Is there money in Endurance?  NO.  Not, especially, for a conservative rider like me!  There is money, possibly, for those who develop "made" horses, consistent top-ten finishers.  I am not one of them, though I would like to progress that direction...eventually!  I still have a LOT of learning to do before that becomes a consideration. 

How much does Endurance riding cost?  Phew, tough to say!  I usually spend between $200 and $400 for an average ride.  I spend less in fuel, most times, but still...the costs add up fast.  I have to travel between 200 and 600 miles to reach many of the rides I do (Arkansas is not a hotbed of rides, sadly).  Then there is the health certificate to cross State lines, usually about $5 to $10.  Entry fee, between $70 and $100 per day (some rides are multiple days).  Sometimes camping/land use fees, anywhere from $10 to $35 per day.  Food for the ride (yes, I would be eating at home, but I eat cheap at home...my ride weekend tastes are a lot higher!).  Electrolytes and treats for the horse.  Care for my son while I'm away, and for my horses.  So yes, that is just a ballpark figure...

Why do I enjoy it? I LOVE the people!  I LOVE the places I get to ride.  I LOVE the challenge of covering those trails with an animal I love (if you don't love that animal, 6+ hours together on the trail MUST be miserable!).  I am amazed, looking back over the last few years, at how MUCH I have learned about how to care for a horse.  Having vets RIGHT THERE to help me honestly judge how the terrain and pace have affected my horse is incredible.  Be it "Slow down, let him eat, let him recuperate, he's getting too hot out there" or "He's ready for another 50 miles today, he looks great!" and then showing me HOW to judge that...well, it's been worth every penny.  To me, Endurance is one of the few horse competitions where you don't do well in the long run if you don't put your horse's well-being first.

And my *other* motivation...

Well, folks, look at this from my point of view.  I have I stallion that I think is exceptional...he's smooth, he's strong, he's smart, and yes, he's pretty.  Why does that make him breeding quality?  Well, *I* know how smooth, strong and smart he is...how do YOU judge that?  I guess I could offer to let you all come and ride him, but that hardly seems practical. 

Breed shows?  Yep, they're finally getting off the ground, thanks to FOSH (Friends of the Sound Horse http://www.fosh.info ).  However, they aren't exactly thick on the ground just yet (but give us time-this fall the North American Gaited Horse Championship will be in Sedalia, MO, and we hope to be there!  http://www.naghc.com/

Open gaited shows?  An option.  I have previously shown in gaited shows, and have enjoyed it.  But I have a couple of different reservations about that.  One, I am trying to offer an animal for trail riding, spending long days in the saddle.  Showring wins don't really reflect on long term soundness, IME.  Two, I did not want to juggle the politics that often go with the ring...if I lose, I could say "The judge hates spotted horses" (That does happen) but how do you know it wasn't just that my horse didn't perform well?  If *I* win, people could say "The judge just liked the spots."  See the issue?

And don't get me started on the way that the show ring can corrupt the way that a horse is trained and presented...I am NOT interested in going down the slippery slope of action devices and weighted shoes.  I KNOW they can be used responsibly...but I don't have the knowledge to do so, and it would not be presenting my horse for what *I* believe he is-exactly what a trail rider could enjoy spending the day riding.

So how do I tell mare owners, or those of you interested in buying a foal, that Romeo is smooth, safe and sound?  (I figure you can see for yourself that he's pretty!)  Well, I'm willing to ride him in large groups for long distances, repeatedly, and allow a veterinarian to judge his health and soundness.  And now I am doing the same with his babies, as well.  You don't have to just take my word for it all.

Romeo's current AERC mileage is 1,015 miles, including 250 miles in 5 days at the 2005 Shore to Shore Ride, and the 100 mile Joe Tate Memorial.  All of his completions have been either barefoot or booted (Joe Tate he wore B4s for the last 90 miles-that is a ROCKY ride!).  For various reasons, each time we put shoes on for a ride, we pulled up short...Barefoot is just what has worked for us.

To date, 4 of his babies have competed and completed in Endurance and Limited Distance rides, and 2 more are ready to head out as soon as the heat eases up-wish us luck!

OK, first let's get you to the folks who define Endurance www.aerc.org can give you the basics.  Sorry, I'm too lazy to retype what they cover so well!

Or www.endurance.net.

OK, so there's the concept-50+ miles of trail ridden in the appropriate time.  I am a true "To Finish is to WIN!" rider, as I ride to get a completion, first, and a "good placing" only if all other factors seem to be right for that.