An endurance ride can best be described as a cross-country competition of 50 or more miles. It is controlled by veterinarians who monitor the horses before, during and after the event. Several times during the "ride", there will be veterinarian check points. Pulse recovery is one very important factor used to determine the condition of the horses. The ride veterinarians will set and announce the pulse rate criterion before the start of the ride. DRUGS OF ANY KIND ARE PROHIBITED!! Veterinarians will remove horses from competition if they find they are not in optimum condition to continue. The first horse to cross the finish line, that has met the completion health criteria, is the winner.

The course for an endurance ride varies with the topography of the area. When laying out the course, the ride manager attempts to avoid obvious hazards such as deep bogs and sheer cliffs, but the endurance horse is expected to take in stride most natural obstacles.

Temperature, climate and footing will determine the speed at which the horses will travel. It is both personally challenging and rewardmg to ride one's mount 50/100 miles and finish with a sound, willing horse. Much of the challenge of endurance starts with preparation up to a year or more before one's first ride. This athletic competition requires both horse and rider to be physically fit, have a good sense of pace, to work as a team, and of course, be lucky!!

For more information on these endurance rides(location, etc.)in the Ozark Country Endurance Rider Area, contact Robin Kurtz, president, 816-532-4596.

For the same information nation wide contact the American Endurance Ride Conference, 11960 Heritage Oak, Place, Suite 9; Auburn, CA 96503. Phone 530-823-2260, Fax 530-823-7805, email aerc@foothill.net

***UPCOMING RIDE INFO*** (TENTATIVE)

March 7, Okmulgee, OK
COUGAR PROWL
contact John Schwarazer
14122 NE 150th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73150
Ph 918-756-3757

March 21, Muskogee, OK
CHEROKEE CHALLENGE
contact Susan Young
2311 Dayton
Muskogee, OK 74403
Ph 918-683-0539

April 11, Lebanon, MO
SPRING CHALLENGE
contact Lem Beason
RR 2 Box111-W
Marshfield, MO 65746
Ph 417-759-2911

April 25
CREWSIN THE BAR K
contact Sue Crews -
257 Johnson Rd,
Sparta, MO 65753
Ph 417-634-4305

May 9, St. Louis, MO
DOGWOOD CHALLENGE
contact Chris Rodriguez
RR 1, Box 102B
El Dorado Springs, MO64744
Ph 417-876-6448

May 23, Washburn, MO
JO TATE MEMORIAL
contact Jodi Hess-Schlup
10701 Hiway J
Wentworth, MO64873
Ph 417-548-2547

June 6
BELL COW BOOGIE
contact Robin Hessel
RR4, Box 614
Stillwater, OK 74074

Sept 5, 1998 25 &50 New Strawn KS
CHRISTMAS IN KANSAS
contact Margie Burton
7520 Allman
Lenexa, KS 66217
Ph 913-631-2373

Oct 3, Oolagah, OK
INDIAN TERRITORY
contact Janet Baldwin
RR2 Box 360
Chelsea, OK 74016
Ph 918-789-3521

Oct.17 Smithville, MO
PARADISE CUP
contact Bob Kurtz
6801 Clinton City Lane
Trimble, MO 64492
Ph 816-532-4596

1999 - Jan. 2 Pineville, MO
OZARK WINTER I
contact Nancy Mitts
Ph 417-476-2505 1998