The idea of an endurance ride appeals to me, and I would like to give one of the shorter ones a try at some point. I have looked online a little and there are some within 90 minutes of me, BUT I have no truck/trailer, and no plans to buy one.
I don’t have any friends or barn-mates that do endurance riding. I am just wondering how hard it might be to hook up with people willing to give a ride to a stranger???
Or should I give up the idea???
I recommend that you join the AERC FB group and post your question there. The other option is to contact the ride manager and ask them if they know of anyone coming from your area. You will need to contain your horse at a ride as most don’t have pens available. Electric fence is probably your cheapest and most portable option if you don’t have your own rig.
Endurance riders are batty and they love to recruit new people into their cult. If you find the AERC FB page and then your local endurance club you might find someone who needs a conditioning partner.
Several of my local rides are at facilities with stalls.
I trailered to competitions with my sometimes conditioning partner for over a year before buying my own little rig (which was liberating - you can only ask for favors for so long…) When she couldn’t take us to a specific ride once, I found someone on “ridecamp” forum (endurance.net) to take me instead. You can try that venue as well.
It’s all about reaching out and expanding your network. Once you’ve been to your first ride, you’ll be hooked - and hooked up with willing new friends 
You may also want to volunteer first and go without your horse, just to learn and check it out.
One general rule of thumb is that you may have to ride with the person that takes you. Depending on the horses’ personality and experience, they may really buddy up on the trailer ride and being tied to the trailer together the night before. Some horses get very upset when left behind in camp, or at the start/during the actual ride, which can negatively affect their recoveries and how they behave at the vet checks (impatience, calling for their buddy, high pulse.) That’s another reason why I love traveling on my own. But occasionally I still trailer-pool with someone and after six seasons, my horse doesn’t really worry about much of anything anymore.
Have fun exploring the sport and good luck!
Join your local endurance facebook group. I didn’t have a trailer for 3 years.
People are so generous.
When I wanted to learn about endurance I offered to crew for someone nearby and after doing that for awhile it led to my going to rides with my own horse on her LQ trailer. A good way to learn about the sport and trade out favors - PLUS having someone else trailer with her cut her fuel costs in half so it was a win-win. I eventually got my own trailer because I enjoyed some competitive trails rides as well while she did not, but we still go places together sometimes in her rig or mine.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
