Mentors
If you have questions we have people who have volunteered to help. Browse through and choose based on location or type of ride they've agreed to mentor and feel free to contact any of our mentors. They're waiting to help you
Katie Bachhuber, Mayville, WI
920-387-4494, kbach@nconnect.net
Endurance? A great sport with a great bunch of people! I was introduced to the sport of Endurance in 1989 and have been at it ever since. Although I am listed as a mentor I am continually learning new things about our horses and the sport. I also know what has worked for me and what has not worked so well. Let me know if I can help you start in! kbach@nconnect.net
Maxine Bernsdorf, Kewaunee, WI
920-255-1102, miranch@hotmail.com
I started this sport on an Appaloosa stallion. Had been riding him miles and hours and he never got tired so I was looking for a job he could do. Saw an ad for a distance ride listed in Wisconsin Horseman and decided to try that. Had a friend who had done a ride in Florida once and she was willing to go along. Got to the ride in the Northern Kettles ready to roll...the 12 mile ride was cancelled. SO...we rode the 25. Didn't know about groups, holds, checks but was informed along the ride. I wore my cowboy boot, jeans, button down shirt, western hat and feather earrings. Still have scars on my knees from the jeans to prove it! My friend won a ribbon. I didn't. Rode 5 rides that first year. Every ride in the rain (and jeans). Found out I knew NOTHING about distance riding but I have learned over the years. I have been helped by many people over those years and want to give back to the sport I love.
Joan Duncanson Elbert, Inner Grove Heights, MN
651-387-2644, jddreamcatcher@aol.com
I have been in distance riding for 5 years
Types of events Competitive
My husband and I both ride competitive. We have been riding long distance for 5 years. In 2007 we both placed in the Top Ten Rookie ‐ Competitive.
In 2009 & 2010 I was fortunate to place 1st in Lightweight Competitive in MnDRA and Top Ten Competitive Lightweight in UMECRA.
Special interests. My husband and I are very interested in providing the best nutrition and conditioning possible to help our horses do their best in the competitive events and in running our horses barefoot using the "natural trim" approach.
Bred of Horse. My husband and I both compete on part Arabs: my mare is a 3/4 Arab ‐ Warmblood cross, and my other horse is a 1/2 Arab ‐ Oldenberg cross
Wes Elford, Mayville, WI
920-387-2304, wselford@sbcglobal.net
Started vetting rides in 1984.
Started riding rides in1986 and these were all comp rides.
Started to do Endurance in 1990. Rode my first and only 100 in l995.
Have been doing only 50’s since an injury in 1996 and subsequent surgeries.
I vet a lot of rides and understand Endurance riders and Endurance horses.
I am a 4* FEI vet and enjoy the sport from all angles.
I serve on the AERC vet committee and can explain the theory and philosophy behind the rules and regulations that govern our sport.
Kim Fosler, Scales Mound, IL
815-266-8335, kimberlyfosler@gmail.com
Hello, I’m Kimberly Fosler and I reside in NW Illinois, just outside of the tiny village of Scales Mound, IL. I started in 2011 when I met the Worthingtons and riding a horse named Corona for them. We did a couple of Novice and then dabbled in some CTR’s. Going into my first ride I was warned, I would either love endurance and get hooked or hate it and never come back. Obviously, I got hooked from that first ride and in the fall, I picked up a sweet little 5 yr old grey gelding named BZ Cojeseryn Sahar or better known as CJ.
Since then, CJ and I have competed in the Novice CTR division, LD and Endurance completing over 2,000 miles together. We have been mentored by the Worthingtons and Robin Schadt working my way up to riding 75’s and attempting 100-mile rides. The bulk of my miles are in LD and Endurance. CJ and I are still working towards our Decade Team Award. I am hoping that we both can meet that goal together!
I love meeting new riders, talking with them about our sport and sharing information. There is so much to learn that it never gets old. I enjoy going to rides and seeing my endurance family every season. In fact, I met my best friend through endurance riding! You will see a wide array of different breeds of horses and ages of riders competing. I think what makes our sport so special is everyone is supportive of each other. Waiting up and chipping in to help those 100-mile riders in is actually quite fun!
Barb Gardner, Oakfield, WI
920-291-5641, barb@doublebarallc.com
Roberta Harms, Wauconda, IL
Equiphil@aol.com
My phone is 847-630-2785. However I don't tend to answer numbers I don't know. Email is a better way to get my attention.
