 Competitors on an endurance ride Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long distance races. It is one of the international competitions recognized by the FEI. There are endurance rides worldwide. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 750 pixel, file size: 482 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Endurance riding at Uzes (France), 2005 - Compétition dendurance équestre à Uzes (France), 2005 - date: 09/02/2006 - author: Haras nationaux - source : http://www. ...
Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 750 pixel, file size: 482 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Endurance riding at Uzes (France), 2005 - Compétition dendurance équestre à Uzes (France), 2005 - date: 09/02/2006 - author: Haras nationaux - source : http://www. ...
A young rider at a horse show in Australia. ...
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (commonly known as the FEI, or informally in English as the International Equestrian Federation) is the international governing body of equestrian (horse) sports. ...
There are two main types of long distance riding, Competitive trail riding and endurance rides. In an Endurance ride, discussed in this article, the winning horse is the first one to cross the finish line while stopping periodically to pass a veterinary check that deems the animal in good health and "fit to continue." In the United States, most endurance rides are either 50 or 100 miles long, though shorter rides are organized for beginners and a few longer, usually multi-day, rides exist. In the USA, the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) sanctions endurance rides. Winning riders complete 100-mile rides in 10-12 hours. Competitive trail riding is an equestrian sport where riders cover a marked trail for a distance that is usually between 25 and 35 miles per day. ...
Veterinary medicine is the application of medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to companion, domestic, exotic, wildlife, and production animals. ...
Any breed can compete, but the Arabian generally dominates the top levels because of the breed's stamina and natural endurance abilities. // This page is a list of horse and pony breeds, and also includes terms used to describe types of horses that are not breeds but are commonly mistaken for breeds. ...
The Arabian horse is a breed of horse with a reputation for intelligence, high spirit, and outstanding stamina. ...
Competitive trail rides are shorter, and factors other than speed are considered, horses may not come in under or over a certain time, and veterinary checks, rider behavior and other elements play a role in the placings. (See Competitive trail riding) Competitive trail riding is an equestrian sport where riders cover a marked trail for a distance that is usually between 25 and 35 miles per day. ...
Worldwide, rules vary. Endurance rides and races can be any distance, though rarely over 160km for a one-day competition.
History
Though the need to ride long distances has existed since domestication of the horse, Endurance riding as an organized activity was first developed in the United States as a test for cavalry mounts who were required to go on a 5-day, 300 mile (483 km) ride carrying at least 200 lbs. Its beginnings as a sport began in the 1950s, at the time when Wendell Robie rode from Nevada to California, following the route of the Pony Express, to finish in under 24 hours. Endurance riding first was brought to Europe in the 1960s. There are a number of theories regarding the domestication of the horse. ...
Frank E. Webner, pony express rider c. ...
Structure of the Ride
Rider attire is usually very informal, and tack is designed to be light and comfortable for horse and rider. Before the ride, horses are inspected by a veterinarian, to ensure they are fit to perform in the ride. Additionally, riders are given a map of the course, which shows the route, the places for compulsory halts, and any natural obstacles (such as ditches, steep hills, and water crossings). Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
The ride is divided into sections, with different names (legs, phases, etc.) depending on sanctioning organization. After each phase, horses are stopped for a veterinary inspection (sometimes called a "vetgate"), where they are checked for soundness and dehydration, with their pulse and respiration taken. To continue the ride, the horse must pass the examination, including reducing its heart rate below that specified for the event, typically 64 bpm, although terrain and weather may require the ride veterinarians to set a different maximum target. The riders' time keeps running while they are in the vetgate, so it is important that the horses recover as soon as possible. Any horse deemed unfit to continue (due to lameness or excessive fatigue, for example) is eliminated from further competition. Veterinary medicine is the application of medical, diagnostic, and therapeutic principles to companion, domestic, exotic, wildlife, and production animals. ...
Dehydration (hypohydration) is the removal of water (hydro in ancient Greek) from an object. ...
Heart rate is a term used to describe the frequency of the cardiac cycle. ...
Beats per minute (bpm) is a unit typically used as either a measure of tempo in music, or a measure of ones heart rate. ...
After the veterinary inspection the horse must be held for an additional time (usually between 20-45 minutes), at which time it is fed and watered.
Riders are free to choose their pace during the competition, adjusting to the terrain and their mount's condition. Therefore, they must have a great knowledge of pace, knowing when to slow down or speed up during the ride, as well as a great knowledge of their horse's condition and signs of tiring. Riders may also choose to ride, or may dismount and walk or jog with their horse without penalty. However, they must be mounted when they cross the starting and finish lines.
The terrain riders compete over varies greatly from ride to ride. However, natural obstacles (called "hazards"), are marked on the trails with red flags on the right and white flags on the left. When so marked, riders must pass through the flags. In some areas, wilderness or undeveloped areas are difficult to find, in these places, no more than 10% of the route can be on hard-surfaced roads.
Determining the Winner Under the rules of the FEI and AERC, the first horse to cross the line and pass the vet check as "fit to continue" is the winner. Under the rules of competitive trail riding and the endurance rules in some nations (though not international competition nor that in the USA), the winner is determined by a combination of speed and the recovery rate of the horse or to horses and riders that achieve a required standard. Competitive trail riding is an equestrian sport where riders cover a marked trail for a distance that is usually between 25 and 35 miles per day. ...
