Competitive Trail Riding
Competitive trail rides range from 15 to 100 miles in length and must be completed within a specified time limit at a set pace of 5 to 8 miles per hour. Horses are vet checked according to the standard criteria. Placings are based on vet scores and accuracy of completion time.
Limited Distance Riding
These rides must be less than 50 miles in length, and are usually 20 to 30 miles. There is no minimum time to finish; maximum time allowed depends on the distance (ie. a 25 mile ride must be finished in less than 6 hours). All vet criteria must be met throughout the ride. Finishing time is when your horse meets the pulse criteria, not when you cross the finish line.
Endurance Rides
Endurance rides are 50 to 100 miles in one day over varied terrain. There is no minimum time to finish; maximum time allowed depends on the distance (ie. a 50 mile ride must be finished in less than 12 hours). All vet criteria must be met throughout the ride. Finishing time is when you and your horse cross the finish line. The first horse across the finish line is the winner but for many long distance riders "to finish is to win."
Ride & Tie
This is a challenging team sport of one horse and two riders racing cross country for 3 to 25 miles. Riders alternately run (on their own two feet) and ride the horse. The horse is tied occasionally to await the runner who then re-mounts, by-passes their partner, carries on down the trail and then re-ties the horse and starts running again. All vet criteria must be met throughout the ride. Finishing time is when you, your partner and your horse cross the finish line.
