Combining sport and nature, endurance is also one of the seven international disciplines of the FEI. Outdoor horse riding enthusiasts, why not get started in 2022 in this still too little widespread discipline? For the occasion, the French Riding Federation is proposing some adjustments.

Behind show jumping, dressage or eventing hide many disciplines sometimes shunned by clubs, which are just waiting to become more democratic and discover their followers. Among them, theendurance, a test in the middle of nature where you have to manage your horse’s cardio and speed on a marked course. So no worries for those who don’t have a sense of direction. In order to help the development of the discipline, the FFE has made several additions to the rules.

New sports goals

For the competitors, the FFE launches this year a French Amateur Championship in endurance, in Amateur 2 (60 lm), Amateur 1 (80 km), Amateur 1 Grand Prix (100 km free speed), in Jullianges (43) from July 29 to 31. A challenge that completes an offer that already includes a National Championship for Clubs, Ponies, Aces, Masters and Majors.

At the test level, the Relay Club categories are removed in favor of Teams and Duo categories, where each rider/horse couple performs all the stages of the same event. In team of 3 or 4we will add the points of the three best couples while in duo them points of the two couples will count. Here are the categories offered at the next Generali Open de France: Club A teams (10 km at 6-8 km/h), Club Pony 4 teams (10 km at 8-10 km/h), Club 3 teams (20 km at 10- 12kmm/h), Club 2 Duo (20km at 12-15km/h) and Club Elite (40km at 12-15km/h).

In addition, the discipline will see this year the creation of a Regional Cupwhere each region will be represented by nine pairs validated by the CRE.

For discovery

Great novelty to put endurance on the front of the stage and seduce equestrian centers and new followers, the creation of Initi’Endurance events. Of 3 to 10km, they aim to introduce the discipline in an educational way. Endurance initiation will be possible by level 1 (6 to 8 km/h) and 2 (8 to 10 km/h). Each couple will get a score out of 10 according to different criteria: attitude of the couple in outdoor terrain, compliance with the imposed speed, trotting of their pony/horse, taking of the heart rate on arrival.

So, ready to discover endurance or give yourself new goals?

(with press release)