Getting Started
What’s it all about?
Endurance, or Long Distance Riding is a sport for everyone no matter what age. You do not need an Arab to take part, nor do you need any specialist tack. The basic requirements are a sound horse, a comfortable saddle (comfortable for the horse and you) a bridle and a desire to spend a lot of time in the company of your mount.
The rides form a progression but there is no need to progress further than you want to. At the start of the ladder are Non Competitive Riders and at the top are the Endurance Rides of 100 miles (160 Km) in one day.
Non Competitive Rides vary roughly between 18 km and 40 km and must be completed between 8 and 12 kph. Most horses should be capable of completing these rides fairly easily at the lower speeds.
The next step is the Competitive Ride. At Novice level these run from 32 km to 48 km and again should be completed between 8 and 12 kph. In a Competitive Ride you incur penalties depending on your horses final heart rate. Faster than 12 kph means elimination at Novice level.
As you move up the ladder the speeds and distances increase until at Advanced Level you can compete in the Endurance Rides - the very top is 160km (100 miles) in one day.
The attraction of the sport for many is the camaraderie amongst the competitors and the opportunity to ride over some lovely countryside that may not be normally open to you. Most horses seem to enjoy going somewhere different and soon realize what it is all about. You will learn a great deal about your horse and what he is capable of and hopefully have many years of enjoyment together.
If you think you might like to have a go you can always go along to one of the rides and see what happens - everyone will be more than willing to talk to you and introduce you to the sport. And now you can become an Associate Member of Cumbria Group
WANT TO TRY ENDURANCE?
But not competitively.....
then this could be for you.....
Cumbria Endurance GB
Associate Members
MEMBERS WILL BE ENTITLED TO DISCOUNTED ENTRY FEES AT GROUP RIDES, A QUARTERLEY NEWSLETTER , TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND THE CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ENDURANCE RIDING. PLUS THE ENDURANCE GB MAGAZINE AND HANDBOOK.
Individual Membership.......... £17.00
Family Membership (at same address)..... £22.00
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THIS EXCITING NEW SCHEME PLEASE FILL IN THE FORM AVAILABLE ON OUR DOWNLOADS PAGE AND SEND TO:-
Nikki Pearson, Gilson’s Forge, Brocklebank, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 8DL
Tel: 016974 78203 email:
Enclose a cheque made payable to EGB Cumbria Group and a large (A5 minimum) self addressed envelope with the correct amount of postage for your membership and Ride Record Card.
