Endurance Horse Podcast

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 ChallengeWe 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 ChallengeWe'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

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.

🎧 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 ChallengeRide 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.

A 16.3hh American Saddlebred steps to the Tevis starting line. In this Year of the Horse spotlight, Natalie Law shares the story of CH-SH Mo’ Motion Jack — “Brave” — and what it took for this magnificent Saddlebred to conquer one of endurance riding’s most demanding challenges.

n this Year of the Horse spotlight episode, I sit down with Shelah Wetter of Blue Haven Stable — lifelong Saddlebred horsewoman, 20,000-mile endurance rider, and 2025 Sport Horse Owner/Breeder of the Year. We talk about how she chose her endurance partner, what makes a Saddlebred shine on the trail, why slowing down builds longevity, and how welcoming new riders strengthens the future of endurance. If you love strong partnerships, brave horses, and the long game — this one’s for you.