Start Ready, Finish Proud | Sandra Cheek & the Equine Distance Riding Association

For a decade EDRA has been building their version for the future of distance riding from the foundation up — welcoming riders at every distance, investing in youth, encouraging mentorship, and creating a ride culture where riders at every distance feel welcome and prepared to Start Ready, Finish Proud

On this episode of the Endurance Horse Podcast, host Christina Hyke welcomes Sandra “Sandy” Cheek, a founding member of the Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA).

Sandy shares what EDRA is doing to create a welcoming ride culture on the west coast, opportunities for ride managers outside EDRA’s traditional western base; membership and mileage programs; and EDRA’s investment in the next generation through its youth programs and scholarships.

And, as sometimes happens around the Endurance Horse Podcast virtual campfire, Sandy and Christina take a few unexpected side trails along the way. There are some laughs, some candid conversation, and plenty of horse talk — all shared in good fun.

Learn More About EDRA

Visit the Equine Distance Riding Association online to learn more about membership, sanctioned rides, youth programs, EDRA in Motion, rules, ride management and ways to become involved.

Equine Distance Riding Association — Start Ready, Finish Proud

WARHORSE Challenge News & Giveaways

We LOVE celebrating riders at WARHORSE Endurance® and the Endurance Horse Podcast, and we have some fun giveaways happening!

A huge thank you to The HORSE PAL® Fly Trap for donating a full-sized Horse Pal for our Spirit of 1775 — Midnight Riders 250 Mile Challenge giveaway.

🎉 Congratulations to Lanette R. of Aiken, South Carolina

We personally own two Horse Pal traps and have been incredibly pleased with them for helping capture horse flies and deer flies around the farm.

Learn more about The HORSE PAL® Fly Trap at HorsePal.net. Horse Pal traps and replacement parts are available through Capralite.

And we're not finished!

🇺🇸 Spirit of 1775 — Midnight Riders 250 Mile Challenge
We will be giving away a red, white and blue splash-design TREKKIT pommel bag to another challenge participant!

The Spirit of 1775 is a 250-mile virtual journey inspired by the legendary Midnight Riders of 1775. Ride your own horse, on your own trails and on your own schedule as you work toward 250 miles — and a fantastic year-end award package that includes a beautiful 250-mile commemorative buckle.

💕 Saddle Sisters Challenge
We're also giving away a black and pink TREKKIT pommel bag to a Saddle Sisters participant in honor of breast cancer survivors.

And congratulations to our recent XL leather halter winners:

🐴 Karen B. & her appaloosa Rio — Idaho
🐴 Jennifer & her mule Buddy — Colorado

Ladies, your halters are on the way!

Watch the WARHORSE Challenges Facebook group for more giveaways and fun throughout the month.

Support the Endurance Horse Podcast

The Endurance Horse Podcast is free and commercial-free, and has been since the beginning.

If this podcast has entertained you, encouraged you, taught you something new, or simply kept you company on the trail, there are two wonderful ways you can help keep us on the air and growing.

Share an episode with a friend.
It costs nothing, and every time you introduce another horse person to the Endurance Horse Podcast, you help our virtual campfire grow.

Or...

Come ride with us at WARHORSE Endurance®!

Joining one of our virtual challenges gives you and your horse a journey of your own to work toward — while directly helping support the continued production of the Endurance Horse Podcast.

Find current challenges, beautiful year-end awards and more at WARHORSE Endurance®.

About the Endurance Horse Podcast

Hosted by Christina Hyke, 2021 Wisconsin Horse Person of the Year.

The Endurance Horse Podcast was founded in 2018 to share the stories, horses, riders and adventures of the endurance and distance-riding community.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Podbean, Player FM and most major podcast platforms.

Thank you for listening, sharing the podcast, telling your friends, and continuing to gather with us around the virtual campfire.

THIS IS ENDURANCE HORSE PODCAST SIGNING OFF FOR NOW —

Every mile a memory.

 

 

 

🎙️ 23,000 Miles Later | A Conversation with Marci Cunningham

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.

