Erasa.co.za
Title
- Endurance Ride Association of South Africa ::
Description
Endurance Riding is an equestrian sport which kicked off in South Africa during the early 1970’s. The first National Championship ride was held in 1974 at Fauresmith (a small town in the Free State province) with less than thirty entrants. From these humble beginnings a major equestrian sport has grown; at the last National Championship Ride (still held at Fauresmith) 320 horses and riders were entered.
It is a true family sport. Families gather at the venues where endurance rides are presented and each member of the family has a role to play – some as riders, some as grooms for the horses, some as cooks and supporters for the riders. Not only do family members act as grooms for the horses (more about that later), but the sport also allows for a father and mother to ride with their children; young kids are allowed to enter for the shorter distances (30 kilometres) whilst children between 10 – 14 years of age can enter for any distance up to a maximum of 120 km. When they reach the age of 14 they are recognised as junior riders and can enter for any distance presented at any of the endurance rides. There is no upper age restriction – riders can continue far beyond retirement age (all depending on the fitness of the rider) and some riders have passed the 70 year of age mark (and could therefore enjoy a sport with their grandchildren)!
Anybody is allowed to enter for rides of 30 kilometres, thereby creating the opportunity for new riders to “get the feel” of the sport before they have to pay membership fees, etc. For rides longer than 30 kilometres riders have to become members of a club and through the club of the Endurance Ride Association of South Africa. Throughout the year rides are presented all around South Africa; approximately 50 rides where distances of 30, 60 and 80 kilometres can be entered for are presented each season. Added to this there also are more challenging rides of distances of 160 kilometres in one day or even 480 kilometres over three days. Two National Championship Rides are presented each season; one at Fauresmith in July of each year where riders compete over three days and a total of 201 kilometres, and one at Hofmeyr in the Eastern Cape in August of each year where riders compete over 160 kilometres in a single day. To enter for the Fauresmith Ride rider and horse (as a combination) have to successfully complete at least three rides of 80 kilometres or longer during the year (twelve months) before entries to the ride close.
