Endurance racing is a sport pitting horse and rider as a team against the elements of nature and other horse/rider competitors on a cross-country course. As a timed event, there is a winner; each team is given a maximum of twelve hours in which to finish the designated fifty-mile trail. A maximum of six hours is allowed for the twenty-five mile ride. No minimum time is set. At various points along the trail, a veterinarian must evaluate the horse, determining that the horse is fit to continue, or it is disqualified from the ride. At the end of the race, two winners are recognized: the first to finish and the horse who is judged by the veterinarian as being in the best condition. Additionally, every participant who completes the course is given an award in support of the American Endurance Ride Conference’s motto, “To Finish is to Win.”
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) is the national sanctioning body for endurance riding. Endurance riding is not for the faint of heart, but if you are looking for a way to ride, and I mean really ride, endurance riding may be the sport of choice for you. The Llano Estacado Challenge endurance ride is 40 miles north of Amarillo, Texas at the Plum Creek, Lake Meredith Recreation Area. The trails are varied in the terrain and footing. There are roads, washes, open grasslands, single track trails and steep hills covered in rocks. Water is available every five to ten miles, and is either hauled in or is from a permanent windmill. Vet checks are in base camp. Pre-entry is requested. Distances available are 50-miles, 25-miles and 15-mile introductory ride.
2009 Llano Estacado Entry Form
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