Competitive endurance riding - where to start?

Girlracer

Girlracer

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I've been interested in having a go at some endurance riding for a long time now, but quite frankly I've no idea where to start.

Can anybody tell me a little bit more about it? What are the 'levels', what skills are needed, what is needed from the horse etc etc?

I have an eight year old thoroughbred, I presume a thoroughbred is more than capable, when fit, of endurance riding?

Any info or photos would be great, I have had a brief look online and have learnt a bit but sometimes others experiences are more helpful.
 
If you have a look at the Endurance GB website you should be able to get the contact details for your local group. Most areas have trianing and fun rides to try out. We found the Surrey group very helpful and they arranged a taster lecture and later a ride for our pony club.
 
I am also just starting, in France. The rules may be different here but not that different. We need our horses to be registered as Cheval de Sport, so find out if you and/or your horse need to be registered.

In France you can start at 20kms which is not much more than going for a long hack. I have young horses so there speed falls into a window, 4 years 10-12kmh, 5 years 12-15kmh.

When you finish your ride you have (in France 20mins) for the horse to be presented to the vet for soundness and heart rate. The points are calculated based upon speed and final heart rate. You can measure this yourself with a stethascope in training. (My young Shagya stallion got top marks of the day at his first endurance because his heart was 36)

This why (surprisingly) CB's make fantastic endurance horses as the heart rate comes down low quickly.

Even at 20kms it is nice to have a helper to provide you and your horse with a much needed drink - my o/h get nil points for that and has undergone a programme of re-training!!!

You don't need to start with special kit GP saddle will do for the lower kms.

I hope you have fun..enjoy.
 
Im a member of Sport Endurance ( they have a website and fb page). They have three levels of rides - pleasure, next step ( with vetting and I think between 5-8 mph) and competitive.

I do pleasure and NS with my youngster and have just started doing pleasure rides with my other cob. It's very friendly nd great fun.
 
Girlracer said:
I've been interested in having a go at some endurance riding for a long time now, but quite frankly I've no idea where to start.

Probably start with your local area group of EGB. Have a look on the EGB website at the "groups map" and see which you fall into, then have a look at the group's own website (either find the link from the EGB website or google it and it shouldn't be hard to find). :) There's also quite a lot on facebook both from EGB and the various groups.

Can anybody tell me a little bit more about it? What are the 'levels', what skills are needed, what is needed from the horse etc etc?

Someone else is certainly better equipped to answer this than me! I've done pleasure rides for years but this season I've started novice graded rides. To understand the levels and distances its probably best to work your way through the EGB website. I'm not sure about skills, perhaps being a confident hacker is the main thing. You always encounter all sorts of hazards and challenges the same as you would hacking, but you're going faster. Horses just need to be in regular work, sound and able to hack at a varied pace for a couple of hours without tiring to do novice graded rides IMO. You learn by doing it. I'm still getting my head round speeds and heart rates and everything that goes into endurance (it gets very technical the more advanced you get) but you can just go out and do it, and enjoy it - working your way up, making mistakes along the way, you don't need to swallow the rule book or a training manual first, you just need a sound healthy horse that you get on with. :cool:

I have an eight year old thoroughbred, I presume a thoroughbred is more than capable, when fit, of endurance riding?

Sounds brilliant to me.

Any info or photos would be great, I have had a brief look online and have learnt a bit but sometimes others experiences are more helpful.
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I love showing off my boy but nearly all my recent photos are pro pics, we hardly ever take any. :(
 
Thanks so much for all your help - off to have a look on the EGB website!

We're very confident hackers and often go out exploring new local bridleways for hours, which is why I wanted to give it a go. It won't be until next year as having broken my ankle it will be another month before I'm riding again, but something to aim toward.

Do you go alone or go in a group?
 
