ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association - 1990) is a long established Endurance Riding Organisation with representation throughout Ireland and is recognised by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI).

It organises a series of rides throughout Ireland. Most rides involve a Pleasure Ride for members and non-members, normally of about 8 miles, and a series of CTRs (Competitive Trail Rides) over a number of distances starting from 20 miles for members. Some events also feature ERs (Endurance Rides) - these normally start at 50 miles and are for experienced horses and riders only.

So what is Endurance Riding - perhaps it is useful to say what Endurance Riding isn't. It isn't a long pony trek, ambling through lanes, it isn't for the faint hearted, and it isn't for the rider who doesn't actually enjoy being in the saddle for long.

So what is it? It is a unique competitive challenge and a supreme sport for learning about equine fitness. Veterinary checks before and after competitive rides - and in the middle too for longer distances - ensure the best possible care is taken of your horse. Any problems can be picked up earlier rather than later.

You, the rider, learn more about the way your horse functions, with the importance of regulating your riding to suit conditions which will affect the way your horse behaves and how he presents to the vet. Key factors include:

• The terrain: is it hilly or flat, sandy or hard ground?
• The weather: is it cold, wet, foggy, or hot and sunny?
• The route: does it look to be difficult to follow on the map, or a more simple circular course?

The board and committee members of ILDRA have been hard at work planning for the re-emergence of our sport and as lockdown measures ease, we hope to have a provisional calendar ready shortly. In order to prioritise safety and comply with Covid directives, some changes have been made.

While we still welcome all who wish to participate, only ILDRA members will be able to take part in rides and various membership options will be available to suit every budget (details will be in the ride entry form).

• Online entries will be mandatory, even for Pleasure Rides and no entries will be accepted on the day of the ride.
• Numbers will also be limited so entries will close several days before the ride.
• Riders will be given a start time (hopefully within their preferred time slot) and should arrive not more than 30 minutes before that time.
• Riders will need to print out and display clearly in their vehicles a Ride Entry card that will be sent prior to the ride.
• Riders may be accompanied / assisted by not more than one crew member/helper.
• No log books may be handed in at rides and rosettes will not be given out.
• Arrangements will be made for accumulated mileages to be awarded digitally (only annual members whose horses hold current log cards are eligible for mileage awards).
• ILDRA’s Covid protocol will soon be available on Facebook and the ILDRA website.
• The new arrangements will need more volunteers than ever to run our rides so please get in touch if you would like to help.

Thank you for your patience and we look forward to seeing you in the not too distant future.