Endurance riding is a timed, competitive, equestrian sport that involves a horse and rider team following a long distance trail. The trails are marked and there are check points with veterinarians at a set number of miles. Rides vary greatly in distances from 25 mile rides to the highest competition ride length of 100 miles.http://www.equiworld.net/endurance/ All riders leave at the same time. There is usually no minimum time limit for rides, but a 50 mile ride must be completed in 12 hours and a 100 mile ride in 24 hrs. http://www.aerc.org/EnduranceBasics.asp The health of the horse is very important in endurance riding. There are awards for horses finishing in the best condition, even if the horse did not finish first in time. At the beginning of each ride the rider is given a map that shows the trail to follow as well as the various check points that may be required for check in.http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/GettingStarted.html

Riders compete to test their horses athleticism, their conditioning, and may compete to ride, or compete to win. Awards are given for the best time, best condition (open to the first ten riders finishing the ride), and points are accumulated for year end awards. There are weight divisions for riders to compete in for these awards: featherweight (up to 160 lbs), light weight (161-185), middle weight (186-210), and heavy weight (211 lbs and up). http://www.aerc.org/EnduranceBasics.asp These weights include tack. http://www.aerc.org/AERC_Rider_Handbook.pdf There is also a junior division for 16 and under.

Endurance riding is open to horses of all breeds; however, the Arabian and the Arabian crosses tend to do the best in the long distance trials. Their unique breed characteristics and quick recovery time lend themselves well to finishing a ride in good time and good condition. http://www.aerc.org/EnduranceBasics.asp No matter what horse is used, soundness and good health are paramount, both for the safety of the horse and the rider. Any tack and seat is also accepted. http://www.aerc.org/GettingStarted_QA.asp

Horses must be a minimum of 4 years old before competing in a limited distance ride (anything under 50 miles) and at least 5 before competing in a 100 mile ride.http://www.aerc.org/EnduranceBasics.asp

Vet checks are required before, during, and after an endurance ride. In a 50 mile ride there will usually be designated rest stops with these vet checks and twice that number for the 100 mile rides. http://www.aerc.org/AERC_Rider_Handbook.pdf At these vet checks the horse must show that he is safely able to continue the ride. This is judged on various physical factors. One of these is the horses pulse rate, it must be within the parameters set by the judges, usually between 60-64 beats/minute. http://www.aerc.org/AERC_Rider_Handbook.pdf The horse must also be metabolically stable and sound at the trot. http://www.aerc.org/AERC_Rider_Handbook.pdf Rest period times will vary depending on the terrain of the ride, weather, and other factors. The rest times are are usually 15 minutes to 1 hour long. http://www.aerc.org/AERC_Rider_Handbook.pdf Most states require health certificates on horses as well as proof of negative coggins. http://www.aerc.org/AERC_Rider_Handbook.pdf