I would start by going to an endurance camp, they often vary in ages and ability but if you are in Scotland SERC hold a good under 21's endurance camp. If you look at your local endurance clubs website they should hold an anual camp. Also by starting off by doing some pleasure rides and small endurances in areas you know well. Maybe start off with 5k, and start doing longer hacking, hope that helps:)
 
Flame_ said:
I love showing off my boy but nearly all my recent photos are pro pics, we hardly ever take any. :(
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you need to have a strong fit horse that isn't going to spook at everything it that jumps out at it,
it is advisable to have a horse that doesn't mind going through water, opening gates etc
you need to have a horse that won't just take off with you whenever it gets to an open feild,
it is advisable to have friends to do it with,
you need to be prepared for the event with things such as a map, water bottle,
You're horse must be able to walk/trot/canter on grounds that are soggy, stony etc (I would advise shoeing the horse)

Thats all my basic tips, but for a beginner there isn't much more.
 
I see you are Oakham area so you come under Leics & Rutland Group. Have a look on our website www.lregb.co.uk. We have a ride on in August nr Oundle which has a social ride on the saturday and Pleasure and Competitive rides on the sunday. Do come along we are all a friendly jolly bunch and really encourage new people to the sport. You will ride in some fab places and meet loads of new friends. :)
 
I have just sent an email to my local group, so I will wait to hear back.

My horse is an absolute saint to hack, as I have done so much of it with him since I got him and we both enjoy it. He's not particularly spooky, and I normally jump more if something flies out at us. He's great with gates and water and has never hot up over an open field! I've done quite a few pleasure rides with him which I've always enjoyed. Sounds as though we're ticking the boxes so far.

It sounds great fun and I enjoy following the endurance posts on here, it's a shame there aren't more.
 
PS forgot to say, If you are coming alone and would like a buddy to ride with you please just ask the secretary. We always try to buddy people up if they request. It is a fab way to get an introduction to the sport. :)
 
I'm with SERC rather than EGB, so can't answer the levels questions for England very well...in general, though, you get pleasure rides up to 29km, and then competitive rides. Those come in various types as well: competitive trail rides, and race rides. Generally under either affiliation, you have to complete a certain number of rides at each distance to qualify to try longer distances (though it would be rather silly to do only the minimum number of rides for qualifying!).

My pony, though of a very spooky suspicious temperament, was generally a pleasure to hack before we started competing. Now that he thinks he's learned his job, however, brakes are becoming an...interesting...issue! He used to be fine to be passed, for example, but now he's started tail-chasing, which can be useful if you need a tow, but also really annoying if you're trying to pace yourself! On the other hand, he's become much much better at vetting, which he used to find very scary.

I'd say the most essential characteristics for the horse are soundness, and the temperament to deal with a long, sometimes exciting ride as well as the vetting.

To get started, I would recommend contacting your local branch of EGB, and also to have a read of the rule book. It's not that long, but can clarify a lot of stuff about going up levels, etc.
 
Girlracer said:
Do you go alone or go in a group?
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I would suggest going with a group to begin with, that means someone can read the map (if needed) and if something goes wrong then you're friends can help you out! Of course when you become closer to the finish line separate so you can try and get a place!hahaha. Also going with a group is so much more fun!
 
Not a lot to add really apart from Leics group are absolutely lovely - you'll be in good hands :) :)

As a bit of a taster here is some Spudcam from their next ride at Provost Lodge:
[youtube]EJVIK6q3NSk[/youtube]
 
bethanwhamond said:
I would suggest going with a group to begin with, that means someone can read the map (if needed) and if something goes wrong then you're friends can help you out! Of course when you become closer to the finish line separate so you can try and get a place!hahaha. Also going with a group is so much more fun!
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:D Yes, it does take a while to develop the skill of reading maps at a canter! :D
 
I've only done one EGB ride but have done 7 or 8 rides I think with Sport Endurance. SE are midlands based so lots of local rides to choose from where as EGB obviously spread further a field.

I've always ridden in company so far, found lots of friendly people on the SE Facebook page or through their website. I tend to ride with one or two others but hope as mine and my geldings confidence increases we may start to go it alone.
 
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