Endurance and Competitive Trail

Read more about endurance riding and competitive trail riding, how to get involved, how to improve your skills, news, stories from participants, and more with Horse Illustrated's articles.Endurance riding is an internationally recognized discipline that involves riding long-distance race while the horse must pass veterinary inspections along the way. They are usually 50- or 100-mile long rides, while limited distance rides are only 25 miles for new riders to the sport. Many different breeds participate, but Arabians are by far the most popular breed for this sport. Endurance is governed internationally by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and in the U.S. by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC).Competitive trail riding (CTR) involves riding a set distance (usually 40 miles per day) for usually one to three days. Speed is not the main factor, with it being more of a judged trail ride. Timed events mean the horse-and-rider must finish in a certain time range, but veterinary checks, rider behavior, performance of the horse and ability to recover, manners, and other criteria are evaluated.

Getting Ready for the Games: Endurance

Leslie Potter - January 29, 2014

This spring will be an exciting time for the top equestrian competitors as they work to earn a spot at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian GamesTM 2014 in Normandy, France. The Games will take place from Aug. 23-Sept. 7...

Share your favorite trail story with the American Endurance Ride Conference

Horse Illustrated - September 12, 2013

Edited Press Release Every equestrian has a favorite trail. Just thinking about riding there brings you a feeling of peace, of being close to nature and closer to your equine friend. In celebration of trails, the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC)...

2014 World Equestrian Games test events begin with endurance race

Horse Illustrated - August 17, 2013

First-place finishers HE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (left) riding Nikos, and HE Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum and Yamamah competing at the endurance test event for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo: Philippe Millereau KMSPEdited...

Endurance riding???s national championships under way in North Carolina

Horse Illustrated - September 20, 2012

The hilly, verdant land around the Biltmore estate in Asheville, N.C. is the setting for this year’s Adequan/American Endurance Ride Conference National Championships. Top U.S. endurance riders and their horses are competing for national titles in the 100-mile and...

United Arab Emirates riders sweep the gold medals at the Longines FEI World Endurance Championships

Horse Illustrated - August 27, 2012

Endurance headlines the third day of NAJYRC competition in Kentucky

Leslie Potter - July 21, 2012

Endurance At 6:30 on Friday morning, a set of intrepid horses and riders set off on a 75-mile ride from base camp at the Kentucky Horse Park. The day started cloudy and cool, favorable conditions for the race, which is...

American Endurance Ride Conference celebrates 40 years of horsemanship

Horse Illustrated - May 11, 2012

Back in 1972, a small group of Northern California distance horseback riders gathered to create an organization to recognize their riding accomplishments, standardize ride rules, and work to preserve trails. Still going strong, this month the American Endurance Ride...