Conference noted::equitation

    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.

Thank you John, we have the same split in France but only one name "Course
d'Endurance". The race in Rambouillet is indeed an endurance race :
130km in one day, no speed limit, start in line. However there are
3 checks during the race and they control the horse condition (heartbeat above 
64, lameness are eliminated). Rambouillet is the french championship by teams.
There is also an individual result and prize for the best horse condition.

French "Competitive trials" are 30, 60 or even 120Kms in one day with a 
15km/h (�2) speed limit and condition checks.

It seems we have copied a lot on you. Usually horses are arab thoroughbreds.

Jean-Marie

PS: You may already know that dada is the french familiar name for cheval.

    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!
      
                                                             

I am afraid my english deserves me on that point I was meaning "pure arab".
(in french pur-sang arabe)
I had a look at my english dictionary and I have found pur-sang = thoroughbred. 

Looking at your reply (Ouch .... You are asking me to go back to my classic 
concerning origin) I am under the impression that thoroughbred is in fact what 
we call pur-sang anglais (word by word translation english thoroughbred) in 
that case the arab thoroughbred is what we call anglo-arabe definitely not 
common in endurance race.

But may be I am again completely wrong !

Jean-Marie

    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

Jean-Marie,

I've put your request up on the notice board at my club.

Hope this will help.

Patricia