Endurance Riding - An Introduction

Welcome to the fourth discipline of the New Zealand Equestrian Federation.Now don’t let that scare you off as Endurance riding caters for everyone!

Anyone can ride endurance
From young and older, to all shapes and sizes (including the horses), as long as you can hold on - you can ride in Endurance.

We have all types of riders - those who are simply out to follow a marked trail for a fun ride in the forest with like-minded people, to pony clubbers, hunters and eventers after some great cross-training to freshen up or to increase horse fitness, through to the many levels of Endurance rider.

Distances vary from 10km Intro rides to 160km Endurance events. There are no limits as to how far you can go in Endurance - it is in your hands.

The basics of Endurance
​​​​​​​Endurance riding is in essence, a very simple sport. You have a start, from where you then follow a marked trail across farmland, through forests etc (whatever is the local terrain) to the finish, and as long as the horse passes the vet inspections the position you have crossed the line is where you have finished.

Don’t panic, as you don’t have to start with the masses, you can hang back and take your time as you have 15 minutes to get on your way after the official start. Ride times vary with Novice and Open riders and horses catered for with different minimum and maximum riding times e.g. longer/slower times for Novice than for Open.

Horse welfare is paramount
​​​​​​​Horse safety and wellbeing is paramount in Endurance, and this is where the vet checks come in.

Before starting, all horses must pass a pre-ride vet check. Heart Rates are taken and must be under 64 beats per minute, and horses are trotted out to check soundness. This is done before, after and sometimes on longer rides (which may be broken into multiple loops) during an event. All riders must wear a safety helmet and you may not ride with spurs or a whip.

The Auckland Woodhill Endurance Club has been holding rides in the area since the 80’s, our rides are now mainly over farmland. However, landscapes can include peaceful forest tracks, beach runs, rolling pasture, waterfalls and lagoons etc, including hidden gems you will only get to see on an AWEC organised ride. If you travel to other clubs rides throughout the country, you will get to see a NZ only a few have the privilege to experience.

The majority of Endurance riders in New Zealand are local club riders, but we do have a growing number who are competing on the international stage or even working in overseas stables.

In 1998 the New Zealand team (average age was around 55) won the World Endurance Team Championships held in Dubai. 

In saying that, the bread & butter, the people we get to see and talk and ride with at each of our rides is the average Jo Blogg. Not to say you won’t get to rub shoulders with the top echelon of the sport, as you do – many of whom are free with their knowledge, particularly on horse health and welfare.