Learn More:

🐴 American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC)
https://aerc.org

🐴 AERC Pacific Southwest Riders Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1234813366533535/

🐴 The Warhorse Journal Podcast
https://thewarhorsejournal.podbean.com

🐴 WARHORSE Endurance Challenges
https://warhorseendurance.com

🐴 Join the WARHORSE Challenges Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/groups/warhorsechallenges

Thank you for listening, sharing, and helping us celebrate the horses, riders, and stories that make endurance riding so special.

#EnduranceHorsePodcast #AERC #EnduranceRiding #DistanceRiding #HorsePodcast #EveryMileAMemory

🎧 Endurance Horse Podcast Show Notes 🌲 Riding Across Michigan: The Shore-to-Shore Trail with Jan Gould (MTRA)

What does it feel like to ride across an entire state… on horseback?

In this episode of the Endurance Horse Podcast, we step into the heart of Michigan’s legendary Shore-to-Shore Trail—a trail system that stretches across the state and has been shaped, protected, and preserved by generations of riders.

Joining us today is Jan Gould, Secretary of the Michigan Trail Riders Association (MTRA) and a third-generation Shore-to-Shore rider. Jan shares the history behind this iconic trail, the origin story and the riders who helped build it, and the ongoing work required to maintain access for future generations.

From how to sign up for the organized ride… to favorite sections of the trail… to the deeper meaning of preserving equine access—this episode brings the Shore-to-Shore to life.

Whether you dream of hauling in for a weekend ride… or crossing the entire trail… this conversation will inspire you to get out there and ride.

🐎 In This Episode, We Cover:

• The history and formation of the Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail

• The role of the Michigan Trail Riders Association (MTRA) in preserving access

• What it’s like to ride across the state of Michigan on horseback

• Weekend-friendly trailheads and camping recommendations

• The magic of trail life—and why riders return year after year

• Favorite sections of the trail from a lifelong rider

• The why & how behind the iconic “big blue bus”

• How volunteers help maintain and protect the trail

• Why preserving equine trail access matters now more than ever

• How YOU can experience the trail—both in person and virtually

🌲 Ride the Shore-to-Shore Trail

Ready to experience it for yourself?

🐎 Michigan Trail Riders Association (MTRA)
Join an in-person Shore-to-Shore ride in June or September
👉 https://mtra.org

🏁 Great Lakes Distance Riding Association (GLDRA)
Explore endurance rides across Michigan
👉 https://gldrami.org (see Events tab)

🌎 WARHORSE 250 Mile Shore-to-Shore Virtual Challenge
Ride from wherever you are and be part of the journey
👉 https://warhorseendurance.com

Sign up at WARHORSE Endurance for the Virtual 250 Mile Shore to Shore Ride to gain access to the online journal & the awards packet of bracelet, belt buckle, metal sign, patch and more!  This event greatly supports GLDRA & endurance in the Great Lakes Region. 

🤝 Support the Trail

The Shore-to-Shore trail exists because of riders who care.

• Join MTRA

• Volunteer for trail work days

• Support organizations that protect equine access

• Share this episode to spread awareness

💛 Love the Podcast?

If this episode inspired you, encouraged you, or kept you company on your ride or drive today…

You can support the podcast by:

• Sharing this episode with a friend

• Leaving a positive review on your favorite platform

• And if you’d like to support in a tangible way—join a WARHORSE event at
  👉 https://warhorseendurance.com

🎙️ About the Podcast

Endurance Horse Podcast brings riders together from all across the world—sharing their stories, progress, and goals as they train for or compete in endurance events at every level.

Endurance Horse Podcast is produced by Christina Hyke Photography, LLC, a WARHORSE Endurance® production.

🎙️ THIS IS ENDURANCE HORSE PODCAST SIGNING OFF FOR NOW — Every mile a memory.

Natalie Law & CH-SH Mo  Motion Jack — Brave on the Mountain: The American Saddlebred in Endurance

 

A 16.3-hand American Saddlebred steps to the Tevis starting line.

Tall. Big-moving. Refined. Not the typical silhouette in an Arabian-dominated sport — but unmistakable in presence.

