Endurance GB
South and West Wales Group
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Endurance GB South and West Wales Group
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news on rides and activities Starter pack
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This section is divided into
2. Your first competitive ride
16km at 8k per hour (min) = 2 hours, 16km at 12k per hour (max) = 1 hour
20 minutes.
25km at 8k per hour (min) = 3 hours 8 minutes, 25km at 12k per hour (max)
= 2 hours 5 minutes.
30km at 8k per hour (min) = 3 hours 45 minutes, 30km at 12k per hour
(max) = 2 hours 30 minutes.
As long as you ride between these times you will not be eliminated for
riding too slow or too fast. Any semi-fit horse or pony will be able to
achieve the minimum speed of a 16km ride. Not all ride organisers
stick rigidly to the minimum time required so if you are worried about
your horse or pony's fitness speak to the ride organiser.
A pleasure ride run on its
own means there will be no farrier or vet on site. A pleasure ride run
in conjunction with a competitive ride means that you will be sent after
the closing date a pleasure ride vet sheet, ride instructions and a map.
It is wise to turn up at least half an hour before you need to vet your horse so your horse has time to settle. On arrival you should go to the secretaries in usually a small caravan/gazebo/horse trailer to pick up your numbered bib for the day. Check/ask if the route has been changed (it does happen) check also what the markers look like that you will be following - it could be red and white tape, sawdust, day glow orange spray or all three! So it pays to check.
If this is a pleasure ride with no farrier or vet, tack your horse up and
enjoy your ride. It is your responsibility to give your bib number to
the timekeeper at the start and end of the ride and to all the
checkpoints in between. Follow the markers - if you think you have got
lost go back to the last marker you saw and go from there. Don’t
follow the horse in front, how do you know they are not lost!
If you have to vet etc.
wearing your bib take your horse untacked with no oil on the hooves to
the farrier with your pleasure ride vet sheet. The farrier will check
your horse’s shoes and tick a box to say they are acceptable, then go
to the vets. The vets will ask you to trot your horse up in the area set
out. If it is not too busy ask the vet to take your horse's heart rate
(before the trot up). It is a good way to tell how fit your horse is and
good experience for your horse. Resting heart rate is around 40 beats
per minute but all horses are slightly different. Having passed the
vetting they will keep your vet sheet and you are ready to tack up and
enjoy the ride. If a map is provided take it you may need it!
On returning from your ride
you must present your horse un-tacked to the vets within half an hour. The vet will ask you to trot up and
again get them to take your horse's heart rate (before the trot up) as it
will help you to know how fit your horse is. Ideally you want your
horse’s heart rate as close to your horse’s normal resting heart
rate.
Congratulations, you have
completed your first ride. Give it at least half an hour and return your
bib to the secretary and pick up your rosette, get your ride record card
signed and give your horse lots of praise!
Although it looks a lot to learn it really isn’t that scary. The vets and farriers are usually really nice and everyone understands as we were all novices once so don’t be put off - have a go! The South & West Wales Group looks forward to meeting you.
2.
A competitive ride is run in a more formal manner, you will be provided an individual time to vet your horse. The farrier procedure is the same as previously mentioned however the vetting is different. Having filled in sections 1-3 on your vet sheet look at section 4. If your horse has any injury marks, fresh cuts, rubs, lumps or bumps prior to the vetting write them in this section. If you fail to do so and the vet doesn’t see them but notices them on your return vetting you could be penalised for something that did not occur during the ride.
The vet will take your horse's heart rate over a full minute. The vet will
then check your horse over for any lumps and bumps etc. Ideally your
horse should be trained to stand quietly, you will then be asked to trot
up in the area provided.
You are usually
expected to be ready to start your ride within half an hour of vetting.
A 34km / 20 mile ride can be quite demanding for a young horse or a
horse that has not had much experience (practice at pleasure rides).
Even
if your horse is a good eventer, hunter, cross country horse don’t
assume your horse is fit for endurance. Take it steady, a lame horse is
an eliminated horse!
The minimum and maximum speed for a novice horse and rider competing in a 34km ride is 34km at 8k per hour (min) = 4hrs 15 minutes, 34km at 12k per hour (max) = 2hrs 50 minutes.
If you are competing in a “graded” ride then your horse’s heart rate at the end of the ride will (as long as your horse is otherwise sound and penalty free) depict the grade you will receive. At the back of your EGB handbook you will find a penalty chart: - novice – ride distance 30 – 50km.
If you ride at 10k per hour you maximise your chance of a grade one without over stressing your horse unnecessarily:
34km at 10k per hour = 3hrs 24 minutes.
To achieve a grade one a heart rate of 44 beats per minute (bpm) is required,
to achieve a completion 64 bpm is required. For your first ride do not
worry too much about your grade, just get round safely and sound and
enjoy the experience.
On returning from your ride you must present your horse to the
vet within half an hour. In that half hour give your horse time to drink
and have a nibble at his hay net, un-tack him, wash him down, pick out
the hooves and check him over. At the vetting keep your horse as calm as
possible, the vet will take your horse's heart rate. They may pinch the
skin (to see if your horse is showing signs of dehydration) and will
check for any lumps and bumps before asking you to trot up. As long as
the horse’s heart rate is 64 bpm or below and your horse is sound you
have successfully completed your first competitive ride,
congratulations!
Give your horse some time to
relax before travelling home. The paper work can take time at busy rides
so be patient and be sure to thank the organisers. A thank you goes a
long way.
Take more than you need - most vehicles look like a travelling tack shop
when you look in them! Take spare girths, numnahs, etc. You may start the
day in glorious sunshine but by the time you come back from the ride it
could be tipping down with rain so have a selection of rugs with you so
whatever the weather your horse is catered for. You too might appreciate
a bag of dry clothes. Ideally you should have a horse first aid kit for
any minor injuries, lots of buckets, plenty of water and full hay nets.
Let your horse drink at puddles, and streams. If you’re lucky enough
to have a crew out on route, have a bucket of water waiting for you.
Take a sponge with you if your horse gets hot and sweaty, he will
appreciate a sponge down.
Don’t forget the rider, you're no good to your horse if you are tired,
hungry and dehydrated so look after yourself and take a drink with you.
Most ride organisers now give out two sticky labels with your bib number
on, the venue telephone number and a few emergency instructions /
details. The idea is to stick one on your saddle (usually the back of
the cantle so it is visible) and the other one on you again ideally so
it is visible. This is done so that should you unfortunately part
company with your horse the ride organiser will be able to find you and reunite you
again!
Most riders wear a bum bag and it is generally a good idea to carry one
for a hoof pick, vet wrap, mini “human” first aid kit, headache
tablets, baler twine/string, small penknife, glucose sweets/chocolate,
mobile phone, whistle, foil survival blanket, small pen & paper.
It is generally recommended/recognised that for every 16km (10 miles) a
horse rides he gets a day off and a day off for travelling. Therefore if
you do a 32km (20 mile) ride you would give your horse 3 days off
afterwards to recover.
Helping at a ride is a great way to see what goes on. Many organisers
struggle to get helpers so they would appreciate you giving up your time
to help. There are many jobs you can do from being a gate steward, vet
writer, time keeper, to check point steward. You will usually be put with
someone else and horse talk soon starts. You can learn so much and
make a new friend.