Why Endurance?
Patricia Clark and Lara Worden riding at St. Helena's Island
The sweet sound of hay munching fills
the air as you lay in your bed full of anticipation. A thousand
thoughts flood your mind as you imagine how the day will go. Did you
pack everything you need? Will the weather work out? Will luck be on
your side? Will your ride plan go astray or will you hold fast to the
adage “ride your own ride?” A grand adventure awaits each ride
morning. The day could hold great success and validation of the
partnership with your horse or perhaps you will find that rock with
your name on it and have to call it quits early. One of the many
reasons that I love endurance riding is because of the multitude of
possible experiences. Every ride with my horse provides a chance to
grow as an equestrian, bond with my horse and see the most beautiful
trails that America has to offer.
Each ride morning when I place my foot
in the stirrup and swing over onto my horse, I know that I will be
creating memories to last a lifetime. I keep a journal with all my
ride cards and as I flip through, I can always remember the moments
of jubilation or learning that happened on that trip. I love
endurance because I can challenge myself and my horse at any level. I
love all the distances offered by AERC and am likely to chose a
different one each time! Think back to the moment you earned your
first completion, the first time you accidentally top-tenned, the
time you barely finished with time to spare, the moment you knew that
you were on a great horse because he had pulled you through the ride.
All of those small and large moments serve to create the identity of
endurance. As a family that can show up and assemble a community in
the middle of the most scenic areas of our country within a matter of
hours, we share unique experiences that bind us together and create
lasting bonds to others in the organization.
Patricia Clark and Eli, Dody Sutton and Itchy, Lara Worden and Slick
Photo by Becky Pearman Photography
Photo by Becky Pearman Photography
An obvious obsession with horses has
proven to be the main reason that I love endurance. What other
equestrian sport requires so much time devoted to developing a
partnership with one animal? There is literally no place I would
rather be than out in the wilderness on the back of my favorite
horse. What other sport could allow me to ride 100 miles on the
beautiful Biltmore Estate, 75 miles through the most pristine forests
of Alabama, 50 miles in the shadow of spanish moss in South Carolina
or 30 miles across the ridges of the Virginia mountains? What other
sport would allow me to see the true bravery of my horse as he
transitioned from life as a racehorse, to life as my endurance
partner? I will forever remember the pride that I felt when he
finished his first LD and realize that was as huge an accomplishment
as when he would eventually complete 75 mile rides. I love endurance
because every moment in the saddle, every time I hear the call that
the “trail is open,” every vet check, and every single footfall
on trail signifies that I am living my life to the fullest.
Magical moments happen all the time if
we pay attention. Riding through the winds of Hurricane Irene when
she swept across the mountains; trusting my mount on trails so dark
that I could not see horse ears in front of me; sharing the trail
with good friends and helping each other through the day; and every
other moment in between. There are also moments that aren't magical
but very humbling. Moments frozen in time when you wish you could go
back and change something. A front shoe ripped and twisted and a
puncture to the sole; that first rider option because of trail
conditions; and the time we had to wait on trail for help because I
knew something was wrong and we should go no further. We should never
pretend that endurance is easy. It shouldn't be and as long as we
learn from our mistakes, we are on the right path.
Patricia and Eli
Photo by Becky Pearman Photography
Photo by Becky Pearman Photography
Loving endurance comes naturally. I
have ridden horses my entire life. I cannot remember a moment that
did not involve them. Having tried a variety of disciplines, none so
satisfied my constant need to be in the company of horses as has
Endurance riding. Good friends, amazing vets, dedicated ride managers
and that all encompassing relationship with my horse propel me down
the trail. I will always love my horse first, but I also love the
sport of endurance because it strengthens that relationship and
allows me opportunities I could have never imagined. Whether I am
trotting the beautiful Appalachian mountains, the low country of
South Carolina, the pine forests of Alabama or the rugged highlands
of Virginia, I am at home in the saddle as my horse eagerly heads
down the trail for a new adventure. So, love your horse, love the
trail and continue to love Endurance Riding.