In this episode we cover a lot of ground and hear from Natalie Law about CH-SH Mo Motion Jack — “Brave” — and the rider who believed he belonged there.  ( and of course, Flash, Brave's sidekick hackney pony makes an appearance on the podcast again )

Stepping outside of the place where a Saddlebred is typically expected to be,  Brave brought power, elegance, and a brave heart to one of the most demanding endurance rides in the world — the Tevis Cup.

And he didn’t go alone.

Natalie Law and her daughter made history as a mother-daughter team on that mountain — one riding this magnificent American Saddlebred, the largest horse in the event that day, other piloting Piece of Perfection, a 11.2-hand Hackney pony affectionately known as "Flash", the smallest equine to ever complete Tevis. Together, they proved that endurance is not defined by breed, height, or expectation — but by preparation, partnership, and courage.

In this Year of the Horse spotlight, we explore the athleticism and mindset of the American Saddlebred, what it takes to condition a big-framed horse for 100 rugged miles, and why representation of diverse breeds in endurance matters.

We also discuss EDRA's young rider program, distance riding organizations, and the importance of preserving the trails we ride..

 

🔗 Organizations & Resources Mentioned

🔹 American Endurance Ride Conference

🔹 Equine Distance Riding Association

🔹 VERSA 

🔹 Saddlebreds in Endurance (Facebook Group)

🔹 Back Country Horsemen of America

📖 Featured Book

Race Against Time by Claire Eckhardt

 

If you enjoy these stories and want to see Endurance Horse Podcast continue to grow, there are a few meaningful ways you can help.

Share this episode with a friend.
Post it on social media.
Or leave a positive review on your favorite podcast platform.

Word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways this show reaches new riders, and we truly appreciate your support.

If you’d like to support the podcast in a tangible way, visit warhorseendurance.com and sign up for a WARHORSE Endurance® Challenge. Every mile you log helps sustain this show — and yes, we give out some beautiful awards.

Join the miles.
Join the community.
Be part of the story.

What does it take to ride 20,000 endurance miles?

Belief. Patience. And the courage to ride your own path.

As part of our Year of the Horse spotlight, February celebrates the American Saddlebred — and in this episode, I sit down with lifelong Saddlebred horsewoman and endurance rider Shelah Wetter, owner of Blue Haven Stable.

Shelah has logged over 20,000 endurance miles aboard American Saddlebreds and was honored in 2025 as Sport Horse Owner and/or Breeder of the Year by the
American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association.

In this conversation we talk about:
• How she chose her endurance partner
• What makes a Saddlebred shine on the trail
• And how welcoming new riders strengthens the future of endurance

If you love strong partnerships and the long game — this one is for you!

Learn More:

• American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA): https://www.saddlebred.com

• Versatile Saddlebred Association (VERSA): https://www.saddlebredversa.org/

• Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA): https://www.equinedistanceriding.com

• American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC): https://www.aerc.org

WARHORSE Challenges

Head to https://warhorseendurance.com and sign up for a WARHORSE Endurance® Challenge. Whether you ride one mile or one hundred, you’ll be part of a supportive community that celebrates every step forward.

Join us on Facebook in WARHORSE Challenges.

🤍 Love the Podcast?

Free ways to support:
• Leave a positive review
• Share this episode
• Text it to a friend

Word of mouth keeps this podcast growing — and I truly appreciate you for helping us to grow on this journey.

This is Endurance Horse Podcast signing off for now —
Every mile a memory.

Endurance Horse Podcast is produced by Christina Hyke Photography, LLC, a WARHORSE Endurance® production.

Endurance Horse Podcast

 It started with a Valentine’s Day surprise. 

Years ago, Dennis Summers  surprised his wife Sue with a special Valentine’s Day gift, a Paint/Arabian cross — before the fence was even up on their property, Dennis tied the horse a tree while they finished preparing the property. That moment would become part of a lifelong journey with horses and eventually into endurance riding for both  Sue and Dennis Summers.

