endurance riding..

[ldlp111]

Just wondered if anyone could give me a rough idea of what happens at them.
Do you need good map skills? Is it very exciting for the horses?
Just basically what happens throughout the day.

As you can now compete as a riding club team so thought I might give it a go

Thanks

 

[Happytohack]

Endurance riding is great fun and anyone with a fit enough horse can have a go. At the top level of the sport, most horses are Arabs or have a lot of Arab blood in them - but there are exceptions!

Have a look at www.endurancegb.co.uk and find your local group. They will run pleasure rides as well as competitive rides. It's a good idea to go to a low-key pleasure ride to start with which will get your horse used to being out and about with quite a lot of other horses without worrying about competing. You don't need to be brilliant at map reading (!) as all the routes are well marked, but it does help to have a vague idea of where you are. Map reading gets better with practice. Rides start out at distances of approx 10 miles (16km) and go right up to 100 miles (160km) in a day. Another good way to find out about the sport is to offer to help at a competitive ride - you will be welcomed with open arms and really learn alot.

Endurance riders are a friendly lot and you'll get lots of support and encouragement.

Have fun!

 

[Oberon]

Start off with a pleasure ride to get a taste of it. 15 - 20 miles is a pleasant ride with reasonable fitness and everyday equipment. PR are at a speed of your choosing, so you can enjoy the ride without worrying about time too much.

Then you elevate to competitive trail rides at novice level.

Then increase the distance with open to advanced level.

Then you may be ready for race rides.

Pleasure rides, you roll up, book in and collect your map, trot up for the vet, tack up and go.

You get a drawn map, a written map and you follow the markers too. Between the three, you should be able to find your way

At the end of the ride, you untack, rub down and water your horse, trot up for the vet, then make your horse comfy.

Then you collect your rosette.

When you do competition, there is a full, metabolic vetting and you get a time to present and a time to start your ride. You need to keep within the time for your class and you must present to the vet within 30 mins of your finish time. You are graded on horse's heart rate and your average speed in simple terms, but there are other formulas used sometimes.

It is a great day out, with stunning views and friendly people.

DO NOT RIDE IN A THONG........

 

[spookypony]

It's great fun!

Even a Pleasure Ride is at a fair clip to make the time---think a good steady trot, with canter bits to make up for walk bits. The terrain you cross depends entirely on the area, and can vary from bits of roads, through forest tracks and open fields. Some horses get very excited, because people do pass each other, so it's probably a good idea to go out with someone steady until you know how your horse will react.

Make sure you bring lots of water, and a good fleece or sweat sheet! My pony is usually soaked by the end, and bouncing around like a loon. A very excited loon!

 

[HollyB66]

I've done a few training rides now and have always gone with a friend. I think it helps if you are 'paired up' for when the more serious riders pass by.

The endurance rides are the most friendly organised rides I have been on. They are really well marked on the ground, so you would probably get round even if you didn't follow the map.