The World Equestrian Games and the True Meaning of Endurance

This event makes one wonder what it would even be like to gallop along for 100 miles, either for horse or for rider. They do it, however, and they do it like no other animal/human team ever could. The FEI World Equestrian Games are coming to America for the first time in 2010, endurance competition and all, and the world is flocking for a chance to get up close and personal with these amazing, huge hearted athletes and the people who dedicate their lives to bringing out the very best in them. The endurance competition is one of those dynamic and awesome feats that is such an honor to watch, and with Lexington, Kentucky hosting the world games next year, so many more of us will actually have the opportunity.

During the course of this cross country competition, horse and rider are meant to go for 100 miles through natural trails, along which are random obstacles, turns, and course shifts. There will be no less than 5 mandatory check-ins, at which point the horse will be examined for health, respiratory function, and physical ability to finish the cross country course. As the teams push on, the examinations become more and more vital to the welfare and health of both horse and rider.

In this competition, there are few marks for anything other than time. It is sort of the marathon of the two week event, and a rather exhilarating one to watch at that. Whoever runs the course in the shortest period of time will win the prestige and recognition, along with the championship. Horses involved with the endurance portion of the event will also often be found in the dressage leg of the world games. There is just so much to see and be involved with at the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, and an estimated 600,000 people will be given the opportunity.

For those who are making travel and lodging arrangements now, there are quite a few online resources that you can take advantage of, and even the Alltech FEI website is compiling a list of homes for rent and potential tenants for the three to four week heavy tourist load expected during the games. It will be best to get a hand in on some of the available housing and rental opportunities now, before the mad rush begins and you are forced to sleep in a parking lot in your car.