LTH Turkey chaser Endurance Ride
Saturday, Nov 29th & Sunday, Nov 30th, 2025
Mojave, Ca

Any Questions? Contact us via this email link.

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Ride Entry Form
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Sign up for our ride using JOTFORM:  Sign up Link

Ride Description
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The ride is AERC sanctioned includes two distances, 25 miles and 50 miles. It also includes a non-sanctioned 6-mile or 10-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 Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (earlier with arrangements) and close at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025.

Especially if you are coming long distance or you just want to hang out over Thanksgiving Day, let us know, so that we can include you in our turkey dinner. The ride is being held at our rescue ranch, so we have more flexibility than if we were holding the ride at a different off site location. Just let us know if you are planning on coming earlier. 

Pre-Ride Vet Check will be held between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28th. For riders arriving in the morning of Saturday or Sunday, please make arrangements in advance with ride management. 

Pre-Ride Meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov 28th. 

Saturday & Sunday Trails: The trail consists of multiple loops that begin and end at ride camp. The trails are FLAT desert footing dirt roads, jeep trails, excellent for an end-of-the-season ride! We ride many of our horses barefoot on our trails, but there are occasional stones in the sand. There will be one out-check, but all other vet checks will be held at camp.
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• The intro ride will consist of one loop (7-miles or 10-miles)
• The ​LD ride will consist of one long loop, with a 30-minute hold at an out-check after 15 miles.
• The 50-mile ride will consist of two loops, with one trot by check after 15 miles, then a 45-minute hold & one 30-minute hold between loops at ride camp.

The trail will be well marked with plenty of ribbons & pie plates. Additionally, printed maps and GAIA GPS will be available for all loops. Horse water, alfalfa, sponging water will be available every approx. five miles on the respective loops.
​We have a radio team that will keep track of riders and horses throughout the trail loops and will call in rider numbers to base camp.

Saturday & Sunday Starting Times: The ride will start at 8:00 a.m. for the 50-mile ride, at 8:30 a.m. for the 25-mile ride and 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. for the 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 November 15th 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 for the 25 and 50- mile rides and Completion Award T-shirts for all who complete the ride (including the Intro Rides). Additionally, the 25 and 50- mile rides will have an AERC Best Condition Award, plus High Vet Score, and Turtle Awards.
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We will also award a Junior & Anyone under 18 Best Condition Award spanning over both ride days. 
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.

Ride Fees:

• Any Junior rider or Young rider under 18 years of age rides for FREE for intro rides and LD rides.
• $100 Intro Riders.
• $150 25 & 50 Mile Ride ($270 for both days) - Early Bird Registration (before Nov 15th) $135 25 & 50 Mile Ride ($250 for both days)

Breakfast: Coffee and muffins will be provided to ride crews & volunteers on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Lunches will be provided during vet check/holds for the riders and ride volunteers, consisting of turkey & cheese sandwiches, chips, candy and water. 

Dinner: 
Friday evening, Pot Luck Dinner, please bring your favorite dishes and desserts or your left overs from Thanksgiving, ride management will provide the paperware "silverware".
Saturday evening, we will Pizza Dinner (courtesy of ride management, be sure to let us know if you will prefer cheese, pepperoni or vegetable topping on your pizza) for ride & awards meeting. 

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Basic Ride Rules & Trail Etiquette:

• All junior 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.​

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Camp Site

​The base camp is located just south of Tehachapi, CA & just north of Rosamond, CA,  located at Love this Horse's ranch, 8800 Wetzel Lane, Mojave, CA 93501.
The address is a little misleading since the town of Mojave is actually located 13 miles north-east from our ranch. But, the location maps properly on Google Maps or other map apps.  

We have plenty of camping space at our ranch. The camp is located at approx. 3,000 feet and although the weather is generally nice during the end of November, 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 Wednesday, November 26, 2025. There are grocery stores, fast food, restaurants, etc. nearby. Potable water and Porta Potties will be provided. 

All hay, manure must be spread out, hay must be picked up prior to leaving. 

Directions: GPS Location is 34.947763, -118.269558
                    8800 Wetzel Lane, Mojave, CA 93501

From the Inland Empire:

• North on I-15 to Highway 138 toward Palmdale to 14 North.
• Continue North on the 14 freeway, approximately 40 miles, pass the town of Rosamond, to the Backus Road exit. 
• Turn left at end of the ramp  and drive approximately 6.5 miles, then take a left on Wetzel Lane. Continue of the dirt road for about 150 yards. Camp is located on the left just passed the ranch.

From Los Angeles:

• North on I-5 to Highway 14 heading towards Palmdale and Lancaster.
• Continue North on the 14 freeway, approximately 40 miles, pass the town of Rosamond, to the Backus Road exit. 
• Turn left at end of the ramp and drive approximately 6.5 miles, then take a left on Wetzel Lane. Continue of the dirt road for about 150 yards. Camp is located on the left just passed the ranch.

From Points North:

• Head south on US-395 S/continue on the 14 south until you get to the Backus Road exit. Take the exit and turn a right on the exit ramp. 
• Turn right at end of the ramp and drive approximately 6.5 miles, then take a left on Wetzel Lane. Continue of the dirt road for about 150 yards. Camp is located on the left just passed the ranch.

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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.