selloffs-map
2025 NASTR photos by Bill Gore
2025 NASTR Endurance ride photos in Nevada by William Gore:
https://williamgorephotography.smugmug.com/2025-Endurance-Rides/NASTR-2025
In Memoriam: RTR Rimfire, A Legendary Endurance Stallion
By Karen Chaton
June 17 2025
With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of RTR Rimfire, a remarkable Arabian stallion whose legacy in endurance riding will be remembered for generations. Foaled in 2000, Rimfire embodied the strength, stamina, and spirit that define the Arabian breed, leaving an indelible mark on the equestrian world.
RTR Rimfire was bred by Running Thunder Ranch and carried a pedigree rich in endurance excellence. Sired by Sierra Fadwah and out of LFSA ZIA, his lineage traced back to some of the most accomplished endurance horses in history. His sire, Sierra Fadwah, was a celebrated endurance competitor, completing over 7,000 miles in competition, winning the Jim Jones Award in 1983, and earning a place in the American Endurance Ride Conference’s Hall of Fame. Rimfire inherited his sire’s resilience, athleticism, and unwavering determination, making him a force to be reckoned with on the endurance trails...
Read the rest here
Europe’s Elite Riders Ready for Endurance Championship
FEI.org - Full Article
16 June 2025
Words by Stacey Stearns
Reigning champion Sabrina Arnold looks ahead to Castiglione del Lago...
When the Zigulì FEI Endurance European Championship 2025 takes place on 21 June, the historic Castiglione del Lago (ITA) will transform into a global stage for equestrian grit, heart and horsepower.
With top combinations from across the continent converging on central Italy’s challenging terrain, anticipation is building for what promises to be a high-calibre contest testing strategy, stamina, and the ultimate partnership between horse and rider.
“Every championship is special,” said Germany’s Sabrina Arnold, who won Individual gold at the Europeans in 2023 with Easy El Boheira. “I like competing with my international friends. I don’t know the competition course, but it seems to be hilly with varying terrain.”
Endurance is about how the horse and athlete work together, the support from their crew, and how riders read the trail. That is what makes the discipline so special.
A challenging venue steeped in history
Castiglione del Lago, in the heart of the Apennines, on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, offers a technical and tactical test for even the most experienced riders. The trail winds through pine forests and grassy expanses, combining natural beauty with varied footing that demands careful pace management.
Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/european-championship-2025-sabrina-arnold-preview
Zigulì FEI Endurance European Championship 2025 set for June 21
June 16 2025
From 18 to 22 June 2025, Castiglione del Lago will become the centre of the international equestrian world, hosting the Zigulì FEI Endurance European Championship 2025, one of the most significant events in the endurance calendar. The competition will bring athletes, professionals and enthusiasts from across Europe to Umbria, transforming the area of the former Eleuteri Airport into an open and welcoming sports village.
The highlight will be the European Championship on Saturday 21 June, featuring around 100 riders from 22 countries. Participants will face a 160-kilometre course designed to enhance the unique features of the Umbrian landscape: a route crossing hills, medieval villages and lake areas, offering an immersive experience of sport, nature and culture.
The main venue, within the former Eleuteri airfield, will host both the start and finish of the race and serve as a hub for welcoming the public. Beyond the sporting competition, the event will foster encounters between professionals and audiences, with activities designed for families, children and horse lovers, all in an accessible and vibrant setting.
Stay tuned for more info!
http://www.endurance.net/international/Italy/2025EuropeanEnduranceChampionship/
2025 Old Dominion photos by Becky Pearman
2025 Old Dominion Endurance ride photos in Virginia by Becky
Pearman:
https://beckypearman.smugmug.com/Other/Endurance-2025/Old-Dominion
5 Lessons I Learned from a Major Riding Injury
TheSweatyEquestrian.com - Full Article
by Tamara Baysinger
It wasn’t even my injury.
The wreck happened to Layne, my dear friend who was just back on the endurance trail after her second spinal surgery in two years.
She hadn’t gone a mile from the start when it happened: Her horse, in a moment of impatient head-tossing, fell down. He got up unscathed, but she stayed on the ground with a tib-fib compound fracture.
After the weight of the horse himself, no more weight went on Layne’s leg for over three months. And even that was only the beginning.
The whole ordeal began thirteen months ago. Thirteen months of pain and celebration, of discouragement and adjustment, of discovery, of two steps forward and one step back. Thirteen months during which I’ve had the privilege of campaigning the horse in question – our frustrating and funny and powerful and fragile and astonishing and beloved Atlas. Thirteen months that have amounted to a masterclass in recovering from a major riding injury...
