January 2024

On the cover: Young Rider Avery Betz-Conway rode Bey Al Shemaal, an 8-year-old Arabian gelding, to a third place finish at the Broxton Bridge 50 on November 11. Avery completed 600 endurance and 50 LD miles in 2023 on four different horses. See the Kathy Brunjes Young Rider Award standings on page 32. Photo © Becky Pearman.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Say hello to 2024, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: AERC code of conduct, by Kelly Williams Stehman

AERC Century Club: Tom Cohen & Zip and Diane Butler & RGR Firefly Sparkle

Trails Post: A new way to see trail, by Alex Uspenski

From the Veterinary Committee: Detection time added for biphosphonates Osphos, Tildren

Veterinary Forum: Longevity: a look at the digestive system, by Susan Garlinghouse, DVM

Junior/Young Rider News: Meet a SW young rider and junior, by Karen Leiman

The Green Bean Scoop: Roundup: GB 2023, by Griffin Keller

YR National Championship News: 2023 YR Championships – and a look at 2024, by Annie Whelan and Carol Giles

Features

The Hundred Hundreds Club: Suzanne Hayes – Meet Suzanne Hayes, who has ridden with AERC since 1972 and has 101 100-mile completions, by Lisa Schneider

February 2024

On the cover: Northwest Region rider Lenda Goodpaster and her Decade Team partner, Hunters Dance, at the Mary and Anna Memorial ride, site of this year’s National Championships (NW Region). “Scoot” is Lenda’s second Decade horse. Photo © Jala Neufeld, https://dktajay.smugmug.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: A tribute to our board members, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: All about endurance awards, by Kelly Williams Stehman

Education Update: Help is just a click or call away, by Tami Rougeau

Hundred Hundreds: Jan Worthington is featured, by Lisa Schneider

Junior/Young Rider News: Preparing juniors for 100 milers, by Samantha Ellis

National Championship News: Preview: 2024 NC in La Pine, Oregon

Trails Post: $ available for grants, by Monica Chapman, with a roundup of 2023 volunteer trail hours

AERC International News: France ’24 is in sight, by Tom Rajala

Features

Get to know the latest recipients of AERC’s Decade Team, with essays and photos

Maximizing Longevity: Equine Arthritis (Veterinary Forum) – This is the final installment of Dr. Susan Garlinghouse’s series examining how to keep endurance horses out on the trail

March 2024

On the cover: SE Region rider Jeremy Reynolds and Treasured Moments on the way to their second Tevis Cup first place, in 2023. Treasure finished first in three endurance rides last year, earning two BCs. Jeremy has a total of 18,470 endurance miles and 670 LD miles. Photo © Lynne Glazer, https://www.photo.lynnesite.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Assessing our progress, by Nick Kohut, DVM

AERC Hall of Fame Recipients

Treasurer’s Report, by Mollie Krumlaw-Smith

AERC Ride Calendar

2023 3,000 Mile Horses

2023 National and Regional Awards

2023 Breed Awards

Rider and Equine Lifetime Mileage

2023 Year-End Statistics

April 2024

On the cover: Kecia Smette and KSA Adrenergic Zell placed 13th at the Southwest Region Tonto Twist 50 in January. Kecia has 4710 endurance and 1140 LD miles, and “Raja,” her Arabian mare who turns 8 this month, has 100 endurance and 480 LD miles. Photo © Linda Sherrill, www.lindasherrill.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Convention wrap-up, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Ride Managers’ Forum: A very productive RM meeting, by Jan Stevens

The Hundred Hundreds Club: One hundred 100s: Robert Ribley, by Lisa Schneider

Veterinary Forum: A vet’s eye view of the BC exam, by Dan Chapman, DVM

Junior and Young Rider News: JR/YR event at 2024 convention, by Maribel Paulson

National Championship News: National Championship at Outback Station, by Carol Giles

The Green Bean Scoop: Meet the head Green Beans, by Griffin Keller

Trails Post: Yellowjacket traps for safety, by Robert Hadley Sydnor

Features

AERC Convention – February 2024: Happy Trails in Albuquerque; A wrap-up of convention happenings, from the Veterinary CE to the National Awards Banquet

Equine Longevity and Rider Mileage Awards – Recipients of these two programs’ pins for 2022 and 2023 ride seasons are listed in this issue

2023 AERC Decade Teams: More Decade Team photos and essays are included in this issue

May 2024

On the cover: Wasch Blakely and SS Calypsos Sherman take a quick water stop at last September’s Lava Cast Forest Memorial in Central Oregon. Wasch has 6,095 endurance miles and 360 LD miles; Sherman has 615 endurance miles. The ride is managed by Suzy Zurcher. Photo © Jala Neufeld, https://dktajay.smugmug.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: A look at horse breeds in AERC, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Message: It’s time for nominations, by Tami Rougeau

