2023 AERC National Championships

Kennard, TX - Oct 18-21

Welcome to the AERC 2023 National Championships

The management of the Armadillo Endurance Ride along with Texas Endurance Riders Association are excited to be having the AERC 2023 National Championship ride at one of the longest running rides here in our great state of Texas and the Central Region... The Armadillo Endurance Ride

The AERC 2023 National Championships will be hosted by the longest running endurance ride in Texas, first held in 1980, The Armadillo Endurance Ride, is held in mid October. The ride is primarily run through gently rolling hills, down old logging roads and single track wooded trails all on the Piney Creek Horse Trails through Davy Crockett National Forest, with some riding on gravel/rock FS and County Roads and there are many places crews can meet riders out on trail easily. Shoes are usually not necessary but are recommended.

Ride camp is on private pasture and offers plenty of room for rigs of all sizes and will accommodate panel or electric pens for the equines and/or tents for the humans. There will be port-o-potties located throughout the pasture. Watch for trail ribbons and please do not park on trail. Please use pack-it-in/pack-it-out type camping as this is the property owners horse pasture when not being used as ride camp, so they would greatly appreciate that no feed be left on the ground. Please scatter manure, but please do not throw it on the fenceline. Thank you! There is city water at main camp, but it would greatly help if you can bring your own water. Remember to bring bug spray for humans and horses. We ask that you sponge to cool your horse instead of spraying with the hose.

Kennard is a very small town and there are no overnight facilities within the town but there are two convenience stores and a café. There are three larger towns a short drive from ride camp, one to the west, Crockett, Texas, one to the east, Lufkin, Texas, and one to the north east, Nacogdoches, Tx, that have do accommodations. There are also a few B & B's in the area. There is a feed store in Crockett as well as a Tractor Supply and numerous other stores for food and fuel.

The weather for the ride during that time of year can vary greatly. It can be warm and humid, chilly or anything in between. Wet weather is also a possibility, it is Texas after all and the old saying is wait 5 minutes and the weather will change. More information will be added to this page as it becomes available, so gear up and we welcome you! If you have any questions about camp, the trails, or the ride itself, please contact Linda Parrish, Armadillo Ride Manager