ENTERING A RIDE 

Ride Nominations/Entries are done through the National database AERAOnline. See Ride Entry page for instructions.

Print out the Horse Health Declaration (HHD) when nominating (or download a copy - see Documents)

BEFORE THE RIDE - 4 DAY HORSE TEMPERATURE (HHD form Horse Health Declaration)

All horses that attend a ride must have their rectal temperature taken once daily for 4 days prior to the ride and recorded on the HHD form. Bring the completed form to the Ride desk when you register on the day. (See How to take a Horse’s Temperature).

ARRIVING AT THE RIDE 

If you are not camping overnight and arriving on the morning of the ride, please arrive at least 2 hours before your ride start time. This ensures you have enough time to register, vet your horse, attend the pre-ride brief and get you and your horse ready. 

When you arrive at ride base, set up your yards. Metal yards need to be fixed to a solid object, steel post, or float. If you are using electric tape this needs to be two strands (min 1cm wide) with the top between 1.2 & 1.4 meters above the ground, no sags and energized at all times when the horse is in the yard. (See Horse Yard Requirements).

If you are not using yards, please ensure your horse is tied securely to the float and supervised by a competent person at all times. 

Register at the Ride Desk (so that we know you and your horse are on site). Hand in your completed Horse Health Declaration. You will receive a numbered bib - please ensure there is a tag with the Chief Steward’s telephone number on BOTH your bib AND your saddle. This number is what you ring if you need assistance out on track. If you are new to the sport and your horse has not been issued with a log book, you will be given a blue day card which will record all your horse’s veterinary check details. Wearing your bib (number) and taking your blue day card (or log book), take your horse to the vet ring for the pre-ride vet check. (no saddle etc, just halter)

If your horse is prone to kicking (either on ground or ridden) place a RED ribbon in their tail to advise others to take caution. A BLUE ribbon indicates a stallion. 

VETTING 

At the vet ring if your horse is wearing a rug, please make sure that all straps are undone to allow easy access. A TP steward will then take your horse's heart rate and temperature. This is recorded in your blue day card. You will then be directed to the vet. The vet will check your horse to make sure they are in good health, are well hydrated and have good gut sounds. You will then be asked to trot your horse out. The trot out is straight out around a cone and back. This allows the vet to assess if your horse is sound. Once you have passed the vet check your blue day card or log book will be kept by the vet for entering into the computer and returned to you at the finish line with your time to attend your post ride vetting. You can then take your horse back to the yards and make them happy!

PRE-RIDE BRIEFING 

Attend the pre-ride brief, the time of which is usually stated in the ride information. No horses or dogs allowed at this briefing. The briefing will alert you to anything you need to be aware of on course, the course markers you are to follow, and your minimum & maximum time limits on your ride. Minimum ride times are set for all Novice horses for your horse’s welfare until you are classed as an “Open Endurance rider”. A maximum ride time may also be set for your safety. Your ride start time will be confirmed. 

STARTING & DURING YOUR RIDE

Go to the start line at the designated Start time. It’s all nice and calm, you don’t all have to charge across the line at the same time!  Walk towards the start and call your number loudly to the Chief Steward. Make sure the CS has acknowledged you, as this is a record of you going out on course.  

If you wish to wait until some riders have started (to avoid other horses or if you are nervous etc), you can wait, however make sure you cross the start line within 15 minutes of the official start time, or you may be disqualified. (Example Start time 8.00am - you can start at 8am, but you have until 8.15am to cross the start line and begin your ride.)

At checkpoints, call your number to the CP person and make sure they have heard you, again, this information is relayed back to base so we know where you are on course for your safety. At checkpoints, there will be water, hay and carrots for the horse and water for riders. Please approach water points carefully so as not to frighten or disturb horses which may be drinking. If there is a rider trying to get his or her horse to drink, please wait until they have finished. Do not allow your horse to push in. Once the horse has had a drink, move away from the water container, so that others can have their turn. The same courtesy applies to horses eating the hay/carrots. 

If you wish to cool your horse (strapping) at a CP, please ensure you use the smaller buckets available to take water from the large drinking container and move aside to a safe spot where you can attend to your horse. DO NOT dunk your sponge in the drinking water to strap from, other horses do not wish to drink your horses sweat! 

At all checkpoints if you feel that your horse, or you, cannot complete the ride, you may call for the rescue float. The rescue float will bring you back to the ride base where you must present to the Chief Steward at the Vet ring. You can take your mobile with you, however any assistance out on track MUST go through the Chief Steward first. (CS mobile number is on the tag on your bib and on your saddle). 

Whilst on course please be aware of other riders. Pass safely, calling out loudly and letting other riders know you are passing on the right, and being careful of any unsettled horses. Kickers will be wearing a red ribbon in their tails, please give them a wide berth. Some riders will put a red ribbon in when they are schooling a young/green horse so please give them plenty of space. 

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

As you approach the finish line/desk, call out your number. Dismount, and collect your day card or log book. This will have your vet time clearly recorded which will be 30 minutes after your finish time. Take your horse back to your yards for strapping. 

STRAPPING

Strapping is cooling the horse down and making them comfortable so that their heart rate is less than 55 beats per minute.  You have up to 30 minutes to achieve this and present to the Vet ring. (strapping is a whole subject on it’s own, so we won’t go into detail here)

POST RIDE VETTING

Still wearing your bib, take your horse and your blue day card or log book with you to the vet ring within 30 minutes of crossing the finish line. If you present after the 30 mins you may be disqualified. 

A TP Steward will take your horse’s heart rate, then you go to the vet. They will examine your horse as before, including the trot out. The vet will advise if you have passed successfully or if not, will let you know why not. 

PRESENTATIONS

Presentations are part of the endurance experience, to show comradeship to your fellow riders and appreciation to the mountain of volunteers who have helped put the ride on. Presentations are held as soon as possible after the last rider in your ride distance has been vetted. Your ride/vetting details have to be entered into the National computer database so please be patient. You will receive your blue day card or log book as a record of your ride, and sometimes there are small prizes! 

You should allow for 2 hours in camp after your ride, this is for your horse's welfare. Should you need to leave prior to presentations, your blue day card or log book needs to be signed off by the Head Vet and Ride Secretary, even if your horse has vetted out. The vet will only sign off the log book or vet card if he or she thinks the horse is in a safe condition to travel home. 

AFTER THE RIDE

Whether you completed successfully or did not have the ride you quite imagined, you and your horse will have had an amazing experience together.

We look forward to seeing you at a ride.

TO COMPLETE IS TO WIN!!