MN Distance Clinic

03/02/2025

Wow!! Another successful MN Distance Clinic! 86 people came to learn about the sport of Distance Riding! Some have been to a couple of clinics, but lots of new people as well!! Thank you to Maria Enge and HH Stables for hosting this event! We had excellent presentations for the main event with Maria Enge Hhstables, Sher Ob, Dr Michelle DeBoer, Dr Heather 'Goerts' Damico, and all our breakout presenters Paula Brummel, Lise Lunde, Katie Vogl, Dana Gasner, Ken & Theresa Meyer. Plus we had lots of extra help with food and greeters with Kathy Vadnais, Diane Thorsen Merz, and many others!!! Can't tell you all how much I appreciate your willingness to pitch in and help! I know I've missed a number of people and I apologize - but know that I am so happy I met you and really enjoyed our time together to get this event organized!
Thank you to all the helpers and thank you to all the people who came to learn about the sport of Distance Riding! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

02/25/2025

It's still not too late to sign up the MN Distance Clinic! Benefits you will get at the clinic include:
1. Learn how to check your horses baseline health as we demonstrate the vet check process that happens at every ride! Pulse, respiration, mucus membranes, capillary refill are all indicators of how your horse is doing.
2. First time clinic attendees who have not been a member of UMECRA will receive a one year complimentary membership to UMECRA that allows you to earn points towards UMECRA year end awards.
3. Learn about nutrition and conditioning to get your horse prepared for a ride.
4. Meet lots of great people who enjoy the competition and comradery of Distance riding!
5 Break out sessions on multiple topics so you can explore areas of interest more!

Registration is at www.mndra.com

No horses at the clinic! This is a full day of great information and fun!

Lunch is included!

02/23/2025

One of the benefits of coming to the clinic is that all first time clinic attendees and who have never been a member of UMECRA (Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Ride Association), will receive a complementary membership for the 2025 ride season! This is a full membership and qualifies you to participate in our year end awards! You will also receive an electronic copy of the newsletter to keep you informed on what's happening in the region!

This is a $35 value - more than the cost to attend the clinic!

Come check us out - you'll be glad you did!

Open to all ages! We have riders from 5 to 90 who are out there having a good time on the trail!

02/23/2025

Are you coming to the clinic on March 1st? A couple of things to keep in mind....
1. It will be held in an indoor arena that is heated, but keep in mind it will be about 50 degrees in there - so dress appropriately, including barn friendly footwear!
2. Bring a chair, maybe a lap blanket if you tend to get cold
3. Bring a water bottle and / or coffee cup with you. We will have beverages including coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water, but cups will be limited.
4. Lunch is provided! We will be serving up a potluck style lunch.
5. Most important - come prepared to learn something new and have fun!

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Still on the fence? Registrations are available at

MnDRA was formed to promote distance riding in the Upper Midwest, giving recognition to horse and rider teams. Events sponsored in Minnesota are Competitive, Limited Distance, and Endurance.

02/22/2025

Time to get those registrations in for the MN Distance Clinic! We have a full day planned for you and whether you are an experienced rider, but new to the sport, or have competed in Distance Riding a while back, you are sure to learn something new. We have outstanding clinicians who will be talking about nutrition, conditioning, what the vets are looking for, how to prepare your horse for the vet checks, plus some amazing breakout sessions for you to explore. There will be live demos, displays of different types of tack and more!

Registration is simple - just go to www.mndra.com

No horses needed for the clinic! We are looking forward to meeting you!

02/20/2025

Super exciting news to share!! Dr. Michelle DeBoer DMV will be speaking about horse nutrition and electrolytes at the clinic!! Equine, PhD is her page where she shares equine studies and information that is relevant to new day horse owners. She has an excellent foundation in care from basics the needs of the performance horse.

All the more reason to come to the MN Distance Clinic! We all have things to learn and we have a fantastic line up of clinicians!

02/17/2025

Hey there! We are excited to host the MN Distance Clinic on March 1st! Check out all we have to offer:
March 1, 2025 (9AM to approximately 4 PM)

Distance Riding Events: Novice, Competitive, Driving, Intro/Limited Distance (LD), Endurance)

What do you need to get started? Tack and equipment.

Conditioning and Hoof Care Basics

Getting started – preparing for your first Novice or Intro ride (10-15 miles)

As distances increase, little things matter more (25+ miles)

Break-out sessions (25 minutes) – You get to attend two (2)!
* Camping tips for new campers (no LQ required!)
* Taking your horses pulse (limited to 12 people per session)
* Basics of saddle fit
* Introduction to Equine Bodywork
* Foolproof way to back up any trailer

Feeding the Distance horse
· Learn the basics of a sound feeding program that you can adapt to your horse.
· Electrolytes 101- it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Pot Luck lunch with time to check out the saddle and tack displays and meet some Distance Riders

Vet Checks – Purpose of vet checks and what the vet looking at and what it tells them about the horse

Demonstration of Comp vs Intro/LD/Endurance Trot outs – what’s different.
· Demonstrations: Good vs bad trot outs – why it matters

Preparing your horse for the vet exam. Demonstrations of what your horse needs to know.

