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Home » Bernice Ende – Lady Long Rider

Bernice Ende – Lady Long Rider

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You may ask yourself what is a long rider. By definition, a long rider is someone who has ridden 1,000 cumulative miles on horseback. I’ve read a few books by authors who’ve ridden across the country and it is no small feat. Then there is Bernice Ende, who not only tackled a cross-country ride, but then, just kept riding, creating a lifestyle of long riding. After her first cross-country trip, I guess you could say; it got into her bones. In fact, she rode over 30,000 miles total.

Lady Long Rider book by Bernice Ende
Lady Long Rider book by Bernice Ende

In the midst of space-age, high-speed technologies, a band of humans has slowed down the earth and sky sweeping past them by seeing the world from the back of a horse They are called long riders. – Quoted from The Long Riders Guild

About the Author

Bernice Ende November 16 1954 – October 2 2021

What a rare and beautiful person Bernice was. As I read her book Lady Long Rider, I was in awe of her grit and tenacity, but also her gentleness and curiosity. She had a way with words-despite her admittance of not being a writer. I found she wrote with eloquence and prose.

My only regret is that I didn’t read more about her when she was alive. I think I first came across her when I saw a video of her on the internet. As well as seeing pictures of her and her horses in ads for Tucker Saddles.

Lady Long Rider was on my reading list for a long time, but for some reason, I hadn’t gotten around to reading it. When I saw Bernice had passed away in October, I knew it was finally time to read her book. Boy, I was not disappointed.

Bernice Ende with her horses
Bernice Ende with her horses.

Trips Bernice ende made

1st Long Ride – 2005

Montana to New Mexico, 2,000 miles, May-September 2005

Quote from book: I remember thinking “how will I ever return to a normal life?”–Well I guess I never did. – Bernice Ende

2nd Long Ride – 2006-2007

Roaming the West, 5,000 miles, April 2006-September 2007

Quote from book: “The map tells me what places are ahead, but it does not tell me what lies ahead.” Bernice Ende

3rd Long Ride – 2008

3,000 miles, February-October 2008

Quote from book: “What most of the world accepts as truth I question.” – Bernice Ende

4th Long Ride – 2009-2011

Down Texas Way and Around the West, 6,000 miles, March 2009-June 2011

Quote from book: “Be devoted to your journey Bernice, no matter what journey that may be, be devoted to it.” – Bernice Ende

Vacation Ride – 2011

600 mile vacation ride around Montana

Quote from book: “Where and how did I come to embrace the solitary nights so alone and unprotected? With my horse, of course. It’s no mystery, it was my horse. – Bernice Ende

5th Long Ride – 2012

April 2012 to October 2012 Canadian Ride, First International Ride

Quote from book: “Slow down, be in the present of every minute, and be grateful at the end of each day.” – Bernice Ende

6th Long Ride – 2013

Started in April 2013 – 1,500 mile trip through Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming

Quote from book: “Most importantly, I no longer take for granted this country I live in and the freedoms we enjoy.” – Bernice Ende

7th Long Ride – 2014-2016

8,000 miles ride from Montana to Main and back to Montana, April 2014-June 2016

Quote from book: “Dust your heart off and hitch your wagon to something greater than you. I do hope with all my heart that my rides will impart encouragement to those longing to reach beyond their fears for more.” – Bernice Ende

Some Take Aways from the Book

The Long Riders Guild

I learned Bernice was a member of the Long Riders Guild. It exists to further equestrian exploration and travel worldwide. To be a part of the guild, you must travel 1,000 miles on horseback.

The Long Riders Guild website has three-thousand plus pages. Not only that, but they have a publishing arm- Horse Travel Books is the world’s premier source of equestrian exploration wisdom. (Information taken from Long Riders Guild Website)

The Ride is romanticized

The idea of riding your horse across the country and leaving behind the bustle of the real world sounds appealing to many people. A lot of folks Bernice ran into said they envied her and what she was doing. But what they don’t know is how hard it really was. Bernice made it pretty clear that she worked hard every day to live the life she was living. Dealing with all kinds of weather and life-threatening situations. It surprised me to read about how much work it was to make camp and to break camp each day- 2 hours! Bernice was one tough cookie.

you Don’t just do it for yourself

When asked why she rode, the first reason she listed was to encourage female leadership. In the book Bernice dedicated her ride in 2014-2016 to women’s suffrage. She visited many sites on her ride to pay respects and honor to the ladies, such as Susan B. Anthony, that worked hard for the rights women enjoy today. I find Bernice’s story inspiring because she took a cause that meant something deeply to her. Then, wielded it into her own life so profoundly that she became a heroine herself.

You rely on good people

Bernice emphasized she couldn’t have done it without the kindness and generosity of strangers that passed her on her journey. Whether it was food, shelter, kind words, or directions, trail angels were everywhere. That is what she often called them, those who helped her. She often even made lifelong friends she would visit on future rides.

Bernice Ende map
Bernice Ende map.

Ways to Learn More about Bernice Ende

  • Her website: https://www.endeofthetrail.com/

Unfortunately, the website will be closing down in the near future. Therefore, you had better go check it out for yourself before it does.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ladylongrider

Lady Long Rider Book: available on https://www.flickr.com/photos/75190479@N05/albums

Information on Film made about Bernice

https://www.ladylongrider.com/

Unfortunately, the DVD is no longer available for purchase, but hopefully it will be available to view soon.

YouTube Videos – search for Bernice Ende

Bernice Ende with her horses and dog Claire.

Thank you for being here and thank you to the brave men and women equine travelers. May we always remember the skill, knowledge, and grit that it takes to be a long rider.

There are many reasons why I ride, here are four. To encourage female leadership. To discover, learn and grow. – Bernice Ende

Thank you to endeofthetrail.com for the information and to the longridersguild.com

If you’d like to stick around and learn more about the Narrow Trail. Head on over to the Blog page to read more.

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Rachel
Rachel

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Comments

  1. Jamie Riley says

    December 20, 2021 at 7:24 pm

    I have a niece that loves horses and is learning how to train. She is a Christian and would find value in your blog. Thank you for sharing your love of horses and Christ!-Jamie Riley

    Reply
    • rachel says

      December 20, 2021 at 7:41 pm

      Thank you Jamie!

      Reply
  2. Barbra-Sur says

    December 24, 2021 at 1:28 am

    What a brave lady! The distance of those rides is crazy!

    Reply

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