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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.

 

 

 

 

Mongol Derby: Second place for U.S. Marine veteran in the world’s toughest horse race

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International Mountain Trail Challenge Association Brings Mountain Trail Sport to Israel

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Thoroughbred Horses Find a Second Calling

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The Enduring Arabian

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2 years ago

The Tevis Cup: A 100-Mile Endurance Ride Like No Other

Preparing for a 100-mile horse ride is no small feat. I’ve trekked across Mongolia as an official for an endurance…

2 years ago

Saving Horse Trail Sports

Trail riding is among the most popular equestrian pastimes, and competing on the trail was once something many trail riders…

2 years ago

Winning the Big Horn 100 & Overcoming All

Not many people would consider climbing aboard a horse soon after breaking ribs. But not everybody is Suzanne Hayes, who…

3 years ago

Rain Ready: Introduce Your Horse to a Rain Slicker

Will your horse allow you to pick up and swing a rain slicker? The noise and fast-moving fabric on both…

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Horse People: The Longest Horse Race—The Story of the Oldest Mongol Derby Winner

To win the world’s longest horse race, Robert Long employed equal parts preparation and smarts. In August, the 70-year-old became…

4 years ago

Four Champions Crowned at Inaugural USEF Endurance National Championships at Broxton Bridge Plantation

The Broxton Bridge Plantation in Ehrhardt, S.C., played host to the inaugural USEF Endurance National Championships on November 14-16 as…

4 years ago