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Discipline - Endurance Riding

Introduction to Endurance Riding

Endurance Riding is one of the newest and fastest growing equestrian sports in the world. Although organized endurance rides were held in the US as early as the mid- 1800s, the modern sport of endurance riding really began in the in 1955 when the Tevis Cup, a one day, 100 mile ride from Squaw Valley, Nevada to Auburn California, was first run. Other rides followed and the first national endurance riding association, the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972. Endurance Riding first was brought to Europe in the 1960s and is recognized by the FEI. Endurance Rides are held worldwide, with rules varying from country to country.

There are two main types of long distance riding; Competitive Trail Rides and Endurance Rides. Competitive Trail Rides are shorter and other factors besides speed are considered. Horses may not come in under or over a certain time and veterinary checks, rider behavior and other elements play a role in the placings.

Endurance Rides are races over a trail of 50 to 150 miles. Terrain can be varied and challenging. The events are commonly held over one to three days. Horses are checked by qualified veterinarians and judges before, during and after the ride. Although for many people the mantra is "to finish is to win", the first horse and rider team over the finish line (and deemed fit by a vet) is the winner.

Before attempting an endurance ride, you may want to participate in some competitive trail rides or mileage rides where you can learn to pace your horse over slightly shorter distances. It's a good idea to ride over varied terrain including steep climbs. If your horse isn't used to traffic, you may also want to teach him to be calm around highway and off road vehicles.

The Endurance Horse

Arabs are often thought of as the ideal endurance horse because of their incredible stamina and tough hooves but at any endurance ride you will see representatives of many horse and pony breeds competing successfully. In general a good endurance horse will have a balanced conformation, a relatively light build, a strong back and excellent feet. Most importantly the horse's temperament must suit the rider - 100 miles is a long way if you can't work as a team!

EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED

  • A comfortable saddle that fits both horse and rider. There are lightweight saddles specifically made for endurance riders; at the lower levels they resemble a western saddles. Higher level saddles are more like English saddles.
  • A bitless bridle makes it easier for the horse to eat or drink on trail.
  • Breastplate to keep the saddle in place over terrain.
  • Halter
  • Lead rope
  • Sponges
  • Buckets
  • Extra saddle pads or girth to replace sweat soaked or muddy ones.
  • Feed for your horse.
  • Coolers, rain sheets and blankets according to the weather. Be prepared for any weather.
  • Comfortable clothing, including approved helmet. Be prepared for any weather.
  • Grooming tools.
  • Electrolytes-a salt/sugar solution that helps keep your horse hydrated.
  • You'll want to recruit a support crew to help look after your horse and you during the ride. Learn how to give your horse electrolytes.

RULES OF THE RIDE

The ride is divided into sections or phases. After each phase, horses are stopped for a veterinary inspection (sometimes called a "vetgate"), where they are checked for soundness and dehydration, with their pulse and respiration taken. To continue the ride, the horse must pass the examination, including reducing its heart rate below that specified for the event, typically 64 bpm, although terrain and weather may require the ride veterinarians to set a different maximum target. The riders' time keeps running while they are in the vetgate, so it is important that the horses recover as soon as possible. Any horse deemed unfit to continue (due to lameness or excessive fatigue, for example) is eliminated from further competition.

After the veterinary inspection the horse must be held for an additional time (usually between 20-45 minutes), at which time it is fed and watered.

Riders must have a great knowledge of pace, knowing when to slow down or speed up during the ride, as well as being familiar with their horse's condition and signs of tiring. Riders may choose to ride, or may dismount and walk or jog with their horse without penalty. However, they must be mounted when they cross the starting and finish lines.

The terrain that riders compete over varies greatly from ride to ride. However, natural obstacles (called "hazards") are marked on the trails with red flags on the right and white flags on the left. When so marked, riders must pass through the flags.

One well-known 100-mile endurance ride is The Western States Trail Ride, popularly called The Tevis Cup. Additionally, the top riders and horses compete at the World Equestrian Games, the Endurance World Championships, and the European Endurance Championships.

One day international competitions are 40-160 km. Multi-day competitions are longer, but have daily distance limits. Those that are FEI recognized and are broken into the following categories:

  • CEI * (one star): minimum average distance each day is 40-79 km
  • CEI **: 80-119 km minimum average distance each day
  • CEI ***: 120+ km minimum average distance each day
  • CEI ****: usually 160 km, with the winners completing in 10-12 hours

Note: CEI is the notation that the competition is an FEI-approved international competition.

When first recognized by the FEI, there were only four international competitions. This grew to an average of 18 rides per year by 1998, when the first World Championships were held in the United Arab Emirates. The World Championships provided a huge boost to the sport, and by 2005 there were 353 international competitions, second to only eventing and show jumping. Due to the huge increase in international competition, endurance is growing quite rapidly worldwide.