The sport of endurance riding involves horse and rider tackling long-distances at a set speed in a competitive environment. The rides vary in length and terrain, which allows a wide range of horse types and riding abilities to take part.
Horses have to pass vet checks during and at the end of rides to ensuring their welfare is at the heart of the sport. Vets will only allow horses to continue or pass a horse at the end of the ride if they are declared “fit to continue”. If the vet is not happy with any horse’s condition, they can prevent them from continuing. A rider whose horse does not recover sufficiently in a set time at the end of an endurance ride will be eliminated. The theory at higher levels is the fitter the horse, the quicker they recover and the more advantage they can gain in the vet checks.
Endurance GB, is the governing body for the sport of endurance riding in the UK. They organise rides for all levels of rider across the country, accessing and utilising ancient routes and rights of way.
Sadly the international level of the sport has been tarnished by the actions of some riders, who appear to have a “win at all costs” mentality, rather than putting their horse’s welfare first. A number of horses have died as a result. The use of prohibited substances in the sport is another cause of concern with high levels of positive tests.
The FEI has taken action to tighten up the rules around the sport, but there is still considerable concern surrounding competitive endurance riding at the highest level, particularly in the Middle East.
An FEI investigation has found that the death of the horse was correctly identified in the official results, although the ride was not under its jurisdiction
Annie has enjoyed a breathtaking weekend of competition
The ground-breaking system will be used on an international level to help improve both eventing and endurance safety
The FEI Tribunal has suspended two UAE riders for one year in the same case
Annie has been to her first endurance ride of the year and she can't believe the change in one of her horses
The chief executive has become the first Irish rider to qualify for the world games
We welcome international endurance rider, Annie Joppe to our stable of bloggers
'We hope this will ensure a safe sport in which the welfare of the horses is paramount'
All of the horses were taking part in events at the Al Wathba venue in Abu Dhabi when they were tested
The FEI says the deaths are 'very worrying', and that tough training techniques could be to blame
Event organisers must now arrange strict procedures for transporting equine fatalities to autopsy
An international 90km endurance ride in Fontainebleau, France, has been overshadowed by the death of two horses
The rider was an 'exceptional man with a 'passion for endurance'
The FEI has ordered an investigation into allegations that Ajayeb, who broke her leg during the World Championships, was not taken directly to a lab for an autopsy
Ajayeb, ridden by UAE rider Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, was put down at the event
There is also the chance to win a holiday to Dubai, as organisers hoped to attact 'bumper entries'
The identification of banned substances in their horses has lead to the riders being suspended for a two-year period
Dubai was the original host of the 2016 FEI World Endurance Championships, but was stripped of the event in April
Each of the riders' horses tested positive for the same prohibited substance, which has never before been found in horses competing under FEI rules
Rumours that sponsorship for the rides would come from a UAE-related company have been borne out
