Ride Across Michigan on Horseback: The Shore-to-Shore Trail with Jan Gould (MTRA)

🎧 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 Challenge Ride 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.

Natalie Law & CH-SH Mo  Motion Jack — Brave on the Mountain: The American Saddlebred in Endurance   A 16.3-hand American Saddlebred steps to the Tevis starting line. Tall. Big-moving. Refined. Not the typical silhouette in an Arabian-dominated sport — but unmistakable in presence. In this episode we cover a lot of ground and hear from Natalie Law about CH-SH Mo Motion Jack — “Brave” — and the rider who believed he belonged there.  ( and of course, Flash, Brave's sidekick hackney pony makes an appearance on the podcast again ) Stepping outside of the place where a Saddlebred is typically expected to be,  Brave brought power, elegance, and a brave heart to one of the most demanding endurance rides in the world — the Tevis Cup. And he didn’t go alone. Natalie Law and her daughter made history as a mother-daughter team on that mountain — one riding this magnificent American Saddlebred, the largest horse in the event that day, other piloting Piece of Perfection, a 11.2-hand Hackney pony affectionately known as "Flash", the smallest equine to ever complete Tevis. Together, they proved that endurance is not defined by breed, height, or expectation — but by preparation, partnership, and courage. In this Year of the Horse spotlight, we explore the athleticism and mindset of the American Saddlebred, what it takes to condition a big-framed horse for 100 rugged miles, and why representation of diverse breeds in endurance matters. We also discuss EDRA's young rider program, distance riding organizations, and the importance of preserving the trails we ride..   🔗 Organizations & Resources Mentioned 🔹 American Endurance Ride Conference 🔹 Equine Distance Riding Association 🔹 VERSA  🔹 Saddlebreds in Endurance (Facebook Group) 🔹 Back Country Horsemen of America 📖 Featured Book Race Against Time by Claire Eckhardt   If you enjoy these stories and want to see Endurance Horse Podcast continue to grow, there are a few meaningful ways you can help. Share this episode with a friend. Post it on social media. Or leave a positive review on your favorite podcast platform. Word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways this show reaches new riders, and we truly appreciate your support. If you’d like to support the podcast in a tangible way, visit warhorseendurance.com and sign up for a WARHORSE Endurance® Challenge. Every mile you log helps sustain this show — and yes, we give out some beautiful awards. Join the miles. Join the community. Be part of the story.

What does it take to ride 20,000 endurance miles? Belief. Patience. And the courage to ride your own path. As part of our Year of the Horse spotlight, February celebrates the American Saddlebred — and in this episode, I sit down with lifelong Saddlebred horsewoman and endurance rider Shelah Wetter, owner of Blue Haven Stable. Shelah has logged over 20,000 endurance miles aboard American Saddlebreds and was honored in 2025 as Sport Horse Owner and/or Breeder of the Year by the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association. In this conversation we talk about: • How she chose her endurance partner • What makes a Saddlebred shine on the trail • And how welcoming new riders strengthens the future of endurance If you love strong partnerships and the long game — this one is for you! Learn More: • American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA): https://www.saddlebred.com • Versatile Saddlebred Association (VERSA): https://www.saddlebredversa.org/ • Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA): https://www.equinedistanceriding.com • American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC): https://www.aerc.org WARHORSE Challenges Head to https://warhorseendurance.com and sign up for a WARHORSE Endurance® Challenge. Whether you ride one mile or one hundred, you’ll be part of a supportive community that celebrates every step forward. Join us on Facebook in WARHORSE Challenges. 🤍 Love the Podcast? Free ways to support: • Leave a positive review • Share this episode • Text it to a friend Word of mouth keeps this podcast growing — and I truly appreciate you for helping us to grow on this journey. This is Endurance Horse Podcast signing off for now — Every mile a memory. Endurance Horse Podcast is produced by Christina Hyke Photography, LLC, a WARHORSE Endurance® production.

