Well my mother, who just begun horseback riding recently (last couple years) is completing her Horsemanship 3 class this fall. It's the final one in a series of classes from an adult learning program at a local vocational school, very reputable and with good instruction. She has done quite well and is really finding herself as a horsewoman (at age 52! GO MOM!) Her knee has healed from surgery quite nicely and her husband is on the road to recovery from cancer getting his clean bill of health after last week's surgery. He also returned to riding before the diagnosis after a 30 year hiatus from horses. But enough back story-on to the question:

I'm perfectly happy doing the casual get-together trail rides. But I know Mom and Step-dad, they are very goal-oriented, driven people. I fear they may fall in a rut without something to aspire to with the horses. So I was thinking about endurance riding ... I think it would be right up their alley. And it's something we could all do together. It combines everything all of us already enjoy-camping, a social setting, the open trail and of course the horses while adding a competitive edge. We've got the horses, all are seasoned trail horses accustomed to long distance riding, sound and healthy. Of course I'm not aiming to ride for the Tevis Cup or anything like that, more like limited distance rides organized by local groups. Small fish, small pond is more our speed. pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

So, any advice? Anything you can tell me about Endurance riding? The atmosphere? The people? What to expect? I know the basics, and have some acquaintances that do it. All wonderful, slightly crazy people. Tell me what you enjoy about it, why you love it, what drew you to it in the first place.

I am an endurance rider, and I would like to completely encourage you to try it! I compete my TB mare successfully thru 50 mile rides and so has my mother is in her late 50s. You should go to the AERC website and check out their articles on training for your first 25 mi ride. Also look into the sub-group for your region. Like SEDRA is for the southeastern US (distance riders ). The atmosphere is pretty laid back, not like other types of shows. Usually there is a riders meeting the night before and the first vet check. Then you leave out at your start time in the morning (everyone feeds their horses at about 3 or 4 am). 25 mi rides (Lim. Dist.) have only one vet check about half way thru. The vet checks your horse for metabolic issues, dehydration, and lameness or tying up. Then once you are cleared, your hold time starts, usually 30 mins. Then you head out again. If you are under 16 you need a 'sponsor' to compete with you. The evening after the ride, they hold a very relaxed awards ceremony where they hand out the awards (usually tack or monogrammed shirts or blankets) and a 'ride camp dinner' for riders and pit crew. Everyone gets a tee shirt upon completion, because 'to finish is to win' :-). Technically it is a race, the first to finish in 'fit to continue condition' wins and out of the top ten finishers, the vet chooses a best condition horse for a separate award. Most of the competitiors and vets are friendly and willing to give advice or help to a newbie, so feel free to ask about tack or feeding practices (different than show horses). Roughage and hydration are VERY important! A note about speed: Plenty of riders go very slowly and some rides even offer a turtle award, so don't feel pressured to go fast if you aren't ready, the ride staff will wait for you. If you post any specific questions, I'd love to help answer.

pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com

Added: You mention having gaited horses, you will find kindred spirits in the endurance world. I have seen Pasos, Walkers, and Saddlebreds (who do incredibly well actually) on the trail. My TB (barefoot too) has top tenned in all but one of her rides, so you don't have to follow the Arab -only stereotype. I'd like to mention I was previously a dressage and stadium jumper rider (still practice these at home, but avoid the shows) and the generally calmer attitude of endurance riders was what initially drew me to the sport, (there are rude, critical riders, but very very few) and once there, I loved the quality time with my horse, the challenges on the trail and with fitness training, meeting some of the 'old timers' who have been doing it for decades, and the fact that the prizes were useful and not just ribbons! You do have to be a little nuts and totally love time in the saddle with your horse, but it is very rewarding on an individual level. People actually talk to each other and trade advice and stories. I just love it. All the best and happy trails!

I've done a couple different kinds of competitive trail riding. One was endurance (25 miles). It was fun , the atmosphere and people were good and friendly. They required everyone on the grounds the night before to camp, and provided a cookout dinner and breakfast the next morning, so you had time to mingle, etc. The ride itself was fun, but I wonder if it might be too much for a couple of people in their 50's who are recovering from health issues. I was in my late 20's when I did it, and it was pretty tiring even then. It was lots of fun, though, and I'm glad I did it. You can find some informative links at www.aerc.org and www.ectra.org