Since its launch in 2012, Endurance has become a hugely popular activity at Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), where 28,000 people with disabilities benefit from the therapeutic effects of riding and carriage driving. With levels to suit all abilities and riding environments, RDA Endurance offers a new and exciting challenge to riders, and a chance for Coaches to get their teeth into something a bit different.

Why get involved?

• It’s fun and open to all riders, horses and ponies
• More involvement and variety for leaders and helpers
• Greater knowledge of Equine Welfare 
• Do you know how fast your pony can walk, trot and canter?
• Have a go, start at 1km and progress to higher distances!

Groups that are already able to hack out would be an ideal venue to hold Endurance sessions, although if this was not an option for your group, then shorter distance rides can be organised within an arena whether ridden or driven or even on a mechanical horse. It may make things more interesting to include obstacles such as poles and a gate and a 1km ride within an arena would be approximately 8 circuits depending on the size of the arena.

A route would need to be created of either 1km,2km,3km,5km,10km or 15km long (but remember if you have any route you can incorporate longer distances by looping across).

RDA Grassroots League 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025 

The RDA Endurance grassroots league was created to encourage riders to ride or drive out and enjoy Endurance even more. Sessions can take place out on a hack, in the school or even on a mechanical horse.  It is really simple to start – all you have to do is ride or drive out in a session, fill out a time card (with your distance and time) and email a copy the at National Office.  Riders must ride or drive a minimum of 1 km to enter onto the league. Once a rider reaches 5km they will receive a rosette, then at 10km and 25km. 

The notes and time card can be found on the right hand side of this page. All groups must be registered as an Endurance group, see add Endurance as an activity form on the right hand side of this page. 

How does a Group add Endurance as an activity?

It’s easy – any Coach can run Endurance sessions; and no assessment of the group is required!

All you need to fill out is the ADDING EXTRA GROUP ACTIVITIES Form

Once registered you are able to start planning your first ride!

Want to find out more or begin long distances?

With Riding for the Disabled now having 100 centres offering endurance riding distances from 1km-15km giving you a great way to get a taste of our exciting discipline, Endurance GB then takes over the reins to provide you with low distance pleasure rides through our Local Groups structure ranging in distance from 5km-34km and with no minimum speeds required; we just ask that you get back to the venue by the latest time given by the ride organiser.

Please click on the ‘Starting Competition‘ page for more information

For riders who want to incorporate longer rides into their Endurance adventures, mounted escort hacks out without leaders and sidewalkers are now possible. A risk assessment MUST be completed. You can find this on the right hand side of this page. For more information on this please contact Gilly Roper.

We try to incorporate equine welfare into Endurance and to compete in the League you will need to take your horses heart rate before and after your ride. We have created a video to help you to do this. Alternatively you can always speak to your practicing Vet or your RDA Regional Vet for advice  Taking a horses heart rate with a stethoscope – YouTube