What is Endurance Riding?

When I was 17 I got my first horse, a Morgan gelding. I always dreamed of doing endurance with him, even though I didn't know what endurance was, the governing body, or even anyone who rode in them. I don't know where I got the dream, but I've always had it, and spent countless hours in the desert riding that horse hundreds of miles.

​Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long-distance races. It is one of the international competitions recognized by the FEI. There are endurance rides worldwide. 

There are two main types of long-distance riding, competitive trail riding and endurance rides. In an endurance ride, the winning horse is the first one to cross the finish line while stopping periodically to pass veterinary check(s) that deems the animal in good health and fit to continue. In competitive Trail, it is not a race, but rather a judged, timed sport based on obstacles and horsemanship. The governing body of Endurance rides here in the United States is the American Endurance Ride Conference (the AERC). The governing body of competitive trail rides here is the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC).

​In the United States, most endurance rides are either 50 or 100 miles long. Shorter rides, called Limited Distance rides (LD), are organized for new riders to the sport, or young horses being trained. They are generally 25-35 miles long. However, LD's have evolved into a competition of their own, in which more experienced riders and horses also participate. There are also longer, usually multi-day, rides as well. As with human marathon running, many riders will participate to improve their horse's personal best performance, and consider finishing the distance with a proper vet completion record to be a "win".

Winning riders can complete 100-mile (160 km) rides in 14 to 15 hours. But most rides are typically much slower than that.

Any breed can compete, but the Arabian generally dominates the top levels because of the breed's stamina and natural endurance abilities.
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Worldwide, rules vary. Endurance rides and races can be any distance, though they are rarely over 100 miles for a one-day competition.