Endurance GB or Sport Endurance?

[diddy]

Hi all.

I am thinking of joining an endurance organisation this year. We did a few events last year but missed some planned rides as I ended up taking kids to other things etc. I think if I sign up to something I will get better at prioritising my own weekends! Just wondering about your experiences with the endurance bodies..?

Thank you ?

 

[crazyandme]

EGB are unfortunately blowing up a little bit internally at the moment, lots has changed in the last few months wrt the board and several other things as they are trying to settle it all in; but that shouldn't effect much once it has been sorted. I never did much with them as I only ever did Pony Club endurance before I went to uni, but my sister went to FEI through them and had a few very good years loving it as a young rider before she went to uni herself
Sports Endurance is a splinter group from EGB, they aren't accredited with BEF and therefore cannot have anything to do with FEI. Very similar otherwise, but I think the distances they offer tend to be shorter as well

I have done pleasure rides with both, people are always happy to help if you need a hand with working out what you are doing, rides are generally pretty well marked but not always (I got very lost one year in Windsor Great Park!), some of the rosettes are wonderful! I ended up with 5 from one 32km ride last year, 3 of which were huge spotty frilly things! I had hoped to do some longer distance rides with my sister's ex FEI horse, but unfortunately he has a bit of arthritis that meant he lames out at 64km so I did some pleasure rides with both over the summer, and then moved back to Germany last October

Which is better depends on what you want to achieve and your area I think, as if you are just looking to have a bit of fun up to 40km, both would work perfectly fine and it's a case of which has more rides to suit you! If you are looking to be more serious, then EGB would be better due to longer rides being more easily available!

 

[EstherYoung]

Hi Diddy,

Just to say you'd be made more than welcome with Endurance GB. 270-odd events over the country including 70 competitive rides, several of which are multi days so you'd in effect get lots of mini riding holidays to boot, whatever level you intend on riding at ;-) And you'll make friends which will last a lifetime.

If you need any help or advice, please do shout. I'm the vice chair, for my sins.