I have 10s of thousands of miles in distance riding: competitive trail, LD, and endurance all distances. I have received year end awards both locally and nationally just about every year. I have mostly ridden Arabs and Partbred Arabs, but respect that other breeds can do the sport well.
I'm happy to answer any questions to help you get started. I am located in the NE Illinois area. This is not a game you came jump into without some pre-learning. Email is the best way to contact me to start as I tend not to answer my phone
Laurie Henschel, Clintonville, WI
Sarah Maass, Fairfax, MN
507-340-7859, sarahmaass@hotmail.com
Hi! My name is Sarah Maass, and I have been riding endurance for 20 years. My daughter, Dana, and I got involved with it after participating in an endurance clinic at the Horse Expo. We jumped right into riding a 30 mile ride...the very green horse that I was riding had never crossed water or any kind of logs. Gosh, were we green, too!!! That first ride was at Forestville, and there are LOTS of erosion bars and river crossings. It was an interesting ride to say the least, but we made it!
We've learned so much about our horses, ourselves, and the sport of endurance since that first ride. It has become a passion, as it does with most endurance riders. My daughter and I worked up to riding 100s, and we have managed endurance rides here in Minnesota since 2006. We love helping new riders get into the sport, and we especially enjoy helping young riders get started...even if they've never been on a horse before.
Riding endurance allows us to see many gorgeous miles of trails, and it enhances our relationships with our horses with camping experiences throughout the Midwest and beyond.
If you want to see a brief video of the riding we do here at our farm, here's a link to an episode of Youth And The Outdoors by Minnesota Public Television: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7Da2-xk2bI
Diane Meinders, MI
616-706-6478, dmeinders@optiodata.com
Endurance Only
Bonnie Mielke, North Prairie, WI
bonniemielke@hotmail.com
I began competitive trail riding in 1974 on my first horse. Since then, I have competed in all disciplines, except novice, and at all distances. I have ridden in many parts of the country and have done most of the 'name' rides. I can help with pacing, feeding, tack, etc. and probably answer most of your questions. I enjoy mentoring and take pride in my 'students'. If you live in SE WI we can likely ride together or I can hook you up with a good mentor closer to you , another level of learning.
Angie Mikkelson, Scrandon, ND
Linda Mowrer, Olney, IL
ridedeaddog@hotmail.com
I have been involved in distance riding since 1986. I have completed competitive rides and endurance rides. For the last 30 years I have been managing rides. Early in my riding career I also sponsored my 3 children. Two of them still compete. My husband also competes. I love to encourage new riders.
Deb Searle, Grant Park, IL
815-878-0668, debsearle@mac.com
When I started Distance riding, I didn’t know a single person and the only information I had was from a couple books. I found the UMECRA schedule and simply showed up at a ride! Sixteen years and 7000+ ( including a TEVIS completion) miles later I’m still hooked. I’m always willing to help out a new rider.
Ruth Stewart, Martinsville, IL
217-382-4544, rrstewart2002@yahoo.com
Tony Troyer, Earlville, IL
815-530-4464, IL4aerc@aol.com
Tony Troyer (aka: The Big Red Bearded Guy!)
Ride Manager for: Rock River Chairty Ride, Mathissen St. Park, Utica, IL‐ 14 years, AHDRA‐ Big River Ride, Keithsburg, IL ‐ 4 years, AHA National Championship Competitive Trail Ride‐ Keithsburg, IL 2008, USEF Selection Trial's ‐ Oakwood, IL 2010
Arabian Horse Assoc: Distance Committee Vice Chair, Arabian Horse Distance Riding Assoc; Delegate
Heavyweight‐Rider / Driver
Joined UMECRA: 1989 / 90
Have completed in Endurance: Best accomplishment 3‐ Day 150 mile ride in Canada, Limited Distance, Competitive and Competitive Driving ‐ Top 5 UMECRA & MDDA Champion Rookie in 2007, Top 5 UMECRA 2008, and Champion Pair / Team 2009
I have competed with Quarter Horses, Purebred and Half Arabian's, and Spotted Saddle Horse's.
Offices held in UMECRA: Vice President 2 terms, IL Director 2 terms
UMECRA Committee's; Rules & By‐Laws, Mentor, Financial, Convention, International Competition’s Fund
Important info‐ I always have beer!!! This is also good information to know :):)