Feisty. Dedicated. That’s how participants in the 2026 EDRA in Motion Challenge kicked off the first quarter. The group is smaller than in past years, but it’s full of energy and enthusiasm.
From January through March, participants logged mileage at a pace above our historical average. Over the past six years, we’ve averaged about 88 miles per participant per month. This year’s group is already averaging more than 100 miles per participant per month—and most participants have already met the Completion Award requirement by reaching 100+ miles for the year.
The 2026 standings are now posted on the EDRA website. And if you want a copy of the actual Excel file, with all of the data, let me know. Here are a few highlights I pulled from everyone’s entries:
- Rachel Gibson had me smiling. One day’s entry mentioned a “lazy day in jammies,” followed by several updates about unpacking and settling into a new house. After what sounded like a long stretch of moving chaos, I finally saw: “recovering from the move.” Soon after, she was back to reporting fencing projects and yard chores—hopefully that means more horsey miles are just around the corner.
- Chores were a common theme across the board: farm work, horse chores, yard work, housework, and of course work-work. One entry even described helping replace a cow’s prolapsed uterus—definitely not something you regularly see in one’s log!
- On the riding front, we were everywhere: out on trails and in the arena; doing intervals, lessons, round-pen rides, hill work, and scouting routes for upcoming rides. I also saw “starting a new filly” and my personal favorite: “giddy up and go!” A few entries especially stuck with me—Darlene Merlich’s New Year’s ride on Rock, and Rachel Miller’s updates about her new mare, Korona. Korona’s first experience with Rachel’s riding skirt was…eventful (including some bucking). By late February, Korona seemed more comfortable with the skirt, but she then decided that lying down for a roll was a great idea—so I’m guessing the skirt isn’t the issue anymore. And Teresa Dixon’s note—“short ride, damage control???”—left me sincerely hoping the damage was, in fact, controlled!
- Off the horse, we logged miles and effort with interval runs, treadmill sessions, rowing, stair workouts, Peloton rides, incline cycling, elliptical workouts, work walks, hiking, curling, golfing, strength training, and yoga.
- And the scenery didn’t disappoint. We logged adventures in Waikiki, Ancient Lakes, Mission Ridge, Hess Lake, Scotch Creek, Coyote Butte, Cave B, Corozal, San Pedro, Beezly Hills, Cassimir Bar, Grizzly Mountain, Dry Falls, Cole Loop, Cavalry Loop, Skull Hollow, Camp Creek, and the McDowell Mountains.
And if you missed the EDRA conference in March, you missed a fantastic presentation by Tamara Baysinger. I can’t do her talk justice in a short recap, but now that I’m back home, I’m planning to incorporate more progressive loading into my own routine. Tamara covered five critical human physical elements for healthy riding:
- lifting (with weights),
- interval training,
- endurance conditioning,
- balance / mobility, and
- power
I’d love to find a way to weave more of this fitness variety into the 2027 Challenge, so if you have ideas, please come find me at an upcoming ride!
And remember to celebrate every mile—even the ones earned through house cleaning and other not-so-fun chores!
Sue McLain