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.

JayaMae Kaur – Lightfoot Horse Farm

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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

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!

🐎 Ride your miles at your own pace.

👉 Sign up here: Sign up for the VIRGINIA CITY 100 Challenge

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:

"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!