THIS WEEK'S CURRENT NEWS
brought to you by
The Award-Winning book Tevis Cup Magic
MORE NEWS...
UAE: 2024-2025 endurance racing season attracts 444 riders
A total of 444 riders, both men and women, participated in the two endurance qualifier races held on Saturday at the Butheeb International Endurance Village in Abu Dhabi, marking the conclusion of the 2024-2025 endurance racing season.
by ANI
Apr 19, 2025
Abu Dhabi [UAE], April 19 (ANI/ WAM): A total of 444 riders, both men and women, participated in the two endurance qualifier races held on Saturday at the Butheeb International Endurance Village in Abu Dhabi, marking the conclusion of the 2024-2025 endurance racing season.
The first race, covering a distance of 80 km over three phases, saw the participation of 175 riders, out of which 120 completed the race, while 55 were eliminated due to their horses failing to pass the veterinary checkpoints.
The second race, spanning 40 km, featured 269 riders, with 236 successfully completing the course, while 33 were unable to finish...
Read more here:
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/2024-2025-endurance-racing-season-attracts-444-riders/
American River Classic celebrates 50th anniversary Saturday
GoldCountryMedia.com - Full Article
Jordan Georgeson
Apr 18, 2025
The American River Classic will host its 50th ride this weekend, as 70 riders will make the 50-mile round trip that starts and ends in Cool. It's the oldest 50-mile ride worldwide that is sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference.
American River Classic Ride Manager Joby Souza says the event was actually crucial to the establishment of the AERC and that it would not have taken shape without the endurance ride.
“It’s historic. It’s been going on for 50 years now. Originally, it used to go right along the American River along the Pioneer Express trail,” said Souza. “This ride is the only other ride left that allows riders to use the last few miles of the Western States Trail right during daylight. That makes it a little bit more special.”
The course has gone through several changes over the years, with the original ride starting at Cal Expo and ending in Auburn, but the objective of winning the coveted Auburn Cup remains the same...
Read more here:
https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/324900/american-river-classic-celebrates-50th-anniversary-saturday/
US Equestrian Purchases ATRM Semi-Automatic Timing System for U.S.-Based FEI Endurance Events
by US Equestrian Communications Department | Apr 17, 2025, 3:02 PM
Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is excited to announce the purchase of the ATRM Semi-Automatic Timing System for FEI Endurance Events located in the United States.
The system provides FEI Endurance Athletes with the following features:
• Countdowns for departure times and time left to cross the vet pulse/exam line.
• Printed stickers after each vet exam, which display a combination’s next departure time, the next loop’s distance, and additional vet exam data.
• Each athlete will receive their full vet card after the event is completed.
• Automatically calculates data, providing accurate time stamps for arrivals and departures of combinations, as well as relevant time limits.
The ATRM Semi-Automatic Timing System provides officials with tablets to be utilized during the first vet inspection and vet exam processes for ease of capturing data. Officially approved by the FEI in 2013, ATRM has over two decades of experience researching and implementing automatic timekeeping systems in endurance sport.
Looking ahead, US Equestrian anticipates adding VDS Racing GPS units later this spring to be used in conjunction with the timing system to help enhance the safety of athletes and horses. VDS Racing began offering GPS services to the endurance community in 2021, after spending over 15 years focused primarily on motor sports.
For any questions or for more information, please contact Nicole Zerbee at nzerbee@usef.org.
More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-purchases-atrm-semi-automatic
2025 Hunt Country Hustle photos - Becky Pearman
2025 Hunt Country Hustle photos in South Carolina by Becky Pearman:
https://beckypearman.smugmug.com/Other/Endurance-2025/Hunt-Country-Hustle
The Trail to the Trail: Preparing for the 100-mile Tevis Ride
TevisCup.org
With spring around the corner, endurance season is kicking into high gear, and it’s time to plan your rides. Is Tevis on your list for this year? Or in the future?
If you are wondering how to prepare for Tevis, think about the trail that will take you and your equine partner to Tevis. Just as the Tevis trail takes you to the finish in Auburn and the coveted Tevis buckle, the Trail to the Trail is what we call the path to take you to the Tevis start. This year, we offer two new opportunities for riders and their mounts to prepare for this historic endurance ride.
In 2025, instead of the Tevis Educational Ride, the Western States Trail Foundation will host two events, a clinic and night ride in late April for those who wish to tip their toes in the water (or just be sure they’ve covered all bases) and a two-day training ride on the Tevis trail in June for those ready to jump in...
Read the rest here
Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF) Acquires Robie Equestrian Park
Teviscup.org
April 9 2025
Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF) Acquires Robie Equestrian Park to Secure Consistent Start for the Tevis Cup 100-Mile Ride
The Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF) is proud to announce the acquisition of Robie Equestrian Park, a landmark move that will ensure a consistent and permanent starting point for the foundation’s key event: the iconic Tevis Cup 100-Mile Ride.
Robie Equestrian Park is a 160-acre horse camp and outdoor sport staging area previously owned by the Wendell & Inez Robie Foundation. The park is named in memory of Wendell Robie, who founded the 100-mile Western States Trail Ride – or ‘Tevis Cup’ – in 1955.
Preserving the History of the West
Located east of Truckee, CA, Robie Equestrian Park marks the start of the historic Western States Trail. In addition to the Tevis Cup, the Western States Trail also hosts several ultramarathons including the foundational 100-mile Western States Run, which originated out of the equestrian event.
The trail follows a rugged route from the base of the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe along an immigrant trail that ends in Auburn. It traverses the scenic mountain peaks and valleys of the Sierra foothills and crosses several tributaries to the American River on its way. The Western States Trail Foundation has pledged to preserve the rich history of this trail, hallowed by the Washoe and Maidu tribes and traveled by explorers, settlers, and gold-seekers. Securing the Future of Endurance Riding
The Tevis Cup is universally regarded as one of the most demanding endurance rides in the world, testing the stamina, skill and perseverance of both horse and rider.
More at https://teviscup.org/robie-park-purchase/
Australians embark on Pan American Highway trek riding horses from Argentina to Alaska
By Maddelin McCosker
1 March 2025
Australian Ben Hann and Canadian Olivia Cazes are riding horses from Argentina to Alaska along the world's longest highway.
It will take seven years to complete the 30,000-kilometre Pan American trek through 14 countries.
It only took Ben Hann and Olivia Cazes a few days to start an epic journey that will take them seven years to complete — riding horses from Argentina to Alaska.
They will spend the better part of decade transiting 14 countries along the world's longest highway — the Pan American.
It spans a distance that would take 26 hours by plane or a month of driving.
"It very much depends on what seasons we hit and where," Mr Hann, an experienced stockman and horse trainer from Darwin, said...
Hitting the longest road
Arising from a conversation at a Christmas party last year, within days the friends had booked their flights to Buenos Aires, arriving on New Year's Day.
Mr Hann and Ms Cazes spent the first week of 2025 in the Argentinian capital before making their way south to Ushuaia, a town known as the end of the world.
They embarked on the first leg of the trek on February 2 after three weeks in Ushuaia buying horses and preparing for their journey.
Read more here:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-02/australian-treks-pan-american-highway-on-horseback/104966966
Horses Have a Genetic Glitch That Turned Them Into Super Athletes
This one gene mutation helped horses evolve unmatched endurance.
by Tibi Puiu
April 4, 2025
At first glance, it looked like a genetic error — so severe it should have crippled the animal. But instead, it helped turn horses into nature’s long-distance runners.
Researchers studying the DNA of nearly 200 mammal species noticed something strange in the genome of horses: a mutation in a gene that should have shut down a key cellular process. The gene, KEAP1, is vital for defending cells from the chemical stress caused by high levels of oxygen metabolism. Yet somehow, horses weren’t just surviving with this broken gene — they were thriving. A Deal With the Devil, Perfected
“To make energy, we’ve made a deal with the devil,” Gianni Castiglione, an evolutionary biologist at Vanderbilt University, told NPR. “To, basically, have a slow burning fire in our cells.”
That fire powers our lives, turning oxygen into energy in the form of ATP. But it also produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), toxic molecules that can damage DNA, proteins, and cell membranes. For most animals, this presents a trade-off: make too much energy, and cells get overwhelmed by damage. But horses, it seems, found a workaround...
Read more here:
https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/horses-have-a-genetic-glitch-that-turned-them-into-super-athletes/
2025 Original Old Pueblo photos by Linda Sherrill
2025 Original Old Pueblo Endurance ride photos in Arizona by Linda
Sherrill, Justus Photography:
https://www.lindasherrill.com/proofing/original-old-pueblo-ride-2025/gallery
Feds plan to remove all wild horses from 2.1M acres of Wyoming’s ‘checkerboard’ starting in July
(Mike Koshmrl/WyoFile)
Wyofile.com - Full Article
Complete removal of nonnative equines from the Great Divide Basin, Salt Wells Creek and the northwest portion of the Adobe Town herd management areas still faces a public review process and legal appeal.
by Mike Koshmrl
April 1, 2025
The Bureau of Land Management’s contentious plans to remove all free-roaming horses from vast reaches of southwest Wyoming’s “checkerboard” region could begin as soon as this summer, although a legal appeal to stop roundups remains in limbo.
On Monday, the federal agency released a 47-page environmental assessment outlining plans to gather and permanently remove several thousand wild horses from 2,105 square miles — an area nearly the size of Delaware — managed by BLM’s Rock Springs and Rawlins field offices. Horses would come off an additional 1,124 square miles of private land within the checkerboard. A public review period is underway with comments due by April 30. If the BLM greenlights the round-ups, they could begin within the next three months and continue for a couple of years, possibly longer.
First to go would be the estimated 1,125 free-roaming horses in the Salt Wells Creek herd and 736 animals in the northwestern portion of Adobe Town, according to BLM Rock Springs Field Office Manager Kimberlee Foster. Then in 2026, horse-removal crews would move on to eliminating an estimated 894 horses in the Great Divide Basin herd...
Read the rest here:
https://wyofile.com/feds-plan-to-remove-all-wild-horses-from-2-1m-acres-of-wyomings-checkerboard-starting-in-july/
Impending Tariffs May Inflict Big Costs And Headaches At US Border
Chronofhorse.com - Full Article
PUBLISHED March 26, 2025
WORDS BY Erin Harty
On April 2, a 25% tariff on most goods imported into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico is set to go into effect. The cost of those tariffs could be passed onto consumers, meaning that American horse owners might pay more than usual for imported items like hay, feed and lumber.
But a lesser-known aspect of the tariffs is that they would also apply to horses coming into the U.S. from Canada or Mexico (and any other countries subject to tariffs), and not just if they’re being sold. Owners of horses crossing into the U.S. temporarily—to compete or be bred, for example—would also have to pay the tariff, although it could be refunded once the horse returns to its home country.
Originally intended to begin on Feb. 4, then delayed twice—to March 4 and then April 2—the tariffs have caused widespread confusion due to their frequently changing scope. Adding to the confusion, other countries are expected to announce reciprocal tariffs on goods being exported from the U.S., meaning American horse owners might have to pay similar tariffs to take horses from the U.S. into Canada to compete at venues such as Bromont or Spruce Meadows...
Read more here:
https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/impending-tariffs-may-inflict-big-costs-and-headaches-at-us-border/
2025 March's Horses in the Morning Endurance Podcast
HorseRadioNetwork.com - Listen
Endurance Hall of Fame Winners and Saddle Pack Essentials for March 11, 2025
by Horse Radio Network | Mar 11, 2025 | Horses in the Morning
We are thrilled to speak with Lisa Snyder, an esteemed figure recently inducted into the AERC Hall of Fame. Gunner Frank, the owner of Trinity, a horse also inducted in the Hall of Fame, shares his journey and the remarkable attributes that contribute to Trinity’s success. Plus, in the Endurance tip Karen shares the things she carries on a ride in her packs. Listen in...
More at:
https://www.horseradionetwork.com/2025/03/endurance-hall-of-fame-winners-and-saddle-pack-essentials-for-march-11-2025/
Endurance: In it for the long haul
SundanceTimes.com - Full Article
Sarah Pridgeon | Mar 27, 2025
As the weather begins to warm, Bridget Helms and her daughter, Chelsea, are already prepar-ing to embark on a series of long-distance challenges.
It's surprising how few people have heard of endurance riding around here, Helms says, as it's been around for a while. It's a perfect pastime for horse lovers looking for a new way to spend time with their animals and appreciate what that partnership can achieve.
"It's been a sport for a long time, but there's a lot of people that definitely haven't heard about it," she says.
Helms came across endurance riding through a horse-related group on social media, which was advertising introductory rides with the American Endurance Ride Conference.
Those first ten miles hooked her immediately, so in 2018 she began participating in 25-mile rac-es with the help of a mentor – and it wasn't long before she tried her first 50-mile trail.
The distance a horse and rider choose to travel is determined by the condition of both parties, she explains – both must be up to the task. When Helms got started, she chose to stick with the 25 miles because she felt she didn't have the understanding yet to know if she could push for more.
But when her mentor felt that Helms' horse was conditioned and strong enough for the longer stretch, she decided to give it a try...
Read more here:
https://www.sundancetimes.com/story/2025/03/27/outdoors/in-it-for-the-long-haul/10657.html
HRN Podcast: Role of the FEI Endurance Veterinarian with Dr. Jennifer Madera
HorseRadioNetwork.com Podcast - Llisten
by Horse Radio Network | Mar 6, 2025 | Disease Du Jour
In this episode, Jennifer Madera, DVM, joined us to discuss the role of the FEI endurance veterinarian and social license to operate at FEI endurance events. She also talks about how she first became involved with endurance events and offers advice to veterinarians interested in working at these competitions.
This episode of Disease Du Jour is brought to you by Equithrive.
Disease Du Jour Podcast Hosts, Guests, and Links Episode 153:
• Host: Carly Sisson (Digital Content Manager) of EquiManagement | Email Carly (CSisson@equinenetwork.com)
• Guest: Jennifer Madera, DVM
• Podcast Website:Disease Du Jour
• This episode of Disease Du Jour podcast is brought to you by Equithrive.
Listen:
https://www.horseradionetwork.com/2025/03/ep-153-role-of-the-fei-endurance-veterinarian-with-dr-jennifer-madera/
2025 Rides of March photos by Bill Gore
Bob Langrish photo
USEF.org
As an athlete, coach, and leader in the sport, Becky Hart had a profound impact on endurance riding in the U.S. and around the world. Hart passed away on February 28, 2025, at age 71.
During her competitive career, Hart (San Juan Bautista, Calif.) was a dominant force in the sport, highlighted by her winning a remarkable three individual FEI Endurance World Championships in a row in 1988, 1990, and 1992. She won these titles with R.O. Grand Sultan, the Arabian gelding who was later inducted into the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Hall of Fame. With “Rio,” Hart also helped the U.S. win FEI Endurance World Championship team silver medals in 1986 and 1992. Her incredible achievements led to her being named AHSA Equestrian of the Year in 1990. To this day, the Becky Grand Hart Trophy is awarded annually by US Equestrian to Equestrian of the Year finalists from international non-Olympic sports...
Read the rest here
2025 Rides of March photos by Bill Gore
2025 Rides of March Endurance ride in Nevada by Bill Gore:
https://williamgorephotography.smugmug.com/2025-Endurance-Rides/Rides-of-March-2025/Bill-Gore
Congratulations to Dave Rabe and White Cloud10 for being awarded the 2024 AERC Pard'ners Award
*thanks to Connie Creech, who shared with us her nomination of Dave Rabe and White Cloud10 for this prestigious award!
The dynamic duo did indeed receive the Pard'ners Award at the 2025 AERC Convention*
Nomination of Dave Rabe and White Cloud10 for the AERC Pard’ners Award
Dave and White Cloud personify the Pard’ners Awards’ abiding goal of the AERC motto “To Finish is to Win”. Their partnership developed over many years overcoming past abuse with trust and friendship. White Clouds long duration of soundness, his desire and willingness to travel over hill and dale along with Dave’s personal care and management, allowed him to reach significant mileage and award achievements...
Read the rest here
AirCargoWeek.com - Full Article
March 10, 2025
Magma Aviation, the innovative air cargo solutions company, and Intradco Global, the leading horse transportation air charter specialist, have successfully transported 34 endurance horses from Liège (Belgium) to AlUla (Saudi Arabia) for the AlFursan Endurance Cup. Held in AlUla, in the heart of the desert, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this prestigious event offers the highest prize money in the sport and showcases the pinnacle of endurance riding. Both companies demonstrated their expertise in equine logistics and dedication to animal welfare throughout this operation.
Endurance horses are extremely valuable and clients’ expectations for such transportation are always based on the highest standards. The companies transporting racehorses must ensure the best service and care to guarantee all goes smoothly. The client, ordering endurance horses transportation from Magma Aviation and Intradco Global, was highly pleased with the level of service, from the first encounter to the safe arrival of the horses...
Read more here:
https://aircargoweek.com/magma-aviation-and-intradco-global-team-up-to-transport-34-endurance-horses/
March 10 2025
AERC welcomed a new group into the Hall of Fame class, and presented additional awards, at National Awards banquet of the 2025 AERC Convention in Reno, Nevada on March 8.
Hall of Fame Person: Lisa Schneider
Hall of Fame Equine: Trinity, owned and ridden by Gunnar Frank
Pard’ners Award recipients: Dave Rabe and White Cloud
Ann Parr Trails Preservation Award recipient: Nicole Wertz
Charlie Barieau Photography Excellence Award: Merri Melde
Greg Kimler of Echo Valley Ranch in Auburn was presented the Dru Barner award from the Western States Trail Foundation, for those who contribute to and uphold the goals of the Western States Foundation, and have helped maintain the integrity and dignity of the Tevis Cup.
Nomination of Dave Rabe and White Cloud10 for the AERC Pard’ners Award
Dave and White Cloud personify the Pard’ners Awards’ abiding goal of the AERC motto “To Finish is to Win”. Their partnership developed over many years overcoming past abuse with trust and friendship. White Clouds long duration of soundness, his desire and willingness to travel over hill and dale along with Dave’s personal care and management, allowed him to reach significant mileage and award achievements...
Read the rest here
Magma Aviation and Intradco Global team up to transport 34 endurance horses
AirCargoWeek.com - Full Article
March 10, 2025
Magma Aviation, the innovative air cargo solutions company, and Intradco Global, the leading horse transportation air charter specialist, have successfully transported 34 endurance horses from Liège (Belgium) to AlUla (Saudi Arabia) for the AlFursan Endurance Cup. Held in AlUla, in the heart of the desert, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this prestigious event offers the highest prize money in the sport and showcases the pinnacle of endurance riding. Both companies demonstrated their expertise in equine logistics and dedication to animal welfare throughout this operation.
Endurance horses are extremely valuable and clients’ expectations for such transportation are always based on the highest standards. The companies transporting racehorses must ensure the best service and care to guarantee all goes smoothly. The client, ordering endurance horses transportation from Magma Aviation and Intradco Global, was highly pleased with the level of service, from the first encounter to the safe arrival of the horses...
Read more here:
https://aircargoweek.com/magma-aviation-and-intradco-global-team-up-to-transport-34-endurance-horses/
New AERC Hall of Famers announced at AERC Convention
AERC welcomed a new group into the Hall of Fame class, and presented additional awards, at National Awards banquet of the 2025 AERC Convention in Reno, Nevada on March 8.
Hall of Fame Person: Lisa Schneider
Hall of Fame Equine: Trinity, owned and ridden by Gunnar Frank
Pard’ners Award recipients: Dave Rabe and White Cloud
Ann Parr Trails Preservation Award recipient: Nicole Wertz
Charlie Barieau Photography Excellence Award: Merri Melde
Greg Kimler of Echo Valley Ranch in Auburn was presented the Dru Barner award from the Western States Trail Foundation, for those who contribute to and uphold the goals of the Western States Foundation, and have helped maintain the integrity and dignity of the Tevis Cup.