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Endurance: Where are the ribbons?
WeAreOnTheLoose Blog - Full Article
by Jamethiel Morse
September 29 2025
Let’s turn our pens towards the annual signs of autumn: The ponies start getting their soft winter fuzzies on, the sun ditches us before 8pm, you have to return to keeping an extra layer in the truck, and…the AERC page starts to get rambunctious again. All ride season long, most folks are busy clearing trails, driving to rides, following Tevis fever, agonizing over keeping their horses sound and conditioned, so our corner of social media gets a bit of a breather aside from gorgeous ride photos. However, like clockwork, being farm bound for the winter gets endurance rider’s fingers itchy to share their opinions, and if we can’t do it around a ride camp fire with a drink in our hands, we’ll take to the AERC Facebook page instead. I say all this a bit in jest, but quite a bit of good discussion can occur there. Endurance riding brings out the strongest of personalities, you have to be to take care of a 1000 pound animal with their own views of the world over miles and hours of trail.
The latest thread to snag my eye was on the future of endurance and how to grow the sport, in a time it is rapidly contracting. Sharing that post to my own page racked up 68 comments, perhaps the most I’ve ever gotten, and the original thread is 450+. In order to put this post together, I used a bit of code I found on Reddit to copy all the comments to a Word document (cause FB sucks for reading comments this way), then edited it down from 200 odd pages to 60 odd (some comments were duplicated multiple times due to the weird rando code I used), tossed this doc into ChatGPT (legit the first time I’ve used it), and it spit out these top 10 categories of concern:...
Read more here:
https://weareontheloose.com/2025/09/29/endurance-where-are-the-ribbons/
2025 Virginia City 100 - Emily Farmer
By Emily Farmer
September 22 2025
Naji is officially a 100 mile mare. I suppose that technically makes me a 100 mile rider, as I managed to hang on for that length of time! What follows is almost as long of a read, as the ride was a ride!
On Saturday we attempted the Virginia City 100, a historic 100 mile endurance ride held by the Nevada All-State Trail Riders, which starts and ends in Virginia City, NV. This ride was hard. I can honestly say that both the first and last 50 miles taken independently were each probably harder than any other 50 mile ride we've done so far. The unrelenting rocks and elevation changes made this ride especially unforgettable, and ultimately took a tole on Naji's shoes in a way that I could not have imagined.
We started off strong for the first 50 miles, riding with Amrita Oleary and her powerful Poet, and Peggy Murphy and her hard as nails mare. Lucy Chaplin Trumbull and Annette McGyver provided exceptional, experienced crewing support through the entire ride, and Naji pulsed down shortly after arrival at each Vet check and ate and drank with gusto.
We arrived back at camp at 50 miles and Naji was looking great apart from a mild soreness on her right back/loin area. While she ate and drank and relaxed, we switched over all my saddle bags over to a different saddle and pad, to attempt to correct the discomfort that was developing. She had also lost the DIM support material in both front shoes, so I pulled what remained and refilled under all 4 pads with Silpack soft to prevent any more little rocks from getting in the back. I felt that Naji was going to have a rough go mentally leaving camp at 50 miles, as she was probably expecting to be done at that distance. For these reasons I decided to stay a little longer at this Vet check, and let Amrita and Peggy go on ahead. I didn't want Naji to get caught up trying to go too fast and burn herself out given how much we had left to do. I started out on my own, still in third place, and immediately went the wrong way, back up loop 1!! OOPS! Got back on track only to find that the trail was pretty intense in both elevation and rocky footing, and Naji was a little checked-out mentally. She still had good energy, but all she wanted to do was eat. Every tuft of dry brittle desert grass became a snack. We moved along despite the difficulties and actually caught up to Amrita and Peggy at the Jumbo aid station around 60 miles in. We commiserated about the difficulty of the trail, that our horses were in "march" mode, and after allowing her some time to rest and eat, I decided to go on together with them in the hopes it would perk her up a little. That it did, but only for a short time before we started climbing Mount Davidson...
Read the rest here
Tracing the forgotten path of the first wagon train to cross the Sierra
SFGate.com - Full Article
Everyone knows the Donner Party. These are the people who came before. By Julie Brown Davis, Mountain Towns Editor
Sep 28, 2025
It was late fall in 1844 when a group of pioneers, horses, oxen and wagons arrived on the shore of a beautiful lake embedded below the wall of the Sierra Nevada. Snow had already accumulated on the ground. River crossings were ice cold. The animals were weary and ragged. But the group had hope. They’d already traveled for months, walking day after day alongside the wagons. Upon reaching the Sierra Nevada, they knew they were close to the Sacramento Valley, a destination that had lured them across the continent, but cold temperatures and shorter days were a foreboding reminder that time was not on their side.