Additional awards are usually given to the best-conditioned horses who finish in the top 10.
Domestic and International Competition Endurance became an FEI discipline in 1982, and the international organization has since set down rules with the welfare of the horse as top priority. In the United States, endurance rides are sanctioned by the FEI, the AERC, or both but never the FEI alone. When both the FEI and AERC sanction a ride, the FEI rules prevail. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (commonly known as the FEI, or informally in English as the International Equestrian Federation) is the international governing body of equestrian (horse) sports. ...
One well-known 100 mile endurance ride is The Western States Trail Ride, popularly called The Tevis Cup. Additionally, the top riders and horses compete at the World Equestrian Games, the Endurance World Championships, and the European Endurance Championships. Rider goes over Cougar Rock on the Tevis Trail The Western States Trail Ride, popularly called The Tevis Cup is a 100 mile endurance horse race. ...
The World Equestrian Games are the world championship for Equestrianism, administrered by the Fédération Equestre Internationale. ...
One day international competitions are 40-160 km. Multi-day competitions are longer, but have daily distance limits. Those that are FEI recognized and are broken into the following categories:
- CEI * (one star): minimum average distance each day is 40-79 km
- CEI **: 80-119 km minimum average distance each day
- CEI ***: 120+ km minimum average distance each day
- CEI ****: usually 160 km, with the winners completing in 10-12 hours
Note: CEI is the notation that the competition is an FEI-approved international competition.
When first recognized by the FEI, there were only four international competitions. This grew to an average of 18 rides per year by 1998, when the first World Championships were held in the United Arab Emirates. The World Championships provided a huge boost to the sport, and by 2005 there were 353 international competitions, second to only eventing and show jumping. Due to the huge increase in international competition, endurance is growing quite rapidly worldwide. The Fédération Equestre Internationale (commonly known as the FEI, or informally in English as the International Equestrian Federation) is the international governing body of equestrian (horse) sports. ...
Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. ...
Show jumping is a form of competition in which horses are jumped over a course of fences, low walls, and other obstacles (e. ...
Equipment
 An Endurance saddle with a western design, popular with beginners to the sport Endurance is much less formal than many other equestrian competitions, with riders choosing clothes for comfort. However, riders are required to dress in a way that preserves the image of the sport. An equestrian helmet is required for nearly all sanctioned rides, including the AERC and FEI. At FEI competitions, riders must wear riding breeches or riding tights, correct footwear, and a shirt. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 415 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1504 × 2170 pixel, file size: 198 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 415 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1504 × 2170 pixel, file size: 198 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...
A rider with a modern GPS style ASTM/SEI approved safety helmet. ...
Breeches as worn in America in the latter eighteenth century: Elijah Boardman by Ralph Earl, 1789. ...
Endurance riders usually use a specialized saddle that is designed to be lightweight yet comfortable to horse and rider for long hours of riding. At the highest levels, it is usually a variation on the English saddle in shape, although it may have wider panels and stirrups with a wider tread. Regardless of design, endurance saddles are very light to ensure the horse does not have to carry unnecessary weight. Many endurance saddles have extra metal rings for the attachment of equipment. At lower levels, lightweight endurance designs based on western saddles are popular. Various experimental designs are also common, including treeless and flexible panel saddles. A saddle is a seat for a rider fastened to an animals back. ...
The saddles known as English saddles (as opposed to Western saddles) are used throughout the world, not just in England or English-speaking countries. ...
Haniwa horse statuette, complete with saddle and stirrups, 6th century, Kofun period, Japan. ...
Parts of a Western saddle Western saddles are used for western riding and are the saddles used on working horses on cattle ranches throughout the United States, particularly in the west. ...
Bridles for the horses may use a wide variety of bits or hackamores. Riders also often add a breastplate, to keep the saddle in place while traveling over rough terrain. Use of a crupper is not common, but sometimes seen, to keep the saddle from sliding forward on horses with a certain build. Protective boots may be used on a horse's legs, though boots also cause problems in some types of terrain (they may slip, can collect burrs and dirt, and if crossing water may become waterlogged, any of which can irritate the legs of the horse and lead to lameness), so use varies by the type of ride and the rider's preferences. A bridle is a piece of equipment used to control a horse. ...
a horse carries a bit in its mouth, held on by a bridle. ...
A hackamore is a shank-based bridle for a horse. ...
A breastplate (used interchangeably with breastgirth and breastcollar) is a piece of riding equipment used on horses. ...
A crupper is a piece of tack used on horses to keep a saddle or surcingle from sliding forward. ...
See also The Fédération Equestre Internationale (commonly known as the FEI, or informally in English as the International Equestrian Federation) is the international governing body of equestrian (horse) sports. ...
Trail riding is riding on trails as opposed to riding on roads or courses. ...
Competitive trail riding is an equestrian sport where riders cover a marked trail for a distance that is usually between 25 and 35 miles per day. ...
A young rider at a horse show in Australia. ...
A hunterpace is a form of competition involving horses and riders. ...
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