Endurance riding

[Cupcake]

....

[Jessey]

Check out the EGB (Endurance GB) website, they have loads on and offer pleasure rides for people to get a taste for it :D My horse is a loon so I have always crewed for my friends who compete pretty seriously at advanced level, but there seems to be a good dose of healthy competative spirit, mixed with a friendly bunch of people who have lots of fun :D
If youare interested then contact EGB and they may be able to put you in contact with a local rider so you can talk to them about it and maybe go to a ride with them or train with them - my friends do this for new people coming into the sport :D

[Seytez]

I was an endurance rider for over 15 years. Started out by doing a season of 25 milers and then went on to 50's, 100's and multi-days. Even did the Tevis :)
What to expect.... LOTS of different things. There's so much to learn.
Get into a good training regimen. Try and find someone in your area to maybe do some training rides with them and maybe they can show you the ropes a bit til you can go out on your own. I learned on my own mostly. Trial and error.
But, don't make the mistake I did and do a whole season of 25's! It teaches the horse to go like hell! The 25'ers mostly like to race. Endurance riding should be a sustained long distance trek. If your light, one of the best endurance saddles out there is the tree-less ones. A good investment is a good heart rate monitor for your horse too.
For your first 50, try looking for a real easy one - not a mountain climbing one. Makes it easier for you and your horse.
Do some research on feed for your horse and electrolytes before, during and after a ride. I found the best electrolytes is ones made by ride-rite (I think that's what they're called -- I'd have to look in my cabinet). they have the powdered electrolytes that mix with a probiotic -- did wonders for my horse on some of the toughest rides.
Most of all, just have fun and don't get caught up in the "yahoo's" and your horse will be fine. I could go on and on.... I love talking about endurance.
I stopped doing it 2 years ago. Got too expensive for me and hubby wanted to go on regular vacations rather than horse races - LOL. at times I miss it tho. Today I went out on a friend's horse and it felt so good to be back on a horse.