SWIT&DR was formed in 1979 by a few local riders who were interested in distance riding.  At that time, only a few endurance rides had taken place in southwestern Idaho: Silver City to Nampa, Diamondfield Jack, south of Twin Falls, Drinkers of the Wind in Sun Valley, and the Boise Basin Gold rush near Idaho City.  Early meetings were held at the home of Rex and Marge Moyle and the Meridian Library.

The first official meeting was on February 16, 1979 at the American Legion Hall in Meridian, when members elected directors and adopted articles of incorporation.  The first directors were Byron Meredith, Nan Brubaker, Arlene Morris,   Mary Van De Bogart, Winnie Morrison, Andrea Day, Dan Pease, Sylvia Topel, and Patty Girdner. The club was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in October 1979.  Byron Meredith was the first club president. Mary Van De Bogart did the artwork for the first logo.  Other founding members included Bob Morris, Marge and Rex Moyle, Jill Baumhoff (Nebeker), Lurina Dancer (Egusquiza),  Rae Heck, Wendy Smock (Southerland), and Neil and Carolyn Roberts.

To generate interest in the new club, founding members placed meeting notices in tack shops and feed stores and sent public service announcements to local newspapers and regional radio and television stations. The original sign-up sheet had 50 names of people committed to riding on trails. Most meetings included educational programs. The "Old Selam Endurance Ride and Ride & Tie," managed by Byron Merideth, was one of the club's first projects in 1979.

The six purposes of the club, as stated in the Articles of Incorporation were:

1. To promote an exchange of ideas and experiences between endurance and trail riders.

2. To promote effective communication between endurance and trail riders of this region with other endurance and trail riding groups.

3. To promote effective communication between endurance and trail riders with agencies, organizations, both governmental and private, which have an impact on endurance and trail riding activities.

4. To elevate the status of endurance and trail riders, to promote, improve and protect the sport of endurance and trail riding, including its public image.

5. To promote and develop solutions to problems experienced by endurance and trail riders.

6. To promote education of endurance and trail riders to the mutual benefit of horses, riders and the public.

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