January 2022

On the cover: Steven Hay, on Dr. Lani Newcomb’s 2014 Arabian gelding Muzhikk, and his wife Alayna, on Sallie Sullivan’s 2006 Arabian gelding Ivan Groznyi, tied for fifth at the Fort Valley 50 held on October 23, 2021. Steven has 5,340 endurance miles and 330 LD miles; Alayna has 1,660/210. Photo © Becky Pearman.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Let’s be careful out there, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: Investments and equity in horses, by Michael Campbell

AERC National Championship News: Just who is the Old Dominion? by Emily Carrico

Education Update I: NW issues challenge to other regions, by Karen Leiman

Junior/Young Rider News: Finding the best partner (it’s Mom), by Charly Dugan

Ride Managers’ Forum: Paperwork is vital for managers, by Jan Stevens

Trails Post: Trails Committee round-up, by Monica Chapman

The Green Bean Scoop: 2021 GBE awards: a first look, by Griffin Keller, Program Director

The Lighter Side: The art and agony of crewing, by Vincent J. Attardi

Features

Managing a Multi-Day Horse (Education Update II), by Lisa Schneider and Jelena Woehr

AERC’s Drug Testing Program, 2021 Update (Veterinary Forum), by Jeanette (Jay) Mero, DVM

February 2022

On the cover: Longtime Central Region rider Sylvia Fant with PWF Iron Horse Lilaa, her 2004 Arabian mare, at the 2021 Armadillo Ride. They earned their Decade Team Award at this ride! Sylvia has 8,895 endurance and 105 LD miles since 1985; Lilaa has 1,870 endurance miles. Photo © John C. Nowell, remuda.smugmug.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Rest, recover and consider cross-training, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: What I’ve learned from endurance riding, by Michael Campbell

Education Update I: How to meet more people in endurance, by Megan E. Grant

Ride Managers’ Forum: Managers: communicate clearly, by Jan Stevens

Trails Post: Trail Projects: You can make it happen! by Nancy Sluys

Poems/tributes by Dr. Bob Rogers, Lauren de Core, Colleen Green

Features

Congratulations to AERC’s 2021 Decade Teams

Respiration Rates and Endurance Riding (Veterinary Forum), by Jerry Gillespie, DVM, PhD

Tales from the Old Days of Endurance Riding, by longtime AERC members

March 2022

On the cover: Photographer Becky Pearman perfectly captured the start of last summer’s Ride Between the Rivers 50 in West Virginia. Becky said she especially likes photos “which show a great ride camp, lots of riders having fun, and a long range view of what endurance is all about! And RBR is a really fun and old-fashioned ride with live music, a bonfire, swimming in the river, handmade awards, etc.” The ride is managed by Jennifer Poling.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Looking back at 2021, and ahead to 2022 by Nick Kohut, DVM

AERC Hall of Fame Recipients

Treasurer’s Report, by Mollie Krumlaw-Smith

AERC Ride Calendar

2021 3,000 Mile Horses

2021 Breed Awards

2021 National and Regional Awards

Rider and Equine Lifetime Mileage

2021 Year-End Statistics

April 2022

On the cover: Megan Grant rides Leslie Smith’s 2014 Arabian mare VA Alexzis at last August’s Iron Mountain Jubilee 50. Megan is a catch ride specialist — she rode 14 different horses in 2021 for 880 miles, with no pulls. Even without a horse of her own, Megan has accumulated 2,545 endurance miles since 2016. Photo © Becky Pearman.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Hello to 2022: the trail is open</a>, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Education UpdateI: Ration balancers explained, by Lara Worden

National Championship News: Come tackle the OD 100 mile trail, by Sonja Knecht-Hoshi

AERC Young Rider Championship: May 21, 2022, by Annie Whelan

Trails Post: Nice trails don’t just happen, by Jo Harder, with a sidebar on 2021 AERC trail volunteer hours

Junior/Young Rider News: Endurance learning experiences, by Vanessa Erickson

The Green Bean Scoop: Green Beans look to grow in 2022, by Griffin Keller, Program Director

Features

How Gut Microorganisms Can Enhance Athletic Performance (Veterinary Forum), by Jerry Gillespie, DVM, PhD

May 2022

On the cover: Jessica Veal, DVM (NW), finished 14th at the Top O The World Pioneer 50 on July 30, 2021, with Echstazy (Rio), her 9-year-old Arabian gelding. Held in Spencer, Idaho, this year’s TOTW ride will be held July 29-31, and is managed by Jessica Cobbley. Photo © David Honan, www.DaveHonan.com.

