Ende Of the Trail is the official website of Bernice Ende, Lady Long Rider. This site contains up-to-date information on her ride, newspaper articles, sponsors, and photos pertaining to her past and current rides.
Based in Trego, Montana, Bernice Ende's two previous rides have totaled over 7,000 miles. Her first ride in 2005 took her from Trego, Montana to Albuquerque, New Mexico: a 2,000-mile ride. Her second ride began May of 2006, when she rode from trego, Montana to Minnesota, New Mexico, Southern California, up the East side of the Sierra Nevada's, to the West Coast of Oregon, across Eastern Washington, the Panhandle of Idaho, and home again, completing a 5,000-mile ride in September of '07.
February of 2008 heralds her departure on a 3,000 mile ride which will take her through Death Valley, Yuma, the Midwestern United States, and back home via the Dakotas, and Montana.
Bernice's rides are funded by a variety of sponsors, by pass-the-hat talks she gives on her travels, and by donations from many individuals. Bernice's Long Rides are primarily about people: meeting people, inspiring people, sharing stories with people. She believes that the image of a horse and rider is a powerful symbol for all of us, an image of freedom and independence which everyone can relate to on a fundamental level.
View "Archives" for information and photos of her past rides, newspaper articles, and photos. View "Sponsors" and "Acknowledgments" to learn more about the people and companies who make her rides possible. View "Long Riders Guild" to find out about this international group of men and women who make long-distance riding a part of their lives. View "Current Information" for the developing adventure of Bernice Ende's 2008 ride.
With the exception of external links and pages, all material on this website, including photos and writing, is the personal property of Bernice Ende or the manager of her support team. No part of this website, or any material contained herein, may be reproduced, published or printed without permission.
Bernice was raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota, and riding has always been an integral part of her life. After pursuing a career in classical Ballet and teaching dance, Bernice moved to the northwest corner of Montana, to live in a cabin on the mountainside.
She continued teaching ballet and gave riding lessons when dance classes were not in session.
Her retirement in 2003 brought not a lack of activity, but rather a change of focus. Drawn back to riding, Bernice felt the pull of the open road and adventure inherent in serous riding.
In 2005 she made her first long-distance ride on a Tennessee Walking Horse, a young gelding named Pride. Pride was borrowed from Bernice's friends Mack and Evelyn McCurry
After her first year of riding, Bernice realized that Long Riding was an occupation she loved and longed to pursue. After her first 2,000-mile ride, she was invited to join the Long Riders Guild, an international organization dedicated to preserving the independent, adventurous spirit of the horse and rider.
Bernice's second ride of 5,000 miles followed, broadening her experience and bringing the opportunity of reaching out to others in public speaking, inspiring them to pursue their dreams as she has pursued hers.
In 2008, Bernice begins her fourth year of riding. This third ride will bring the total miles she has ridden up to 10,000; a remarkable achievement for any rider.
Bernice has ridden all these miles alone, with horse and dog, the kindness and generosity of strangers, and a quality of courage and faith inspiring to all who meet her.
Claire
Claire's mismatched, wild eyes and one-ear-up and one-ear-down appearance make her a true "Montana Original," and, as Bernice says, "origin unknown."
While out for a horseback ride one March morning, Bernice came across two puppies in the ditch. They had evidently been abandoned: one was dead, the other, shivering, growled at Bernice when she approached.
In spite of the puppy's protests, Bernice picked her up and carried her home on the horse.
The puppy's graceless self-introduction upon reaching Bernice's cabin earned her a quick and harsh reprimand by Bernice's old dog, Sadie. The ensuing snap may be partly responsible for Claire's lopsided ear.
Bernice took the puppy to her Trego ballet class, hoping to find someone willing to adopt the boisterous dog. The girls played with the puppy, whom they began calling Clara, after the role in the Nutcracker ballet. Unfortunately, their parents were much less enthusiastic.
Bernice kept Clara by default, and her name quickly changed to Claire. The puppy was a terror, devouring shoes, boots, and other personal articles. Her wild, mismatched appearance combined with her blue heeler coloring seemed to enhance her unruly personality.
Thankfully, Claire mellowed as she grew older, and her bond with Bernice deepened. Claire has matured to a well-trained, obedient dog and has become Bernice's constant companion and the group's "fearless leader" on the trail.
Honor
What better name for the horse who has been given a last chance to prove herself, and who has proved herself worthy of that chance?
Everyone else had given up on this thoroughbred mare. No one wanted her, and she had been passed from one owner to another. At eight years old, Honor (then Dancer Tail) was deemed good for nothing but dog food. Bernice saw something in her that no one else had seen. She bought the horse and gave her another chance at life, rehabilitating the mare physically and teaching her to trust people again.
Honor has redeemed herself. She will do anything for Bernice, demonstrating a protective attitude both to Bernice and Clare Dog, and as Bernice says of Honor, "she always gives a hundred percent."
With Bernice's care, Honor has regained her health, beauty, and thoroughbred spirit.
Bred out of Native Dancer stock, Honor has reclaimed her legacy. Bernice proudly refers to her lovely white mare as, "what legends are made of."
Essie Pearl
A six-year-old Norwegian Fjord, Essie Pearl was raised from a colt by Mark and Theodora Rice of Eureka, Montana, and purchased by Bernice for her 2008 ride. Essie is the first horse Bernice has worked with who has not been mistreated in the past. As a result, Essie lacks the inhibitions that many of Bernice's other horses have had to overcome. Trusting and sweet, Essie Pearl makes up in personality what she lacks in grace. A vital new part of Bernice's team, Essie as pack horse makes it possible to carry more food and supplies, even a tent and sleeping bag! In addition, Clare has learned to ride amid the packs, thus saving mileage on her paws.
The presence of a pack horse alters many dynamics of Bernice's riding experience.While there is more for Bernice to do in brushing, shoeing, and keeping her horses coordinated, they are also able to travel further between stops, and to provide Bernice with a little more comfort on the trail. In past years, Bernice has slept on the ground with a tarp and wool blanket, using her saddle as a weather break.
There is also more involved with another animal in the group. All members of Bernice's team must work together smoothly and efficiently, for their safety and hers. This is accomplished through meticulous training done before leaving home. Bernice refers to her past as a ballet teacher in saying, "it's like teaching two horses to dance together."
