Diary of a Novice Endurance Rider

This page lists some of the most common questions we have been asked (or that we have asked of other people!) since we began running mini endurance rides for the Whaddon Chase Pony Club 4 years ago. We will add to this page from time to time as other issues crop up or if you have a query please feel free to leave a comment or email us at diary@endurancerider.co.uk and we will do our best to answer – or at least pass you along to someone who might know! Remember that we are also Novice Endurance Riders – all the answers here are intended for other novices like ourselves and we do our best to be clear and accurate. However, if you think we have got something wrong feel free to correct us.

What is endurance riding?

It is a ride, often over open country, along a specified route for a set distance with minimum and maximum speed requirements. Most competitive rides require the horse or pony to be vetted before and after the ride.

What is a Merlin training ride?

Merlin is the name given by the Pony Club to the shortest of their recognised ride levels.  It is intended primarily as an introductory training level and is most likely to be organised within your branch.  The Merlin is a ride of under 16km that needs to be completed at a pace of no more than 12kmph.  There is no minimum speed but if you are intending to progress to the longer rides then it would be good practice to aim for the optimum speed of 10kmph.   Vetting is not compulsory at this level but if offered can give you a much better idea of how your pony has coped.

What are the Kestrel novice/Osprey intermediate/Eagle open rides?

These rides are the 3 different competitive levels within Pony Club Endurance.  The distance of the route you are required to ride will increase as you move up the levels.  (min 16km – max 50km) It is not necessary to have completed any Merlin rides before entering these levels but many members prefer to do so.

In order to pass these rides you will have to ride at between 8kmph and 15kmph.  Going too fast or too slow will result in elimination. Rides at these levels will require the pony to be vetted before and after the ride.  Failing the vetting will result in elimination so it is important that you prepare your pony properly.  All Kestrel, Osprey and Eagle rides can be considered qualifiers for the Pony Club National Endurance Championships – see rules for ride distances and full details on how to qualify.

These rides can be run by your branch but any NCR and CR classes of suitable distances at EGB National Rides can also be counted towards qualification and the other Pony Club Endurance Awards.  If you enter a ride organised by one of these bodies you should ensure that the ride secretary knows you are a Pony Club competitor.

What is the difference between an NCR and a CR?

NCR’s and CR’s are both types of ride run by EGB. NCR stands for Non Competitive Ride and they are also known as Pleasure or Training rides. These should not be confused however with a sponsored ride or gentle hack in the country as they still have a minimum and maximum speed which has to be met in order to pass. Vetting at these events is usually a simple trot up but you can ask for your horses pulse to be taken for your own information. You do not have to be a member of EGB in order to participate in NCR’s of under 40km but you will have to pay an extra £5 day membership if you are not. EGB now offers an Associate membership which is very good value if you are going to be doing several of these rides in a year. NCR’s generally run at distances from19km/10miles.  (NB. For 2009 EGB have generously agreed to let Pony Club members enter rides at EGB member rates in order for them to access qualifier rides.)

CR stands for Competitive Ride but in most respects the Novice sections of these are identical to NCR’s and riders from both sections can usually ride together without it causing problems. The difference is that the final vetting takes your horses heart rate and combines that with your overall speed to give you a grade from 1 to 4 based on these results. A grade 1 is the highest award and not suprisingly requires a good speed along with a low finishing heart rate. You have to be both an EGB member and have your horse registered with them in order to compete in CR’s which is why most people start off with NCR’s. The shortest distance CR is generally 32km/ 20 miles.

I’m attending a Pony Club ride. How do I know which class to enter?

Pony Club Endurance is designed for all members, centre members and associates aged 8 years and over. Anyone with a sound pony/horse can participate in endurance at Pony Club level, you do not need a particular breed or type of pony or specialist equipment.

Riders 13 years and over may begin at any level – there is no restriction against older members competing at the novice levels.  However, if you or your pony have never competed in endurance before it would not be advisable to begin higher than the Osprey level.  First- time riders are frequently surprised by the speed required in order to complete within the time allowed and it is easier to practise this on the shorter distances to begin with.

Members under 13yrs will have to complete two Kestrel rides successfully before they are allowed to progress to the longer rides.  They should also be accompanied by a mounted adult aged 18 years or over (with a maximum ratio of two members under 13yrs to one adult).

If in doubt call the ride secretary for a chat as they will be able to advise you.

I’m attending an EGB ride. How do I know which class to enter?

If you have never done Endurance riding before than my advice is to look for the shortest distance NCR class on the schedule and certainly not to attempt more than about 32km. It is far better to finish the ride feeling as if you and your pony could have gone round again than to finish exhausted with a stressed or lame pony. You will be suprised at how much things such as map reading and stopping for gates or crew breaks will slow your average speed.

What do you mean by a team/rider “crew”?

