2025 Tevis Cup - Jay Mero

www.endurance.net/international/USA/2025TevisCup

by Jay Mero DVM
July 15 2025

“Learn By Doing” to borrow the University of Cal Poly’s famous quote - was the theme for our Tevis 2025 weekend. My best mare Lena bruised her right rear foot on a training ride exactly two weeks before Tevis. It was my fault as we had been training hard and I’d let her shoes get too worn in the last week or two lead up, trying to get her closer to her Tevis shoeing date. I still made a big effort trying to help her with some injections and special shoes, but we just didn’t have enough time. We also have been struggling with Clip’s LR foot since Febuary, also trying every bit of magic I could pull out of a hat to keep her sound. The whole scenario with both mares was just really ridiculous as many know we’ve struggled for years with their front feet. Always their front feet, till this year.

So when it became obvious Lena was out and Clip was a question mark, there wasn’t much left in the yard for me to pick from. Lucky for me our first homebred, race bred Arab mare Arrya was the solution. Arrya is the daughter of my first race bred Arab mare Jet Setting Sandrita, who has finished Tevis, and a tough, tough race stallion named Ibn Okba, out of the famous Okba. Arrya had been training right along with her big sisters and had gotten to rides earlier this year including a 3 day and a 2 day back to back stints. But I don’t usually bring a horse to a 100 miler until another year of training and many more endurance rides are under their belt. In addition Tevis is a whole other beast and horses really need to be well trained, seasoned and responsive to all the rider’s aids to increase the odds of finishing healthy and safely. We were sorely lacking in that catagory.

Let’s just say the mare likely experienced 6-12 months of training and schooling in one compressed 24 hour period. I fretted over the start, as I knew we’d need to first stand still in what I call a tin can alley after we walk down to the start a little over a mile from ride camp. We wait another 5-8 minutes packed into said tin can before we are released to start. Anyone who’s ridden a young horse can appreciate patience is not one of their virtues. Then we’d have to navigate lots of single tract with drop offs and horses galloping by us, most often not safely, as soon as they got a sliver of trail to go by. We tried to start with Clip and Reyna for support but then I just sent them on ahead. I’m not really sure how we survived the beginning as I had to have a thousand discussions with Arrya about how fast we were in fact going to go, and no not as fast as she wanted to. She opted to express her displeasure at me controlling her pace with throwing her head side to side, often taking her entire front end with her, sometimes perilously close to the edges, whenever I asked her for contact and to slow down. I’ll be truthful it was pretty bad and I definitely spent those first 12 miles questioning my life choices.

At High Camp about 3/4 of the way up Squaw, we stopped for water, to give electrolytes, and for me to see how she’d recover her heart rate after 12 miles of impressive fretting and drama and most of the time her heart rate being way too high. She shocked me by recovering in Lena and Clip like speed. So off we went again surviving the boulder field and rock water falls of Granite Chief with only a few meltdowns when I wouldn’t let her follow horses in front of her too closely. We finally got some open trail on the way to Cougar Rock and I started to get my horse “back” again. I’d said all along no way was I doing Cougar Rock with a baby horse. But as we got to the rock all alone, a friend taking pictures there asked what I was going do and I said “no no not with a baby, no no, Oh heck let’s try it!” And up we went. And yes we had a moment near the top Arrya was not too sure. She stopped. Tried to go left. Tried to go right. Tried to turn around and finally I got her to just stop a moment and think - and then she hopped up and over and we were gone! Whoop whoop! I was pretty proud of her in that moment! At that moment I thought we got this! We can do this, as long as I caredully monitored her “tank” all day and made sure I left enough in it to keep going.

The learn by doing phrase happened at the first big hold, Robinson Flat, when she wouldnt eat much, too upset with all the commotion and then Clip and Reyna leaving. They were going to go a lot faster all day. I told my kids Arrya would either figure it out as the day worn on and start eating and drinking or we were gonna be done. At that moment none of us knew how it would go.

Let’s just say this post is already way too long to share all the highs and great moments Arrya and I had together. She did indeed get it done - in spectacular fashion, finishing in 12 th place, very sound, ears up, perky, and with plenty of gas left in that tank! This baby horse had never been ridden in the dark (no head lamp) or crossed a river that we had to just about swim across because she’s a little short, nor had she ever had to continue on all alone for hours in the dark with no other horses to support her. I’m in awe of what this “little engine that could” got done on Saturday and will likely accomplish in her up and coming endurance career. She’s going to get a longer than usual rest period now, given I asked a lot of her so early in her training. But we are so excited in our family for this little mare.