Education Update: Endurance etiquette: a guide, adapted from the original by Bob Rogers, DVM

Some Thoughts on Stand-Alone LDs, by Dawn Hilliard

Veterinary Forum: Post-mortem exams are critical, by Margaret Brosnahan, DVM

Trails Post: How to help local trails, by Deirdre Monroe

Ride Managers’ Forum: A powerful tool for RMs: Jotform, by Mollie Krumlaw-Smith

The Green Bean Scoop: May update, by Griffin Keller

National Championship News: Come for the NC; stay for a vacation, by Carol Giles

AERC International News: International riders at 20MT, by Lilia Lucero

Features

2023 Pard’ners Award: Becky Hart & RO Grand Sultan+//. A tribute to one of endurance riding’s most memorable partnerships, by Judith Ogus, plus a Q&A with Becky

Hundred Hundreds: Darolyn Butler. The longtime Texas rider rounds out Lisa Schneider’s series on the remarkable riders who have completed 100 one-day 100-mile rides

June 2024

On the cover: West Region rider Jax Beloberk, 13, and Highh Marks, owned by Debra Lemmons, at the American River Classic 50 this April. Highh Marks has 250 endurance/25LD miles. Jax has 2180 endurance miles since joining AERC in 2011—a 95% completion rate. Photo © Diana Hiiesalu of Gore/Baylor Photography.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Fighting fatigue at AERC rides, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Message: There are many trails to ride, by Tami Rougeau

Ride Managers’ Forum: How to cope with a cancelled ride, by Mollie Krumlaw-Smith

Education Update: Grass or bust: best equine diets, by Lara Worden

Junior/Young Rider News: Meet the junior: Amelia Nevarez, by Mary Jane Fridley

Trails Post: Get help with your trail layout, by Monica Chapman

AERC International News: International adventures, by Uma Kraskin

The Green Bean Scoop: Why aren’t you riding? by Griffin Keller

Features

2023 AERC Hall of Fame: Christoph Schork. Friends and competitors share their tributes to Christoph, and Christoph himself writes his thanks

National Championship Trail Preview: Embrace the Wild. Carol Giles gives an advance look at the trails and vet check locations of the National Championship rides

Modern Endurance Riding and Equine Drugs (Veterinary Forum). Dr. Dave Nicholson writes about performance-enhancing products in this thought-provoking piece

July 2024

On the cover: Tani Bates (near) on JV Jericho and Katelyn Baldino on VG Patriotic Dream at the April 20 Eagle Canyon ride in Idaho. Tani, who owns both horses, has 11,890 endurance miles dating back to 1987; Katelyn has 2160 in 14 years of competition. Both are Northwest Region riders. Photo © Merri Melde, theequestrianvagabond.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Keeping rides positive for all, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Message: Keep calm as you endure on, by Tami Rougeau

Veterinary Forum: Thoughts on us and our horses, by Michael Peralez, DVM

Trails Post: Trail marking so you don’t get lost, by Doug Shearer, DVM

National Championship News: So much more than simply a championship, by Carol Giles

Junior/Young Rider News: Endurance admiration, by Naomi Preston (with Grace Carter, Emilee Randal, and AnnaMaria Clarke)

The Green Bean Scoop: Question: Why are you riding? by Griffin Keller

Features

A Word About Trails (and You) from Sylvia Sazama, AERC’s 2023 Trails Award Recipient

2023 AERC Hall of Fame: Vigero VF aka ‘My Ferrari’ – by Terry Banister

Does Your Horse Have a Drinking Problem? (Education Update) by Susan Garlinghouse, DVM

August 2024

On the cover: Crossing the Etowah River at the Moonshine Run held this June in Georgia are (front to back) Tina Murphy, Tracy Benedict, Veralyn Capps, Avery Betz-Conway, and Robert Chambless. The inaugural ride was managed by Michelle Brinton. Photo © Teri Sommer @ Unbridled Imagery, UnbridledImagery.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Sponsors are an asset to AERC, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Message: Volunteers are always needed, by Tami Rougeau Ride Managers’ Forum: AERC’s elevator rides, explained, by Laurie Underwood Trails Post: Who maintains your trails? by Alison Farrin

National Championship News: Pre-ride report & an equine tribute, by Carol Giles

Veterinary Forum: A vet’s view of the vet check, by Dennis Seymore, DVM

Junior/Young Rider News: Youth celebrated at NE team event, by Elizabeth Farina

AERC International News: Endurance riding, the French way, by Heidi Perreault Rajala, DVM

