SERC TAYSIDE

 Endurance riding is about riding horses competitively over long distances and is one of the fastest growing equestrian sports in the UK. Many riders start with pleasure rides, where the emphasis is on enjoying riding in the countryside in a friendly, non-competitive atmosphere. All SERC Tayside rides include a pleasure ride of between 16 to 30 kilometres, which must be completed at a speed of between 8 and 10.99 kph.

Those who wish to ride competitively can move on to set-speed rides, which begin at around 30 kilometres or a series of graded rides.

At the highest level, horses and riders compete in race rides, which sometimes have mass starts and can cover up to 160 kilometres on one day or even further over more days.

At every level of the sport, the welfare of the horse is paramount and the challenge for the rider is to prepare and manage the horse so that he finishes an event in the best possible condition.

While many of the horses competing at a high level are Arabian or Arabian crosses, any horse that is sound, properly prepared and reasonably fit can successfully take part in endurance riding.

SERC Tayside has many members with a wealth of experience, who are always happy to help newcomers to the sport. The branch Committee is developing a series of training events to help both new and existing riders get the most out of their chosen level, be it in competition or simply for pleasure. 

 
Pleasure rides

To take part in a pleasure ride, you don't have to be a member of SERC, although for insurance purposes, you will have to become a temporary member for the period up to and including the event. A list of Tayside branch rides is available under 2008 Rides on this site and a list of all SERC rides is available on the SERC Website.  If you want to take part in a pleasure ride simply complete a 2008 ride entry form and return to the Ride Secretary, with a cheque for the correct remittance made payable to SERC Tayside, at least 14 days before the event. All forms and contacts can be found under our links section.

All Tayside branch rides include a Pleasure ride. Pleasure rides are up to 30km in length and are non-competitive. The ride must be completed at a speed of between 8 and 10.99 kilometres per hour; if you want to go faster, then you must enter the event as a Training Ride.

Your horse must be four years old to take part in a Pleasure ride.

You should bring your equine passport with you to all SERC rides in case your horse needs veterinary treatment during or after the ride.

Before the ride starts, your horse will be examined by a Veterinary Surgeon or a competent person appointed by the Ride Organiser to ensure that it is fit to take part. Your tack, your riding helmet and your footwear will also be inspected to ensure that it is suitable, safe and compliant with current safety standards. At the end of the ride, your horse will be examined again by the Vet or competent person, to ensure that it is fit, well and able to travel. If your horse is lame at the end of the ride, your horse will not be awarded cumulative mileage.

If you register your horse and complete the ride within the speed parameters, then your horse's cumulative mileage will be recorded and you may be eligible for an award at the end of the season.

Remember, to complete is to win.

Some helpful info to get you started !!

Packing and aftercare document :Packing and care list.doc

Speed and distance calculator : Ride calc.xls

Competitive rides

Competitive rides vary in length but are always between 30 kilometres and 80 kilometres. Like Training rides, these rides are against the clock not against other riders and you will be asked to nominate a speed category on your entry form, unless you have achieved your Bronze Thistle Final (BTF), after which you will no longer have to nominate a speed category.

Competitive rides are ridden under Competitive Ride Rules and may be used as a Grading Rides. You must have a Horse Log Book to compete in Competitive Rides.

If you intend to ride competitively in a season, an additional charge is payable when you take out or renew your membership (£10 horse registration fee in 2007-08 season).

Your horse must be 5 years old to be ridden competitively and then in rides up to 50 kilometres at no more than Speed Category 3. After the 30th June in its sixth year, it may be ridden in the higher speed categories. Your horse will be regarded as a Novice.

An older horse in its first competitive year, or an older horse that has not successfully completed a competitive ride, is also a Novice and may compete over distances of no more than 50 kilometres at Speed Category 3 until the 30th June in its first competitive year after which it may be ridden at higher speed categories.

A Novice older horse may be entered in higher speed categories and longer rides within its first year but will not then be eligible for participation in the NoviceChampionship.Novice horses may take part in 2 day 60 kilometre classes without prejudicing their novice status.

You should bring your equine passport with you to all SERC rides in case your horse needs veterinary treatment during or after the ride.

At the ride

Before the ride starts, you and your horse will have to undergo three checks. Your horse will be examined by a Veterinary Surgeon to ensure that it is fit to take part. Your tack, your riding helmet and your footwear may also be inspected to ensure that it is suitable, safe and compliant with current safety standards. A farrier will often be in attendance and will inspect your horse to ensure that its shoes are adequate. Do not expect the farrier to shoe your horse at the ride unless you have a prior arrangement with him. However, if time permits, the farrier may replace a shoe pulled off in transit or during the ride and will charge you accordingly.

At the end of the ride, your horse will be examined again by the Vet to ensure that it is fit, well and able to travel. Your horse must be presented for final vetting within 30 minutes of completing the ride. At the veterinary inspection, your horse:

• will have its pulse rate taken;
• will be checked for cuts, sore abrasions and bruising;
• will be checked for signs of dehydration (pinch test);
• will be checked for soundness.

On longer rides, there will be additional veterinary inspections every 30 kilometres.

You horse will be eliminated at final vetting or at interim vetting if it:

• has 10 or more penalty points in total (final vetting only);
• has a heart rate of more than 64 beats per minute;
• has cuts, sores, abrasions and bruising of body limbs and mouth that are considered by the vet to be non-minor or make the horse unfit to continue;
• is exhausted;
• is lame;
• is dehydrated

If your horse is eliminated, cumulative mileage will be awarded up to the last successful vetting.

Penalty points in competitive riding

At the start of each competitive ride, your horse will be awarded 10 condition points. At the end of the ride, penalty points will be deducted for:

• failure to complete within nominated speed category (horse and rider combinations who have not achieved Bronze Thistle Final (BTF) only
  1 penalty for every three minutes, or part thereof, over or under the nominated speed category or if the average speed is below 6mph
• heart rate above 48 beats per minute at final vetting
  1 penalty for every 4 beats per minute, or part thereof, above 48 bpm after final vetting
• cuts, sores, abrasions and bruising of body limbs and mouth that are considered by the vet to be non-minor.
  1-3 points for each cut, sore, abrasion or bruise considered by the vet to be non-minor

Gold, Silver and Bronze rosettes will be awarded in each speed category as follows:

Gold

0 penalty points

Silver

1-2 penalty points

Bronze

3-4 penalty points

Completion

5-9 penalty points

Elimination

10+ penalty points 

 

 

 

Mileage awards

If you complete a competitive ride within the maximum time allowance of 5.5mph and are not eliminated by heart or vet penalties, you will be eligible for cumulative mileage. If your horse is eliminated, cumulative mileage will be awarded up to the last successful vetting. If you are disqualified for any reason, cumulative mileage will not be awarded.

Endurance Race Rides

The ultimate competitive ride is the Endurance Race Ride, which may between 60 and 160 kilometres in a day. This is a "first past the post" competition, open only to qualified riders, with "vet gates" during the ride. At "vet gates" the horse must be presented with a heart rate of 64 beats per minute before it can continue on the course.

Endurance Race Rides are ridden under Gated Ride Rules and may be used as Grading Rides.

This is a brief summary of how competitive rides operate. Please consult the SERC Rule Book for further information.