This was the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party, the first European Americans to cross the Sierra Nevada with wagons. All 52 people survived the journey to California, including two infants who were born on the westward journey.
“They were the original pioneers that proved that you could move wagons over the Sierra Nevada,” said David Antonucci, a Tahoe historian and author...
Read more here:
https://www.sfgate.com/renotahoe/article/stephens-townsend-murphy-sierra-nevada-california-21057626.php
Australia: Hooves of steel, hearts of gold
The Tom Quilty planning committee at Stirling's Crossing Equestrian Complex in Imbil. 317343_01
NoosaToday.com.au - Full Article
27/09/2025 Erle Levey
It’s a feeling of accomplishment … having completed a 160km horse ride in a day through the Australian bush.
However, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup is not just about the rider. It’s also knowing that your horse has been allowed to shine, to be the best it can on the day.
In recognition of the growing popularity of horses in the Gympie-Burnett regions, Australia’s premier endurance event returns to the Mary Valley in 2026.
It will be the third time in seven years that the Stirling’s Crossing Endurance Club at Imbil is to have the honour of hosting the event.
As such, it highlights the respect that the governing body, the Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA), holds for the region.
This is a particular honour as it will be the 60th anniversary of the Tom Quilty ride, with up to 300 riders from across Australia expected to participate...
Read more here:
https://noosatoday.com.au/news/27-09-2025/hooves-of-steel-hearts-of-gold/
2025 Virginia City 100 photos by Bill Gore
2025 Virginia City 100 Endurance ride photos in Nevada by Bill
Gore:
https://williamgorephotography.smugmug.com/2025-Endurance-Rides/VC-100-2025/Bill-Gore
2025 Biltmore photos by Becky Pearman
2025 Biltmore Endurance ride photos in South Carolina by Becky
Pearman:
https://beckypearman.smugmug.com/Other/Endurance-2025/Biltmore-Fall
A Golden Show of Unity in Romania
FEI.org - Full Article
Words by Stacey Stearns
Images by EIEV media
Romania was the proud host of the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2025...
A pivotal decision at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2025 in Buftea (ROM) turned into a golden moment for France.
At the vet gate, the French Young Riders were ready to head out on the third loop. Their last teammate’s horse still had minutes left in its rest period. They could have gone ahead – perhaps gained precious ground – but instead they chose to wait. They would leave together, as a team.
It was a quiet act of unity in the moment, but by the end of the day it had become the defining story of the championship. That choice ultimately carried France all the way to Team gold. The joy and surprise on their faces when the result was announced showed just how much it meant.
“They were thinking they would get a medal, but not gold. It was a bit of a surprise, but we were so happy. Success is a team sport,” said Jean-Michel Grimal, Chef d’Equipe for France...
Read more here:
https://www.fei.org/stories/sport/endurance/golden-show-unity-buftea
Bahrain Royal Endurance Team wins Best Horse Condition Award at FEI World Championship
BNA.bh
23 Sep 2025
Bucharest, Sep. 23 (BNA): The Royal Endurance Team won the Best Horse Condition Award for the horse Ermine Dartagnan, ridden by rider Isa Hameed Al Enezi, at the 120 km FEI World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors in Romania.
Coach Ahmed Janahi underlined that winning the Best Horse Health Award crowns the great efforts of the technical and administrative teams.
He said the Royal Endurance Team prioritises horse health and safety, following strict medical and technical standards to ensure the highest care levels. He underscored that this award proves the team focuses not only on winning but also on harmony and care between rider and horse.
He added that the achievement adds to the team's ongoing international success, motivating them to continue working hard for more honours in upcoming events.
This achievement highlights the high level of the riders of the Royal Endurance Team, not only through top positions they attained but also through their exceptional care for the health and fitness of the horses. This professionalism reflects the approach the team follows in all its competitions.
Al Mehairi makes UAE flag fly high at FEI Young Riders and Juniors World Championship
September 23 2025
Rashed Khamis Al Mehairi went one better when winning the UAE a fifth-straight title at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2025 in Buftea, Romania, with a perfectly-calculated ride and a bit of good fortune aboard Shardell Jaeger. Al Mehiari had finished second behind compatriot Rashed Ahmad Al Ketbi in a UAE 1-2 at the previous event at Castelsagrat in France in 2023.
However, this was to be his year. And, he rose to the occasion to once again stamp UAE domination over the Young Rider and Junior division by staying close to the top of the leaderboard and making his bid for glory in the fifth and final loop of the 120 km ride in Buftea, a town located about 20 km northwest of Bucharest.
