Getting started in endurance.

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Is something I have been toying with, I don't jump (can't - don't ask, have tried but cannot get it right! ) and no good at schooling - but I LOVE hacking, so thought I'd look at pleasure rides leading to possibly some endurance.

Now, I don't have an Arab but I do have a very forward going trotter who seems to have plenty of stamina and likes being out and about as much as I do.

I assume I could start training out on hacks, but this is a sport I know nothing about! I am in the south east. Where would be a good place to start?:)
 
I'm just considering having a go this year too! :). If you have a look on the Endurance GB website there will be a link to your regional group. I'm in the SW and their training rides are starting mid Feb, so worth a look to see if you can get to any of those.

The first training rides with the SW group are 16km rides (10 miles). There's info on what to expect on the EGB website too. There should be links on the regional page of people that can help you too. :)
 
First of all YOU DO NOT NEED AN ARAB!!!!!! Any horse that is sound and well can do well in Endurance with the proper preparation. If you are going for forward going hacks for 2 hours and you horse is doing fine then they are ready for a 16km pleasure ride. A forward going trot will get you round in a good time- canter where you can. There are time limits to do the distance but I would not worry too much when you initially start as long as you are not walking all the way and out hours!!

You will find people very friendly and will be happy to answer any questions - we were all newbies at one point! I volunteered to help at a ride so I could see what it was all about - you would be received with open arms believe me!!

You do not need any special kit - if you get hooked and want to do it competively then there is loads of stuff you can indulge yourself with!! There is no dress code other than strappy tops are discouraged! You need to be comfortable and take a drink with you. Your horse does not need to be turned out in any particular way.

Get out there and do a ride - you will love it!
 
Endurance is great and the people who do it are so friendly. I did it with my friend a couple of years ago, 32k was the farthest we did, and it was great. I have a haf x warmblood and she has an andulucian x Connemara. Both of which can be idiots about different things hacking but found we could alternate who leads which made things easy. We used EGB website and started with NCRs. Give it a go, but get ready to do lots of washing!
 
There is a very active and friendly EGB group in the south east so that would be your best place to start. Be warned though - it's very addictive.

ps Trotters are bliddy brilliant at endurance. The lady who Wolf and me went to for starting has trotters and she's done very well with them. She's got a couple of youngsters in the wings that she reckons will be her secret weapons ;) (and I rode one of them while I was there - her length of stride was awesome).
 
I have had a few endurance rides on my cob, and last year I started to loan my friend's advanced endurance mare. She is 16 now and we are only going to do up to 65km (I say only :D that's probably plenty far enough for me!).
We are members of EGB south east and are based in East Kent. My mare is 14.3 hh and PBA.
 
Endurance is amazing fun, if you like hacking - like Extreme Hacking really :-). As rides start at about 10km, you just need your horse to be relatively fit in the first instance - you don't need to do anything particularly special if it's realtively fit anyway. Most endurance is done at a trot so maybe just increase your trot work and hill work, and give the first ride or two a go.

The groups are SO friendly - way more so than any other equestrian sport i've ever done - if you enter a ride and say to the organisers that you're a newbie they would prob find someone for you to go round with. Also people are super polite usually about passing (compared to just normal fun rides and sponsored rides) and it doesn't wind your horse up as much as fun rides either - it's just amazing.

It's a bit addictive though, so be warned :-).
 
I too wwould love to start this on my pony Im 32, have a 13.2 and have no way of competing due to his hight,my age restrictions so endurance sounds fun! :)
Im in West Walses if any one can get in touch with info on this areas events?
 
Endurance is also something I have thought about. Going to take my pony to his first sponsored ride in the Spring and see how he gets on. If he enjoys it, I will definitely be looking into this more. I'm in the South East too :)
 
I did endurance for many years on a three quarter bred thoroughbred. She was the most successful endurance horse in her day. She won 6 Golden Horshoes at Exmoor which involved riding 100 miles over 2 days at a minimum of 8 miles per hour. So no, you do not have to have any special breed of horse so long as it is fit and healthy.

I do suggest you get someone (non rider) to go with you as they will be very useful to crew for you i.e look after you and your horse along the route. As well as giving you and horse a drink it is good for the morale to know you will see a familiar face at checkpoints.

It is a brilliant sport so take the plunge
 
TC: What counts as a training day? Is it just the ride, or with a bit more guidance etc? Are these routes marked or do you find your way? I know nothing about Endurance!
 
Lego. U get a map & can wear a green ribbon to indicate newbie. Write on the form its your first ride so vet knows. Nothing to worry about, have u done a sponsored ride before? I cant wait!
 
Wiz07 look at the west Wales endurance group site. I've just been looking at it as I'm tying with the idea of having a go. I fancy trying the Pembrey ride in the spring as a start.
 
TC wish I was near u I really want to give this a go too! Gonna check out what/who is local to me in NE Lincs!:)
 
Thanks Esther! Have checked their link out from Endurance GB and the secretrary only lives down the road from me so will def get in touch with her!
 
The Brendon ride is just amazing. You ride over the downs and the views are outstanding. We still box down there and do the ride regularly. Galloping full pelt up devils dyke is the best feeling in the world.
 
I'd love to do endurance too. First stop getting my driving license, then a car, then my trailer license, then a trailer... then I can do it haha :D
 
Omg ive always wanted to try endurance. I have a tbx who stays fairly fit all year round. Im not keen on schooling and neither is my horse! Dressage and show jumping doesnt intrest me but honestly I could hack for hours! Did 3 hours this morning in the sunshine. Only problem for me would be transport. Only 17 and not even attempted to drive yet! Would mean I would be relying on others but would love to try in spring. Will get on the endurance g b website and get trotting!
 
This is very encouraging! Looking to do a pleasure type ride in may - need to get him up and fit as he hasn't been ridden since october and I want to take things slow and strenghthen his legs first.

I am based at the foot of the south downs so I have plenty of hills to work on. Really looking forward to getting him started and I'm now off the mooch on the EGB site!!
 
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