To finish up the darn rear foot thing got Reyna and Clip around 60 plus miles, they had to stop at ForestHill but not before Reyna had proven she could race the Tevis trail all on her own, getting herself all the way into 4th to 5 th place before they had to stop! I was very proud of Reyna. We had the whole family back together again to help crew, which I’m so grateful for, they were amazing. And I am so thankful for the wonderful volunteers that helped me at every stop, cooling my mare, helping to hold her and bringing her mash and hay (Arrya did decide later in the day I must have been starving her) as she started ravenously eating and drinking from every tank and puddle. Amazing how 100 miles of that trail will teach a horse SO much about life. LOL

Thank you also to all of the vets, and ride management and my fellow Tevis Board members for making this ride happen. Thank you to our farrier Justin Loewen and to Buzz Arnold for being the taxi driver and getting the rig out of Robie Park. Tevis truly is magical, it doesn’t matter if you are riding to race it or to just experience the trail to see what you and your horse can do together. There is no other ride like this! Finally congrats to my good friend John Perry for winning the Haggin Cup with his mare Diva. Very well deserved, Diva looked fabulous. John and Reyna rode together quite the bit of the day and I was so relieved she had a good friend and rider to lean on.

City of Rocks: Year 9 on the way to Decade Team - Merri Melde

The Equestrian Vagabond Blog - Full Story

June 10 2025
by Merri Melde

Planning a ride season nowadays is pretty much a crap shoot, with work and other commitments and the West now always prone to exploding in fire and changing your plans for you.

My main Endurance goals for Hillbillie Willie and me are to have fun and maybe, just maybe achieve Decade Team, which is equine and rider teams who completed at least one 50-mile+ endurance ride each year for 10 years. This is year nine for Team Hillbillie Willie and Me.

We rode and finished a 25-miler at Eagle Canyon in April, but that is one hard hilly ride, and Willie is not a hill horse, so I wasn’t about to attempt a 50 there for his first ride of the season. It was a good hard training ride for him.

So along came the 3-day City of Rocks in Almo, Idaho, a ride we have put on, or helped put on, the last 15 years. This year I’d shoot days 1 and 2, and Cat would shoot day 3 so Willie and I could attempt a 50.

Heat, heat, heat, was in the forecast, though Day 3 was the kindest of them all. A small chance of thunderstorms were in the forecast, which I either prayed wouldn’t happen or just pretended they weren’t going to happen. City of Rocks can have some doozy storms on those hot summer days (oh, wait, it’s not even summer yet.) and boy am I scared of lightning.

I was hoping we’d find someone to ride with. While Willie can go alone or in company, and he appears to enjoy the 25 milers solo, I didn’t think he’d much like blazing 50 miles of the hot trails alone. We ended up starting out with Danielle and Huey, and companionably rode with them the entire day. Willie pretty much instantly makes best friends anybody he rides with and he of course thought Huey the Quarter horse was the Bomb...

Read more here:
https://theequestrianvagabond.blogspot.com/2025/06/city-of-rocks-year-9-on-way-to-decade.html

2025 Fursan Cup - Alex Shampoe

2025 Fursan Cup
by Alex Shampoe

A week ago, I returned from one of my favorite trips to date—an experience that left me with incredible memories, lifelong friendships, and a deeper appreciation for endurance riding. I had the privilege of riding two amazing horses, reconnecting with friends from around the world—Jordan, Australia, Germany, and beyond—and making new friendships that will last a lifetime.

The People Who Made This Trip Special

Let me start with my team. Maya Janbey from Namibia, was experiencing Saudi Arabia for the first time. She speaks perfect English, German, and Afrikaans, and we instantly clicked. We rode together in the 120K and spent the day together after I was pulled from the 160K. Then there was Anne Wegner from Germany, whom I met last year when we rode for the same stable. Anne was invaluable in helping us navigate the venue and giving us confidence. I’m so grateful for both of them, and I can’t wait to see where our paths cross again.

