42 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Discover a new sport for you and your horse
The time spent with your horse is precious. For those who compete in equestrian sports, those few minutes in the ring may not satisfy your craving to spend more hours in the saddle. If you’ve been longing to hit the trails and really ride, it’s time to discover endurance riding.
With introductory, fun rides of 10-15 miles, and then the competitive distances of 25-35 miles (limited distance) or 50-100 miles (endurance distance), there is no doubt this sport will bring you and your horse closer in partnership.
The nonprofit American Endurance Ride Conference, now in its 44th year, welcomes riders of all ages and equines of all breeds
Most people with a reasonably conditioned horse or mule will be able to complete a 25-mile ride within the allowed six-hour time frame. “And they’ll have a fun time, discovering great trails and meeting other endurance riders and their horses,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel.
AERC rules require that a prize be given to each finisher — it can be anything from a photo taken during the ride to a T-shirt or certificate or handcrafted item. Often there are prizes for winners in varying weight divisions and for the horse deemed best condition in each competition of 25 or more miles.
winners in varying weight divisions and for the horse deemed best condition in each competition of 25 or more miles.
Many rides have an introductory ride of 10 to 15 miles, to get both the equine and rider prepared for longer distances. Your horse will go through a pre- and post-ride veterinary check and follow a marked course, but there are no obstacles being judged as you follow the ribbons directing you along the trail.
Gore-Baylor Event Photography