The time has come and you and your horse are ready to attempt your first endurance ride, whether it be as a day rider or an affiliated member of ERASA.
We welcome all visitors and newcomers to the sport and truly hope that it is a wonderful experience for you, but we are also going to ask to please adhere to a few “unwritten rules” of an endurance ride.
You will soon come to realize that we have the friendliest vets at our rides and our officials give their uttermost at every ride, so we ask that you pay them the due respect and have patience with them.
Sometimes, riders are streaming in and since you are not riding competitively, it would help if you could make way for the serious competitive riders, where every second is valuable. It will not affect your result and your cooperation will always be appreciated.
When on the route, please allow horses to pass and clearly indicate if your horse kicks by using a red ribbon in its tail. Stallions need to be marked with a red and yellow ribbon in its tail.
Keep a safe following distance (about the length of a horse) between you and the horse in front of you and always be cautious when approaching a horse with a ribbon. If you want to pass, kindly indicate your intention by asking the riders in front of you to make way and pass as soon as you are able.
As everyone knows, it is extremely frustrating to have someone cut in line or get in your way on the track. Therefore, we would like to compile a list of proper etiquette for rides.
At registration, have all your papers (the correct ones) ready to register yourself and your horse for the ride. If riding competitively, remember your saddle, helmet, breastplate (but not bridle) and riding gear for weighing in.
All horses that have a tendency to kick, must wear a red ribbon in its tail, clearly visible to riders behind the horse. All stallions need to wear a yellow and red ribbon in its tail, clearly visible to riders.
At the vet check, please remember to remain patient and stay in the order of arrival.
During the ride on the track, remain a safe distance from one another – preferably a horse’s distance.
If you would like to pass a rider in front of you, clearly indicate your intention and be prompt to pass at the first given opportunity.
If someone would like to pass you, please allow them to pass at the first possible opportunity.
When arriving, have a dedicated person to get your time card and move forward to your grooming spot. DO NOT UNSADDLE IN THE ARRIVAL AREA. This congests the flow of incoming horses and affects their time.
Please only use your dedicated grooming area, as the riders of the grooming area next to you might arrive at any given moment.
At the vet during competition. Please be patient and walk your horse until the number on your time slip is called. The vets are doing their best to get to everyone as soon as possible and it can get busy, especially when there are re-inspections that need to happen.