Endurance Riding Ireland

Ride Types

Pleasure Rides

Sometimes called non-competitive or social rides - they may be of distances up to 32km (20 miles) but are normally about 11-16km (8-10 miles).

Pleasure rides are open to members and non-members and these rides should be completed at between 8 km/hr and 12 km/hr. When run in conjunction with competitive rides, horses may be trotted up before starting and again within 30 minutes of finishing.

Pleasure rides are a great way to get started or for occasional ride outs. You can go on your own or in a small group.

ILDRA Pleasure Rides normally allow you to ride out from about 10:00am with the last start time being between 1:00pm and 1:30pm depending on the time of the year and light availability.

Juniors riders under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a superivising adult. Adults accompaning juniors can do so on horse, bike and on foot at most venues. Ask the ride organiser if there are any restrictions or access issues at a ride you may wish to attend if unsure.

At nearly all ILDRA competitive rides there is a Pleasure Ride run alongside with several events during the year being Pleasure Rides only.

CTR (Competitive Trail Rides)

Sometimes called Competitive Rides - usually between 32km and 80km (20-50 miles), though longer rides will occasionally be on the calendar. Speeds vary between 11-18Km/hr (6.8-11 miles/hr) with restrictions on higher speeds for novice horses and riders. More advanced combinations can compete at higher speeds.

There are veterinary inspections before the start and at the end of the ride and for rides of 48km (30 miles) and above, also at halfway and interim stages depending on the ride length. Horses must comply with set veterinary parameters to successfully complete the ride, and may be eliminated at any veterinary inspection, including the final one, if, in the opinion of the veterinary panel, they are not fit to continue.

Rosettes are awarded dependent upon passing the vet inspections, finishing within the appropriate speed parameters and upon the horse's final heart rate.

A Pre-Novice CTR - a competitive ride of less than 32km (20 miles) normally between 16km (10 miles) and 25km (16 miles) is also available at most rides.

You must be a full riding member of ILDRA and your horse registered and be in possession of a current logbook to compete in CTRs.

To enter a CTR you need to use the on-line system (Ulster Branch) or send in a completed paper entry form, with full payment, to the ride organiser before the closing date, generally 5 days before the ride. Ride organisers have discretion to accept late entries, subject to a later entry fee, contact the organiser directly. Links to On-Line Entry system and to the paper forms can be found on the ride page from the calendar or the Entry Fees page here.

ER (Endurance Rides)

These are only for advanced horse and rider combinations. They are the hardest test for both. All FEI and International competitions are ERs and ILDRA run a number ERs during the year. They usually begin with a mass start, and the riders aim to cover the distance as fast as they can, taking into account the terrain and welfare of their horse.

During the Ride the rider will be required to present their horse to the vet at various set intervals to be checked as fit to continue. Following each vet check there are compulsory rest periods called "holds" where the horse and rider can eat and take a breather before continuing. Many riders ultimate goal is the successful completion of an Endurance Ride. These vary from 80km to 160km (50 to 100 miles) in a day or, on some ocasions, further, over several days.

You must be a full riding member of ILDRA and your horse registered and be in possesion of a curent logbook to compete in ERs.

To enter a ER you need to use the on-line system (Ulster Branch) or send in a completed paper entry form, with full payment, to the ride organiser before the closing date, generally 5 days before the ride. Ride organisers have discretion to accept late entries, subject to a later entry fee, contact the organiser directly. Links to On-Line Entry system and to the paper forms can be found on the ride page from the calendar or the Entry Fees page here.

Non Members

CTRs and ERs

Members of other endurance riding organisations recognised by their National Federations may also take part in CTRs/ERs on an ad hoc basis, with the permission of the directors. Log books or evidence will generally be required for longer rides.