Distance Riding

Distance riding is a great sport for all ages and skill levels. It tests a horse's condition and stamina, rider intelligence and horsemanship under veterinary supervision on a cross-country trail. Most competitors own and train their own horses. Discipline, dedication and a sense of adventure are the most important ingredients for success. Competitive Trail and Endurance are the two most popular distance sports and Arabians excel at both. Other distance events include Ride & Tie competitions and Mounted Orienteering.

The endurance competitor's motto, "To Finish Is To Win," applies to all types of distance events. Distance riding may be highly competitive and challenging or a recreational activity combining a camping trip with an extended trail ride.

The Arabian Horse Association offers several programs that recognize efforts of distance riders. Click here for a complete list of distance programs.

Come to the AHA National Rides

• National Distance Championship
• AHA Recreational Trail Rides

Endurance Riding

• Is governed by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC).
• Endurance rides vary in distance between 50 and 100 miles in a single day.
• The horse with the fastest time is the winner providing the horse meets the 'fit to continue' criteria as determined by a veterinary judge.
• Horses are monitored by veterinarians throughout the ride at predetermined check points.
• Horses are withdrawn from the ride if judged to be unsound or metabolically unfit.
• Rides have mandatory rests or 'holds' for the horses throughout the ride.
• Rides longer than 100 miles are completed over several days with the horses typically covering 50 miles per day.

One of the most famous of all endurance rides is the Tevis Cup. During a 100-mile, 24 hour endurance ride, Tevis Cup participants race through the rugged Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. In 2007, eight out of the top 10 participants rode Arabians.

Competitive Trail Riding

If you enjoy trail riding, new trails, and making new friends, then you should consider trying competitive trail riding.

• Many rides are sanctioned by the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC).
• Riders are judged on horsemanship as it applies to trail riding.
• Horses are evaluated on soundness, condition, trail ability/manners, and way of going.
• Trail courtesy and safety are key elements, as is the ability to care for a horse during and after a long day on the trail.
• Speed is not the primary objective.
• Time, distance, condition of horse and rider, and horsemanship are the key elements judged.
• Points are deducted from a score of 100 for mistakes or problems.
• Rides are one-day, two-day, or three-day duration and cover 20 to 30 miles per day.
• Four divisions: Novice, Competitive Pleasure, Open and Junior
• Open riders travel over rougher trails, at a faster pace and over a greater distance.
• Riders have a minimum and maximum time to complete the day's ride
• Penalties are given to those who do not meet the time constraints or horses that do not meet the recovery requirements for pulse and respiration.

Ride & Tie

• Two riders with one horse travel on a pre-marked trail in a running and riding pattern.
• Horse must pass a metabolic and physical standard at veterinary checks during and within one hour of finishing the trail.
• Distances range from 10 to 40 miles in one day.
• No minimum time restrictions, but a maximum time limit is set by management. Contact the Ride & Tie Association for additional information.

Mounted Orienteering