Table of Contents

National Championship News: The enduring challenge of the Old Dominion trails, by Stagg Newman
President’s Letter: A vet check, start to finish, by Nick Kohut, DVM
The Green Bean Scoop: New members: join, rad, buy, plan, have fun, by Griffin Keller, Program Director
Vice President’s Letter: Nominations are now open, by Monica Chapman
National Office News
Education Update: Proper crew maintenance, by Karri Wilson Bruskotter, DVM
Welfare of the Horse Committee News: HRM vs. stethoscope, by Meg M. Sleeper, VMD, DACVIM (Cardiology) and Laurie Underwood
Trails Post: National Trails Day, by Dawn Hilliard
Junior/Young Rider News: Junior rider promotes endurance, by Addy Brod
AERC International News: Let’s ride in Oklahoma! By Elise Rogers

Features

AERC’s 2021 5,000-mile Equines
AERC 2022 Convention: Celebrating AERC’s 50th Anniversary

June 2022

On the cover: 17-year-old Madison Johnston of Virginia rode Julie Bullock’s 13-year-old Spanish Mustang mare Choctaw Nation at February’s Sugarloaf Spring Fling in South Carolina. Madison has 565 endurance miles and 30 LD miles; Nation has 500/105. Photo © Becky Pearman, beckypearman.smugmug.com.

Table of Contents

Trails Post: Focus on trails, by Monica Chapman

President’s Letter: We’re not in this sport for the money, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: AERC: how to get started, by Monica Chapman

Junior/Young Rider News: Junior/Young Rider Committee goals, by Maribel Paulson

Education Update: Exciting ride clinic held in Kentucky, by Michelle Stickley

The Green Bean Scoop: Endurance a natural for horse lover, by Ethnie Wright, with a Green Bean update by Griffin Keller

Features

2021 AERC Hall of Fame Equine: Aron Moon+//, by Mike Tracy

2021 AERC Volunteer Service Award: Nick Warhol, by Lori Oleson (and Nick)

The Vital Importance of Rest and Recovery (Veterinary Forum), by Margaret Brosnahan, DVM, PhD

AERC-I Regional Team Challenge (AERC International News), by Tom Rajala

July 2022

On the cover: Marci Cunningham of the Pacific Southwest Region is all smiles aboard WP Aur Mystic Gem at the Huasna 50 on April 9. Marci, AERC #1455, had 400 endurance miles in 2022 as of early June. She has 21,790 endurance miles (and 120 LD miles) since the 1980s. Photo © Angela Di Pietro of Cat Canyon Ranch Photography.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Maintain civility; avoid unruliness, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: Regional clubs and you, by Monica Chapman

Ride Managers’ Forum: Be a good ride entrant, by Connie Caudill

Trails Post: Trail work strengthens partnerships, by Nancy Sluys

AERC International News: Sweden + AERC young rider exchange, by Connie Caudill

Features

2021 Pard’ners Award: Ann Kratochvil and GF Brazil’s Envy

2021 AERC Hall of Fame: Robert and Melissa Ribley, DVM (by their friends)

Getting the Most Out of Your Horse (Veterinary Forum), by Richard Barsaleau, DVM (from 1981)

AERC Century Club: Cindy Bradley and Bogar Tucker

August 2022

On the cover: Winners of the 100-mile AERC National Championship ride, captured by photographer Becky Pearman, @ 2022. Holly Corcoran and Poete earned triple honors: first to finish, first Lightweight and best condition at the June 11 ride, held in Orkney Springs, Virginia. The Championship rides were managed by Diane Connolly.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Championship reflections, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: Recruitment is up to us all, by Monica Chapman

Education Update: AERC-style ride sharing, by Tami Rougeau, Jen Niehaus and Naomi Preston

Century Club: Wes Elford, DVM & Suzie Q

Trails Post: AERC: trails are the focus, by Bridget Helms

Young Rider News: Young Rider Champs, by Annie Whelan

Features

2022 AERC National Championships @ Old Dominion: Emily Carrico shares a write-up of this year’s championship event in Virginia, with photos by Becky Pearman

Why Riding Your Horse’s Own Ride Is So Important (And How to Get It Done) – Veterinary Forum: Pacing your horse properly is a key to successful endurance riding, by AERC Veterinary Committee Chair Jeanette Mero, DVM

