Some ride advice for those new to Endurance

We hope this list, along with advice and instructions in your rider pack, will help you, your horse or pony, and all our stewards, helpers and other riders enjoy the day:-

• Consider the welfare of your horse first
• Bring water and a small feed (for after you have finished and vetted) for your horse to the event
• Bring a crew if you have a friend or family member who is free to help (see crewing)
• Do not ride in groups of more than 4 people
• You can NOT ride in Spurs
• You can NOT with a long (Dressage style) whip
• Turn up in good time for your start window (remember you need to check in, maybe vet, and tack up etc to start.
• Ride at a steady and safe pace for your horse - do not stop for prolonged periods, picnics etc (remember stewards will be waiting for you at road crossings etc.)
• Show courtesy to all you meet on the route - you will meet and see:
  • Volunteers who give up their time to ensure this ride is as safe as can be for you and your fellow riders. Obey them, if they say stop, PLEASE STOP, say Thank You.
  • Farmers and landowners may be out on their land, always say Thank You.
  • Officials and Stewards - again please respect there instructions.
• If riding though a cropped or silage (longer grass) fields make sure you follow the rig (edge of the field) or the tram lines (the routes tractors use to spray) as marked.
• If you need help ask at the next manned road crossing or check point or, in the case of an emergency, use the emergency number you will have been given in your rider pack.

What is involved in Vetting for a PR

At St. Patrick's Coast you can ride it purely as a Pleasure Ride or you can ride as a Vetted Pleasure Ride but record a score to allow you to compete for any of a number of prizes and awards such as the Open Team Event, Pleasure Ride Trophy or any of the other specials all at no extra cost.

To record a score you need to present your horse or pony to the vets before you ride out and again, within 30 minutes, of finishing. You also need to ensure the timekeeper records both your start and finish time.

Vetting

Your horse will have a Heart Rate check (must be 60bpm or less at start and 64bpm at the end), it vitals such as metabolism, hydration etc will be checked, any blemishes etc. will be recorded and finally you will be asked to trot your horse up and down the vet lane to check for soundness.

At the final vetting the process is repeated but the Heart Rate will be taken twice, before and after the trot up, and 1 minute apart.

You horse can be presented in a headcollar or bridal, you should not have saddle or boots on, do not apply hoof oil.

There is no specific time to present before starting so you can come down to the vet gate and then return to your trailer to tack up before starting.

On completion of the ride we suggest you return to your trailer (or the crewing area in the vet field) and cool your horse down. Encourage drinking but not eating at this stage. Peeing is good as well. Note your finish time and then present to the vet steward within 30 minutes of your finish time.

Download our Handy hints for Vet Gate Virgins! guide.

Why have a crew?

Endurance (or Pleasure Ride) Crewing

Notes on crewing for Pleasure riders will be added here.

On a longer ride a crew (or helper) is a great asset to a rider and horse. They will meet the rider at various, generally pre-defined, crew points listed in the rider information and shown on a ride map. 

Here they can provide water and nutrition to both rider and horse as necessary. On the St. Patrick's Coast ride there are many field drinkers that horses can drink from but hydration is essential an suppling fluid that is maybe flavoured, with sugarbeet or apple juice etc, can increase the amount your horse will drink.

Rider support is also very valuable. Energy food and drink, change in clothing and even just moral support can be very beneficial.

A crew can be anyone (or more than one person), they need to be able to drive (or have a driver) and have a vehicle. 

They will need to carry water (or other flavoured fluid) for horse to drink and to be used to cool them down on a hot day, buckets and maybe some spare tack, first aid (human and equine) kits, hoof pick

For the rider a change of clothing should the weather change and some energy drink and food is always a good idea.

At St. Patrick's Coast there are a number of designated Crew Points marked on the map that your crew can meet you. We encourage all riders to have a crew, or if riding as a group one support crew can look after a number of riders.

Entries open 1st week of August

If your new to ILDRA this may help you fill in the entry form.

We expect a large demand but we do have increased capacity but we still advise you to enter early.

Access the entry form for the entry system here.

If you do not have an account you need to make one otherwise log in as normal.

Decide what you want to enter - For St. Patrick's Coast we encourage all Pleasure (PR) riders to do a Vetted Pleasure Ride (VPR).

By doing a VPR you are:

• automatically are entered, at no addition cost, for the Top PR rider award, the winner receiving the Kilgarry Brezer Pleasure Ride Trophy as well as a generous prize.
• joining up with 3 or 4 friends as a team, again at no extra cost, enters you into the team award, again a generous prize for all winning team members and a bit more fun.
• There are other specials and on the day spot prizes that VPR riders are eligible for - again all at no extra cost.

So why would you not give vetting a go? Its a Win Win.

You can also use the entry form to book camping and stabling, if you want to make a weekend out of it, and to book your Saturday night party tickets - make sure you bring your friends, family and partners.

Remember it is ILDRA's 30th Anniversary Party as well as our opportunity to say thank you to the farmers and landowners who let us ride over their land and to many of our volunteer stewards who help on the day.

Add all to your cart and pay. It is that simple - then just turn up to ride and bring a friend to the party after.

Entries will close at midnight on Tue 1st Sept. (unless the ride is full first)

On the day you will find:

• Easy Access and Parking
• Catering Van serving from Breakfast time right through.
• Photographer - will be out on course and selling prints from the ride office or his van after the ride.
• Water for your horse - cooling and drinking (but bring your own and it may save some carrying).
• Friendy Ride Office Staff.
• Helpful Stewards and Vets to assist you through the vetting process esp. for 1st timers.

This and most images on this web site are courtsey of our ride photographer SDS Photo - www.sdsphoto.pro/ildra