Endurance
Riding
History
Throughout
history there have been long distance rides, transporting
armies, passengers, and mail. The Pony Express, for instance,
achieved incredible long-distance speed records. The person
who is accredited with creating modern competitive long-distance
riding is Wendell Robie, an American breeder of Arabian
horses. In 1955, Mr. Robie founded the Western States Trail
Ride, which was a 100-mile, one-day ride from Lake Tahoe
to Auburn, California via an old Pony Express route. Originally,
completion of the race was the goal, as it was a real achievement
considering the altitude, terrain and weather extremes.
In 1959, the Tevis Cup was awarded for the first time to
the rider with the fastest time. The Haggin Cup has been
awarded since 1964 to the rider finishing in the top ten
with the horse in best condition. Endurance rides have
sprung up all over patterned after Mr. Robie's competition.
There
are two particular types of competitive long-distance rides:
endurance rides and competitive trail rides. Well-conditioned
horses and riders are required for both types, and veterinary
checks take place along the way. The horse is checked for
respiration, pulse and temperature, and any horse that
appears unfit is forbidden to continue the ride.
The endurance
ride requires the horse travel farther and faster. It is
sually 25, 50 or 100 miles long, and is more like a race.
The winner is the horse/rider team that covers the route
in the fastest time, and remains sound during the ride
and the morning after. The 25 mile ride can take about
one and a half hours; the 50 mile ride can take four and
a half hours; and the 100 mile ride usually takes eleven
hours of riding time. Riders can be assisted by a "pit
crew" at the spot checks, and are allowed to dismount
and lead their horses if they want to. Endurance, fitness
and strategy together are required for success at the endurance
ride.
The competitive
trail ride is not a race. It can take two or three days,
while the pace is slower and the distance is shorter. Competitors
can be penalized for travelling too fast or too slow, because
there are maximum and minimum time limits set. The riders
can travel only while mounted, and cannot be assisted.
The winners are selected by judges, who award points based
on condition, soundness, carriage, trail manners, and so
on. The goal of competitive trail rides is to select the
ideal trail horse as the winner.
Arabians
and part-Arabians excel at these sports. Morgans, Appaloosas,
Pintos, Quarter Horses and part-Thoroughbreds are also
common competitors. Any horse that is sound and properly
conditioned, and possesses good lungs, heart, feet and
a ground-covering stride can do well in the competitive
trail ride. |