September 2022

On the cover: Robert Merris and Real Neat at the 2022 Roger Taylor Memorial Fort Stanton Rides in New Mexico. Photo © Linda Sherrill, Justus Photography.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Be prepared for accidents, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: The AHC and AERC partnership, by Monica Chapman

Education Update: Manners start on the ground, by Jennifer Niehaus

AERC History: A history quiz for members

Ride Managers’ Forum: Emergency prep for RMs, by Jan Stevens

Junior/Young Rider News: Joslynn’s first 100-mile ride, by Joslynn (and Cassee) Terry

The Green Bean Scoop: Top tips for new riders, by Brittney Sisson, and a Green Bean update from Griffin Keller

Trails Post: How to plan and write a petition, by Janice Holland of ELCR

Features

The Pull and Civility (Veterinary Forum), by Mike Peralez, DVM

October 2022

On the cover: Andrea Maitland aboard Liliana Vess, her 12-year-old Mustang mare, at the 2021 Man vs. Horse ride in Arizona. She is followed by Margaret Brosnahan, DVM, riding Andrea’s 7-year-old Mustang mare Stormbreaker. The Man vs. Horse ride is managed by Ron Barrett. Photo © Susan Kordish, AZcowgirlphotography.com.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: Before you file a protest, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: Appreciate the outdoors, by Monica Chapman

Education Update: There is a lot more to conditioning, by Tami Rougeau and Jennifer Niehaus

Ride Managers’ Forum: Flexibility and integrity, by Connie Caudill

Veterinary Forum: The crucial ride card, by Jim Baldwin, DVM

Junior/Young Rider News: AERC adds a young rider division, by Laurie Underwood

Trails Post: A look at past grants, by Monica Chapman

The Green Bean Scoop: Green Beans Update, by Griffin Keller, plus Quicksilver Quips, by Rachel Miura

Features

Patient Pacing for 100-mile Rides, by Winkie Mackay-Smith (from 1987)

Young Tevis Riders Prove Their Mettle, by Claire Eckard

November 2022

On the cover: Myna Margetts (Cryderman) and Azraff Emir Al Badi rode with junior Elsie Garn and Misty Skye at the September 3 Souris Bend ride in Manitoba, Canada. Myna has 10,380 endurance miles and 260 limited distance miles; Elsie has 485 LD and 50 endurance miles. Both horses belong to Myna. Photo © Darice Whyte.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: The vet-client-patient relationship, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: Riding out of your region, by Monica Chapman

Education Update: What ‘ride your own ride’ means, by Tami Rougeau and Jennifer Niehaus

Ride Managers’ Forum: Make your ride more fun, by Jan Stevens

Veterinary Forum: Lameness: judging vs. diagnosis, by Jeanette Mero, DVM

The Green Bean Scoop: What’s happening in the Green Bean patch, by Griffin Keller

AERC Grands: The Junior and Young Rider Committee features Sylvia Llop and her grandmother Libby Llop

Ride Report: 2022 Detroit Horse Power: Annie Whelan and David Siler talk about the ride and nonprofit in Michigan that introduces kids to horses

Features

AERC Century Club: Bonnie Swiatek & BRA Surprise Skylark

Members Helping Trails (Trails Post)

December 2022

On the cover: Having a snowy good time at the April 16, 2022, Grizzly Mtn 75-mile ride in the Northwest Region are (L to R) Max Merlich on TCF Miles High, Tani Bates on VG Patriotic Dream, Siri Olson on EZ To B Perfect and Darlene Merlich on Farah. Photo © Jala Neufeld.

Table of Contents

President’s Letter: A close look at Rule 6, by Nick Kohut, DVM

Vice President’s Letter: How-to for new ideas, by Monica Chapman

Ride and Tie Report: A bit about ride and tie, by Carrie Baris

Education Update: Riders’ gift wish list, by Lara Worden

Trails Post: Easements: good, bad, and muddy, by Laurel A. Florio for ELCR; sidebar on AERC volunteer trail hours

The Green Bean Scoop: Standing up to the bully inside, by Jamie Ann Bratt; sidebar: December Green Bean update

AERC International News: USEF’s plan for endurance, by Tom Rajala

AERC Grands: Hailey Zehring and Lancette Koerning of the SW Region

Features

The End of the Ice Age, the Karate Kid, and Peace and Love (December Veterinary Forum), by Dr. Kenneth Marcella presents a preview of his 2023 convention topic with this look at equine leg care

Dreams Do Come True (Junior/Young Rider News) – A mom’s tribute to her daughter’s special dream, by Alicia Rathmann