The team or rider’s crew is the term given to non-riding support personnel. A crew will usually meet riders at points along the route to offer drinks to both horse and rider and to “slosh” both with water on a hot day! (tip – water in old milk or fabric conditioner bottles are excellent for pouring on top of the horses neck). Routes will often be marked with “good crewing points” where road access and parking are reasonable. Crew will also help with caring for the horse after the ride, with the aim of reducing his heart rate as far as possible for the vetting.

As you can perhaps imagine, for advanced level riders crewing becomes a serious and highly technical affair, however at novice level it is probably only really necessary at all for rides of 20 miles plus or if you are concerned about particularly novice riders. At WCPC rides we do aim to ensure that there is some water available both en-route and at the venue. However bringing your own (especially on hot days) for the finish is advisable even if you do not intend to “crew” en-route.

What is my ride Master Card and why is it important?

All horses registered with EGB and all competitors at Pony Club events are issued with a ride record card. This is called your ride Master Card and forms the only acceptable record of your endurance riding achievements. It is therefore a very important document which it is your responsibility to hand to the secretary at the start of each ride. The secretary will complete and validate your card each time you compete. No awards will be back dated due to loss of a card or failure to present it on the day. There are good reasons this rule is so strictly adhered to.

1) for welfare reasons equines are not usually allowed to compete at more than 10 endurance rides in a year. The record card allows secretaries to monitor this.

2) riders under 13 years who wish to progress to the level above “Kestrel” are required by Pony Club rules to have completed two 10 mile rides first. Your Master Card is your only proof of eligibility and failure to produce it on the day will result in your entry being withdrawn.

4) EGB registers horses as Novice/Intermediate and Open – this determines the difficulty of the standards you are judged against and the classes you are allowed to enter. Your record card is also used to judge Annual Trophy points so it is essential that it is correctly filled in.

What does the vetting entail?

At most endurance rides competitors will be required to trot their horse up for the vet both before they start and within 20 minutes of completing. Failure to do so can result in disqualification. Horses can be trotted up in either headcollars or bridles but should be under control. They should not be saddled or have boots, bandages or hoof oil on. The leader need not be the rider but must wear the competitor’s number bib for identification. The trot up is over 20m – 30m and must be done with a loose rein. The vet will observe the trot up for signs of lameness and pick up the feet. He may also look into the mouth and examine the horse for signs of external injury and dehydration. It is a good idea to ensure that your pony is used to having these things done by a stranger. The vet will also take the pulse rate. In general a pulse rate of over 64bpm will result in disqualification and the lower the pulse the better in rides where it is used to determine points or grades.

There will also be a Farriery check at the pony Club Championships and most EGB competitive rides. Horses should have good, new shoes -especially for longer distances.

How fast do I have to ride?

8-15 kmph requires that you do a reasonable amount of the route at trot. This will give you enough time to walk or stop to get your bearings.  You should expect to do very little walk. You will be able to canter on some parts of the route if you are running late, however remember finishing too early is as bad as finishing too late, as this suggests that your pony has had to run too fast. As a benchmark all riders and ponies should be in a fit state to complete 50% of the ride distance again after they have completed the set ride. Ponies will usually be vetted after the ride to ensure they have coped well – a finishing heart rate of over 64 beats per minute and/or lameness usually results in disqualification.

How do I know how fast I am riding?

Checkpoints will be marked on the route map. Working out the distance between these or other landmarks will give you an indication of how much time it should take you to reach each checkpoint. Planning how you will ride each section according to terrain/speed should all be part of your preparation for the event. Speed= Distance/Time

How will I know the route?

All competitors will be given a photocopied map on which the route is marked, and sometimes a written description of the main route features. The route is partially marked (usually with chalk or spray paint) – generally only at major changes of direction. Part of the challenge and enjoyment of endurance riding is to use your map and talk round to navigate the route successfully. You should also always check at the secretaries’ caravan for any last minute route changes.

What is to stop me from taking a short cut?

The route will be stewarded at certain checkpoints, at which your number is recorded and relayed back to the secretary. This also helps the organiser keep track of riders in the event of an emergency. Please note that it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your number is recorded – if it isn’t you could be eliminated!

What is to stop me simply following the rider in front?

Each group of 2-5 riders will be given a start time, this will mean that riders are less likely to bunch up and will also stop the ponies from thinking it is a race. It is possible that you will catch up with other groups around the route but you should beware of following them blindly – they might be lost!

Who can participate?

Anyone with a sound pony/horse can participate at the lower level rides. Non Pony club members and EGB or Sport Endurance riders are all welcomed at WCPC rides. However both Pony Club and EGB rules state

• All riders must be at least 8 years old on the day of the ride.
• Riders under 13 years of age on the day of the ride must be accompanied by an adult rider of 18 years or over. NB  the maximum ratio allowed is 1 adult to 2 juniors.