Facts & Demographics

      Equine Endurance - A legacy from the Old West

    • A colorful heritage: The US Cavalry, pony express, the California gold rush, Texas cattle drives and American Native buffalo hunts were the forerunners of equestrian endurance. This sport, founded in the US, has spread worldwide.

    • Growth: Endurance is the most rapidly growing equestrian sport in the US and internationally.

    • Recognition: In 1985, endurance was recognized by the Federation Equestre Internationale, the official sanctioning organization for championships and the Olympics.

    • Five races: There have been 5 endurance North American Championships. They occur on odd-numbered years.

    • Origin of sports medicine: Equestrian endurance gave rise to equine sports science and medicine in the US.

    • Most accessible sport: Endurance is the most economically accessible international equestrian sport.

    • Resourcefulness: Endurance competitors usually own, train and ride their horses in national and international competitions.

    • US Riders have won every individual Gold Medal, plus one team Gold Medal and two team Silver Medals in the five world championships.

    • Endurance riders belong to equestrian organizations; 2/3 belong to the AERC; 25% belong to trail preservation groups; 51% belong to horse breed organizations. Increasingly, US riders are joining organizations that support international competitions such as US Equestrian Team and American Hors Shows Association.

      Endurance Riders

      Ages: 26-35 = 18%; 36-45 = 41%; 46-55 = 26%; 56-65 = 8%; under 18/over 65 = 3%
      Male = 24%; Female = 76%

      Income: less than $25K = 22%; $26-50K = 43%; $51-75K = 18%; $76-100K = 8%; over $100K = 8%

      Education: some college = 28%; college graduate = 30%; graduate school = 24%

      Geographic distribution: rural = 63%; cities = 3%; suburbs = 16%; small towns = 18%

      Acreage: 1-5 acres = 39%; 9-10 = 16%; 11-50 = 20%; 50-100 = 6%; more than 100 = 9%