Keeping close to the top of the leaderboard meant hotly pursuing teammate Essa Abdulla, who seized the lead from Bahrain’s Sultan Al Romaihi during the course of the second loop. Al Mehairi was placed third at the end of the first loop and maintained his position at the end of the second before dropping one spot to fourth during the third loop. He picked up during the fourth loop to climb up to second going into the final loop...
Read the rest here
Career-defining moments for young Endurance athletes in Buftea
Inside.FEI.org - Full Article
21 September 2025
Author: Bella Fricker
Buftea, Romania witnessed history on 20 September 2025 as the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors reached its dramatic conclusion. Over 120km of testing terrain, 84 young athletes from 26 nations set out with one shared goal: to finish with their horses in good health. By the end of the day, medals were decided not only by time, but by resilience, judgement, and the crucial veterinary inspections that define the sport. For Romania, hosting its first equestrian world Championship was a milestone in itself, while for the athletes aged 14–21 it was the defining moment of their careers so far.
Individual Podium
Gold went to 20-year-old Rashed Mohamed Atiq Khamis AlMehairi (UAE) riding the 10-year-old stallion Shardell Jaeger. Already an individual silver medallist at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2023 in Castelsagrat (FRA) with Castlebar Cadabra, AlMehairi this time went one better to secure the ultimate accolade.
After his win, Rashed said: “This is my last year as a Young Rider, and my advice to the younger athletes is that nothing is impossible – if you have a goal, focus on it, and take something new from every training session and every ride. In the end, I only ever compete against myself.”
UAE teammates — including reigning World Champion Rashed Ahmad Seghayer Alktebi, Essa Abdulla Essa Ali Abdulla, and Ali Abdulla Ali Bin Zayed AlFalasi — also crossed the line within minutes of each other but were eliminated at the final veterinary inspection, removing the UAE from team contention...
Read more here:
https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/career-defining-moments-young-endurance-athletes-buftea
U.S. Endurance Team Finishes Seventh Overall at 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Juniors and Young Riders in Romania
USEF.org
by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 9/21/2025
Buftea, Romania - The U.S. Endurance Team saw four horse-and-athlete combinations cross the finish line after the 120km ride to finish in seventh overall at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders hosted by the Shagya Sports Club Association in Buftea, Romania. The athletes and their horses were supported by their dedicated crew members, Interim Chef d’Equipe Heather Reynolds, Team Veterinarian Dr. Olivia Rudolphi, and Team Leader Nicole Zerbee.
“The championship went smoothly for us this year,” said Interim Chef d’Equipe Heather Reynolds, “All of our athletes and their horses were well prepared and worked very well together as a unified team. I’m super happy with our results and very proud of all of them. It was especially great having a complete team [finish the race with a minimum of three combinations.]”
The highest placing American combination to finish after five successful loops was AnnaMaria Clarke (Davis, W.Va.) and Southern Justice, who is known in the barn as “Roo,” a 2012 Arabian gelding (PA Gazsi x PA Ecolina) owned by Valerie Kanavy and Dessia Miller. The pair finished in 23rd place individually out of a large and highly competitive international field. The pair completed the race with a total ride time of 6:43:57.
“I’m beyond proud of Roo,” said Clarke of her teammate, “I’m very happy with our race at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders! [Roo] gave me 110%, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in him or outcome.”
The course for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders covered 120 km, with five loops varying in distance from 20.5 km to 31 km ( 75 miles total), across grass, fields, agricultural roads, and forest terrain in the picturesque suburban village of Buftea, located just outside of the country’s capital city of Bucharest. At the conclusion of each loop, the horses were inspected and checked by the official competition veterinarians to ensure peak physical condition, including heart rate and gait, followed by a mandatory rest period to eat, drink, and recover before returning to the course to complete the next loop.
Vanessa Erickson (Rocklin, Calif.) and Leno, a 2016 Arabian gelding (Dahess x Ta Dance WithTheStar) owned by Samantha Ellis, Jax Beloberk (Loomis, Calif.) and Highh Treason, a 2011 Arabian gelding (Tomanchie x Ecstatika) owned by Katie Beloberk, and Lila Reeder (Loomis, Calif.) and Cricket MHF, a 2017 Arabian gelding (Jolly By Golly x Awesome Zell MHF) owned by Bethany Reeder individually finished in 40th, 41st, and 42nd respectively.