Endurance Horse Podcast  It started with a Valentine’s Day surprise.  Years ago, Dennis Summers  surprised his wife Sue with a special Valentine’s Day gift, a Paint/Arabian cross — before the fence was even up on their property, Dennis tied the horse a tree while they finished preparing the property. That moment would become part of a lifelong journey with horses and eventually into endurance riding for both  Sue and Dennis Summers. In this episode of Endurance Horse Podcast, we trace that journey — from an article in Western Horseman that sparked a deep curiosity about endurance, to competing at some of the top rides in the world, and eventually back to the grassroots level of growing and protecting the sport he loves. Dennis is an international endurance rider, author of 4th Gear and The Long and Winding Road, and a founding member of the Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA). But more than titles or accolades, this is a story about partnership, perspective, and the horses that shape us. Along the way, we talk about more than one special horse — including the one that truly inspired his most recent book. We talk about training, longevity, listening to the horse, and what matters after thousands of miles. So sit down, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, and enjoy this story as it unfolds around our virtual campfire. Every mile a memory. Dennis Summers books available on Kindle Dennis is the author of: 4th Gear: Power Up Your Endurance Horse The Long and Winding Road Both titles are available on Kindle through Amazon. 🌍 Learn More About EDRA Dennis is a founding member of the Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA), an organization focused on horse welfare, education, and supporting endurance riders. 🔗 EDRA- Equine Distance Riding Association Support this Podcast & Ride With Us WARHORSE ENDURANCE® If you enjoyed this episode and want to be part of a supportive endurance community, we invite you to join us at: 🔗WARHORSE Challenges fb group 🔗  https://warhorseendurance.com Log miles. Share stories. Encourage one another. You can also join our WARHORSE ENDURANCE® Facebook community and connect with riders from around the world who believe in honoring the horse, the journey, and the miles in between.  Your participation in our virtual challenges helps keep this community growing. This podcast is a Christina Hyke Photography, LLC & WARHORSE ENDURANCE® production  THIS IS ENDURANCE HORSE PODCAST SIGNING OFF FOR NOW — Every mile a memory.

A Decade Team and Three Tevis Completions: JayaMae Kaur & Foxfire’s Little Britches What happens when a rider from the hunter-jumper and Warmblood world heads out on her first endurance ride and quickly learns that endurance has a sense of humor of its own? In this episode of Endurance Horse Podcast, host Christina Hyke sits down with JayaMae Kaur for a fun, honest, and heartfelt conversation that includes plenty of laughter, learning, and long miles. JayaMae shares her journey from hunter jumpers to trails and endurance, exchanging Warmbloods for a remarkable Missouri Fox Trotter mare who became her decade team horse and carried her to three Tevis buckles. She reflects on what surprised her most at her very first endurance ride, what she learned along the way, and why that experience made her stick with the sport. Beyond riding, JayaMae also brings an important ride-manager perspective, sharing the deeply meaningful reason she became involved in managing a memorial ride. We talk about the heart behind the Kristina Chesterman Memorial Ride, the importance of community fundraising, and how endurance riders can support education, remembrance, and one another. This episode is part of our Year of the Horse series, highlighting different breeds and the riders who love them — and reminding us that every breed has a place and can achieve great things at any distance. Expect laughter, honest stories, and a whole lot of heart. 🔗 Links & Resources JayaMae Kaur – Lightfoot Horse Farm 🌐 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AYAtDHFBF/ Support Endurance Horse Podcast & Learn More 🌐 https://warhorseendurance.com Join the WARHORSE Challenges Community 📘 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1C6Fdc1TBJ/ Thank you for listening to Endurance Horse Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a positive review, sharing it with a friend, or supporting the podcast by joining one of our WARHORSE Endurance challenges. Endurance Horse Podcast is a production of Christina Hyke Photography, LLC, and WARHORSE Endurance®. THIS IS ENDURANCE HORSE PODCAST SIGNING OFF FOR NOW — Every mile a memory.

Decade Team Wisdom: Dr. Ashley Sansome, DVM, MPVM & Her Missouri Fox Trotter Barney’s Single Shot (click the image above to go to free online journal-will need a login) What does it really take to go the distance in endurance—especially with a non-traditional breed? In this upbeat and encouraging episode of Endurance Horse Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Ashley Sansome, DVM, MPVM,  as she shares with us about her AERC Decade Team partner, Missouri Fox Trotter gelding Barney’s Single Shot. Together, they share a story rooted in patience, partnership, and showing up year after year. We talk about finding horses, discovering endurance, and what made Ashley stick with the sport for the long haul. Ashley also offers practical insight into conditioning a heavier-muscled horse, managing heat and muscle recovery, and adapting expectations when your endurance partner doesn’t fit the “traditional” mold. Sprinkled throughout the conversation is sage, real-life advice about saddling up again after 50, listening to your body, and giving yourself permission to ride smart—not fast. We’re also celebrating The Year of the Horse by giving away a free online Year of the Horse journal, and yes—we made a few “oops” along the way and left them in, because that’s real life and real horsemanship. If you’re riding a gaited horse, a stocky horse, a comeback horse—or you’re a comeback rider yourself—this episode is for you. Our gift to you to celebrate the Year of the Horse, a free online journal that helps you keep track of your year with your horse, simply follow this link and create a log in!   yearofthehorse.warhorseenduranc.com

