For more information on the 2019 AERC National Championship Ride, including entry forms and location guide, go to 2019NC.com or see our Facebook page at facebook.com/AERC2019NC. For more information about the American Endurance Ride Conference, visit https://aerc.org.
For more information about the American Endurance Ride Conference, visit https://aerc.org.
500 AERC miles to his record, and my AERC record indicates over 3,000 miles with additional regional miles in the Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Rides Association (UMECRA) and local MnDRA miles (Minnesota Distance Rides Assn.).
Endurance riding has enabled me to know my horse in ways that might not have been possible otherwise. Not only do we ride in the competitions, but we spend hours together on a planned fitness schedule. A hands-on competitor, I manage Chaco’s care, nutrition, hydration, electrolytes and energy to ensure a successful completion. All three of my Pasos have been competitive athletes and would run themselves out if I didn’t take care to conserve their energy. Experience has taught me how to pace them so they can quickly meet the finish criteria. Horses must be judged “Fit to Continue” without any lameness, dehydration, fatigue, muscle cramps, etc. to earn a qualified completion. LD is more a race to pulse down than a race to the finish line.
Horses learn and master other new skills becoming a successful distance horse, aside from physical fitness.
Behaving well for Vet checks and pulse takers, learning to eat and drink on trail, passing and being passed, resting in Hold periods, trailering to new places and camping overnight all benefit from advance preparation, not to mention trail challenges such as water crossings, bridges, deep mud and steep slopes.
Practicing at home or introducing them to Ride Camp before entering competition are good strategies to alleviate the sensory overload of that first Ride.
Riders can prepare themselves by volunteering in the vet area. If the rider is familiar with the routines, the horse will be less stressed.
It’s rewarding to watch your horse learn, get comfortable with the sport, behave and perform well. It deepens your relationship, and enables you to succeed together as a team!
learning to eat and drink on trail, passing and being passed, resting in Hold periods, trailering to new places and camping overnight all benefit from advance preparation, not to mention trail challenges such as water crossings, bridges, deep mud and steep slopes.
Practicing at home or introducing them to Ride Camp before entering competition are good strategies to alleviate the sensory overload of that first Ride.
Riders can prepare themselves by volunteering in the vet area. If the rider is familiar with the routines, the horse will be less stressed.
It’s rewarding to watch your horse learn, get comfortable with the sport, behave and perform well. It deepens your relationship, and enables you to succeed together as a team!