The Green Bean Scoop: The beans are hot this summer! by Griffin Keller

Features

A Systematic Approach to Saddle Fitting (Education Update), by Adrienne Hendricks

Young Riders Pursue their Passion for Horses into their Professional Lives, by Cassadee Jaksch and Morgan Miller

Century Club: Sharon Kirkpatrick and Zip

September 2024

On the cover: Midwest Region rider Francis Lewis, on Deb Searle’s 23-year-old Appaloosa cross gelding, Sultann Sundance, and his daughter Grace, age 7, on Pippin, a 12-year-old Shetland cross gelding, at the Kankakee River Ride in Bourbonnais, Illinois, this June. Photo © Noelle Snyder, website: explorationsphotography.pixieset.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Exploring rides across all regions, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Message: Time to regroup and adjust goals, by Tami Rougeau

Current Business Before the Board: Stand-alone LD rides up for vote

Ride Managers’ Forum: A first-time ride manager’s story, by Jennifer Masters

Trails Post: What scares kids? Not much. by Bridget Helms

Junior/Young Rider News: Mother-daughter trail connection, by Nichole Jolly

The Green Bean Scoop: September update, by Griffin Keller

Features

Safe Horse Camping (Veterinary Forum) by Ann Stuart, DVM

The Four Seasons of Endurance Riding by Angie McGhee

October 2024

On the cover: Overall 100-mile AERC National Championship winners Mollie Quiroz (YR) and Chndakasexpress, along with top weight division finishers Stephanie Delahunt (FW), Diane Stevens (LW), Berit Meyer (MW), Andrew Marlen (HW), and Joslynn T. (JR). Photos © Jala Neufeld, Andrea Hurn, and Mark Baldino.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: AERC midyear meeting report, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Ride Managers’ Forum: AERC Offline Ride Results, from the AERC office Veterinary Forum: Bisphosponates and bone health, by Trisha Dowling, DVM, MSc, DACVIM (LAIM) & DACVCP Education Update: Using tracings for saddle fitting, by Adrienne Hendricks Junior/Young Rider News: Meet Young Rider Erna V., by Nina Bomar Trails Post: You, trails, and your legislators, by Tony Troyer The Green Bean Scoop: Latest updates from Green Beans, by Griffin Keller AERC International News: AERC-I members at the Endurance World Champs in France, by Tom Rajala

Features

2024 AERC National Championships at Outback Station, by Carol Giles My National Championship Ride, by Melissa Montgomery

November 2024

On the cover: The AERC office put out a call for “between the ears” photos and AERC members responded enthusiastically! We are happy to share the gorgeous and sometimes unexpected views that riders experience while on their endurance equines. See page 11 for a list of contributors. Many thanks to all who participated.

Table of Contents

Rules Committee Update: Rule changes for 2025 that you need to know

President’s Letter: Ig Nobel Awards, horse version, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Ride Managers’ Forum: The world is watching: added pressure on RMs, by Mollie Krumlaw-Smith

Vice President’s Message: AERC voting: it really matters, by Tami Rougeau

Junior/Young Rider News: And so it begins: meet Elle P., introduced by Connie Caudill

Trails Post: A goof results in trail partnership, by Tami Rougeau

AERC International News: Riders reflect on World Champs, by Stacey Stearns

The Green Bean Scoop: Keeping up with the Green Beans at season’s end, by Griffin Keller

Features

The Education of the Young and the Green (Education Update), by Joanna Zattiero

Decoding Equine Heart Conditions (Veterinary Forum), by Meg Sleeper, VMD, DACVIM (Cardiology)

December 2024

On the cover: Northeast Region rider Ann Wicks and her 9-year-old BLM mustang mare Jicarilla Journey at the 2024 Fort Valley ride in Virginia. Ann has 2,590 endurance and 170 LD miles. Journey has 1,455 endurance miles and has received the Mustang Heritage Foundation breed award. Photo © Becky Pearman, beckypearman.smugmug.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: New AERC year, new goals for all, by Nick Kohut, DVM

The Green Bean Scoop: Happy 2025 year, Green Beans, by Griffin Keller

Vice President’s Message: A busy year, and growing respect for old-timers, by Tami Rougeau

Education Update: Supplements: essential . . . or excessive? by Lara Worden

Features

Century Club: Claude Brewer & Georgie Girl

Looking Back: Seven Decades of Veterinary Experience in the Equestrian Endurance Community (Veterinary Forum), by Jerry Gillespie, DVM, PhD

2025 AERC National Championship at the Biltmore Challenge by Elizabeth McLean, Cheryl Newman, and Stagg Newman

Mollie Quiroz: Making Endurance Dreams Come True (Junior/Young Rider News), by Samantha Ellis