I am an endurance rider from
Australia. We have rules for new horses and riders entering endurance
which do ensure they are slowly introduced to the sport. Riders must do
2 x 40km rides and then succesfully complete 240 km before they are a
qualified endurance rider, they are not to enter a ride more than 120kms in
one day. They either have to do the ride with a minimum riding time
(14km/hr), or ride behind a pace rider.
A novice horse must also successfully complete
240km during no less than ninety days and be entered in no more that 4 rides
over this time. They also have a minimum ride time or have to follow pace
rider.If a qualified endurance horse has more that 13 months between
completing a ride they become novice until they complete 1
successful ride
Our horses have their own logbook which we must
have at every ride otherwise we can't ride, this enables the vet to check the
horses history.
This system works really well and helps riders
learn how to pace their horses.
We also have an Early Warning System and Rest
Orders.
If anyone would like more info I'd be more than
happy to help.
Happy riding (I hope!),
Melissa.