Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find information about Endurance and Competitive Trail competition?
From the U.S. Cavalry Endurance Ride in 1919 evolved two competitions which are
gaining popularity today: "Endurance" and "Competitive Trail." Arabians excel at both.
Distance riding in general is a test of horse condition and stamina, rider
intelligence and horsemanship, and the team effort of both over a cross-country
trail under veterinary supervision.
The beauty of distance riding is that both novice riders and those with vast
experience can enter the same events. At distance competitions you'll encounter
the old, the young, the fit and the not so fit. Endurance riding is particularly
appealing to the person with an average income; you need not be wealthy to
participate. An endurance rider is almost always the equine's owner, trainer,
and groom. Discipline, dedication and a sense of adventure are the most important
ingredients for success.
The endurance riders motto, "To Finish Is To Win," applies to all types of
distance events. For some, it is a highly competitive and challenging athletic
endeavor. For others, it is a recreational activity combining a camping trip with
an extended trail ride. For yet others, it provides an opportunity to discover
America as our forefathers did--from the back of a horse.
Endurance riding is defined by the
American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) as an
athletic event with the same horse and rider covering a measured course within a
specified maximum time." Endurance rides are races which vary in distance between 25
and 100 miles and are covered 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 staff. The horses are monitored by veterinarians throughout the ride
at pre-determined check points and will be withdrawn from the ride if they are judged
to be unsound or metabolically unfit. Each ride has mandatory rests or 'holds' for the
horses throughout the ride. Some rides are longer than 100 miles but are completed over
a period of several days with the horses typically covering 50 miles per day.
The rules require horses to be at least five years old to begin competing in 50
mile races. The winner is the rider who completes the ride in the least amount of
time. Prizes awarded include: Top Ten, Best Condition and Completion. The Best
Condition award is available to those who finish in the top ten. For this valued
award the judges consider the speed of the ride time, the total weight of rider
and tack, and the condition of the horse at the finish line.
Most endurance rides also have a shorter novice ride of about 25 miles. These
rides are not considered endurance rides by AERC but are referred to as Limited
Distance rides. These are great for more inexperienced horses and riders.
Although endurance rides are technically 'races' many (if not most) riders
participate for completion rather than placing. To these riders the satisfaction
of completing 50 or 100 miles on a sound horse is the prize.
Contact the
American Endurance Riding Conference (AERC) 701 High St., Suite 203,
Auburn, CA 95603 (916) 823-2260. Also check out
Endurance Net.
One of the most famous of all endurance rides is the
Tevis Cup. During a 100-mile,
24 hour endurance ride, the Tevis Cup participants race through the rugged Sierra
Nevada Mountains in California.
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If you enjoy trail riding, experiencing new trails, and making new friends, then
you should consider trying competitive trail riding. Participants get the chance
to improve their riding skills by competing in the friendly and fun atmosphere of
competitive trail riding.
Competitive trail riding's emphasis is on teaching riders how to improve their
horsemanship skills. Riders are judged on their horsemanship as it applies to trail
riding. 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.
There are three levels of competition, beginning with those just learning the sport
up to the expert competitor. Sometimes described as a road rally on horseback. Here,
speed is not the primary objective. Time, distance, condition of horse and rider, and
horsemanship are the key elements judged in these events. Points are deducted for
mistakes or problems from a score of 100. The horse and rider are judged separately.
Horses are evaluated based on: soundness, condition, trail ability/manners, and way
of going.
Most rides are sanctioned by the
North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC).
These can be one-day, two-day, or three-day rides with Novice Division and Competitive
Pleasure Division riders covering 20 miles each day, with Open Division riders going
around 30 miles per day. Open riders travel over rougher trails, at a faster pace and
over more miles. There is also a Junior Division.
Riders are given a minimum and maximum time to complete the day's ride with penalties
given to those who do not meet the time constraints. In addition to proper pacing
during the ride, penalties are given for horses that do not meet the recovery
requirements for pulse and respiration.
Prizes awarded include: through six places in each weight division with an overall
Grand and Reserve Champion, and Completion. Special awards are often given for
Horsemanship, Best Trail Horse and Best of Breed awards.
Contact the NATRC at P.O. Box 338, Sedalia, CO 80135, (303) 688-2292.
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In a Ride & Tie, two riders with one horse on a pre-marked trail travel in a running
and riding leapfrog pattern. The horse must pass a metabolic and mechanical standard
for 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. Awards are given to the first to finish and the
next fastest time. All competitors who complete the trail within the rules are
awarded a completion.
Contact the Ride & Tie Association, 11734 Wolf Road, Grass Valley, CA 95949,
(916) 268-8474
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One horse and rider are required to find pre-determined stations on an unmarked
course using a map and their compass. There is no minimum time requirement and no
veterinary examination required. Distances range from 5 to 20 miles. Awards are
given to the first to finish and runner ups in a variety of age and experience
divisions.
For organized rides in North America, contact the
National Association of Competitive Mounted Orienteering (NACMO),
503 171st Avenue SE, Tenino, WA 98589-9711
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