Upcoming Trips
2025 Season
Foxcatcher Endurance Ride, Elkton MD
April 3-6
One of the first endurance rides of the spring season for the northeast, the Foxcatcher Endurance Ride is hosted at Fair Hill International in Elkton, Maryland.
The rolling terrain is intriguing, but forgiving enough to make Foxcatcher an excellent first ride of the season (or first ride of your endurance career). Expect to ride through tunnels, over bridges, on single track trail through the woods, and through wide-open fields. Foxcatcher never lacks in grass on the trail, and the trail has plenty of water crossings. All vet holds are in camp. The 50 mile ride has a 10 minute “hold” out on the course, with water available.
Fair Hill International has been hosting the Foxcatcher Endurance Ride since 2001, at the beautiful Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area in Elkton, Maryland. They typically host a 25 mile and a 50 mile ride as well as 12 mile Intro rides and Ride and Ties.
PAINTED BAR STABLES LOGISTICS:
Stall Rentals at Fair Hill International – no equine camping or temporary fencing logistics necessary
Hotel Rooms within 5 minute drive
Meals: Breakfast at Hotel, Lunch Prepared at Ride Site, Dinners at Restaurants
** Because of the cold temperatures and a history of wind storms we do not camp for the Fox Catcher Endurance Ride
WELCOME RIDERS:
Painted Bar Stables Endurance Students on our Horses
Hitch a Ride
Caravan
Otter Creek Cabin Trip
TRIP A: May 15-18 FULLY BOOKED
TRIP B: May 18-22
TRIP C: October 3-6
TRIP D: October 6-10 — Two Cabins!
The Otter Creek camp trip is one of our more lux vacation options. We make sure everything is there for you — from a lovely cabin with horses on site, meal prep and cooking, trail and route planning and trail guides available for you to ride with.
Intermediate Level Riders Required: – Must be able to control their mount among other horses (that may or may not be from the same herd), – Must be able to walk, trot and canter while maintaining distance without tailgating.
Endurance Trekking Option:
For those looking to get more independent endurance miles, endurance riders are welcome to come and ride independently, separate from the guided groups. Each day hosts will provide maps of routes which include watering areas for horses, locations for sprint and interval work, and suggested break spots. Meet up locations with the guided group may also be orchestrated. Discussion of speed, tempo, metabolic expectations, and intervals will also be discussed in evening debriefs over wine and tea. Daily lameness evals will also be offered by hosts. Analysis of ride metrics from EquiLab tracking readouts can also be offered.
PAINTED BAR STABLES LOGISTICS:
Beautiful Woodland Communal Cabin with twin-size beds in shared rooms
Stalls and Paddocks on Site
Meals: Meals Prepared at Cabin
WELCOME RIDERS:
Painted Bar Stables Lesson Students (regular and endurance riders) on our Horses
Hitch a Ride – must be able to ride independently without guide
Caravan – must be able to ride independently without guide
BYO Horses are welcome for the Otter Creek Endurance Trekking Option but may or may not be approved to join guided rides depending on herd and rider dynamics, for safety. BYO Horse Discount of $50/day. Trailer Your Own Horse & Supplies Discount of additional $60/day
Michigan Shore to Shore Endurance
~ July 25 – August 2
Michigan’s Shore to Shore Distance ride is a historic ride beginning on the east side and traveling across the state to the west side, from Oscoda, MI to Empire, MI. Riders and their horses will be able to dip their ‘hoof’ into Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
40 years after the first ride in 1985, the ride is being resurrected for one year only in 2025. If you’ve ever wanted to ride it, mark your calendars!
PAINTED BAR STABLES LOGISTICS:
Equine camping with temporary fencing logistics necessary
Meals: All meals prepared at Ride Site
WELCOME RIDERS:
Painted Bar Stables Endurance Students on our Horses
Hitch a Ride
Caravan
Virginia Highland Trek
~ August 21 – 24
Quick Summary of the riding:
– Wild Ponies!!!!
– Technical Rocky Slow Speed Trails
– Some of the most magnificent views I’ve seen on the East Coast (and I grew up with a hiker dad!!)
We’re still trying to figure out the format of the trip: camping and lower budget, cabins and more lux hosting, etc….
But we wanted to see who would be interested and what they would prefer as we make plans!
These trails are some of the finest and most technical trails I would take riders on my horses. They are perfect for advanced novice riders who have control of horses and are looking for increasing difficulty but aren’t looking for high speed riding.
The region is not great for high speed riding due to the rocky terrain – it’s literally like riding our West in the Rocky Mountains. But there are some limited spaces where you can follow wild pony trails and get some trots or canters in. Gaited horses do well in this terrain so I could see Hermione doing really well.
PAINTED BAR STABLES LOGISTICS:
OPTION 1: Equine camping with stalls on site of trails
OPTION 2: Cabins nearby with trailer ride to the trails
Meals: All meals prepared at Ride Site
WELCOME RIDERS:
Painted Bar Stables Endurance Students on our Horses
Hitch a Ride
Caravan
Gobble ‘Til You Wobble Endurance Ride, Elkton Creek OH
November 11 – 16
25 mile, 50 mile and possible introductory ride
PAINTED BAR STABLES LOGISTICS:
Equine camping with temporary fencing logistics necessary
Meals: All meals prepared at Ride Site
WELCOME RIDERS:
Painted Bar Stables Endurance Advanced Novice and Intermediate Level Students on our Horses
Hitch a Ride
Caravan
