ridecamp@endurance.net: Endurance Riding (under saddle-not in hand)

Endurance Riding (under saddle-not in hand)

Bruce Overton (boverton@tpgi.com.au)
Tue, 25 Mar 1997 20:28:52 +1000

Bruce from Downunder
Queenslander
boverton@tgpi.com.au
For a long time now I have been quite concerned that the sport of
endurance RIDING is not being conducted on a level playing field. Some
riders are consistently running beside their mount while others for many
reasons never dismount during the ride. The sport is intended to be a test
of the horses fitness together with the riders ability to RIDE in a manner
to get the best from the horses ability.
What hope have I got on a difficult track as a 67 year old versus some one
who can run like my son (a marathon runner) when we are both on horses of
like ability???
Endurance is promoted as a family sport and I have often seen three
generations of the one family riding in an event. If Grandpa and the 12
year old and Mom all stay aboard for the total trip then it is the ability
to control the horse that counts. If the riders can give their mount a
spell by leading the animal then we are testing the physical fitness of
both horse and rider.

Should we test horse and rider? If so, I would be pulled by the vet at
each check. Should we test the horse only? We do that now. Should the
rider RIDE the
horse at all times (can dismount without going forward). I think so.
Over to all you endurance riders, young, old, crippled, experienced,
beginners, male, female, sick, sorry, conditioned or just a good rider
please chew over this and have your say.

Australia has just started a home page for endurance join up to:-
htpp://www.connect.usq.edu.au/students/q9522214/index.html
and see whats up downunder

horse at all times? I think so.

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