What Is Endurance Riding?

Endurance riding can best be described as a cross country competition of 50 miles or more (up to 100) that must be completed within a certain time. 12 hours for a 50, 24 hourse for 100. (Most endurance rides also offer shorter "limited distance" or a competitive trail ride as an introduction to the sport.) The ride is controlled by veterinarians who monitor the horses before, during and after the event. Several times during the ride there will be veterinarian checkpoints. Pulse recovery is one very important factor used to determine the condition of the horses. The ride vet will set and announce the pulse rate criteria before the start of the ride. Veterinarians will remove from competition all horses that they determine are not in good condition to continue. The first horse across the finish line, that also passes the vet's post ride exam, is the winner.
The course for an endurance ride varies with the topography of the area. While 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, climate, and footing will determine the speed at which the horses will travel. It is both personally challenging and rewarding to ride 50/100 miles and finish with a sound, willing horse. Much of the challenge of endurance starts with preparation up to a year or more before one's first ride. This athletic competition requires both horse and rider to be physically fit, have a good sense of pace, to work as a team, and of course, it helps to have good luck!!

Getting Started

Many endurance rides, (in fact, almost all of the ones in the Central Region) have "Limited Distance" rides of 25 to 35 miles. These rides are also sanctioned by AERC who keeps lifetime mileage records of members and their horses. OCER also has a Limited Distance award program. Occasionally there will also be a "fun/intro" ride for 1st timers of less than 25 miles.
Clinics are also great places to learn. Watch the ride calendar for clinics in this area.
Probably the best way to get started is to call up a ride manager and volunteer to help work a ride. This will let you see exactly how a ride is run, how a vet check is organized, etc. If you don't know how to use a stethoscope to check your horse's heartrate, someone on the ride staff can teach you how during slow times during the day.
It can be somewhat overwhelming (and discouraging) to condition your horse at home and then just show up at a ride & try to figure out all the procedures. Most experienced riders are happy to help out newcomers, but the middle of a ride is not always a good time to ask. Try to find someone at least the day before, when you get to camp.

Brief Outline of Rules:

• Any breed of horse or mule is welcome
• All equines must be at least 60 months of age to enter 50 miles (or more)
• All equines must be at least 48 months of age to enter 25 miles
• Any tack is permissible
• Shoes, pads, leg protection, or boots are permitted
• There is no minimum ride time
• A maximum ride time of 12 hours for a 50 mile ride and 6 hours for a 25
• All equine must have proof of negative coggins(ALL EQUINE) and current health papers(if from out of state) to participate
• All junior riders (under age 16 at start of ride season) must wear approved headgear
• All junior riders must be accompanied by a competent adult sponsor (age 21 or older) THROUGHOUT the competition
• Junior riders must have written consent of parent or guardian
• No animal shall be allowed to complete without veterinarian approval and all decisions by the veterinarian are final
• All equines must be fit to continue to receive completion
• Management reserves the right to remove any person or persons who are disruptive to the ride or endangers the safety of others
• NO DRUGS: Equine subject to testing at any ride. (Drugs may include absorbed topical applicants, antibiotic carriers, some dewormers, herbs & homeopathics with pharmacological effects)
• Other rules may be in effect at any individual ride. This is usually allowable by AERC if given to the riders in writing prior to the ride. Some such rules may include:
• Some rides may have limited entries and/or require pre-entry
• a requirement that the horse must be shod or wear some form of hoof protection during the ride
• Pregnant mares may be prohibited
• There might be minimum age restrictions for Juniors
• There might be special rules for stallions
• There might be safety factors regarding racing at the finish

Ozark Country Endurance Riders
NEW OCER Group!

Subscribe: ozarkcountryenduranceriders-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
This is a moderated list, and you must be an OCER member to subscribe & post.
The "files" link shows the list of ride flyers & newsletter.

The public can read the archives.

Check there for the current news & ride calender!

OCER sanctions endurance rides in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Northern Arkansas. All rides are also AERC sanctioned. We offer a monthly newsletter and year end awards program. Annual dues are $20.00 Individual & $25.00 for a family. (Family= 2 adults and all children under age 18 residing in the same household.) Annual membership runs from Dec 1 through November 30)

OCER STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY:
Ozark County Endurance Riders believe in the integrity of the sport of endurance riding. The basis for this belief is rooted in the concepts of "to finish is to win" "fit to continue" "no tolerance for drug use" and "sportsmanship in competition".
It is the desire of this membership to encourage the education of equine enthusiasts, to promote the preservation and use of trails, and to place the welfare of the horse first and foremost. To this end, Ozark Country Endurance Riders will follow American Endurance Ride Conference rules and guidelines. Therefore, Ozark Country Endurance Riders sanctioned rides will reflect the above philosophy both in management and participation while members will do so by their conduct.

To See Current Information & The Complete Central Region Calendar Go To: www.aerccentralregion.org

Ride managers really need advance notice if you plan to attend their ride. Contact information is available at the Central Region Page www.aerccentralregion.org or www.aerc.org

You must call ride manager before the ride for official details!

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Page Updated On:
10/11/08
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