San Diego Endurance & Competitive Equine Events
Competitive Trail Riding — Equine Sports
Are you interested in equestrian competitive trail riding in the San Diego county? If so, welcome to Windfall Ranch! Our facility offers equine boarding and training for horses and their riders interested in competitive trail riding sports, such as AERC (American Endurance Riding Conference) endurance riding. Windfall Ranch is ideal for competitive trail riders as there is no need to trailer your horse to access trails ideal for training. We have miles of single track and technical trails with excellent footing accessible directly from Windfall Ranch!
Endurance Riding Resources
Endurance Articles & Videos
- Endurance Riding — by Terry Woolley Howe
- AERC San Diego Ride Videos
AERC (American Endurance Ride Conference)
Terry Howe of Windfall Ranch is on the Board of Directors of the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), which is the sanctioning body for all endurance rides in the United States (see article on endurance riding).
The competitive equine sport of Endurance riding is equivalent to running an ultra marathon, but with added requirements. An “endurance” ride must be at least 50 miles in length per day and a “limited distance” ride must be at least 25 miles in length per day. While being a timed race with, safety to the horse is the top concern, with the endurance horses judged more on a “fit-to-continue” criteria than on fasted time. A measured and marked trail is used as the ride course and along the way, at Vet Checks, located at predetermined distances, the horses are examined and then judged on specific metabolic fitness parameters, such as the horse’s pulse and respiration (P&R’s) are checked set by a veterinarian set before the ride begins.
For complete information about Endurance competitive equine events visit the AERC website.
Ride & Tie
Ride and Tie is a fun, challenging sport that blends running, horseback riding, endurance, and strategy. Each team includes two runners and one horse, working together to complete a 20 to 100 mile trail course. Team members take turns running and riding, leapfrogging one another along the route. Over the full distance, partners learn to use each runner’s abilities and the horse’s strengths to work efficiently and gain an advantage.
CTR/ Competitive Trail Riding
— NATRC (North American Trail Ride Conference)
A competitive trail ride (CTR) is a competitive distance event over a measured distance and completed within a window of time. In NATRC competitions, the horses are evaluated by an approved veterinary judge, and riders are evaluated by an approved horsemanship judge. The judging begins at the preliminary examination, usually the day before the ride, continues during the ride, and concludes at the final examination one or two days later. The equines (horses, ponies, and mules) are evaluated on condition, soundness, their trail manners, and way of going. Riders are judged on horsemanship as it applies to competitive trail riding. Trail safety and courtesy are key elements as is the ability to care for a horse during and after a long day in the back country.
NATRC Introduction
Endurance Riding Resources
- American Endurance Ride Conference
- San Diego Endurance Riders Group (Facebook)
- AERC Endurance Rides – PS Region – Ride Photos
Endurance Articles & Videos
- Endurance Riding — by Terry Woolley Howe
- AERC San Diego Ride Videos
