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Competitors on an endurance ride

Endurance riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long distance races. At the top levels races are generally 100 miles or longer. The longest one is 160 miles long but never shorter than 50 miles. Winning riders complete 100-mile rides in 10-12 hours. Any breed can compete, but the Arabian generally dominates the top levels because of the breed's stamina and natural endurance abilities. There are currently endurance rides world-wide, and many countries are gaining interest in the sport.

Endurance riding was first developed in the United States, as tests for cavalry mounts who were required to go on a 5-day, 300 mile (483 km) ride carrying at least 200 lbs. Its beginnings as a sport, however, did not start until the 1950s, at the time when Wendell Robie rode from Nevada to California, following the route of the Pony Express, to finish in under 24 hours. Endurance riding first was brought to Europe in the 1960s.

Rider attire is usually very informal, and tack is designed to be light and comfortable for horse and rider.

Before the ride, horses are inspected by a veterinarian, to ensure they are fit to perform in the ride. Additionally, riders are given a map of the course, which shows the route, the places for compulsory halts, and any natural obstacles (such as ditches, steep hills, and water crossings).

The ride is divided into sections, called phases, which are at least 40 km in length. After each phase, horses are subject to veterinary inspection (sometimes called a "vetgate"), where they are checked for soundness and dehydration, and their pulse is taken. To continue the ride, the horse must pass the examination, including reducing its heart rate below that specified for the event, typically 64 bpm although terrian and weather may cause this to be specified to a different maximum target. The riders' time keeps running while they are in the vetgate, so it is important that the horses recover as soon as possible. Any horse deemed unfit to continue (due to lameness or excessive fatigue, for example) is eliminated from further competition.

After the veterinary inspection the horse must be held for an additional time (usually between 20-45 minutes), at which time it is fed and watered.

Riders are free to choose their pace during the competition, adjusting to the terrain and their mount's condition. Therefore, they must have a great knowledge of pace, knowing when to slow down or speed up during the ride, as well as a great knowledge of their horse's condition and signs of tiring. Riders may also choose when to ride, or may dismount and walk or jog with their horse without penalty. However, they must be mounted when they cross the starting and finish lines.

The terrain riders compete over varies greatly from ride to ride. However, natural obstacles (called "hazards"), are marked on the trails with red flags on the right and white flags on the left. Riders must pass through the flags. Additionally, the course is to contain no more than 10% hard-surfaced roads.

In some countries, the winner is determined by a combination of speed and the recovery rate of the horse. In other countries, no places are given, and awards are presented to any horse and rider that achieved a required standard.

Endurance became an FEI discipline in 1982, and the international organization has since set down rules with the welfare of the horse as top priority. In the United States, endurance rides are sanctioned by the FEI, the AERC, or both but never the FEI alone. When both the FEI and AERC sanction a ride, the FEI rules prevail.

One well-known 100 mile endurance ride is The Western States Trail Ride, popularly called The Tevis Cup. Additionally, the top riders and horses compete at the World Equestrian Games, the Endurance World Championships, and the European Endurance Championships.

One day competitions are 40-160 km. Those that are FEI recognized and more than one day are broken into the following categories:

• CEI * (one star): minimum average distance each day is 40-79 km
• CEI **: 80-119 km minimum average distance each day
• CEI ***: 120+ km minimum average distance each day
• CEI ****: usually 160 km, with the winners completing in 10-12 hours

Note: CEI is the notation that the competition is an FEI-approved international competition.

When first recognized by the FEI, there were only four international competitions. This grew to an average of 18 rides/year in 1998, when the first World Championships were held in the United Arab Emirates. The World Championships provided a huge boost to the sport, and by 2005 there were 353 international competitions, second to only eventing and show jumping. Due to the huge increase in international competition, endurance is the fastest growing equestrian sport in the world [1].

An Endurance saddle with a western design, popular with beginners to the sport

Endurance is much less formal than many other equestrian competitions, with riders choosing clothes for comfort. However, riders are required to dress in a way that preserves the image of the sport. An equestrian helmet is required for nearly all sanctioned rides, including the AERC and FEI. At FEI competitions, riders must wear riding breeches or riding tights, correct footwear, and a shirt with a collar.^{[citation needed]}

Endurance riders usually use a specialized saddle that is designed to be lightweight yet comfortable to horse and rider for long hours of riding. At the highest levels, it is usually a variation on the English saddle in shape, although it may have wider panels and stirrups that have a wider tread. Additionally, it has extra metal rings for the attachment of equipment, and is very light to ensure the horse does not have to carry any extra weight. At lower levels, lightweight endurance designs based on western saddles are popular.

Riders may use a variety of bits, according to the horse and rider's personal preference. They also usually wear a breastplate, to keep the saddle in place while travelling up steep terrain, and may use protective boots on the horse's legs.

• Endurance Net - World-Wide Endurance Riding Resource
• American Endurance Ride Conference