Endurance Rider

Gaye DeRusso joins us to talk about gaited horses on the trail, including what drew her to gaited breeds, common mistakes, and keeping horses in gait across challenging terrain. Freshly named U.S. Endurance Team athlete Kelsey Russell drops by to share insights on her selection for the 2026 FEI Endurance World Championship in Butheeb! Plus, the Endurance training tip focuses on telling the distance to your competitors. Listen in….HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 4080 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonTitle Sponsor: ORORO Heated ApparelSponsor: The Distance Depot and Ororo Heated WearGuest: Gaye DeRusso, the Majestic Rider, listen to her endurance songGuest: Kelsey Russell, part of the U.S. Endurance Team at the 2026 FEI Endurance World ChampionshipAERC check out the AERC calendar!Time Stamps:06:00 - Parade challenges13:00 - Endurance Tip20:00 - Gaye DeRusso35:50 - Kelsey Russell

Todd Hezeau recounts the rain and lightning soaked Trace Trails ride in Athens, Texas, where flooding forced officials to call the event at 43 miles; despite the conditions, his mare earned the AHA Half Arabian Championship. Julie Bittick discusses winning the AHA Distance Nationals’ 100-mile ride with Hondo JJ Noble Shiloh, who also earned Best Condition, and shares how efficient vet checks and lessons from the Gaucho Derby helped them succeed. Kristen from The Distance Depot shares rain-gear options for riders and horses, including waterproof coats, riding skirts, helmet brims, and rump rugs. Plus, Karen's Endurance tip is on care in the days after the ride. Listen in...HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 4060 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonTitle Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito ControlSponsor: The Distance DepotGuest: Todd HezeauGuest: Julie BittickAERC check out the AERC calendar!Time Stamps:02:00 - Karen's Adventures08:44 - Endurance Tip12:40 - Kristen from Distance Depot18:00 - Todd Hezeau32:44 - History35:35 - Julie Bittick

We revisit some of Karen's amazing tips including the importance of knowing your horses vital signs, headlamps, packing for the vet check and hydration and electrolytes.HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 4036 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonAERC check out the AERC calendar!Time Stamps:01:30 - The importance of knowing your horses vital signs.07:00 - Packing for the vet check.11:15 - Headlamps18:42 - Hydration and Electrolytes

Behind the scenes with Tevis production expert Brenna Sullivan to learn how they manage live-streaming from the rugged, remote Sierra Nevada mountains. Karen shares her challenging experience at the Tahoe Rim 50, followed by a comprehensive recap of the historic 70th Anniversary Tevis Cup, including top finisher highlights and milestones. Listen in….HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 4016 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonTitle Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito ControlSponsor: The Distance DepotGuest: Brenna Sullivan, Behind the Scenes & Production Logistics at TevisAERC check out the AERC calendar!Time Stamps:01:10 - Mongol Derby day 6 update03:33 - Virtual Tevis team results06:13 - Tahoe Rim 50 ride recap09:32 - Nevada wildfires & Bug Fire11:49 - Flooding risk after fires13:02 - 2026 Endurance Worlds to Abu Dhabi13:43 - Tevis stats, winners & breed notes18:16 - Sheepskin seat covers (Distance Depot)24:25 - Intro: Tevis webcast with Brenna25:22 - How Tevis live coverage is produced31:05 - Favorite Tevis stories36:00 - Volunteering/spectating & show close

We explore the latest Tevis Cup statistics and talk affordable heart rate monitors. We are joined by mother-daughter duo Bridget and Chelsea Helms, who discuss their inspiring journey transitioning from the AQHA show ring to competitive endurance riding with their Quarter Horses. Tune in for expert trail advice and heartwarming stories from the endurance community.HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3996 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonTitle Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito ControlSponsor: The Distance DepotGuest: Bridget and Chelsea Helms, visit them at Riding Horses and Raising KidsAERC check out the AERC calendar!Time Stamps:01:40 - Karen’s new drone & trail filming06:50 - Viral hiker-with-dog video & online critics10:54 - Local bear activity & wildlife chat11:21 - Updates on Saint and other horses11:46 - Endure Gold ad read13:01 - Tevis entry stats & trends18:42 - Distance Depot heart-rate monitor segment23:21 - Introduce guests Bridget & Chelsea Helms24:01 - Bridget’s path from showing to endurance27:56 - Chelsea’s crewing year & back-to-back 50s32:26 - Family training routine & advice to new riders

