A (Brief) History of the Sport
Endurance Riding was first sanctioned as a national sport by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) in 1972, and is credited to Wendell Robie (above left) and friends, who organized the first Western States Ride (now the Tevis Cup). A decade later, Endurance Riding became global and was recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). By 1990, Endurance was included in the FEI World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden.
A Sport for All Sorts
One of the wonderful aspects of endurance riding is that there are almost no restrictions on who can compete--you don't even need to own a horse!
Rides vary from Intro level (up to 15 miles) to overnight 100-milers, and usually require you to camp out with your equine partner.
Intro Rides
Intro rides are perfect for young horses and new riders, alike. These rides feature a pre-ride and a post-ride veterinary check, a score card and no completion time limit. They are a much less intense alternative to the longer distance rides.
There are usually experienced riders on young horses who will accompany you along the trail on Intro rides. They are almost always happy to share pointers, answer questions and give helpful advice!
Limited Distance Rides
For new endurance riders looking to compete for AERC points, Limited Distance (LD) rides are a good place to start. These rides do not have weight class categories, and are typically 25 or 35 miles long. Horses must be 48 months old to compete in LD's, but riders can be any age!
The race photographer captures riders coming up a hill on the first loop of the Witchdance LD.
At each vet check, the horse's pulse is taken. When it reaches 60 bpm or below, the horse is cleared to advance on the course.