Endurance- Complete beginner

[AlDestoor]

I'm an avid hacker and love going on mini adventures.

I'm thinking of getting into some endurance rides and wondering where to start, what to consider, any advice really like what to take, how to get involved in it.

I literally know nothing about it so any advice would be appreciated.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Well I am in Scotland but expect EnduranceGB to run similar rides to SERC (Scottish Endurance Riding Club). So there should be taster rides (around 8km), pleasure rides, graded endurance rides and competitive rides upawrds of that (ie for advanced horses). Why not contact your local branch-up here you can volunteer to help out at events which is a good way of seeing what's involved.

 

[Steerpike]

Feel free to pm me, which area are you in? Endurance is split into smaller groups depending on which area you live, the majority of these groups hold social/training rides sometimes these are run alongside graded rides. You also learn a lot from volunteering at rides and helpers are always welcome! There are also different schemes such as a try before you buy ticket! More information can be found on the endurance website https://endurancegb.co.uk/main/

 

[cold_feet]

The EGB site at the link posted by Steerpike will give you lots of info on how endurance rides work. Use the site to find your local group and see if they have any training/pleasure rides lined up. Many groups run pleasure rides alongside their competitive rides, and they are a great place to start. You will also find names of people you can contact for more information. If you are nervous about getting started, as suggested below volunteer to help out at a ride, it will give you a good idea of how it all works, and you will get to know people already involved. Have fun!

 

[Morgan123]

Yeahhh do it it's so fun! It's by FAR the most friendly sport, just enter a pleasure ride (that's the entry level ones, starting at just ten miles so completely accessible for all) and ask anything you need to here or when you get there, people are always happy to help. You're in quite a good location for endurance too! Some quite nice rides around the midlands. Sometimes people also ask on the ride facebook pages for company to ride with, so if you want to go with someone else the first few times you can find someone. I also agree volunteering at a ride is good experience!
You can do quite a few rides without joining, then join once you get into it. You don't need anything special tack-wise or anything when you start off.
Good luck and let us know how you get on!

 

[zaminda]

Endurance is great fun and very welcoming, you will meet all sorts! I would start by working out how far and how fast you are currently going, and find either some EGB pleasure rides, or some fun rides locally and just give it a go.
For a pleasure ride you just have to trot up, for a graded ride, they take heart rate, check them over and trot up, which is both ends of the ride for the shorter ones, and with mid way ones when you start going further.
Its a lovely way to ride in places you wouldn't normally be able to, I went to Wales at the weekend which was amazing!