What is endurance?
You're taking a pleasant stroll down a trail in the middle of nowhere enjoying the peace and quite nature brings. Suddenly, a horse and rider zoom past, trotting down the trail (hopefully politely asking you to step off the trail or slowing down to go around you!). Their appearance is strange - the rider is wearing skin-tight leggings and a helmet, the horse is wearing some sort of boot around its feet and a number on its butt, and both are color-coordinated from head to toe. After that rider disappears, another one comes, then another! You round the corner and there they all are - horses of all breeds (though mostly Arabians) standing around having snacks and more are arriving, some are having their name called and then leaving, and a few are having their pulse taken with a stethoscope and times called out, and others are trotting to and from some sort of judge who then looks them over (including under their tail!) and writes down some information. Congratulations, you've just discovered an endurance ride vet check.
According to Wikipedia, endurance is "an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races." In other words, it's like a long-distance cross-country race with horses. And it's the addiction of thousands of riders across the United States and the world.
Endurance rides range from 25-mile "Limited Distance" (LD) rides up to 100-mile rides sometimes done across some of the toughest, but most scenic, locations in America. Riders are generally given 6 hours per 25-miles covered to complete the ride, including up to a 1-hour "hold", where horses are checked by vets and both they and their riders have a chance to relax. This means that 100-mile rides are completed in under 24 hours! Rules are enforced that protect the welfare of the horses - though none exist for the welfare of the rider!
The governing and sanctioning body for endurance in America is AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference). They both set rules and regulations as well as sanction rides for which riders will be given AERC credit. If you are interested in endurance, this is a must-join organization.
International competitors participate in FEI rides. Though the basic concept is the same, AERC is more geared toward completing the ride while FEI is geared toward racing and winning. Therefore, the goals, rules, regulations, and general atmosphere of FEI varies significantly from AERC. This website is geared more toward AERC-style endurance. Visit this page for more information about FEI v. AERC endurance riding.
According to Wikipedia, endurance is "an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races." In other words, it's like a long-distance cross-country race with horses. And it's the addiction of thousands of riders across the United States and the world.
Endurance rides range from 25-mile "Limited Distance" (LD) rides up to 100-mile rides sometimes done across some of the toughest, but most scenic, locations in America. Riders are generally given 6 hours per 25-miles covered to complete the ride, including up to a 1-hour "hold", where horses are checked by vets and both they and their riders have a chance to relax. This means that 100-mile rides are completed in under 24 hours! Rules are enforced that protect the welfare of the horses - though none exist for the welfare of the rider!
The governing and sanctioning body for endurance in America is AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference). They both set rules and regulations as well as sanction rides for which riders will be given AERC credit. If you are interested in endurance, this is a must-join organization.
International competitors participate in FEI rides. Though the basic concept is the same, AERC is more geared toward completing the ride while FEI is geared toward racing and winning. Therefore, the goals, rules, regulations, and general atmosphere of FEI varies significantly from AERC. This website is geared more toward AERC-style endurance. Visit this page for more information about FEI v. AERC endurance riding.