Tina + Jammer: Endurance, Solo Horse Camping, and the Joy of Going the Distance
Location: Utah
Discipline: Endurance riding (Limited Distance / LD)
Horse: Jammer, Arabian, age 17
Experience: 50 years
Typical Distance: 25–30 miles per ride
Annual Mileage: ~500 miles per season
Max Distance Completed: 55 miles
Why Endurance?
Tina didn’t fall into endurance riding because it was trendy or competitive. She found it because it matched what she’s always wanted most: time in the saddle, miles under hoof, and big country unfolding one ridge at a time. “My favorite place to be is on the back of a horse… for miles,” she told me, and everything about her approach to horses and travel snaps into focus from there.
Endurance appealed to Tina because it’s about care, partnership, and horsemanship under real conditions.
“It’s not about tricks or flying changes,” she explains. “It’s about keeping your horse healthy, sound, and happy when the miles add up.”
She started with 50- and 55-mile rides but now focuses on Limited Distance events, partly due to a rolling ankle and partly because LD allows her to enjoy the experience without pushing past what feels right. “We call them luxury distance,” she laughs.
The Horse Behind the Miles
Jammer is the kind of endurance horse people dream of. Tough under saddle, impeccable on the ground, and an absolute joy to camp with. He eats, drinks, rolls, and even lies down to nap in camp.
“He’s not the fastest horse out there,” Tina says, “but he’s the best horse to camp with. That matters.”
She also travels with an older mare, Sally, who keeps Jammer calm on long hauls. Together, they’re a team built for the road.
Horsemanship Philosophy
Tina’s approach is rooted in trust, observation, and respect for the horse as an individual.
“I know my horse,” she says. “We’ve been together over ten years. That matters more than any system.”
She prefers riding solo, even during endurance events, setting her own pace and letting Jammer drink when he needs to. “There’s etiquette in groups,” she notes, “but not everyone follows it. I ride for my horse first.”
Favorite Places to Ride...
Tina rides across the West, favoring terrain that feels expansive and quiet.
Standout regions include:
- Bryce Canyon area (outside park boundaries)
- Mount Carmel Junction east of Zion
- Northern New Mexico
- San Juan Mountains, Colorado
- Idaho City, Idaho
- BLM and National Forest lands throughout the Mountain West
To explore these regions more go to Equine Booking maps and discover destinations.
One of her most memorable rides climbed from desert sage into cool aspen forests, crossed wildflower-filled meadows, and looked out toward the red rock formations near Bryce.
“You’d never know that country existed if you just drove the highway”
Camping style...
Tina camps almost exclusively with her horses and keeps things intentionally simple. She uses a small, high-clearance weekender trailer she bought from a cowboy. The “kitchen” lives in the horse area once dividers are opened. Less gear, fewer breakdowns, more freedom.
- Primitive endurance ride camps
- Meadows and dispersed areas
- No hookups, fully self-contained
"I can set up camp, fence included, in under 20 minutes. Less is best! I’ve watched people with beautiful rigs get sidelined by slide-outs and blowouts. I’d rather keep moving.”
Tools she can't live without on the road..
- Electric fencing: Simple solar charger, thin wire (no tape)
- Navigation: Gaia GPS with downloaded ride maps
- Trailer assistance: Rider roadside assistance (after hard lessons learned)
- Cooling & storage: High-quality coolers - Yeti are the best!
- Horse care: Urethane shoes, careful saddle fit, conditioning over time
Community Over Competition
Endurance riders, she says, are a unique group.
“Everybody likes to sleep with their horses. Nobody cares where you come from or what you do. It’s all about the horse.”
She compares endurance camps to an equine version of Burning Man. Everyone brings everything they need. Solar power is the norm. Generators earn side-eyes. There’s food, shared wine, stories, and mutual help.
Getting started in Endurance
Start with Intro and “Fun” Rides
She strongly recommends intro rides or fun rides as the entry point.
These are:
- Typically 8–15 miles
- Fully marked like real endurance rides
- Run at a relaxed pace
- Include vet checks, water rules, and ride protocol
You get the full experience without the pressure.
“They give you the same vet check and do everything just like endurance, just without the competition.”
This lets riders learn how endurance works before worrying about speed or placement.
Websites She Can’t Live Without
- Endurance.net – Ride schedules, details, and planning
- XPRides.com – Curated endurance experiences
- Global Endurance – Inspiration, training philosophy, and community (Christoper is amazing - I go to train every spring)
- SocoEndurance.com - endurance rides outside of La Veta, CO at the base of the Spanish Peaks
- Aerc.org - great starter resource
What’s Next?
Tina plans to head south in the spring to ride in New Mexico and Utah, camping at training bases and endurance events before returning north for summer rides. She travels about ten days a month during riding season and wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I do it because I love being out there,” she says. “I don’t know how much longer we’ll have this kind of access to land. I’m going to enjoy it while I can.
