Could my tennessee walker be in endurance racing

Question
I have an 8 year old Tennessee walker that is my trail horse. I have been riding for about 7 years and I would like to start competing. I am very interested in endurance racing because I love being out in the open fields and not in an arena. I do allot of galloping with my horse, and I was just wondering if she would be good for endurance. She is sure footed and very intelligent.

Answer
Esther,

Almost any breed of horse can be used for long distance riding.  There is more than endurance out there, competitive trail, ride & tie, mounted orienteering too.  Endurance is something your horse could do but she's not the breed for the racing.  You have to understand, you cannot gallop a horse for 50 to 100 mi.  The predominant breeds used are  Arab and Arab crosses for those who really do race.  But the motto for endurance, "To finish is to win" is for those who go to enjoy the trail and riding the long rides, usually with friends, but not racing.  Most of the gaited horses, like yours are not ridden properly in long rides.  Too many times I've watched inexperienced people start and assume that the horse can gait the entire distance.  The wonder why they have problems with muscle cramping and lameness issues.  When riding distances you have to vary your horse's gait to vary the use of their muscles.  A good, fast trot is the preferred pace, averaging 14 mph for horses running 50 mi. and about 10-12 mph for those going 100 mi.  Mix your gaits up to average these speeds.  A few miles of galloping, especially early on in the ride, spaced with trotting or gaiting in your case, trotting if your horse will trot as well as gait, walking where necessary because of footing or other issues.  See if there are some competitive trail rides around to try first.  The distances will be shorter, the trail actually has mile markers on it so you can figure out pacing, and the pace is slower, around 7 mph.  The judging is stricter and you'll learn a lot of the basics in a little less hectic an environment. Rides in your area I think are sanctioned by NATRC (North American Trail Ride Conference) so you can check their website.  Google them, I don't have it right at hand.

Distance riding is not an easy sport.  It demands a lot from you and your horse so you are a team when you do it.  I love trail riding and have been doing distance riding since 1962. The sport has come a long way since then and we've learned so much about the horses.  But it's still the only equine sport where the welfare of the horse is the most important thing which is why I like it so much.  

Volunteer at a few rides, endurance and competitive, to see what goes on and what's required without having to try to contend with being a competitor with a horse to worry about.  You sound like the kind of person who would love it and I think you and your horse will enjoy it.  And you'll learn a lot.  I know I did and still am.  I work a lot of rides and get to observe how other riders do things. I've picked up a number of useful tips.  Just figure that early on you'll make a lot of mistakes that your horse will pay for.  We all did.  You learn whether your tack really does fit and what you really want to use to ride in.  I like synthetic saddles so I don't have to worry about the weather, but they may not work for you.  Most of us use biothane for the bridles and breastplates or cruppers because leather just gets eaten up by sweat and all the water you dump on your horse in hot weather.  And everyone has opinions on what saddle pads work best. Same with gear for yourself like riding shoes, underwear, helmet and sports bras.  I went through a lot before I found what worked for me!!  So get started and welcome to the sport!

Good luck and happy trails!

Lyn