Results
More at:
https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-endurance-team-finishes-seventh-overall-at
Bahrain Royal Endurance Team wins silver and bronze at FEI World Championship
BNA.bh
21 Sep 2025
Bucharest, Sep. 21 (BNA): The organising committee of the FEI World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors held the official awarding ceremony for the top three winners of the 120-kilometer race in Romania, in a festive atmosphere attended by participating team delegations and officials of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.
Riders of the Royal Endurance Team were awarded, as Saud Mubarak Sabt received the silver medal for finishing second place, while his teammate Isa Al Enezi won the bronze medal for securing third place. First place went to Emirati rider Rashid Mohammed.
The Royal Endurance Team riders expressed their gratitude to His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, and Captain of the Royal Endurance Team, for his constant support, which contributed to achieving these positive results.
Saud Sabt expressed his happiness at securing second place, noting that the achievement was the result of teamwork and the continuous support of the team, which motivates them to aim for greater accomplishments in future competitions.
Isa Al Enezi highlighted the challenges of the race, stressing that despite the difficulty, the team delivered strong performances. He emphasised that this achievement would serve as an incentive ahead of upcoming championships.
The championship witnessed the participation of 84 riders from various countries, where the Royal Team excelled over top competitors from France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, the United States, Malaysia, Switzerland, Poland, and Tunisia.
Bahrain Royal Team riders shine in Romania
GDNonline.com
Sun, 21 Sep 2025
ENDURANCE HORSERACING – BAHRAIN’S Royal Endurance Team had two of their members climb the podium yesterday in the 120-kilometre ride of the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors 2025, which took place in Buftea, Romania.
Saud Mubarak Sabt secured second place while teammate Issa Hameed Al Anezi came third at the end of a race that was characterised by strong competition and excitement until the final stage.
The Bahraini pair finished behind Emirati rider Rashid Mohammed, who took first place.
Royal Stables and Royal Endurance Team director general Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan expressed his great appreciation for the team’s achievements in the championship.
“Our riders presented a high technical level and were able to translate their efforts from the preparation phase into positive results on the ground,” said Dr Hassan.
“Achieving second and third place is the result of integrated teamwork and a step that enhances our future ambitions to continue to compete strongly for advanced positions in upcoming championships.”
Dr Hassan added that these results came thanks to the great support of His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman, and Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
UAE rider Rashid Al Muhairi wins Endurance World Championship for Juniors in Romania
WAM.ae
September 20, 2025
BUFTEA, Romania, 20th September, 2025 (WAM) -- The UAE achieved another milestone in equestrian sport as rider Rashid Mohammed Al Muhairi clinched the title of the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders and Juniors over a distance of 120 kilometers, held today in Buftea, Romania, under the supervision of the International Equestrian Federation, with participants from 28 countries.
Al Muhairi secured first place in the individual category for the first time, completing the race in 5:33:01 hours. His victory delivered the UAE’s fifth consecutive title and its eighth overall in the history of the championship.
Bahrain’s Saud Mubarak finished second with a time of 5:34:25 hours, while compatriot Isa Al Anzi came in third with a time of 5:36:31 hours.
In the team competition, France claimed first place, followed by Spain in second, while Italy finished third.
U.S. Athletes and Horses Set for 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders
The U.S. Endurance Team at the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders (©Nicole Zerbee)
USEF.org
by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 9/19/2025
Buftea, Romania – Five U.S. athlete-and-horse combinations have been accepted at the first horse inspection for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders hosted by the Shagya Sports Club Association in Buftea, Romania. The team is supported by their dedicated crew members, Interim Chef d’Equipe Heather Reynolds, Team Veterinarian Dr. Olivia Rudolphi, and Team Leader Nicole Zerbee.
The Championships officially opened on Thursday evening, September 18, with a welcoming ceremony that brought together athletes from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. The U.S. athletes and their horses passed the pre-ride horse inspection on Friday, September 19, and will move forward to competition, which begins on Saturday.
The following athlete-and-horse combinations were accepted:
• Jax Beloberk (Loomis, Calif.) and Highh Treason, a 2011 Arabian gelding (Tomanchie x Ecstatika) owned by Katie Beloberk
• AnnaMaria Clarke (Davis, W.Va.) and Southern Justice, a 2012 Arabian gelding (PA Gazsi x PA Ecolina) owned by Valerie Kanavy and Dessia Miller
• Vanessa Erickson (Rocklin, Calif.) and Leno, a 2016 Arabian gelding (Dahess x Ta Dance WithTheStar) owned by Samantha Ellis
• Uma Kraskin (Deland, Fla.) and Maggies Nchanted Pipi, a 2011 Arabian mare (FSF Dakaros Enchanter x Whizlin Comets Maggie) owned by Evelyn Baig
• Lila Reeder (Loomis, Calif.) and Cricket MHF, a 2017 Arabian gelding (Jolly By Golly x Awesome Zell MHF) owned by Bethany Reeder
The course for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championships for Juniors and Young Riders will cover 120 km (~74 miles) across grass, fields, agricultural roads, and forest terrain. Horses must cross the finish line in a maximum time of 20:07:30 to be classified. Designed to test stamina, skill, and partnership, the course requires athletes to balance pace with precision while maintaining their horse’s health, as verified by rigorous veterinary checks at each phase.
