Love This Horse Endurance Ride
Saturday, May 3 & Sunday, May 4, 2025
​Ridgecrest, Ca

Click on this link to enter the Love This Horse Endurance Ride on May 3-4, 2025.  
​
Any Questions? Contact us via this email link.

Ride Description
​
The ride is AERC sanctioned includes three distances, 25 miles, 50 miles, and 65 miles. It also includes a non-sanctioned 15-mile introductory ride for those who would like to experience what it is like to attend a ride. 

Camp will open at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025 and close at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025. 

Pre-Ride Vet Check will be held between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2nd. For riders arriving in the morning of Saturday, May 3rd (15/25 milers only), please make arrangements in advance with ride management. 

Pre-Ride Meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2nd. 

Saturday & Sunday Trails: The trail consists of multiple loops that begin and end at ride camp. All vet checks will be held at camp.

• The 15-mile intro ride will consist of one loop.
• The 25-mile ride will consist of two loops, with a 30-minute hold between loops.
• The 50-mile ride will consist of three loops, with one 30-minute hold & one 45-minute hold between loops.
• The 65-mile ride (Saturday only) will consist of four loops with two 30-minute holds & one 45-minute hold between loops. 

The trail will be well marked with plenty of ribbons, chalk and glow bars after dark. Additionally, printed maps and Ride with GPS will be available for all loops. 

Saturday & Sunday Starting Times: The ride will start at 6:00 a.m. for the 50- & 65-mile ride, at 7:00 a.m. for the 25-mile ride and 9:00 a.m. for the 15-mile introductory ride. 

Rules: All AERC rules will apply. Any abuse by rider or their crew to ride staff will result in disqualification of the rider (please see below for trail etiquette expectations).
For cancellations prior to the ride, before April 30th and for horses not passing the pre-ride veterinary exam, a $50.00 ride management fee will be withheld. No shows receive no refund. Checks will not be cashed until after the ride. 

Awards: There will be First Place Awards & Fun Top-Ten Awards for the 25, 50, and 65- mile rides and Completion Award T-shirts for all who complete the ride (including the Intro Rides). Additionally, the 25, 50, and 65- mile rides will have an AERC Best Condition Award.
The awards for all rides will be at completion, in the evening. Awards will not be mailed out and must be picked up at the ride.

---

Basic Ride Rules & Trail Etiquette:

• All riders must wear a helmet while competing.
• If you find yourself behind a horse that is traveling slower than you are, politely ask for the trail. Do not "blast by the horse" in front of you and do not tailgate while you are waiting to get by. Announce yourself and ask permission to pass. Be specific on letting the rider know if you are passing to the left or right, so the rider in front knows which way to go.
• A Junior is a rider under the age of 16 as of December 1st of the year of competition. All Junior riders must be accompanied by a Senior rider sponsor, 18 years of age or older at all times and must finish within one minute of that sponsor. The sponsor must agree to remain with the Junior throughout the ride. If the sponsor is eliminated during the ride, the Junior may continue with another willing sponsor upon notification to ride officials. All Juniors are required to wear helmets.
• Abusive behavior or harassment of ride personnel, veterinarians, riders, crews, or volunteers will not be tolerated.
• Abuse of the horse and use of stimulants and/or pain killers and/or the use of injections of any kind are prohibited.
• Riders / horse owners are responsible for the horse’s welfare and are financially responsible if emergency veterinary treatment is necessary.
• Ride Veterinarians' opinions will be final on all matters concerning the horse.
• Failure to follow these ride rules may be grounds for disqualification.​

Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.

Camp Site

​The base camp is located at the Valley Riders Equestrian Center in Ridgecrest, CA 93555. The center is located at approx. 2,500 feet and although the weather is generally nice at the beginning of May, you should be prepared for cold nights. It can also be windy. Dogs are welcomed at camp, but must be leashed at all times. 

Base Camp opens at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025. Camp is located at the corner of San Bernadino Rd (aka County Line Rd) and Springer St (double electrical pole line along the road), southeast of Ridgecrest. Camping is primitive without electricity connections. There are grocery stores, fast food, restaurants, etc. nearby. Potable water and Porta Potties will be provided. 

Camper trailers are available for rent through www.hideserttrailerrntls.com. The company offers trailer set up at the base camp. ​

All hay, manure and trash must be picked up and your camp site left clean. Thank you!  

Directions: GPS Location is 35°35'35.8"N 117°38'06.0"W
Do not use a street number address on GPS use only corner of E. Springer and County Line Rd. Ridgecrest CA

From the Inland Empire:

• North on I-15 to Highway 395.
• Continue North on Highway 395 approximately 90 miles to the Ridgecrest turnoff (China Lake Blvd).
• Continue north on China Lake Blvd to second stop light (Bowman road) at Walmart. Turn right.

FROM BOWMAN ROAD:
• Turn right onto San Bernardino County Line road when pavement ends. Make sure you stay left of center dirt median. Continue on this dirt road past all homes. Ride camp will be on your right at corner of Springer and County line road.

From Los Angeles:

• North on I-5 to Highway 14 heading towards Palmdale and Lancaster.
• Continue North on Highway 14 approximately 120 miles to Highway 178 East (towards Inyokern, Ridgecrest and NAWS China Lake).
• Continue East on 178 (Inyokern Road) approximately 14 miles to China Lake Blvd. Turn right and follow this to 178 East towards Trona (Ridgecrest Blvd)
• Turn right onto Richmond Street (Fairgrounds) Follow this until it dead ends at Bowman.
• Turn Left onto Bowman and follow above directions to ride camp.

From Points North:

• Where Highway 395 forks to the left (Highway 14 begins) take Highway 395 to the second Inyokern exit (Highway 178/Inyokern Road).
• Continue East on 178 (Inyokern Road) approximately 14 miles to China Lake Blvd. Turn right and follow this to 178 East towards Trona (Ridgecrest Blvd) where you will turn left.
• Turn right onto Richmond Street (Fairgrounds) Follow this until it dead ends at Bowman.
• Turn left onto Bowman and follow above directions.

​​

Love This Horse Equine Rescue is an avid supporter of endurance riding.  
​Read our article From Rescue to Ribbons: Erna Valdivia Makes Tevis Cup History with 'Lovie'.

When you support Love This Horse, you are changing lives. Please consider donating today.