Endurance riding race - The 130 km (80.78 miles) of Camargue - 119 km, April 05th, 2008 - Les Saintes Maries de la mer - Camargue - France - Departure at the Mas de la Cure, riding through the marshlands and on the East Beach at The Saints Marie of the sea. Endurance Riding is an equestrian sport based on controlled long distance races. There are two main types of long distance riding, competitive trail riding and endurance rides. The 130 km of Camargue is an endurance ride where the winning horse (& rider) is the first one to cross the finish line while stopping periodically to pass a veterinary check that deems the animal in good health and fit to continue. Most endurance rides are either 20 to 200 km (12.43 to 124.27 miles) long, though shorter rides are organized for beginners and a few longer rides exist (multi-day). Endurance Riding first appeared in the XIXth century. It is the fruit of the long history between the man and the horse which remained for a long time the only means of transportation on long distances. It is a marginal and little known discipline, but very spectacular and remarkable due to the attention given to the horses health. It requires the rider to have a perfect knowledge of his mount and also a good physical health. Numerous races take place in France, The 160 km of Florac (48) or Saint Galmier (42) and the 130 km of the Saints Marie of the sea (13). More photo: http://www.lessaintesmariesdelamer-camargue.com/en/?p=51#more-51
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