ENDURANCE riding first developed in the 1900s as a military test for cavalry mounts. Horses were required to go on a five-day 483km ride carrying at least 200lbs. This test of endurance then became a sport in the early 1950s.

The sport of endurance riding is a timed test against the clock of a horse and rider team, who follow and complete a marked course over natural terrain of distances varying from 32km to 80km in qualifying rides and from 80km to 160km in endurance races at FEI or championship level.