| Jean-Marie,
I think you got the name correct for what you are talking about. We
have 2 types of long distance rides here in the US: Competitive Trail
Rides and Endurance Rides/Races. The Competitive Trail Rides give
competitors a minimum and maximum time to cover the distance. They are
primarily judged on the condition of the horse rather than the time
needed to get to the finish line. The longest ones are 100 miles(160 KM)
and are split into 3 days of riding(40 miles, 40 miles then 20 miles).
The Endurance Rides or Races are primarily races and the first horse
and rider across the finish line win. Many such races have divisions or
categories such as Heavyweight, Lightweight, Senior(i.e. old usually
over 60 years) Rider, Junior Rider(under 21) and so on. Then, they have
winners in each division as well as the overal race. Most also have
awards for Best Conditioned Horse, etc. I think this is the type of
ride you refer too so you had the right name.
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| Jean-Marie,
I have an interest in endurance riding, I stay under 30 miles, though,
for the time being.
Your comment that most horses are 'arab thoroughbred' caught my
attention. Do you mean *purebred* arabians, or arabian crossed
with thoroughbreds? Here the arabian is by far the top choice of
endurance/distance riders, although any lightly built, sturdy horse
can be successful. I ride a Standardbred (former racing trotter) mare
who is of slighter build than the average for the breed, she's been
very successful and at 19 is still going strong. Thoroughbreds, and
most crosses with them, are not common in endurance, though, even
when crossed with an arab. So, I was curious about your reference
to the 'arab thoroughbred', and if Thoroughbreds are seen more often
in endurance there than they are here. Personally, I hope to find a
nice, small arab-standardbred cross for my next prospect!
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| Jean-Marie,
Your English is certainly better than my grade-school French! Anyway,
pur-sang = thoroughbred is an "old-fashioned" translation. In former
times, we did use thoroughbred that way. Some people still do. Most
of us now restrict the use of "thoroughbred" to the pur-sang anglais breed
of racehorses. We use the term "purebred" for pur-sang whether we are
talking about other breeds of horse or dogs or cattle.
John
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