While the Arabian horse is most commonly found in modern endurance riding, Akhal-Tekes and Akhal-Teke sport horses are proving their mettle in this demanding sport. According to the AERC, there are 29 Akhal Teke (cross or pure breds) that have competed in the United States (information provided by Monica Bennett).

Endurance rider Monica Bennett, shown above with her Akhal-Teke/Polish Arabian sport horse "Inde", tells of a recent endurance ride: "RHR Atash 'Inde,' has completed his 300th mile at the 50+ distance, finishing 13th out of 46th riders at the Malibu 50 held on May 15, 2004 in Malibu,  CA.  We have now qualified to enter the AERC 50 mile national championships to be held at Warner Springs, CA on October 10, 2004.  Our next goal is to make the entry list for Tevis. We are currently 68th on the wait list and very hopeful that we will get in.  It will be our first 100 miler and our first attempt at the Tevis trail.…Inde has completed a total of 380 miles (80 in limited distance and 300 in 50 mile rides) in the last three years.  So far in this ride season we have completed four races (Sunland 50 on November 15th, finishing 14th out of 40 riders; Old Warriors Water Hunt 50 on March 13th, finishing 18th out of 30 riders; Survivor I and II, 2-day 100 miler on May 1st & 2nd,  finishing 7th out of 10 riders on the first day and 3rd out of 4 riders the second day).  We are continuing our conditioning at home until Tevis, July 31st."

Kelsey Swanson, shown above with her Akhal-Teke/Arabian sport horse "Aipuyi" writes: "We just got back from the Mt. Carmel race and I got third place out of 45 riders on the second 50 after a 55 miler the day before. I was riding our Teke/Arab gelding, 'Aipuyi,' half Arab/half Teke out of Senetir. He could've done again the next day. He was so strong at the finish you would never have believed he did 105 miles in 2 days! The only two people to beat me were Crocket Dumas and his wife, and if you know Crocket you know he was flying. But they were both on fresh horses. I'm so pleased with that horse I can't even tell you."

Above (top), Robert Coates (left, on Tickles, Akhal-Teke/TB sport horse) and Ed Spitzer (right, on Ataman, purebred Akhal-Teke gelding, formerly named Primo) set out on the October 2002 Manzanita Endurance Ride 25-miler in San Diego County, CA. Tickles gets checked for vital signs at the end of the ride (bottom). Ed came in 14th and Robert came in 15th (sequential finishes!!) out of about 80 riders. By the end of that ride, everyone knew who the Akhal-Tekes were!