<b>By DOUG GRAVES<br>
Ohio Correspondent</b> </p><p>

CAMP SPRINGS, Ky. — Youth who love to ride horses can be found at any stable. Youth who thrive in competing in 100-mile races are a bit harder to corner. But at a 40-acre farm called Misty Ridge Stables in Camp Springs, Ky., there are eight young riders diligently exercising their mounts several times each week.<br>
Welcome to the world of endurance racing, where covering 100 miles in a 24-hour span is the top challenge for this group, which calls itself the MR Riders. The eight riders in this group compete in the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the national governing body for long distance riding.<br>
“This 4-H Club of ours started in 2006 and we’re unique in that no other group competes as a 4-H Club,” said Anna Zinkhon, the club’s founder and local 4-H adviser. <br>
“Riding at these distances can be taxing on the animal, which is why conditioning is very important. We work the horses out twice each week, two ours each practice.”<br>
This group of eight spirited riders (ages 6-16) work their horses at a steady cantor during this period. And they need to. The riders and their mounts compete in races which require covering set
distances on marked trails. The most experienced horse and rider is required to cover 100 miles in 24 hours. Some events are marked for 50 miles in 12 hours, while many compete at 25 miles in six hours or less.<br>
“I started this competitive riding when these guys showed an interest,” said Zinkhon, owner of this stable in northern Kentucky. “I’ve been learning with them at the same time. Anyone under 16 in endurance racing has to have an adult 18 or older along the trail, and that means I’m usually along for the ride.”<br>
The AERC, which governs rides in the United States and Canada, is divided into nine regions. Riders in Kentucky compete in the Southeast region. Riders in Ohio compete in the Northeast region. Those in Indiana are part of the Mountain West region.<br>
This ambitious group from northern Kentucky includes L.T. Thompson, Kassi Parker, Erica Patterson, Lauren Schenk, Maddie McCauley, Hannah Koehler, Emily Smith and Kristen Whittaker. Riders take to marked trails in events across the country. Already this group has competed in Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.<br>
“The courses in Kentucky have been hilly and rocky, while those in Florida are mostly flat and sandy,” Zinkhon said. “The veterinarians check the condition of each horse before each competition, so they’ll be in shape.  <br>
As a team we’re always in the top 10 at the 25-mile distance, and there are a lot of adults in the competition.”<br>
Many miles to and from these events, as well as time away from home, may be the only drawback.
“Everyone helps out,” said Charlie Parker, a parent who uses a van to help transport the horses. “It can be expensive but we have fundraisers to offset most of the expenses. Besides, the kids have so much fun it’s worth every penny. This is good, clean fun.”<br>
AERC founded in 1972<br>
The AERC was founded in 1972 as a national governing body for long-distance riding. <br>
Through the years it has developed a set of rules and guidelines designed to provide a standardized format and strict veterinary controls. At the same time it has sought to avoid the rigidity and complexity so characteristic of many other equine disciplines.
From its beginnings in the American west, the AERC has spread roots both nationally and internationally. <br>
The AERC sanctions more than 700 rides each year throughout North America.<br>
In 1978 the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) recognized endurance riding as an international sport, and since that date the U.S. and Canada have regularly swept the team and individual medals. In 1993 Endurance became the fifth discipline under the United States Equestrian Team (USET).<br>
In addition to promoting the sport of endurance riding, the AERC encourages the use, protection, and development of equestrian trails, especially those with historic significance. <br>
Many special events of four to six consecutive days take place over historic trails, such as the Pony Express Trail, the Outlaw Trail, the Chief Joseph Trail, and the Lewis and Clark Trail.<br>
The founding ride of endurance riding, the Western States Trail Ride or “Tevis”, covers 100 miles of the famous Western States and Immigrant Trails over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These rides promote awareness of the importance of trail preservation for future generations and foster an appreciation of our American heritage.