About

Bernice Ende

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 related dance exercise, Bernice moved to the northwest corner of Montana, to live in a cabin on the mountainside.  She continued teaching ballet throughout the winter 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 12yr old 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 in 2006/07 a 5,000 mile ride 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 began her fourth year of riding. This third ride of 3000 miles brought her total miles she had ridden up to 10,000; a remarkable achievement for any rider. Her fourth ride a was originally planned and routed to take Bernice and her horses on a 7000 mile ride, She ended up completing a 6000 mile ride after losing her beloved horse Honor in a fatal corral accident in Austin Texas. She then set out on a 600 mile vacation ride across the Bob Marshall wilderness Area back to Forsyth,Mt. where she plans her current 2000 mile Canadian ride.

Bernice has ridden all these miles alone, with horses and dog. Finding 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, “a rare breed of unknown origin.”

While out for a horseback ride one cold Montana 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 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, faithful dog and has become Bernice’s constant companion and the group’s “fearless leader” on the trail.

Hart

“Hart” is a big 15yrold paint gelding, registered as “I’m a Lucky Kid”.  He was born May 20th, 1996 on the Stephen Kemp farm in Talpa, Texas and is registered with the American Paint Horse Association.  He has been a show horse, a roping horse and a barrel racing horse with good training, but he’s been a pasture potato for the last few years at the home of Ode (passed away in 2010)and Hede Wright family of Menard, Texas. The Wright family donated Hart to Bernice’s ride when she lost Honor in February, 2009

For a horse that has not been handled a great deal over the years he has proven to be willing and easy to work with.  “Already I can see in his eyes the same look that I saw in Honor and Pride, that Hart likes the road, the travel, the newness, all ears and eyes peaked with interest”, says Bernice.

“He’s big and strong and He has been great with the traffic. I know it’s not easy for any horse when they first start out but I feel like He’ll make a solid long riding horse”.

Essie Pearl

A nine-year-old Norwegian Fjord, Essie Pearl was raised from a colt raised by Theodora Rice of Eureka, Montana, and purchased by Bernice for her 2008 ride. Trusting and sweet, Essie Pearl makes up in personality what she lacks in grace. Her sturdy, dependable disposition and structure make her 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  moving well together, 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.”

Written by Marlane Cook

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We have a new horse! She joined us in January of 2012 as an inexperienced four-year old. She comes from Swede Granstrom and Jody Smith. She is 3/4 Norwegian Fjord and 1/4 Percheron. She is a lovely, willing and beautifully spirited horse who is settling into her training for the upcoming 2012 Canadian ride. She is a delight to work with and has an enormous willingness to learn. I am looking forward to taking her out on the upcoming ride.