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Question & Answer - Endurance Riding

September/October 1999 DHR

Question: Arabian horses are reputed to have a talent for Endurance competitions. What are the components of endurance racing and the defining characteristics of an endurance ride? How can a model Arab be depicted in an endurance ride situation?

Answer: The American Endurance Ride Conference sanctions endurance rides and requires only that there be some sort of saddle and bridle, the horse must have shoes and must be at least 5 years old, and the rider must wear a helmet. The most prestigious endurance rides are 100 miles, and there is no time limit.

New endurance riders begin with a 25-mile ride after training and conditioning over various sorts of terrain. One recommendation is to ride for an hour three or four times per week, mostly trotting as it provides good conditioning with less stress on the legs. The endurance competition can take place over such varied terrain as mountains, desert, forest, beaches, and even city streets.

During a competition, the horse must go through a vet check every 12 miles for stress. The vet checks for pulse rate, respiration rate, lameness, and hydration. The horse will not complete the competition if it does not pass a vet's requirements, the last check taking place an hour after the horse finishes.

Many types of model horses can be depicted in an endurance ride competition. During a ride, the horse may trot, canter or gallop over the open trails, may walk early to come into a vet check (to rest up!), may be standing to be examined by a vet, or may be inspected by a vet at the walk or trot in a line or on a lunge. On the endurance trail, the rider may even run along side the horse for a stretch! The horse can be depicted in nearly any trail situation (no obstacle needed!) as well as others, such as riding at a high altitude (dig out your scenic vacation photos for a backdrop!), climbing an incline, negotiating a tight turn, or traversing a rocky area.

The saying in endurance riding is "TO FINISH IS TO WIN." At this level, awards are given to all finishers and to the horse in best condition.

This information is taken from the USET's Endurance web site at www.symbolic.com/uset/us33.htm and from www.equiworld.com/global/faqs/10.htm Actual web site URLs may have changed since publication of this article.