We stayed with Faisal, the owner and leader of our team, in a massive house where many of our crew members also lived. A good bit of them spoke some English, and a few were nearly fluent. They made us feel so welcome and safe from the moment we arrived. One evening, after a long day at the venue, a small group took us to the Old Town walk of AlUla. We enjoyed traditional Arabic food and explored the beautifully lit cave walkways and charming shops. The main stage, set against towering rocks illuminated with Arabic script, was breathtaking. It was a night I’ll never forget.

The 2★ (120K) Race – Riding Helfik

My 2★ horse was Helfik De Kermat, a stunning 8-year-old grey gelding. He had already completed two 100K races and one 120K earlier this season, so I knew he was ready. This was the biggest race of his career so far, and I was so excited to ride him. The day before the race, he warmed up beautifully—calm and responsive, even when other horses around him were getting worked up. I felt confident heading into race day. The vet check was stressful, with many horses feeling the energy of the event. Helfik was a little excited trotting back to the vet but settled quickly. We were ready.

Race morning was pure chaos—but in the best way. Our stable had 13 horses at the start line. Six were aiming for top-10 finishes, while the rest of us focused on completion. We walked to the start area as a group and joined a massive pack of nearly 200 horses moving in a giant circle. The horses in the middle were canter/galloping, the next layer trotting, and those of us on the outside walking. Helfik, in his biggest start ever, walked as calmly as he could.

Once we launched down the chute, it was hectic trying to find our place among the other teams, but we quickly settled into a rhythm. The first loop flew by—rolling hills, solid footing, and a short stretch of deep sand before hitting the runway into the vet check. Helfik was incredible. He pulsed down fast and passed the vet check with ease. During the hold, he was a little nervous, so I walked him while he ate.

Loop Two

The second loop was the toughest. It started with rolling hills and patches of deep sand before reaching the base of a long, sandy climb. There was a water stop, volunteers handed out cool water to help keep our horses refreshed. The climb itself felt endless, but I was grateful Helfik was a fast walker! At the top, another water stop gave us a quick break before we faced a steep, sandy descent. Seeing my pen-pal friend Talia at the crew area lifted my spirits—she helped keep Helfik happily munching and walking while I took a much-needed food break.

Loop Three

I think of this loop in thirds: the first part had great footing and rolling hills, then we hit deep sand, though thankfully not too steep, before finishing on solid ground. Helfik cruised through like a pro—eating, walking, and staying strong.

Final Loop

The last loop was my favorite. The scenery was breathtaking as we rode between towering rocks that echoed with the sounds of riders' voices. Helfik, the fastest walker in our group, led much of this stretch. We passed our incredible crew at an out crew point before navigating rolling sand hills that led to the final stretch—the runway to the finish.

Every single one of our seven horses completed the race, and our stable had an outstanding 12/13 completion rate—especially impressive considering only 50% of the total starters finished! The team was thrilled, and I couldn’t have been prouder of Helfik. He never lost his appetite, pulsed down quickly every time, and was strong and willing throughout the entire race.

The 3★ (160K) Race

The next day, I started the 160K race but was pulled for lameness after the first loop. Though disappointed, I was relieved that my horse, Ghiornu D’Olmarellu, was okay and will race again soon. Ghiornu, a smooth-moving 9-year-old gelding, made the early morning ride alongside Anne feel magical as we watched the sunrise over the desert.

Even though I didn’t get to finish, I spent the rest of the day crewing with my Saudi teammates. They did their best to lift my spirits—singing in the car, sharing snacks, and helping me learn a little Arabic while I taught them some English. Just making an effort to speak someone else’s language meant so much to them, and their excitement when we understood an Arabic word was contagious.

I also got to spend extra time with both my horses—walking them, letting them roll, and just soaking in the privilege of being there.

The venue was amazing. The area was so thoughtfully layed out from where the stables were to the catering tent, where the opening ceremonies with the stands for spectators was. They had a special crew parking area close to the vet holds so your crew could be as fast as possible getting out to help you. Every loop there was at least 2/3 places with water troughs for the horses to drink with volenteers to hand us cool water for the horses. There was at least 2 crew pionts on Every loop a for the horses to drink and of course out crew to support us.

This trip reminded me why I love endurance riding so much. It’s not just about the races—it’s about the people, the horses, the connections, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. I left AlUla with a heart full of gratitude, new friendships, and even more passion for this incredible sport.