This video is part of a multi video series to introduce and help riders and trainers to the sport of endurance riding. This video covers on course & trail etiquette.
To keep the sport safe and fun, here are some etiquette tips for when you are riding the course keep left when on wider tracks, and if you need to pass another rider, try to pass to the right. Call out to warn them in advance in case they haven’t heard you coming up behind. Be particularly careful of horses with red ribbons. Be aware of stallions with blue ribbons, particularly if your mare is in season and likely to tease as she passes. If you do want to pass another horse or group of horses try not to pass and then stop, the key to successful endurance riding is to get you horse to go along nice and relaxed at a fairly consistent pace. If you are continually racing past other horses and stopping it is likely to upset other riders.
If you see someone trying to mount, or having difficulty with their horse, slow down or stop, and wait until it is safe to continue. If a rider has had an accident, please stop and offer assistance. Someone should wait with them until help arrives.
When arriving at a checkpoint, call out your number to the volunteer, and wait for them to call it back to you before proceeding. It is lovely to thank them for being there.
It is important that your horse drinks as much as possible when on an endurance ride, as dehydration is one of the main threats to a successful completion. It is important to offer your horse a drink at every opportunity out on track. If a horse is already drinking at a trough, check with the rider if it is ok before coming alongside – it is seen as very rude to disrupt someone else’s horse from drinking. If the trough is already busy, don’t try to squeeze in, wait your turn. If your horse is just playing with the water and you notice riders waiting, please move away to let others drink. You can always return to the trough to offer your horse another chance if you wish.
Unless specially labelled, water troughs are provided for horse drinking water only, and should not be used for strapping. A dirty sponge can contaminate the water with sweat and stop other horses from drinking. Creeks and puddles on track also provide water points for horses. Try to avoid disturbing them more than necessary. Avoid letting your horse paw at the bottom and muddy it up. Do not let your horse poo or wee in or adjacent to the water. If the water is free flowing, it is probably ok to strap from it.
