Tell me about this Endurance Riding thing - could there be a future in it, for us?

[Freebird]

So, yesterday, I took my 3 1/2 year old on a “Poker Ride” It was supposed to last 2 hours, had two creek crossing, lots of mud, some rocky terrain, fields, woods, etc. There were water stops, where you pick up your card, to build your poker hand. My friend and I were running late, and her nutty TB was SO nutty that she had to get off, and head back to the trailer. I chose to go ahead by myself, not having any idea what my youngster would do.

We had a BLAST!! I was able to just relax on her, and let her choose her own geer - she likes to GO. She’s a paint crossed with I think a TWH, so while she doesn’t rack, she canters almost like a Walker, and can canter for ever without getting winded.

SO, I know that this doesn’t mean we are ready for an official Endurance ride, and I don’t really care about the competitive thing, but if conditioned, could there be a future for us, or would I be laughed at, for riding the vertically challenged mount?

[DistanceHorse]

You would not be laughed at.

Your horse would need to be four years old to do the limited distance rides (25 and 30 mile rides are the most common distances for LD in my neck of the woods).

Try it. It is fun!

[GotMyPony]

Congrats on the good ride, it sounds like you’ve found something you and your horse enjoy!

What do you mean by vertically challenged? If you’re talking short, you’ll fit right in since the bulk of endurance horses are Arabs, 14-15 hands. Not to mention getting on and off is a lot easier. Plus there are some real pony go-ers.

If you haven’t gone to the American Endurance Riding Conference website yet, it’s http://www.aerc.org Scroll down the “update” column (2nd from left) and near the bottom you’ll find a video of a (condensed) endurance ride so you can check out the overall experience.

Another option is North American Trail Riding Conference (NATRC) rides; lots of gaited horses on those and there are a good amount held between Georgia, Alabama, Florida and NC/SC. You don’t say where in GA you are but you might be well-located for many rides. NATRC rides aren’t races but have a minimum/maximum window to complete in plus natural (not arena) trail obstacles to complete. Novice rides are about 20 miles in one day or 35-40 over two days. You could try both AERC and NATRC and see which one suits you and your horse best. In either case you’ll be camping with your horse and there are lots of threads on COTH about what you’ll need and how to prepare.

[Freebird]

I couldn’t believe how much fun I had! No politics, no huge entry fees, no snooty attitude, and no pricy show cloths. I used to gallop race horses, and we had a few horses who interviul trained, so it was like old times, using my clock in my head, and my pony and I are so used to riding alone, so we both really like it.

As for age, she has a sketchy past, so that’s just the vet’s guess based on her teeth. He said she would be 4, around late summer/early fall.

The pony that I ride is “Diva” in my Sig. line. If you promise not to laugh, here is a pic of us. after our ride: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201132529211570&set=a.1593822801694.2086514.1119655844&type=1&relevant_count=1

[ehwaz]

@Freebird!;7056606

I couldn’t believe how much fun I had! No politics, no huge entry fees, no snooty attitude, and no pricy show cloths.

That is one of the best things about endurance ( and possibly NATRC / CTR). The vast majority of riders are very friendly and the point of the ride is to have fun and discover what you and the horse can do. No-one cares what you wear, just make sure it’s comfy. You can definitely do endurance on a non-arab, and shorter is a big advantage - most of the horses I have ridden seem to magically grow during the last have of the ride. ( :

[californianinkansas]

The pic on your Facebook page that you linked to is the best! You both look relaxed and happy.

[Freebird]

I feel like we’ve found something we both really like! She’s young, so I haven’t wanted to jump her, and we don’t have an arena - but we have lots of lanes, trails and fields to hack in, and that’s what we enjoy. I used to show H/J, but honestly, I don’t miss it at all. I like schooling Dressage, but again…I have no desire to show. My heart is with galloping racehorses, and trail riding, and I feel like I’ve found a pretty good mix!

Of course, now my Great Saddle Search just got more complicated…

[ehwaz]

This ( http://www.actionridertack.com/p-1330-cashel-tie-one-on-english-and-western.aspx ) might help in the great saddle search. It give you rings/ places to tie stuff on that you might need for endurance.

[Diamontaire]

[QUOTE=Freebird!;7056992]

Of course, now my Great Saddle Search just got more complicated…[/QUOTE]

If you’re interested in treeless, I have a Trekker that’s just sitting around. Love it, but it’s pony passed on. If you want to pay shipping, I can let you demo it, see if you like it…

let me know if interested!

[GotMyPony]

Love your pony! My KMH is about 14.2 and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if he shrunk up a little

Unless you need a new saddle for some other reason, don’t be quick to change - many people do endurance in “pure” english, dressage or western saddles. Whatever is comfortable for you and the pony.

When you do decide to look, I ride in a Tucker Equitation Endurance. Western type tree but English girth and rigging. So that’s another alternative to explore. Very comfortable, lots of rings. But like everything else it’s what suits and fits you - there are a lot of options!

