What is endurance competition?

What is endurance competition?

An Endurance Ride is an equestrian athletic event for riders with any breed of horse covering a measured course within a specified maximum time. It may be best described as a cross-country contest with horses traveling 80 to 160 km in one day.

How do you become an endurance horse rider?

If your horse is overweight or very unfit, start very slowly. Begin by riding four to six days a week, five miles per workout, at a pace of four to six miles per hour. Gradually increase your time, distance and speed. Start conditioning at least 8 to 12 weeks before the event.

How long is endurance riding?

In the United States, most endurance rides are either 50 or 100 miles (160 km) long. Shorter rides, called Limited Distance rides (LD), are organized for new riders to the sport or young horses being trained.

How long does a 50 mile endurance ride take?

You have 12 hours to finish a 50-mile ride and 24 hours to complete a significantly more challenging 100-mile ride. To learn about endurance riding before you actually enter a competition, the best tactic is to first volunteer at an event.

How fast do endurance horses go?

Tips and Hints for Endurance Riding

Can any horse do endurance?

Endurance is open to all equine breeds (horses, ponies, and mules) that are 5 years and older. AERC has set a minimum age limit of 4 for Limited Distance. Endurance horses must be thoroughly trained and conditioned to meet the demands of the modern endurance competition.

What kind of saddles do endurance riders use?

The brand of choice that most endurance riders prefer is Stowaway (available from Synergist Saddles), which has both pommel and cantle packs. These handy packs come in a variety of colors for English, Western, and trail saddles.