In this episode of Endurance Horse Podcast, we trace that journey — from an article in Western Horseman that sparked a deep curiosity about endurance, to competing at some of the top rides in the world, and eventually back to the grassroots level of growing and protecting the sport he loves.

Dennis is an international endurance rider, author of 4th Gear and The Long and Winding Road, and a founding member of the Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA). But more than titles or accolades, this is a story about partnership, perspective, and the horses that shape us.

Along the way, we talk about more than one special horse — including the one that truly inspired his most recent book. We talk about training, longevity, listening to the horse, and what matters after thousands of miles.

So sit down, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and enjoy this story as it unfolds around our virtual campfire.

Every mile a memory.

Dennis Summers books available on Kindle

Dennis is the author of:

• 4th Gear: Power Up Your Endurance Horse

• The Long and Winding Road

Both titles are available on Kindle through Amazon.

🌍 Learn More About EDRA

Dennis is a founding member of the Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA), an organization focused on horse welfare, education, and supporting endurance riders.

🔗 EDRA- Equine Distance Riding Association

Support this Podcast & Ride With Us WARHORSE ENDURANCE®

If you enjoyed this episode and want to be part of a supportive endurance community, we invite you to join us at:

🔗WARHORSE Challenges fb group

🔗  https://warhorseendurance.com

Log miles. Share stories. Encourage one another.

You can also join our WARHORSE ENDURANCE® Facebook community and connect with riders from around the world who believe in honoring the horse, the journey, and the miles in between.  Your participation in our virtual challenges helps keep this community growing.

This podcast is a Christina Hyke Photography, LLC & WARHORSE ENDURANCE® production 

THIS IS ENDURANCE HORSE PODCAST SIGNING OFF FOR NOW — Every mile a memory.

A Decade Team and Three Tevis Completions: JayaMae Kaur & Foxfire’s Little Britches

What happens when a rider from the hunter-jumper and Warmblood world heads out on her first endurance ride and quickly learns that endurance has a sense of humor of its own?

In this episode of Endurance Horse Podcast, host Christina Hyke sits down with JayaMae Kaur for a fun, honest, and heartfelt conversation that includes plenty of laughter, learning, and long miles.

JayaMae shares her journey from hunter jumpers to trails and endurance, exchanging Warmbloods for a remarkable Missouri Fox Trotter mare who became her decade team horse and carried her to three Tevis buckles. She reflects on what surprised her most at her very first endurance ride, what she learned along the way, and why that experience made her stick with the sport.

Beyond riding, JayaMae also brings an important ride-manager perspective, sharing the deeply meaningful reason she became involved in managing a memorial ride. We talk about the heart behind the Kristina Chesterman Memorial Ride, the importance of community fundraising, and how endurance riders can support education, remembrance, and one another.

This episode is part of our Year of the Horse series, highlighting different breeds and the riders who love them — and reminding us that every breed has a place and can achieve great things at any distance.

Expect laughter, honest stories, and a whole lot of heart.

🔗 Links & Resources

JayaMae Kaur – Lightfoot Horse Farm
🌐 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AYAtDHFBF/

Support Endurance Horse Podcast & Learn More
🌐 https://warhorseendurance.com

Join the WARHORSE Challenges Community
📘 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1C6Fdc1TBJ/

Thank you for listening to Endurance Horse Podcast.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a positive review, sharing it with a friend, or supporting the podcast by joining one of our WARHORSE Endurance challenges.

Endurance Horse Podcast is a production of Christina Hyke Photography, LLC, and WARHORSE Endurance®.

THIS IS ENDURANCE HORSE PODCAST SIGNING OFF FOR NOW — Every mile a memory.

Decade Team Wisdom: Dr. Ashley Sansome, DVM, MPVM & Her Missouri Fox Trotter Barney’s Single Shot

(click the image above to go to free online journal-will need a login)

What does it really take to go the distance in endurance—especially with a non-traditional breed?

In this upbeat and encouraging episode of Endurance Horse Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Ashley Sansome, DVM, MPVM,  as she shares with us about her AERC Decade Team partner, Missouri Fox Trotter gelding Barney’s Single Shot. Together, they share a story rooted in patience, partnership, and showing up year after year.

