Are there age restrictions for endurance riding?

[x.fat-pony.x]

When my arthritis gets better, I am planning to get out and about and do some competitions/shows/something different!
I have always been interested in the world of fun rides and endurance, and would love to pursue it :)
Just wanted to know if there are any minimum ages for entering proper UK endurance competitions? Have looked on website, couldn't find anything about ages, don't know if I've just overlooked it or there are just no rules!
Thanks for any help!
Ali x

[Shadowlark]

I know in AERC there are horse age restrictions but no human ones ;)

Run amuck at www.endurance.net

There is LOADS of info on everything :)

[Jessey]

I don't think so but it is possible young kids would have to be accompanied by an adult - I thnk the best thing would be get int ouch with EGB (http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/) or Sport Endurance (http://www.sportendurance.co.uk/) and speak with your local rep, they would be able to advise you on the rules and regs and also which rides will be more suited to you :D

ETA - sport endurance has a section for under 12's membership, and horses have to be at least 5 to compete :D

[x.fat-pony.x]

Well, I'm 16 in a couple of months, so I take it it would just be like any other adult?
Thanks for the links anywhoo! :D

[Holly B]

Yes, I'm pretty sure you'd be OK, I have a feeling it's under 14's who have to be accompanied by an adult under EGB rules, you'd be fine to go round by yourself same as an adult. :)

[Skib]

On the internet I heard an interview with an American lady in her eighties who rode endurance.
She said she had was allowed to have someone else trot her horse up, as she wasnt nimble enough on her feet to do that any longer.
Does one trot a horse up at a vet gate in Endurance? And would they allow that in the UK?
I found her very inspiring. Those of us over 65 need the reasurance that we shall be able to go on riding for some time yet.

[old_woman]

On the internet I heard ...
Does one trot a horse up at a vet gate in Endurance? ... Those of us over 65 need the reasurance that we shall be able to go on riding for some time yet.

Yes, the rules are almost the same internationally. Trot-ups and vet exams at vet gates; also pre and post ride vettings.

I have a very - ahem - "dodgy" knee. At one ride the vet said to me that it was a good thing they weren't vetting the rider for soundness as I'd have definitely failed ... I have to do a sort of hop skip and jump to trot my mare up. She has an impressively long stride and I am barely 5ft tall.

If one has "crew" there is no problem with one of them trotting up one's horse.

Can Icelandic riders tell me what gait they use to run up their horse for a vet check, if it doesn't have trot?

[Wally]

Icelandic horses run up for the vet in whatever gait they choose! :D :D If he won't trot then he'll move out in whatever gait he prefers, It's up to the vet to work out whether his movement is within the normal, sound range of a horse.

When we had our riding school vetting our poor vet would shake his head and laugh each time we trotted up a horse for him, each time he'd get a different order of legs.

When we rode them we were able to influence the gait more and show him the horse trotting out.

IN the very early days I used to endurane ride on my own at 12 years old, then things got more rule oriented and 12 year olds had to be accompanied, but I really don't know what the age limit is now.