Read the rest here:
https://thesweatyequestrian.com/5-lessons-i-learned-from-a-major-riding-injury/
US Equestrian Announces U.S. Endurance Team and Young Riders for the 2025 FEI Endurance Pan American Championships
USEF.org
by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | Jun 12, 2025, 8:35 AM
Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes and horse combinations selected to compete on the U.S. Endurance Team and individually at the 2025 FEI Pan American Endurance Championships. Both Pan Am Championships will take place July 18, 2025, at Haras Albar, in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
The following athletes and horse combinations have been selected to compete on the Senior U.S. Endurance Team are listed in alphabetical order:
• Heather Davis (The Plains, Va.) and HM Kaiser Tesla, a 2016 Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Haras Paso Manzanero
• Alternate: Ring of Fire CA, her own 2010 Arabian gelding
• Thomas Rajala (Hillsborough, N.C.) and Valente Heb, a 2009 Arabian gelding owned by Fernando De Mello Mattos Haaland
• Meg Sleeper (Frenchtown, N.J.) and RG Kares, a 2015 Arabian mare owned by Marcelo Ulsenheimer
• Cheryl van Deusen (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) and Alcazar Richarson, a 2013 Anglo-Arabian gelding owned by Yvette Vinton
• Alternate: Madjule, a 2015 Arabian mare owned by Jose Ortega
• Nicole Wertz (Auburn, Calif.) and Little Sammy SV, her own 2015 Arabian gelding
The following athletes and horse combinations have been selected to compete as individuals in the FEI Endurance Pan American Young Riders & Juniors Championship and are listed in alphabetical order:
• Avery Betz-Conway (Kingsland, Ga.) and Zendaya Rach, a 2017 Arabian mare owned by Rach Stud Agropecuaria LTDA
• Uma Kraskin (Deland, Fla.) and Maggies Nchanted Pipi, a 2011 Arabian mare owned Evelyn Baig
Competition Information:
The 2025 FEI Endurance Pan American Championships at Haras Albar begins with the opening ceremony taking place at 4:30 pm/GMT-3 on July 16. Competition for both Senior and Young Riders will begin with pre-ride horse inspections at 10:00 am/GMT-3 on July 17 and conclude with Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony at 8:00 pm/GMT-3 on July 18.
More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-announces-us-endurance-team-and
City of Rocks: Year 9 on the way to Decade Team - Merri Melde
The Equestrian Vagabond Blog - Full Story
June 10 2025
by Merri Melde
Planning a ride season nowadays is pretty much a crap shoot, with work and other commitments and the West now always prone to exploding in fire and changing your plans for you.
My main Endurance goals for Hillbillie Willie and me are to have fun and maybe, just maybe achieve Decade Team, which is equine and rider teams who completed at least one 50-mile+ endurance ride each year for 10 years. This is year nine for Team Hillbillie Willie and Me.
We rode and finished a 25-miler at Eagle Canyon in April, but that is one hard hilly ride, and Willie is not a hill horse, so I wasn’t about to attempt a 50 there for his first ride of the season. It was a good hard training ride for him.
So along came the 3-day City of Rocks in Almo, Idaho, a ride we have put on, or helped put on, the last 15 years. This year I’d shoot days 1 and 2, and Cat would shoot day 3 so Willie and I could attempt a 50.
Heat, heat, heat, was in the forecast, though Day 3 was the kindest of them all. A small chance of thunderstorms were in the forecast, which I either prayed wouldn’t happen or just pretended they weren’t going to happen. City of Rocks can have some doozy storms on those hot summer days (oh, wait, it’s not even summer yet.) and boy am I scared of lightning.
I was hoping we’d find someone to ride with. While Willie can go alone or in company, and he appears to enjoy the 25 milers solo, I didn’t think he’d much like blazing 50 miles of the hot trails alone. We ended up starting out with Danielle and Huey, and companionably rode with them the entire day. Willie pretty much instantly makes best friends anybody he rides with and he of course thought Huey the Quarter horse was the Bomb...
Read more here:
https://theequestrianvagabond.blogspot.com/2025/06/city-of-rocks-year-9-on-way-to-decade.html
Equestrian adventurer Chloe Phillips-Harris never met a horse she couldn’t tame
ThePost.co.nz - Full Article
Bess Manson
June 6, 2025
Horse trainer, expedition leader and all-round adventurer. That’s some title to put on your business card, but Chloe Phillips-Harris is all this and more.
When she’s not taming horses and running equine events in the Bay of Islands, she’s traversing the Mongolian Steppe with a bunch of intrepid travellers on her Great Nomad Expeditions.
“I feel very lucky that I get to see parts of the world that not everyone gets to see,” she says.
“I do pinch myself sometimes.”
Ahead of her next expedition, Phillips-Harris talks to Bess Manson about being chased by wild dogs, getting detained in Kazakhstan and the kick she gets from being pushed to her absolute limits...
Read more here:
https://www.thepost.co.nz/culture/360713774/equestrian-adventurer-chloe-phillips-harris-never-met-horse-she-couldnt-tame
2025 City of Rocks photos by Merri Melde and Cat Cook
https://www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance