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The Award-Winning book Tevis Cup Magic: Taking on the World’s Toughest 100 Mile Endurance Ride





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2026 Old Dominion 100 - Hanna Bartnick


June 16 2026
By Hanna Bartnick
Photo by Becky Pearman

The short version is that my 18 year old, 14.1 hand mustang mare is a total freaking beast and we finished that gnarly ride with 4 minutes to spare, coming in 11th out of the 17 that started in the National Championship 100.

Every time I think of this past weekend, I still get teary eyed. Aspen and I ventured up to the AERC National Championship to try our hand at the Old Dominion 100, also known as the Beast of the East. For those that don’t know, it’s a grueling, rock filled trail up and down big mountains in the heat. The 100 is a point to point race where your crew travels and meets you at most of the vet checks and you eventually circle back to the starting point.

I won’t lie - I wasn’t even remotely excited for the ride the week leading up to it. Every time I checked the weather forecast it was looking hotter and hotter and I was totally dreading it.

Wyoming: Going the distance – by horse


Wyomingnews.com - Full Article

Amber Travsky Outdoors columnist
Jun 18, 2026

In the sporting world, endurance events are common. Runners push themselves in the 26.2-mile marathon and cyclists pedal 100 miles in a century ride. Less well known is the equestrian version of “going the distance.”

Endurance horse races range from 25 to 100-plus miles per day, with many lasting more than one day. Horses and riders travel on varied terrain, going down dirt roads, on wooded trails and cross-country.

The local version, the annual Happy Jack Equestrian Endurance Ride, will take place this weekend on June 20 and 21 in the Vedauwoo Recreation Area of the Medicine Bow National Forest. Cheyenne resident and Trail Master Sue Basham and has been busily marking the course, a task that takes about 10 days of riding and hiking. She has been a part of the race for some 40 years now. Cindy Eckles, also from Cheyenne, is ride master for the event...

Read more here:
https://www.wyomingnews.com/laramieboomerang/news/going-the-distance-by-horse/article_85c60dd2-ca49-4d9c-8382-98b3ebe7597e.html

2026 AERC Nat’l Championships/Old Dominion photos by Becky Pearman


2026 AERC National Championships at Old Dominion Endurance ride photos in Virginia by Becky Pearman:
https://beckypearman.smugmug.com/Other/Endurance-2026/Old-Dominion-AERC-National-Championships

2026 NASTR photos by Bill Gore


2026 NASTR Endurance ride photos in Nevada by Bill Gore:
https://williamgorephotography.smugmug.com/2026-Endurance-Rides/NASTR-2026/Bill-Gore

Horse Welfare in Endurance: A glimpse from Top riders


Journal D'Endurance - Horse Welfare Podcast

June 15 2026
A Conversation by Journal d’Endurance

Castelsagrat, France | CEIO2* 120 km | 35°C | A few hours after the finish

In scorching temperatures and on one of the most demanding tracks of the French calendar, Melody Théolissat and Yalla de Jalima secured second place, only seconds ahead of Virginie Atger and Raya de Jalima, after a perfectly judged race and a memorable final sprint. Paul Bard, who was set to compete the following day in the CEI3* 160 km with Hasna Valarbin, a home-bred mare, also joined the conversation.

Beyond the sport results, this discussion provided an opportunity to explore one of the most important topics in endurance riding: horse welfare. How do top riders balance performance with respect for their equine partners? What signs do they rely on to assess their horses’ physical and mental well-being? How do they manage training, travel, and race strategy to keep their horses comfortable and motivated? Drawing on their experiences, successes, and the mistakes that helped shape them as horsewomen & men, Virginie Atger, Melody Théolissat, and Paul Bard share their perspective on horse welfare in endurance riding and explain why, in their view, it is one of the key foundations of performance...

Read more here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SlN6ikh-BhvC6ttAMa7fEVTMrlfXOoDT/view

Who Will Answer the Next Emergency Call?


HorseSport.com - Full Article

Equine veterinary medicine is struggling to attract and retain practitioners. Three different perspectives suggest that preserving access to care will require changes from veterinary practices and horse owners alike.

By: Horse Sport staff | June 10, 2026

When a horse colics at 10 p.m., the owner’s first thought is panic. The second is: call the vet.

For the equine veterinarian who answers, the call may come after a full day of appointments, while eating dinner, attending a family event or finally getting to sleep. When the emergency is over, the next day’s scheduled work will still begin as usual.

After-hours emergencies have always been part of equine veterinary medicine. Increasingly, however, the profession is questioning whether the traditional model is sustainable.

“The number one issue is the lack of people that want to go into equine practice,” says Dr. Mike Pownall of McKee-Pownall Equine Services, an equine veterinarian who has spent years studying and speaking about wellness and mental health within the profession. “Recent surveys show less than two per cent of graduating students in North America want to enter equine,” he says. “That’s less than 200 people a year for all of North America,” which is not enough to replace veterinarians who are retiring or leaving the field...

Read more here:
https://horsesport.com/magazine/business/who-will-answer-next-emergency-call/?vgo_ee=itb9xEAbpXVHm%2BpWDPrGyv8f1O%2FMpmeHqSoS3EM%2BfpHQW%2BO%2Bnyiv%3AqLLH0nZ3PSxoRFP3%2F26HNzRa78wzZhgu

Endurance Horse Podcast: 23,000 Miles Later | A Conversation with Marci Cunningham


EnduranceHorsePodcast - Listen

June 6 2026
with Christina Hyke

What can more than 23,000 endurance miles teach us about horses, horsemanship, and longevity?

In this episode of the Endurance Horse Podcast™, I sit down with longtime endurance rider Marci Cunningham, an AERC Decade Team rider, Pacific Southwest Region Director, and horsewoman whose endurance career spans decades and thousands of competition miles.

Marci shares stories of the horses that carried her through the years, the partnerships that shaped her journey, and the lessons learned along the way. We discuss why longevity matters, the benefits of a slower and more thoughtful approach to riding, and how listening to our horses can help us build partnerships that stand the test of time.

Whether you're a brand-new rider, chasing your first 50, or reflecting on a lifetime in the saddle, this conversation is a reminder that the greatest accomplishments are often built one mile, one ride, and one horse at a time.

Because sometimes the goal isn't simply to go farther or faster—it's to still be enjoying the trail years from now.

Listen:
https://endurancehorsepodcast.podbean.com/e/23000-miles-later-a-conversation-with-marci-cunningham/

2026 City of Rocks photos by Merri Melde & Cat Cook


2026 City of Rocks Endurance ride photos in Idaho by Merri Melde, The Equestrian Vagabond, & Cat Cook:
https://www.theequestrianvagabond.com/Clients-Endurance

2026 Mary and Anna photos - Jala Neufeld and Andrea Hurn


2026 Mary and Anna Endurance ride photos in Oregon by Jala Neufeld, DKTAJAY photography:
https://dktajay.smugmug.com/event/MAMR-2026

And Andrea Hurn:
https://amhphotography.instaproofs.com/gallery/#events

2026 April's Horses in the Morning Endurance Podcast


HorseRadioNetwork.com Podcast - Listen

Endurance Rider AP & Jeepers’ Journey to Their 1st Tevis, by Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control for April 14, 2026

Horses in the Morning
April 14, 2026

Film Animator & equestrian AP Davis shares how she and her horse Jeepers are getting ready for their first Tevis. Karen shares some pointers on getting organized for vet checks. Listen in...

https://horseradionetwork.com/2026/04/endurance-rider-ap-jeepers-journey-to-their-1st-tevis-by-farnam-and-endure-gold-killer-fly-mosquito-control-for-april-14-2026/

Great Britain: West Sandford rider wins iconic endurance challenge on debut appearance


Julian Johansen and his Arab gelding CF Samuel won the two-day 80km class at the Golden Horseshoe Ride. (Julian Johansen)

CreditonCourier.co.uk - Full Article

By Alan Quick
Tuesday 2nd June 2026

A WEST Sandford rider has won one of the UK’s most iconic long-distance horse riding challenges on his first attempt at the event.

Julian Johansen and his nine-year-old grey Arab gelding, CF Samuel, won the two-day 80km class at the Golden Horseshoe Ride, held on Exmoor.

The event, which is widely regarded as the oldest and one of the toughest endurance rides in the UK, saw riders take on challenging terrain during an exceptionally hot year.

The achievement was made even more impressive by the fact that this was Julian and Samuel’s first multi-day endurance class.

Before the Golden Horseshoe, the pair had only competed up to 40km in a single day. They only started endurance riding together in 2025, making this just their second season in the sport...

Read more here:
https://www.creditoncourier.co.uk/sport/west-sandford-rider-wins-iconic-endurance-challenge-on-debut-appearance-912399

Wales: Newlyweds to take part in Man v Horse race minutes after saying 'I do'


WalesOnline.co.uk - Full Article

The couple will tie the knot then leap into action, joining hundreds of horseback riders and runners in a thrilling and unique Welsh race.

by Portia Jones
15:11, 24 May 2026

Just minutes after saying 'I do,' a couple will leap into action, joining hundreds of horseback riders and runners in a thrilling and unique Welsh race.

Animal lovers Safron Chapman and fiancé Nigel Griffin will celebrate their wedding by taking part in an annual Man Vs Horse challenge on June 13, 2026.

Each year, in Llanwrtyd Wells, mid-Wales, this punishing 24-mile race pits human runners and horse riders against each other across varied terrain.

Dreamed up over a pint in 1980, it still stands as one of the UK's most eccentric and challenging sporting spectacles...

Read more here:
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/newlyweds-take-part-man-v-34003833.amp

Australia: Locals off to ‘pinnacle’ of endurance rides


RGJ.com

May 23 2026

Dave passed away peacefully at his home, after several years with Parkinson's disease. Dave was born June 22, 1949 in St Albans, Vermont to William and Margaret Cootware. He attended schools in Franklin and Lamoille Counties, graduating from the last graduating class of Cambridge High School in 1967. Soon after high school, Dave joined the U.S. Navy. After completing his tour of duty he returned to Vermont for a short time before heading Westward, settling in the Reno area where he made his home for more than 50 years.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents: brother, Paul Cootware; sister, Joyce Lamphere; brothers-in-law Robert Mazzola and John Edwards.

Surviving Dave are his wife, Susan McCartney and their beagles, Charlotte and Lucky, siblings; Diane Schwarm (Ron); Barbara Lehouiller (George); Janet Mazzola; Brenda Edwards; Richard Cootware; Tracey Hunt (Palmer)and Jennifer Cary (Alan); Dave's first wife, Kathryn Cootware; many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, to numerous to mention...

More at http://www.endurance.net/FeaturedStories/#DaveCootware

Australia: Locals off to ‘pinnacle’ of endurance rides


theExpressNewspaper.com - Full Article

THE Far North Queensland Endurance Riders Association recently held its annual Pioneer Trek, with three riders now looking to the “pinnacle” of endurance riding events next week – the Tom Quilty.

25 May, 2026

Around 20 riders headed off from the Tepon Equestrian Park and ventured out on their respective 20km, 40km, and 80km rides, with club vice-president Brian Prove happy with how the event turned out.

“It was a good success. We had some first-timers come and do 20km rides and they really enjoyed that,” he said.

The Tom Quilty Gold Cup, which R.M Williams himself had a hand in bringing to life, is the national championship of the Australian Endurance Riders Association whereby qualified riders attempt to ride 160km in just 24 hours.

Riders from the local FNQ group who have qualified for the Tom Quilty include: Kristie Sheehan, Grace Zagata, and Brian Prove, and they will be heading to Sterling’s Crossing, Imbil next Thursday to contest the event.

“I am very excited, I mean, it’s the pinnacle of endurance riding – it’s the national championships,” Prove said.

“And the history of it is very interesting. R.M Williams and his good mate, Tom Quilty, got together, because in 1965 America ran a 100-mile event (the Tevis Cup), so those two thought Australia could do it better...

Read more here:
https://www.theexpressnewspaper.com.au/locals-off-to-pinnacle-of-endurance-rides-2026-05-25

2026 Canyon Rims - Tami Rougeau


By Tami Rougeau
May 15 2026

Team Red Adventure #5 2026 Part 1

It has been a very busy last few weeks but finally getting a few quiet moments to put together the story for Adventure 5 – Canyon Rims 2026.

On Wednesday morning we did a leisurely pack up and got ready to head to the ride. Since it was only a short 3–4-hour drive and it was predicted to be windy, we were in no rush. We so enjoyed our time with Julie, but we knew we would be seeing her again at the ride in a few days. We headed out to blue skies and sunshine. After a quick stop by Annie and Dave’s place we were on our way to camp.

When we arrived, there were just a couple of trailers already there and we were met by Cory and Mickey. All smiles and welcomes from this hard-working management family. I just love the energy of their ride camps. I quickly set up camp using the trailer as the wind block for the girl’s coral. It really was windy and the sand was ever present. The girls did not seem to mind as much as the humans did. Even with the wind it is still nice to be in camp and settled with a full day of rest before the ride begins. It also gives time to visit and catch up with friends. Not on Wednesday though. That evening we sheltered in place in the trailer; the girls tucked up to the trailer and happily enjoyed their hay. It made for a delightful early evening for us all.

Read the rest here

Endurance Racing? Pat Fitzgerald!


May 20 2026
By Merri Melde

Verne R. Albright published this short book, “Endurance Racing? Pat Fitzgerald!” in 1969 about endurance riding’s legend.

Robert and Linda Manley got permission from Albright to place the full contents of Albright’s book on the Wordpress website: https://patfitzgerald487771351.wordpress.com/

The book offers a glimpse into the endurance life, horses, stories, and quips by Pat Fitzgerald during his endurance heyday, and his approach to riding and training (and winning).

Many of his quotes and thoughts are applicable to today’s endurance riders…

Read the rest here:
http://www.endurance.net/FeaturedStories/#FitzgeraldBook

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