🎧 Endurance Horse Podcast™ – Episode 71 ✨ Virginia City 100 with Tami Rougrau 🎙 Hosted by Christina Hyke of WARHORSE Endurance™ In this heartfelt 71st episode of the Endurance Horse Podcast™, we head to the wild beauty of Nevada to visit with Tami Rougrau, ride manager of the legendary Virginia City 100. Tami shares her deep love for the trail, her horses, and the endurance community, along with fun behind-the-scenes stories (yes—her chickens often chime in!) and insight into what it takes to keep a 100-mile tradition going strong. We talk about the spirit of endurance riding, the magic of the Virginia City 100 trail, and the dedicated team behind it all, NASTR. We take time to highlight NASTR—Nevada All-State Trail Riders—a phenomenal organization that plays a critical role in trail preservation, mentoring new distance riders, and keeping the future of our sport alive. If you're looking for a club that blends heart, history, and boots-on-the-ground trail work, NASTR is worth joining and supporting.    💛 You’re invited to ride with us! Whether you’re in Nevada or riding from afar, you can be part of the legacy by joining the Virtual Virginia City 100 Challenge through WARHORSE Endurance™. 🐎 Ride your miles at your own pace. 📬 Receive your award packet of buckle, patch, sticker and metal sign.  🏆 Celebrate your journey with our community online 👉 Sign up here: Sign up for the VIRGINIA CITY 100 Challenge 👉 Learn more about NASTR: Nevada All-State Trail Riders Join the conversation, share your ride stories, and be part of a movement that honors the old trails, welcomes new riders, and makes every mile a memory. 🎉 Connect with us: 📱 Facebook Group: WARHORSE Challenges™ 🌐 Website: www.warhorseendurance.com 🎧 Subscribe to Endurance Horse Podcast never miss an episode.  If you enjoyed the podcast we would appreciate it if you'd share with a friends & leave a kind review if we inspired you today.

  "Welcome back to the Endurance Horse Podcast! In our last episode, we heard from endurance rider and dedicated volunteer Jennifer Shooshanian, and today, we’re shifting gears to explore another incredible equestrian story. We’re excited to introduce David Silver, the founder of Detroit Horse Power, a nonprofit bringing the life-changing power of horses to urban youth in Detroit. David’s mission is to provide kids with opportunities to develop confidence, perseverance, and leadership through horsemanship—proving that horses have an impact far beyond the trails. Get ready for an inspiring conversation about how horses are making a difference in places you might not expect. Let’s dive in!"

Hello and welcome to another episode of the Endurance Horse Podcast! I’m your host, Christina Hyke, and today, we’re diving into an inspiring story from the Michigan ride, the Metropark Express—also known as Detroit Horse Power, named in honor of the charity tied to this event. In this episode, I’ll be talking with Jennifer Shoshanian, who helped bring this ride to life, and in a follow up episode we will then be talking with with  founder of Detroit Horse Power, David Silver.  We recorded close to the event date, so while I couldn’t share it with you before it took place, I’m thrilled to bring it to you now. Hopefully, you’ll be inspired to add this one to your ride calendar for next season! So, without further ado, let’s jump into this episode of Endurance Horse Podcast.

  Gathering Painted Ponies with Maribel Paulson. Encourage.   Inspire.  Celebrate.  Join us for an inspiring conversation with Maribel Paulson, a seasoned endurance rider with over 40 years of experience and the current Chair of the AERC Junior & Young Rider Committee. Maribel is on a mission to build a vibrant community for young riders, actively creating events and outreach programs to encourage current horse owners to explore the exhilarating world of endurance riding. In this episode, we dive into Maribel's efforts to raise awareness and support for the Young Riders Committee through creative fundraising initiatives, including a call for donations of the beloved Painted Ponies collection for raffles and awards. We also discuss the concerning trend of declining horse ownership and what it means for the future of our sport. Tune in to hear Maribel's insights and discover how we can all contribute to nurturing the next generation of endurance riders!