The 2025 annual EDRA Conference was held outside of Colfax, Washington. The
Palouse Empire Fairgrounds had never hosted an equestrian event at their facility, so it was exciting for both us and them to be the first! The facilities were excellent and we are sure to be back!
Shayne Russell, Vice President and Bonnie Girod, President were instrumental in
organizing a great weekend for horses and humans alike. Even if you didn’t bring an equine to work with, there was enough to do and see (and eat, thanks to Ryder
Russell’s team!) to keep you interested and engaged.
I brought my mare, so I was lucky enough to work with Aimee Ryder of Pure Horse
Connection. Aimee brings some amazing credentials, having trained extensively with Buck Brannaman and worked both in the Netherlands as well as here in the USA on helping folks connect with and manage their equines. I’ve worked with a number of trainers and I think Aimee ranks up there as one of the best. She’s clear, precise and kind in her directions to both horse and human and the results are amazing.
Dr. Allistair Botting of the Washington State University Equine facility was our speaker on Friday night and he was excellent. Although the stated topic was new advances in parasite control and hydration, we all had lots of questions about a wide range of topics, and he managed to answer them in a way that was understandable and engaging.
The tour of the WSU hospital was outstanding. We are so lucky in Washington state to have such a state-of-the-art facility accessible to us. Seeing the actual equine surgery and recovery rooms as well as meeting some of the “patients” was a great experience.
Dennis Summers spoke to us on Saturday night and as usual it was entertaining and informative. His race and training strategies, which were outlined in his first book “4 th Gear: Powering Up Your Endurance Horse” are always insightful and backed by years of experience and success. There’s rumor of a second book in the making, focused more specifically on strategies for developing a sensible young horse. Stay tuned!
Entertainment was provided by Heather Rheingans acting as Alex Trebek and doing an EDRA-flavored “Jeopardy” competition. It was a hilarious way to check our knowledge of the rules of EDRA and boy, what a competitive group we are!
Awards were presented to deserving members and their equines on Saturday, and a huge thanks to Holly Haddenham for finding such unique and memorable awards. For a list of who won, just look to the end of this report. And plan your ride season so you can score one – or more – of these great awards! For more information on awards, click here.
Finally, it is time to thank the outgoing members of the EDRA Board and welcome in the new members! Thanks to Marty Graham for her role as the President. She oversaw the makeover of the EDRA website and promoted the camaraderie and teamwork for which EDRA has become known. Thanks to Shayne Russell, who stepped in as Vice President when Arielle Blume Bonney was unable to complete her term. She is proud and happy to continue in this position.
Thanks to Deliene Walker Sellers, who has served on the EDRA board for two years. Deliene’s position will now be filled by Alex Gesheva. Alex has been a member of EDRA and is excited to serve in this new role. Thanks to Katie Daley, who is leaving the Youth Board member position. Her position will now be filled by Katie Poe. Welcome Katie! You’ll see her at rides and hopefully her mom as well, Dr. Marlene Poe. Both are enthusiastic supporters of EDRA and distance riding in general.
Thank you to all members who continue to support the Equine Distance Riding
Association through your membership, attendance at rides, willingness to step up and volunteer, and support others in their efforts to START READY and FINISH PROUD!
Here’s to a new and successful season!
Sandy Cheek