Becoming an endurance rider takes time and patience but has many personal rewards. You will gain a strong bond of trust with your horse while achieving new strengths and skills as a rider.
Endurance riding is one of the fastest growing equine sports, it appeals to both competitive equestrians and people who enjoy the outdoors and riding trails in new areas. The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the North American educational, sanctioning and record-keeping body for endurance riders and their horses. The Federation Equestre Inernationale (FEI) is the international sanctioning body, with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) as the liaison with FEI.
An endurance ride can best be described as a cross-country competition of 50, 75 or 100 miles. The competition is controlled by equine veterinarians who monitor the horses before, during and after the event. During the competition there are several “holds” (rest periods), at the beginning of each hold the horse is assessed by a veterinarian and must pass a physical evaluation to continue.
Pulse recovery is one very important factor used to determine the condition of the horses. The ride veterinarians will set and announce the pulse criterion and other criteria before the start of the ride. The horses are also monitored for lameness and appropriate physiology. DRUGS OF ANY KIND ARE PROHIBITED. Veterinarians will remove horses from competition if they find they are not in optimum condition to continue. The first horse to cross the finish line, that has met the completion criteria, is considered the over-all winner.
The course for an endurance ride varies with topography of the area. Some are on flat or gentle rolling land; others mountainous with steep ascents or descents. Footing can vary from the shoulder of a paved road to grass, sand, gravel, dirt, slab rock or old woods trails.
When laying out the course, the ride manager attempts to avoid obvious hazards such as deep bogs and sheer cliffs, but the endurance horse is expected to take in stride most natural obstacles. Temperature, footing and terrain will determine the speed at which the horses will travel.
Increasingly popular have been the multi-day rides, which are often held on historic trails. These rides are usually cover 50 to 60 miles a day, and may be conducted over a period of four to six days. These are often point to point with ride camp moving each night. It is a personal challenge to ride your horse for 50, 75 or 100 miles and to finish with a sound, willing horse. Hence the AERC motto: “TO FINISH IS TO WIN”.
EQUINE ENDURANCE OR COMPETITIVE TRAIL RIDING
If you would like to participate in endurance riding on your horse and just can’t seem to find the time to train, we can do that for you. Weekly or monthly sessions are available. Challenging sandy trails, heat and humidity will train’em up. Call for rates to lease a horse from us for competition. We can haul your horse to endurance competitions, or if you have your own rig you can Tag-along and camp with Cypress Trails Ranch.
Important Links
All about Endurance – www.endurance.net
American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) – www.aerc.org
CLINICS AND CONSULTATIONS
International competitor Darolyn Butler, Gold Medalist and Four Time National Champion Endurance Rider, may be contracted for group or private clinics and lessons on endurance riding. All levels, from the absolute novice to an experienced rider, who would like to get that winning edge. Prices vary with number of days and attendees.
Consultation: Phone consultation with Darolyn is $25 for 1/2 hour and $40 for 1 hour. Call 281.446.7232 to schedule your phone consultation or get a quote for a consultation at your location.
Clinics: Riders will cover from 15-25 miles of riding in varied terrain. Participants learn what equipment they and their horse need, pacing, and conditioning (horse and rider). What to expect at an endurance competition is also covered in the clinic. You can bring your own horse or lease one from Cypress Trails. Call 281.446.7232 or email us from the CONTACT page to request more information, you can also get more information and book your clinic by hitting the BOOK NOW button at the top of this page.
| ENDURANCE CLINICS COMPETITION LEASING | FEES |
| DJB Enduro Buffs Endurance Clinic – Day 1 | $550 |
| DJB Enduro Buffs Endurance Clinic – Days 2 & 3 – 1/2 Day | $270 |
| DJB Enduro Buffs Endurance Clinic – Days 2 & 3 – Full Day | $500 |
| Overnight stall/paddock – you provide feed | $15/night |
| Overnight stall/paddock – we feed | $20/night |
| Competition – Horse lease (plus hauling fee and saddle lease if applicable) | $10/mile of competition |
| Competition – Tack lease (plus monthly lease fee) | $25/day for 25 and 50 mile competitions
$50/day for 100 mile competition |
| Competition – Haul fee | $2-3/mile per horse |
| Competition Fee (Cypress Trails provides rider) | $5/competition mile plus entry and hauling fees |
| Competition Tag-Along – you haul (includes, feed, electrolytes, crewing, mentoring, and other supplies) | $75/horse/ competition day |