What is an endurance ride?
It is a ride, usually over open country, along a specified route for a set distance with specific speed requirements.  You will be issued with a map of the route a few days before the competition which you will need to study carefully and measure, in order to plan your ride pace and finish in time. There will be checkpoints along the route at which you must ensure the steward records your competitor number.  Most competitive rides also require the horse or pony to be vetted before and after the ride. 

The main body for overseeing Endurance Riding in England and Wales is Endurance GB, in Scotland it is SERC and in Ireland it is ILDRA

The Pony Club are working closely with these bodies to ensure that Pony Club Members will have access to rides run by all these bodies as well as those run by Pony Club Branches, Centres and Areas.

For more information on the different Endurance Rides please see the What is Endurance Riding pages.

How do I enter Endurance GB, SERC, ILDRA rides?
Log on to the appropriate website.

• Endurance G.B
• SERC
• ILDRA

Schedules for the whole year are available.

Download an entry form. Fill in and write PC in top right hand corner. Send in to ride secretary at least two weeks before the ride.

Maps, starting times and other information will be sent to you approximately one week before the ride.

What is my ride Master Card and why is it important?
This is called your ride Master Card and forms the only acceptable record of your Endurance riding achievements.  It is therefore a very important document which it is your responsibility to hand to the secretary at the start of each ride.  The secretary will complete and validate your card each time you compete.  No awards will be back dated due to loss of a card or failure to present it on the day.  There are three reasons this rule is so strictly adhered to. 

For welfare reasons equines are not usually allowed to compete at more than 10 Endurance rides in a year.  The record card allows secretaries to monitor this.

As riders can compete at events run outside the pony club it is not possible for the Pony Club or ride secretaries to verify results for qualification and certificates otherwise. 

Riders under 13 years who wish to progress to the Osprey level are required by Pony Club rules to have completed two Kestrel rides first.  Your Master Card is your only proof of eligibility and failure to produce it on the day will result in your entry being withdrawn, which would be disappointing to all involved.

It is imperative that you collect a Master Card from your Branch/Centre Secretary in advance of your first ride and you take it to every Endurance Ride that you participate in.. You will not be allowed to ride if it is not presented to the ride secretary in advance of the ride.

What does the vetting entail?
At most Endurance rides competitors will be required to trot their horse up for the vet both before they start and within 30 minutes of completing.  Failure to do so can result in disqualification.  Horses can be trotted up in either headcollars or bridles but should be under control.  They should not be saddled nor have boots, bandages or hoof oil on.  The leader need not be the rider but must wear the competitor’s number bib for identification.  The trot up is over 20m - 30m and must be done with a loose rein. The vet will observe the trot up for signs of lameness and pick up the feet.  He may also look into the mouth and examine the horse for signs of external injury and dehydration.  It is a good idea to ensure that your pony is used to having these things done by a stranger.  The vet will also take the pulse rate.  In general a pulse rate of over 64bpm will result in disqualification and the lower the pulse the better in rides where it is used to determine points or qualification.  NB. At rides run by Pony Club Branches/Centres the vet check may be carried out by a senior Pony Club official with the aid of an electronic heart rate monitor or stethoscope.

There will also be a Farriery check at the National Championships and most Endurance G.B/SERC/ILDRA national rides.  Horses should have good, new shoes -especially for longer distances.

How will I know the route?
All competitors will be given a photocopied map on which the route is marked, and sometimes a written description of the main route features.  The route is partially marked (usually with spray chalk or fluorescent ribbons) - generally only at major changes of direction.  Part of the challenge and enjoyment of Endurance riding is to use your map to navigate the route successfully.  You should also always check at the secretaries’ caravan for any last minute route changes.

What is to stop me from taking a short cut?
The route will be stewarded at certain checkpoints, at which your number is recorded and relayed back to the secretary. This also helps the organiser keep track of riders in the event of an emergency.  Please note that it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your number is recorded - if it isn’t you could be eliminated!

Can I ride with my friends?
If you have friends that are entered in the same class as you and you want to ride together then it is usually possible to do so.  Just ask the ride secretary when you enter and they will make sure that your vet/start times are similar.  It is quite common at Endurance rides to see groups of two to five riders going round together.  Larger groups are not generally started together.
 

What is to stop me simply following the rider in front?
Each small group of riders will generally be started a few minutes apart, this will mean that riders are less likely to bunch up and will also stop the ponies from thinking it is a race.  It is possible that you will catch up with other groups around the route but you should beware of following them blindly - they might be lost, or riding a different route!
 

Can I overtake riders who are going slower than me?
Yes. First ask their permission and then pass slowly, leaving sufficient room and always say thank you.
 

How fast do I have to ride?
8-15kmph requires that you do most of the route at a strong working trot, with some canter.  This will give you enough time to walk or stop to get your bearings.  You will be able to canter on some parts of the route if you are running late, however remember finishing too early is as bad as finishing too late, as this suggests that your pony has had to run too fast, and will also lead to a higher finishing heart rate.  As a benchmark all riders and ponies should be in a fit state to complete 50% of the ride distance again after they have completed the set ride. 

How do I know how fast I am riding?
Checkpoints will be marked on the route map.  Working out the distance between these or other landmarks will give you an indication of how much time it should take you to reach each checkpoint.  Using the map provided to plan how you will ride each section according to terrain/speed should all be part of your preparation for the event.  NB time = distance/speed

What do you mean by a team/rider “crew”?
The team or rider’s crew is the term given to non-riding support personnel.  A crew will usually meet riders at points along the route to offer drinks to both horse and rider and to “slosh” the pony with water.  This will keep its temperature down and thereby reduce its pulse rate (tip - water in old milk or fabric conditioner bottles are excellent for pouring on top of the horses neck).  Routes will often be marked with “good crewing points” where road access and parking are reasonable.  Crew will also help with caring for the horse after the ride, with the aim of reducing his heart rate as far as possible for the vetting.

As you can perhaps imagine, for advanced level riders crewing becomes a serious and highly technical affair, however at Pony Club level it is probably only really necessary for rides of 30km plus or if team managers are concerned about particularly novice riders.  Ride details will tell you whether there is water provided at the venue and en-route. However bringing your own (especially on hot days) for the finish is advisable even if you do not intend to “crew” en-route.