The tracks are marked and it’s all systems go when endurance riding starts back up in the region this weekend.
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Glen Elgin Showground is set to play host to a two-day endurance carnival, with a 40 kilometre ride planned for Friday and Saturday.
A 20km social ride is also included in the program on Saturday.
Committee member Jenny Annetts said around 45 riders, both local and from outside the region, have put their entries in for the rides and hopes a few more will come along on Friday
“At the moment we are looking at about 45 horses,” she said.
“It is all going really well. We have quite a few local people and we have got a couple of people from down south and up in Queensland as well.”
The newly re-formed committee hope to attract a crowd with both new and experienced endurance riders making their way to town.
“The first reason I would say is the experienced riders who start off their young horses,” Annetts said.
“It is also for people to come and give the sport a go so it is for people who haven't done the sport before and would perhaps like to come and try it out and have some fun.
“It is a very horsie area and we are trying to encourage some horse people from other discliplines to come and give it a go - they might be surprised.
“It's not stressful and they can come along and maybe meet some new people along the way.
“Certainly don't be afraid to give us a call if they have got any questions about how it all works.”
The endurance discipline is not as daunting as what people may think with completions in 20km and 40km rides very achievable for horses and riders from all different backgrounds.
Even in summer temperatures, the Glen Innes ride is expected to be a mild introduction to the sport.
“It is a very scenic ride, most of the track is through private property and some of it through the state forest out there and I would say it is small undulations,” Annetts said.
“There are no massive, big gut-buster hills or anything like that.
“It is a very nice, novice track for beginner riders and beginner horses as well.
“It is really good underfoot as well. Most of the track is really well shaded and we certainly don't get the temperatures that they do up in Queensland.”
Visit www.nswera.asn.au for more information on endurance riding, www.facebook.com/gleninnesenduranceclub for information on the local event. Booking form can be found on the Try Booking website: https://www.trybooking.com/book/sessions?eid=343504
Don’t forget a three-day temperature log is compulsory. The log can be found on the NSW ERA website.