With your racing background, AERC may suit you better than NATRC but Georgia seems pretty centrally located to lots of rides all over the place - SE Region in AERC, Region 5 in NATRC. And search through past COTH endurance threads for tips on camping, tack, conditioning, etc. It’s a great sport and, as you’ve already discovered, all about the fun (and keeping the horse healthy). Another idea - go volunteer at a ride to get the full experience, talk to the vets, etc. Some rides offer a shorter distance (“fun ride”) but let you do the Vet-checks, etc., so you can learn. Have a great time and keep us posted as you progress.

[Freebird]

I would wait on the saddle, but mine is getting to narrow for her.

My dream saddle, I think, would have grippy leather, knee rolls and blocks, a mid deep seat, with a cantle that isn’t terribly high, and the neat padding like what you see on monoflap evening saddles. Not sure this exists though!

Is there any way I could meet up with a seasoned endurance rider in my area, that could help show me the ropes?

[Diamontaire]

[QUOTE=Freebird!;7057419]

Is there any way I could meet up with a seasoned endurance rider in my area, that could help show me the ropes?[/QUOTE]

Look on the AERC website- they have a mentor list, hopefully one is close to you!

[Freebird]

That’s perfect! I was thinking…would it be presumptuous of me to go ahead and join the AERC? I mean, I don’t even know if I would make it to any event this year, but it sounds like you get a lot of great goodies when you join, and I’d love to read all I can! I saw on another thread that membership was only $45, but it looks like it’s now $65?

[candysgirl]

No reason not to join AERC if you want to. Definitely look up a mentor if you can find one in your area. If not, feel free to PM me and pick my brain. I’m happy to answer questions. I’m in Indiana so too far to meet up and ride, but I’m happy to answer questions!

I do endurance rides in my foxhunting saddle, a Stubben Roxane. I love it. It’s comfy and fits both of us well. I see no reason not to use it.

M Arab is on the bigger side at 14.3h. No one cares what you’re riding, though if its a non Arab people are more likely to ask about the breeding. Just in a friendly curious way.

As a general rule, endurance folks are pretty friendly and happy to help one another. It’s a pretty neat sport. Ride camp after rides or the night before is usually a good time. If you see someone using something or doing something you’re curious about, ask. People are quite willing to share their experiences and solutions to the challenges endurance poses.

[Freebird]

Well,as it turns out, I already know one of the local Mentors - Sarah Engsburg. She used to shoe for the farm I galloped racehorses at. Small world!

I have been looking at the Arabian Saddle Co. Solstice, and I really like the look of it. However, I’m wondering what the difference between it and the Rubicon is?

Also, can I jump in either one (I’m talking low stuff here)

[GotMyPony]

You should be all set with Sarah Engsburg as a mentor - she won Tevis in 2009!

[Freebird]

Oh, my gosh! I had no idea!! I knew her back in 1999. I sent her an email, but not sure it went through. Is she on Facebook?

[GotMyPony]

I have no idea re FB, I don’t know her, I just recognized the name (same region). It was a really inspiring story re Tevis because she was riding another woman’s horse, which actually had been her husband’s and he had died at a young age from a heart attack. Well known, very popular guy. His dream had been to complete Tevis with the horse at some point. His wife said something like “any ride that requires you to sign a medivac flight agreement wasn’t her kind of ride,” so Sarah offered to do it and actually won. There was an article about it in the Tevis magazine that came out right before the next year’s ride (2010); I don’t know if you could find that online. But google “Sarah Engsberg, Tevis” and you’ll get a bunch of links. (I just tried it.)

[patti]

Just a quick note to let you know that two of our competing endurance horses have a Solstice – and my husband and I love them.

Be sure to get hooked up with a good saddle fitter to get it fitted and flocked but they are lovely saddles.

That said, re: tack and all of that, WHATEVER WORKS! What I love is something you or your horse may hate and that’s perfectly okay. Each horse is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle so just listen to your horse (and you too!).

–Patti

PS Welcome to AERC! Just call the office or join online and you’ll be discounted the post-June 1st $45 membership (refunded to your credit card) – the difference between the $45 bargain and the usual new-member-discounted membership fee of $63.75 As my father likes to say “a bargain at twice the price!”

[patti]

Oooops, forgot something. Here’s a link to the AERC Education Page, which includes a list of mentors by region, some excellent reading, a place where you can ask a question, all sorts of good stuff:

http://www.aerc.org/Education.aspx

Also, we are hosting more and more Endurance 101/201 Clinics around the country and I’m hoping to get a list of those linked to the Education tab also.

There’s one coming up in NJ on the weekend of September 28th, for example, so holler if that’s of interest to you!

Best of luck to all. This is a seriously addictive sport. There’s a steep learning curve and your horsemanship will absolutely be tested (and vastly improved) but if you’re tuned in to your horse, have a safe, sound beast that likes to travel down the trail, you’ve come to the right place.

–Patti (who started with a drafty Belgian/TB cross and presently continues to compete on a 16+H Trakehner cross and a slightly ‘twitchy’ 15H Arab/Saddlebred – there’s a freakish variety of equines in our sport)