What is Endurance?

Endurance riding is an equestrian sport that tests the endurance of both horse and rider. It was formally organized in the United States in the 1950s, and brought to Europe in the 1960s. It has existed for ages in a less formalized manner and demonstrated in movies such as “Hildalgo” & “The Black Stallion Returns”. People and horses of all ages, shapes and sizes can successfully compete in endurance riding. The sport motto is “to finish is to win”. The ride lengths vary in both distance and types of terrain and so does the level of difficulty. In the USA the sport is sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference and consists of Limited Distance (LD, typically 25-30 miles) and endurance rides (between 50, 75 and 100 miles per ride) as well as multi-day rides in which you can earn points to qualify and compete in the annual national championships. Endurance riding is highly demanding for both horse and rider in terms of physical ability and judgment.

The physical fitness and condition of the horse is of paramount importance and each horse is examined by a veterinarian at the start of the race, and at various points during the race. The veterinarian checks for soundness, assessing the pulse of the horse, color of its mucous membranes, and using other fitness indicators. If the veterinarian is in doubt about the fitness of the horse, it is immediately withdrawn from the race to avoid the risk of injury.

Any breed of horse can be used for endurance riding, although heavy breeds are generally discouraged. Many riders prefer Arabians for endurance riding because of the breeds stamina and natural endurance abilities. Developing a close horse and rider relationship allows for good communication and trust along the trail, something which is crucial for long rides and challenging terrain.

Unlike other equestrian sports, the attire for endurance riding is not heavily regulated. Both horse and rider dress for comfort, many times wearing layers of clothing which can be removed as needed. The horse is typically outfitted with durable, well fitting and light weight tack. There is a lot to learn to compete in the sport, so it’s helpful to find a mentor or group of mentors if you are thinking of competing.

Things you’ll need:

Horse

Well fitting saddle/tack

Comfortable clothes

Water for you and horse

Food for you and horse

Transportation - Horse trailer & Truck

For more information on Endurance Riding or the Clark Expedition contact Laurie Bacopoulos at (404) 786-1125 or send an e-mail at laurieb@cobblestoneconsulting.com..