This is a short demonstration focusing on what people should practice with their horses before bringing them to a ride.

Planning for that first ride and registration!

Q & A – Clinicians on deck.

Bring a chair and a cup and/or water bottle. Hot coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water will be provided.

Dress for the weather with barn friendly footwear and jackets. Barn & arena is heated but maybe a lap blanket if you get chilly while sitting.

Registration is available at www.mndra.com

02/11/2025

Oh Boy! Do we have something extra and special for clinic attendees! We are adding an additional breakout session to focus on.....(drum roll please).....
"Foolproof Methods to Back Up Any Trailer" - by our very own Paula Brummel, who has mastered the art of backing a trailer!
For many newer riders, fear of having to back up your trailer can make going to a ride or traveling with your horse more stressful. Paula has a system that you can learn to get your trailer into that perfect location!
Get more information on the clinic and register at www.mndra.com

02/08/2025

Count down to March 1st! The clinic is fast approaching. Come join us for a fun day of learning about the sport of Distance Riding! It's a fun and challenging sport that can be done at so many levels.
Do you want some fun weekends with friends with great trails and companionship - Distance Riding can fit the bill!
Do you want some serious competition and are looking for ways to challenge yourself? Distance Riding might be for you.
Looking for a cross-training opportunity to keep your cross-country horse in shape? Distance Riding is a great way to develop your horse and get them fit!
What about a way to experience new trails in a fun and positive environment? Distance Riding will give you that experience.

Come check us out and see what all the fun is about! Go to www.mndra.com to register!

02/07/2025

Oh Boy! Do we have something extra and special for clinic attendees! We are adding an additional breakout session to focus on.....(drum roll please).....

"Foolproof Methods to Back Up Any Trailer" - by our very own Paula Brummel.

For many newer riders, fear of having to back up your trailer can make going to a ride or traveling with your horse more stressful. Paula has a system that you can learn to get your trailer into that perfect location!

Get more information on the clinic and register at www.mndra.com

02/06/2025

Got the bug to start riding but are waiting for the trails to open? Well, why not use that time to learn about something different that you can do with your horse - check out Distance Riding!

We have a full day planned with some fantastic information that you can use no matter what you decide to do with your horse! Check out the schedule below:

March 1, 2025 (9AM to approximately 4 PM)
9-10 Distance Riding Events: Novice, Competitive, Driving, Intro/Limited Distance (LD), Endurance)
What do you need to get started? Tack and equipment.

10-11am Conditioning and Hoof Care Basics
Getting started – preparing for your first Novice or Intro ride (10-15 miles)
As distances increase, little things matter more (25+ miles)

11 – 11:30 Break-out session (25 minutes) – pick one
Camping tips for new campers (no LQ required!)
Taking your horses pulse (limited to 12 people per session)
Basics of saddle fit
Introduction to Equine Bodywork

11:30 – Noon Feeding the endurance horse
Learn the basics of a sound feeding program that you can adapt to your horse.
Electrolytes 101- it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Noon – 1 Potluck Lunch provided – check out the saddle and tack displays and meet some Distance Riders

1-2pm Vet Checks – Purpose of vet checks and what the vet looking at and what it tells them about the horse
Demonstration of Comp vs Intro/LD/Endurance Trot outs – what’s different.
Demonstrations: Good vs bad trot outs – why it matters

2- 2:30 Breakout session
Break-out session (25 minutes) – pick one
Camping tips for new campers (no LQ required!)
Taking your horses pulse (limited to 12 people per session)
Basics of saddle fit
Introduction to Equine Bodywork

3pm – 3:20

Preparing your horse for the vet exam. Demonstrations of what your horse needs to know.

This is a short demonstration focusing on what people should practice with their horses before bringing them to a ride. An opportunity to provide pointers for the newbies.

3:30– 4:00
Planning for that first ride and registration! (Katie)

4pm
Q & A – Clinicians on deck.

Bring a chair and a cup and/or water bottle. Hot coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water will be provided.

Dress for the weather with barn friendly footwear and jackets. Barn & arena is heated but maybe a lap blanket if you get chilly while sitting.

02/05/2025

Do you like to explore new trails and meet new friends? Do you enjoy horse camping in new places? You might want to check out Distance Riding. Explore new trails, meet new people all while spending lots of quality time with your horse in a fun and supportive environment! Go to www.mndra.com to get all the details.
The clinic is a great way to learn about the sport and see if it's for you and your family! Open to all ages and all breeds!