Competition Information
Competition officially begins Saturday, September 20, at 6:45am GMT+3 and will conclude with the Prize Giving and Closing Ceremony on Sunday, September 21, at 12:00 p.m. GMT+3/5:00 a.m. EST.
More at https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-athletes-horses-set-for-2025-fei
Australians line up for FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors
Australians Poppy Kettlewell and OSO Irazu will line up for the 2025 FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors. Image by Sarah Sullivan Photography.
EquestrianLife.com.au - Full Article
Equestrian Life
Published 18 Sep 2025
Australia may not travel with the numbers of Europe or the Gulf nations when it comes to endurance riding, but their athletes carry stories of grit and ambition. Seventeen-year-old Poppy Kettlewell, riding the rising 15-year-old Australian-bred grey gelding OSO Irazu, will make her first championship start at this year’s event.
Poppy is joined by 17-year-old Eadie McWilliam and another 15-year-old Australian-bred grey gelding, Larntainey Silver Treasure – a partnership that finished inside the top 20 at the last FEI Endurance World Championship. Larntainey Silver Treasure is by Silver Conquest out of Abrock Gemma and is owned by Australians Penny and Peter Toft...
Read more here:
https://www.equestrianlife.com.au/articles/australians-line-up-for-fei-endurance-world-championship-for-young-riders-juniors/
Australia's Poppy Kettlewell: From pony club loops to the world stage
Inside.FEI.org - Full Story
17 September 2025
Author: Bella Fricker
When 18-year-old Poppy Kettlewell canters out of the start line at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors in Buftea (ROM), on 20 September 2025, it will mark the realisation of a dream she has carried since she was a little girl. Riding the 15-year-old homebred gelding OSO Irazu, Poppy will represent Australia at her first ever Championship - a remarkable milestone in a journey that has already spanned thousands of kilometres, countless hours in the saddle, and an unwavering passion for Endurance.
Early beginnings on a white pony
Endurance has been woven into Poppy’s life from the start. Her very first taste of the sport came in 2015, at just eight years old, when she rode a 5km on her little white pony, Cherry, who, remarkably, is still happy on a farm at the age of 35. Two years later, she tackled her first qualifier, an 80km on her paint pony Jess. That ride, Poppy recalls, “really sparked my love for the sport.”
The trajectory was steep. At only 10 years old, she completed her first 160km on the horse of every child’s dreams, OSO Nicholas. “He taught me so much and naturally led us to take on the 160km challenge together,” Poppy says. “I had a real passion for Endurance riding and had watched many other team members complete these rides. Both my mum and the team knew it was my turn, and I was motivated by the excitement of the challenge and the opportunity to learn and grow alongside Nicholas...”
Read more here:
https://inside.fei.org/media-updates/poppy-kettlewell-pony-club-loops-world-stage
Team UAE set for FEI Young Riders and Juniors World Championship title defence
Khaleejtimes.com - Full Article
The UAE claimed the top two spots on the podium at the last event at Castelsagrat in France in 2023, with Rashed Ahmad Al Ketbi expertly steering Hadeer to victory
Published: Tue 16 Sept 2025, 6:13 PM
By: Khaleej Times Staff
Team UAE will be represented by five riders at the event.. Photo: UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation
One of the sport’s most formidable contenders, the UAE will bid to defend their individual title and look to claim the team’s honours at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors 2025 in Buftea, Romania, on September 20.
The UAE claimed the top two spots on the podium at the last event at Castelsagrat in France in 2023, with Rashed Ahmad Al Ketbi expertly steering Hadeer to victory ahead of compatriot Rashed Mohammed Al Mehairi. Team UAE will be represented by five riders.
Defending champion Rashed Ahmad Al Ketbi will once again lead the charge. He will be joined by Essa Abdulla, Ali Abdulla Al Falasi, Rashed Mohamed Atiq Almehairi, and Majid Jamal Almheiri, completing a strong five-rider lineup for the national team...
Read more here:
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/sports/horse-racing/team-uae-set-for-fei-young-riders-and-juniors-world-championship-title-defence?_refresh=true