Endurance GB Pleasure Rides
There are two types of Pleasure Rides (PR) those which are run by the local EGB Group and those which take
place alongside a National EGB ride. The key difference is that there is no vetting process at the Group ride
and at a National EGB ride PR riders will complete a simply vetting procedure.
Please find below some helpful hints and information covering the types of things you might want to know
before, during and after the ride to help you enjoy your ride even more.
Before the ride
What information will I receive before the ride?
After the closing date, about 7-10 days before the ride, you will be sent the ride information which tells you
where the ride is, your rider number and any special instructions. Also you will be sent the ride map and a
talk round (a written description of the route). If you have entered a PR at a National ride you will receive a
vet sheet, which you should complete as directed.
Why have you sent me a talk round and map?
All South East rides will be marked along the route either by chalk marks or orange ribbons, but it is the rider’s
responsibility to make sure they have a clear idea of the route of their ride before they arrive. In addition to the map
you will receive written information to help you . We suggest you read the talk round and look at the map before the
ride.
What other preparations should I do before the ride?
Practice trotting your horse up in-hand, if you have a vetting at the ride. Calculate the times it will take you
to reach the check and crewing points on the rides so your crew/helper knows what time to meet you
around the course, bear in mind the minimum and maximum speeds for your ride.
What should the rider wear?
There is no need to wear shirt, tie and hacking jacket. Most folk wear jodhpurs or breeches of any colour,
polo shirt/sweat shirt/ rugby shirt / fleece and perhaps a gillet. Jodhpur boots or boots with a ½” heel and a
riding hat which conforms to standard PAS015/BSEN/1384/EN1384/ASTM/SEI with kite mark. Your whip
should be no longer than 75cm
Does my horse need special tack?
No special endurance tack is required. Your horse must be ridden in recognised form of bridle, with or
without a bit. You may not use a headcollar, blinkers, draw-reins, Market Harborough or similar schooling
aid. Any suitable saddle may be used. Numnahs, saddle blankets and girth guards may be used. If in doubt,
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please ask. It is a good idea to have a map holder with your map and talk round inside, a hoof pick and
perhaps a water bottle.
Do I need to plait their mane and oil their feet for the ride?
No you do not need to plait your horse but some riders whose horses have long manes will put a running
plait in. Feet should not have hoof oil put on the before a vetting.
I have never ridden at a ride before, how can I let other riders know?
At endurance rides we use a system of coloured tail ribbons. Riders can put tail ribbons on their horse to
draw attention to different situations to the riders who are approaching from behind.
 Green if your horse is novice or young
 Red if your horse is nervous or bad-tempered when other horses come close to their hindquarters
 Blue is mandatory for a stallion and the EGB supplied bridle disc must be worn on a stallion
Do I need a crew?
It is not compulsory for a pleasure ride, but having a helper at a ride is a good idea.
What time should I arrive at the venue?
Aim to arrive 30 to 60 minutes before your start time (PR ride) or vetting time (National EGB ride)
At the ride
What do I do when I arrive?
Park where instructed to by the steward. Go to the Secretary’s tent and collect your rider number, leave a
£5.00 deposit if you are a non-member, or log book and membership cards if a member and put your bib on.
Members should also hand in their horse’s EGB SE Group’s trophy record card. Check the notice board for
any changes to the route.
What do I need to do next?
Prepare buckets of water for your return and hang the hay net up outside trailer.
Put your bridle on, this is not compulsory but you will have more control if you have no helper, put the head
collar on over the top and tie up your horse so you can remove bandages etc. , if the temperature is cold or
your horse is clipped then leave the rug on. At a Group ride finish tacking up.
What is the vetting procedure (National EGB rides only)?
You will only be vetted at a Pleasure Ride if this is being held at a National EGB ride. You must present your
horse un-tacked and with unoiled feet, the horse can be in a bridle or a headcollar but must be under
control. Collect up your filled-in vet sheet and make sure you have your number bib on. The first step is to
get your horse’s shoes or feet checked by the farrier. You and your crew (helper) walk quietly to the farrier
for shoes to be checked only for national pleasure ride. Aim to get to the farrier 5-10 minutes before your
vetting time to allow for queuing.
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Continue to the vet who will ask you for your vet sheet and for you to remove rug and then the vet will check
your horse’s legs and back and then ask you to trot the horse up to a bollard 30 metres away and back. They
will keep the vet sheet. You can ask the vet to take your horse’s heart rate, although this is not compulsory
for PRs. Walk back to the trailer and tack up.
Is there anything else to do before I start?
Remembering to attach your map holder with map, talk round in and speed/distance calculation sheet.
Attach your drink and holder if you are taking one. Mount up and walk to the start remembering to take
your rider card on which you will have needed to put your rider number and the distance you are riding on.
As you start put your watch at 12’o’clock. Also make sure your helper has also done this at the same time.
Set off quietly.
During the ride
Remember general ride etiquette, respect any tail ribbons, check with riders before you pass, at gates don’t
rush off whilst others are still passing through. Be polite to other riders, ride helpers and members of the
general public you meet on your ride. If you see a rider behaving badly please report their bib number to the
Secretary.
At the check points on the ride it is your responsibility to give your rider number to the stewards. Each time
you get to a check point check your speed against your ride speed chart. You want to be riding between 8
and 15kph, usually around 10kph to start with. Respect the road crossing stewards and follow their
guidance.
Your crew will have unhitched the trailer and will drive out to meet you at the various crew/check points.
The crew will hand you a slosh of water to pour over the horse and offer a bucket of water for him/her to
drink. (Do not worry if he does not drink on the shorter rides.) The rider will also need a drink and perhaps
something to eat.
At the end of the ride
On returning to the venue (finish) get off after the finish and walk back to the trailer. At a Group PR you
have now finished. Untack your horse, offer them some water. Cool them down, see tips below, offer some
feed and load.
At a National EGB ride
You now have up to 30 minutes to get the horse ready to present to the vet. Untack and put head collar on.
Tie up your horse to the trailer and offer a drink. Do not feed until after vetting if you are being vetted.
Depending on the weather pour or sponge water over neck and back especially on the big veins on the hind
legs.
Tips on cooling your horse
The method you use depends on your horse and the weather conditions.
If wet, use the weather to cool horse and rug with waterproof. Do not put water on if the weather is cold
and wet, think how you would feel!
If horse starts to shiver, do not use water just get a rug on.
If hot weather, then wash off all sweat and use a lot of water.
Check there are no stones in the horse’s feet.
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Walk quietly to the vets for your final vetting; the same procedures will occur that happened at the
beginning. Again you can request for your horse’s heart rate to be taken, this will give you an idea of their
recovery rate and so their current fitness level.
Remember you must present to the vet within 30 minutes or you will be eliminated. You may have to queue
but, providing you have told the vet steward you are there, that is fine. You may need the full 30 minutes to
begin with, but the sooner you can present the better. After your vetting go back to the trailer.
Untack your horse, offer them some water. Cool them down, as above, offer some feed and load.
And Finally
Go to the secretary for your vet sheet, grade and rosette not sooner than 30 minutes after you finish the ride
if at a Group ride or final vetting at a National EGB ride. Also members need to remember to collect their
mastercard, membership cards and trophy card, if you are a full member it is a good idea to keep your vet
sheet in your log book for your own information.
At National EGB PRs your speed will be calculated recorded on your vet sheet. Remember in PRs you need
to ride at a speed of at least 8kph and not exceed 12kph for distances of 29km and below or 15 kph for PRs
between 30 and 50km.
Do enjoy your experience, we are a friendly lot!
Rosemary Attfield UKCC level 3 endurance coach