Well I also don't think enduracne rides have "obstacles" to negoiate???, Like opening shutting gates from horseback, backing thru trees, water, etc, mounting in front of the judge, one time "off side mounting while pretending our right arm was broke" that was a tuffy:) They do all sorts of horrible things to us out there.
The competition in this area is so close. They place people up to 6th place. I've scored 92 points before and not placed. So the judges dream up all this stuff to help weed out people. The best I did one time was 99:) on my horse points and 98 1/2 with 2 + marks on me. I got first place horse, rider, High combination score, and high point Quarter horse at that one ride. And it was in Ark, hardest ride in our region.
Most rides have a 60 rider limit, and most times the rides around here are full.
Becky
Okay, that's a major difference. Some of the endurance rides have obstacles of a sort - creeks that have to be crossed, gates that have to be gone through, trails through cow pastures, etc., but no judged obstacles per se - you either cross the creek or you don't get to the finish.
Also, no judging on horsemanship, mounting, dismounting, etc.
I forgot to add, that score is impressive :)
There aren't 'test' obtacles in endurance, no... just normal trail obstacles, and it's just a race, not an art form.
I think the little tests along the way make it seem like even more fun! Do you know they are coming? or are they surprises? I don't know if I've ever mounted from the wrong side!