We talk about finding horses, discovering endurance, and what made Ashley stick with the sport for the long haul. Ashley also offers practical insight into conditioning a heavier-muscled horse, managing heat and muscle recovery, and adapting expectations when your endurance partner doesn’t fit the “traditional” mold.

Sprinkled throughout the conversation is sage, real-life advice about saddling up again after 50, listening to your body, and giving yourself permission to ride smart—not fast.

We’re also celebrating The Year of the Horse by giving away a free online Year of the Horse journal, and yes—we made a few “oops” along the way and left them in, because that’s real life and real horsemanship.

If you’re riding a gaited horse, a stocky horse, a comeback horse—or you’re a comeback rider yourself—this episode is for you.

Our gift to you to celebrate the Year of the Horse, a free online journal that helps you keep track of your year with your horse, simply follow this link and create a log in!   yearofthehorse.warhorseenduranc.com

🎧 Endurance Horse Podcast™ – Episode 71
✨ Virginia City 100 with Tami Rougrau
🎙 Hosted by Christina Hyke of WARHORSE Endurance™

In this heartfelt 71st episode of the Endurance Horse Podcast™, we head to the wild beauty of Nevada to visit with Tami Rougrau, ride manager of the legendary Virginia City 100.

Tami shares her deep love for the trail, her horses, and the endurance community, along with fun behind-the-scenes stories (yes—her chickens often chime in!) and insight into what it takes to keep a 100-mile tradition going strong. We talk about the spirit of endurance riding, the magic of the Virginia City 100 trail, and the dedicated team behind it all, NASTR.

We take time to highlight NASTR—Nevada All-State Trail Riders—a phenomenal organization that plays a critical role in trail preservation, mentoring new distance riders, and keeping the future of our sport alive. If you're looking for a club that blends heart, history, and boots-on-the-ground trail work, NASTR is worth joining and supporting.   

💛 You’re invited to ride with us!
Whether you’re in Nevada or riding from afar, you can be part of the legacy by joining the Virtual Virginia City 100 Challenge through WARHORSE Endurance™.

🐎 Ride your miles at your own pace.
📬 Receive your award packet of buckle, patch, sticker and metal sign. 
🏆 Celebrate your journey with our community online

👉 Sign up here: Sign up for the VIRGINIA CITY 100 Challenge
👉 Learn more about NASTR: Nevada All-State Trail Riders

Join the conversation, share your ride stories, and be part of a movement that honors the old trails, welcomes new riders, and makes every mile a memory.

🎉 Connect with us:
📱 Facebook Group: WARHORSE Challenges™
🌐 Website: www.warhorseendurance.com
🎧 Subscribe to Endurance Horse Podcast never miss an episode.  If you enjoyed the podcast we would appreciate it if you'd share with a friends & leave a kind review if we inspired you today.

 

"Welcome back to the Endurance Horse Podcast! In our last episode, we heard from endurance rider and dedicated volunteer Jennifer Shooshanian, and today, we’re shifting gears to explore another incredible equestrian story. We’re excited to introduce David Silver, the founder of Detroit Horse Power, a nonprofit bringing the life-changing power of horses to urban youth in Detroit. David’s mission is to provide kids with opportunities to develop confidence, perseverance, and leadership through horsemanship—proving that horses have an impact far beyond the trails. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about how horses are making a difference in places you might not expect. Let’s dive in!"

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Endurance Horse Podcast! I’m your host, Christina Hyke, and today, we’re diving into an inspiring story from the Michigan ride, the Metropark Express—also known as Detroit Horse Power, named in honor of the charity tied to this event.

In this episode, I’ll be talking with Jennifer Shoshanian, who helped bring this ride to life, and in a follow up episode we will then be talking with with  founder of Detroit Horse Power, David Silver.  We recorded close to the event date, so while I couldn’t share it with you before it took place, I’m thrilled to bring it to you now. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to add this one to your ride calendar for next season!

So, without further ado, let’s jump into this episode of Endurance Horse Podcast.