We celebrate Karen’s recent 50‑mile NASDAR ride, where she topped 40,000 AERC lifetime miles, and dig into how endurance riding has evolved with better vet care, gear, and a stronger focus on horse welfare and longevity. Karen shares practical post‑ride recovery tips for riders, Kristen from The Distance Depot highlights cooling gear for hot‑weather riding, and Arabian Horse Association CEO Terrell O’Shea explains her plan to promote Arabians’ strengths in endurance while expanding inclusive programs under the “You Belong” campaign. Listen in...HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3968 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonTitle Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito ControlSponsor: The Distance DepotGuest: Arabian Horse Association CEO Terrell O’SheaAERC check out the AERC calendar!Time Stamps:01:40 - Karen’s NASDAR 50 ride recap02:40 - Hitting 40,000 AERC lifetime miles03:30 - Participation trends & fewer 100-mile rides04:50 - Tough terrain and hoof boot “sand holes”07:30 - How endurance has changed in 30 years11:30 - Trail loss and access challenges15:50 - Rider post-ride recovery: hydration & nutrition20:20 - Movement, stretching, sleep, and multi-day recovery26:20 - Karen reflects on Jovi’s 4-year development26:30 - Kristen from Distance Depot: hot weather gear29:14 - Terrell O’Shea (AHA CEO)

Diane Connolly, Old Dominion ride manager tells us about this year's ride in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Jamie Reid Ruff shares some tips on promoting the sport in your local community. Plus, Karen has some great thoughts on the mental game of endurance riding. Listen in...HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3948 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonTitle Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito ControlSponsor: The Distance DepotGuest: Diane Connolly, AERC National Championship at Old DominionGuest: Jamie Reid RuffAERC check out the AERC calendar!Time Stamps:03:00 - Apollo’s rescue and rehab update05:08 - Nutrition deep dive and supplements10:04 - Mental game of endurance riding16:12 - Farnam Endure Gold fly spray ad17:00 - Old Dominion National Championship overview19:54 - “Beast of the East” trail description22:54 - Cavalry Award rules and challenges25:57 - Base camp setup and ride-week activities29:45 - Distance Depot fly masks & boots34:43 - HRN advertising spot35:18 - “Survival of endurance” with Jamie Ruff40:38 - Horse cookies & old-school outreach ideas51:42 - How to get started in endurance & closing remarks

Film Animator & equestrian AP Davis shares how she and her horse Jeepers are getting ready for their first Tevis. Karen shares some pointers on getting organized for vet checks. Listen in...HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3925 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonSponsor: The Distance DepotGuest: AP Davis | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TiktokAERC check out the AERC calendar!Title Sponsor: Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control Time Stamps:00:00 - Intro & tax day chat01:33 - Karen’s Nevada Derby 50-mile ride recap07:40 - Apollo’s rescue and rehab update12:26 - Training tip: planning for vet checks15:00 - Feed choices & “buffet” at vet checks19:28 - Loop colors, trail markings & not getting lost20:23 - Tack-off vet checks & organizing gear/crew box25:00 - Horse eating habits at rides vs home26:07 - Kristen from Distance Depot: electrolytes overview30:00 - Salt blocks, Redmond products & Daily Gold32:08 - Introducing AP Davis & Tevis topic32:57 - AP’s background & Auburn/Tevis connection34:57 - Meet Jeepers, the “backyard” endurance horse37:20 - Why Tevis, qualifications & conditioning approach

Endurance rider Julie Bittick discuses her successful, grueling 500 km Gaucho Derby race through Patagonia, Argentina. Plus, a practical Endurance Tip on making "Sweetwater" for your horse and Karen shares news of her horse Jovi reaching 1,000 endurance miles and the return of her former horse, Apollo. Listen in...HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3901 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonSponsor: The Distance DepotGuest: Jullie Bittick, on her 2026 Gaucho Derby rideAERC check out the AERC calendar!Sweetwater Recipe:2 to 4.5 gallons of water2 to 4 cups of stabilized rice bran1 to 2 oz. of salt or electrolytesDirections:Stir well, let dissolve and stir more. Okay to switch things up with a variety of different feeds. See what your horse likes. As they drink it down, you can add more water/salt/electrolytes (keep stirred). In the winter use warm water. Use after a workout, or prior to travel or an event. Be sure to ALSO ALWAYS offer clean plain water as well. Time Stamps:0:45 – Karen’s new puppy Brick2:50 – Jobi’s mileage & upcoming rides6:23 – Jobi reaches 1,000 miles11:44 – Karen’s “sweet water” hydration tip15:07 – Sponsor segment: Distance Depot19:34 – Garmin sale announcement19:38 – Intro to Gaucho Derby guest Jullie Bittick,21:34 – Gaucho Derby route & navigation28:21 – Sleeping, Estancia hospitality story32:44 – Best and worst parts of the Derby42:33 – Finish result & completion rate / show close

In this revisit we bring you three Endurance Rider tips from Karen. Keeping motivated during the winter, your horses vital signs and calculating ride times and speeds. Listen in...HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3881 – Show Notes and Links:HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen ChatonSponsor: The Distance DepotAERC check out the AERC calendar!Time Stamps:01:20 - Keeping motivated during Winter11:50 - The Distance Depot 17:30 - Vital Signs23:51 - Calculating ride times and speed