Endurance Rider

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 Chaton
• Title Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
• Sponsor: The Distance Depot
• Guest: Todd Hezeau
• Guest: Julie Bittick
• AERC check out the AERC calendar!

Time Stamps:

02:00 - Karen's Adventures

08:44 - Endurance Tip

12:40 - Kristen from Distance Depot

18:00 - Todd Hezeau

32:44 - History

35:35 - 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 Chaton
• AERC 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 - Headlamps

18:42 - 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 Chaton
• Title Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
• Sponsor: The Distance Depot
• Guest: Brenna Sullivan, Behind the Scenes & Production Logistics at Tevis
• AERC check out the AERC calendar!

Time Stamps:

• 01:10 - Mongol Derby day 6 update
• 03:33 - Virtual Tevis team results
• 06:13 - Tahoe Rim 50 ride recap
• 09:32 - Nevada wildfires & Bug Fire
• 11:49 - Flooding risk after fires
• 13:02 - 2026 Endurance Worlds to Abu Dhabi
• 13:43 - Tevis stats, winners & breed notes
• 18:16 - Sheepskin seat covers (Distance Depot)
• 24:25 - Intro: Tevis webcast with Brenna
• 25:22 - How Tevis live coverage is produced
• 31:05 - Favorite Tevis stories
• 36:00 - Volunteering/spectating & show close

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 Chaton
• Title Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
• Sponsor: The Distance Depot
• Guest: Brenna Sullivan, Behind the Scenes & Production Logistics at Tevis
• AERC check out the AERC calendar!

Time Stamps:

• 01:10 - Mongol Derby day 6 update
• 03:33 - Virtual Tevis team results
• 06:13 - Tahoe Rim 50 ride recap
• 09:32 - Nevada wildfires & Bug Fire
• 11:49 - Flooding risk after fires
• 13:02 - 2026 Endurance Worlds to Abu Dhabi
• 13:43 - Tevis stats, winners & breed notes
• 18:16 - Sheepskin seat covers (Distance Depot)
• 24:25 - Intro: Tevis webcast with Brenna
• 25:22 - How Tevis live coverage is produced
• 31:05 - Favorite Tevis stories
• 36:00 - 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 Chaton
• Title Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
• Sponsor: The Distance Depot
• Guest: Bridget and Chelsea Helms, visit them at Riding Horses and Raising Kids
• AERC check out the AERC calendar!

Time Stamps:

• 01:40 - Karen’s new drone & trail filming
• 06:50 - Viral hiker-with-dog video & online critics
• 10:54 - Local bear activity & wildlife chat
• 11:21 - Updates on Saint and other horses
• 11:46 - Endure Gold ad read
• 13:01 - Tevis entry stats & trends
• 18:42 - Distance Depot heart-rate monitor segment
• 23:21 - Introduce guests Bridget & Chelsea Helms
• 24:01 - Bridget’s path from showing to endurance
• 27:56 - Chelsea’s crewing year & back-to-back 50s
• 32:26 - 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 Chaton
• Title Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
• Sponsor: The Distance Depot
• Guest: Arabian Horse Association CEO Terrell O’Shea
• AERC check out the AERC calendar!

Time Stamps:

• 01:40 - Karen’s NASDAR 50 ride recap
• 02:40 - Hitting 40,000 AERC lifetime miles
• 03:30 - Participation trends & fewer 100-mile rides
• 04:50 - Tough terrain and hoof boot “sand holes”
• 07:30 - How endurance has changed in 30 years
• 11:30 - Trail loss and access challenges
• 15:50 - Rider post-ride recovery: hydration & nutrition
• 20:20 - Movement, stretching, sleep, and multi-day recovery
• 26:20 - Karen reflects on Jovi’s 4-year development
• 26:30 - Kristen from Distance Depot: hot weather gear
• 29:14 - 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 Chaton
• Title Sponsor: Farnam and Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control
• Sponsor: The Distance Depot
• Guest: Diane Connolly, AERC National Championship at Old Dominion
• Guest: Jamie Reid Ruff
• AERC check out the AERC calendar!

Time Stamps:

• 03:00 - Apollo’s rescue and rehab update
• 05:08 - Nutrition deep dive and supplements
• 10:04 - Mental game of endurance riding
• 16:12 - Farnam Endure Gold fly spray ad
• 17:00 - Old Dominion National Championship overview
• 19:54 - “Beast of the East” trail description
• 22:54 - Cavalry Award rules and challenges
• 25:57 - Base camp setup and ride-week activities
• 29:45 - Distance Depot fly masks & boots
• 34:43 - HRN advertising spot
• 35:18 - “Survival of endurance” with Jamie Ruff
• 40:38 - Horse cookies & old-school outreach ideas
• 51:42 - 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 Chaton
• Sponsor: The Distance Depot
• Guest: AP Davis | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Tiktok
• AERC check out the AERC calendar!
• Title Sponsor: Endure Gold Killer Fly & Mosquito Control

Time Stamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & tax day chat
• 01:33 - Karen’s Nevada Derby 50-mile ride recap
• 07:40 - Apollo’s rescue and rehab update
• 12:26 - Training tip: planning for vet checks
• 15:00 - Feed choices & “buffet” at vet checks
• 19:28 - Loop colors, trail markings & not getting lost
• 20:23 - Tack-off vet checks & organizing gear/crew box
• 25:00 - Horse eating habits at rides vs home
• 26:07 - Kristen from Distance Depot: electrolytes overview
• 30:00 - Salt blocks, Redmond products & Daily Gold
• 32:08 - Introducing AP Davis & Tevis topic
• 32:57 - AP’s background & Auburn/Tevis connection
• 34:57 - Meet Jeepers, the “backyard” endurance horse
• 37:20 - 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:

1. HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen Chaton
2. Sponsor: The Distance Depot
3. Guest: Jullie Bittick, on her 2026 Gaucho Derby ride
4. AERC check out the AERC calendar!

Sweetwater Recipe:

1. 2 to 4.5 gallons of water
2. 2 to 4 cups of stabilized rice bran
3. 1 to 2 oz. of salt or electrolytes

Directions:

1. 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).
2. In the winter use warm water.
3. Use after a workout, or prior to travel or an event. Be sure to ALSO ALWAYS offer clean plain water as well.

Time Stamps:

1. 0:45 – Karen’s new puppy Brick
2. 2:50 – Jobi’s mileage & upcoming rides
3. 6:23 – Jobi reaches 1,000 miles
4. 11:44 – Karen’s “sweet water” hydration tip
5. 15:07 – Sponsor segment: Distance Depot
6. 19:34 – Garmin sale announcement
7. 19:38 – Intro to Gaucho Derby guest Jullie Bittick,
8. 21:34 – Gaucho Derby route & navigation
9. 28:21 – Sleeping, Estancia hospitality story
10. 32:44 – Best and worst parts of the Derby
11. 42:33 – 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:

1. HORSES IN THE MORNING Endurance Day crew: co-hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen Chaton
2. Sponsor: The Distance Depot
3. AERC check out the AERC calendar!

Time Stamps:

01:20 - Keeping motivated during Winter

11:50 - The Distance Depot

17:30 - Vital Signs

23:51 - Calculating ride times and speed