Home Endurance GB Competitive Long Distance Riding

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{"PageID":1488,"ThemeCode":null,"BlogInfo":{"Breadcrumbs":[{"Name":"News","URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News"}],"ID":46,"SpaceID":2,"Name":"News","Description":"Key news items","Author":{"ID":14,"Name":"John Hudson","CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":true},"CreationTime":"18/11/2019 11:00","Tags":[],"URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News","IsWatching":false,"CanWatch":false,"CanPostBlogEntry":false},"EntryInfo":{"Breadcrumbs":[{"Name":"News","URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News"},{"Name":"Qualification and Eligibility – Understanding Levels, Progression and Requirements","URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Qualification+and+Eligibility++Understanding+Levels+Progression+and+Requirements"}],"ID":1488,"Name":"Qualification and Eligibility – Understanding Levels, Progression and Requirements","Abstract":"Clear, supportive guide to Endurance GB qualification levels. Learn how Novice, Open and Advanced progression works, including age rules, ride requirements and how you and your horse can move up safely.","ImageUrl":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Cms/Pony%20Club/DSC_0679_cropped.jpg","ThumbnailImageUrl":"","Author":{"ID":18512,"MembershipNumber":null,"Username":null,"Forename":"Bella","Surname":"Fricker","Name":"Bella Fricker","Handle":"Bella","CompanyName":null,"FamilyGroupName":null,"Branch":{"ID":3,"Name":"Cromwell","Description":"Northants, Cambridgeshire, Beds \u0026 Hertfordshire","Icon":null,"Colour":"rgb(208, 58, 73)","Depth":0,"Indent":0,"CanBeSelected":true,"Sections":null,"Label":"\u003cspan class=\u0022label label-default\u0022 style=\u0022background-color: rgb(208, 58, 73)\u0022\u003eCromwell\u003c/span\u003e","LabelLarge":"\u003cspan class=\u0022label label-default label-lg\u0022 style=\u0022background-color: rgb(208, 58, 73)\u0022\u003eCromwell\u003c/span\u003e"},"IsLoggedInUser":false,"ImageUrl":null},"IsDraft":false,"PublicationDate":"Saturday, 16 May 2026","CreationTime":"19/04/2026 07:14","CommentCount":0,"Tags":["Rules"],"URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Qualification+and+Eligibility++Understanding+Levels+Progression+and+Requirements","CanAdmin":false},"Content":"\u003cp\u003eWhether you’re just getting started or working towards longer distances, Endurance GB has a clear and supportive pathway for both you and your horse.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are three qualification levels within the sport:\u003c/p\u003e\u003ctable class=\u0022table table-bordered table-striped\u0022\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003eNovice\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eOpen\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach level helps you and your horse build experience, confidence and fitness at the right pace – because horse welfare is always at the heart of everything we do.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStarting Out: How Qualification Levels Work\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou and your horse compete at the level of the \u003cstrong\u003elowest-qualified partner\u003c/strong\u003e in the combination.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nAn \u003cstrong\u003eAdvanced rider\u003c/strong\u003e with a \u003cstrong\u003eNovice horse\u003c/strong\u003e competes at \u003cstrong\u003eNovice level\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nAn \u003cstrong\u003eAdvanced rider\u003c/strong\u003e with an \u003cstrong\u003eAdvanced horse\u003c/strong\u003e can choose to ride at \u003cstrong\u003eNovice, Open or Advanced\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ensures every combination progresses safely and fairly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFirst Season Horses\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery horse begins their endurance journey at \u003cstrong\u003eNovice level\u003c/strong\u003e, regardless of age (unless prior experience can be proven).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring their first season:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nMaximum of \u003cstrong\u003e10 starts\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nMaximum total distance of \u003cstrong\u003e450km\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nSeason starts from the first \u003cstrong\u003eNovice Graded Endurance Ride (GER)\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoundation rides do not count towards starts\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst season horses:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nCan complete \u003cstrong\u003eNovice and Open qualifications\u003c/strong\u003e (if age requirements are met)\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCannot compete at Advanced level in their first season\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNovice Horse Restrictions\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo support safe progression:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nNovice horses can only compete over \u003cstrong\u003etwo consecutive days\u003c/strong\u003e if the total distance is \u003cstrong\u003e80km or less\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nHorses must complete \u003cstrong\u003e3 rides (30–45km)\u003c/strong\u003e before moving up to \u003cstrong\u003e45–50km rides\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProgression Requirements\u003c/h2\u003e\u003ctable class=\u0022table table-bordered table-striped\u0022\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ch4\u003eMoving from Novice to Open\u003c/h4\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003ch4\u003eMoving from Open to Advanced\u003c/h4\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eMinimum horse age: \u003cstrong\u003e5 years\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eRide type: \u003cstrong\u003eGER\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMinimum completions: \u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eDistance: \u003cstrong\u003e30–50km\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eCondition: \u003cstrong\u003eAt least one ride must be 40km+ in one day\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eMinimum horse age: \u003cstrong\u003e6 years\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eRide type: \u003cstrong\u003eGER (single day classes)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMinimum completions: \u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eDistance: \u003cstrong\u003e60–90km in one day\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eCondition: \u003cstrong\u003eAt least one ride must be 80km+\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUpgrading: What You Need to Know\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaching the criteria for a new level doesn’t mean you must upgrade straight away.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nA \u003cstrong\u003eTechnical Steward (TS)\u003c/strong\u003e can upgrade your horse on the day if requested\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nIf you compete in a class requiring a higher level, \u003cstrong\u003eautomatic upgrading may be applied\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood to know:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nQualification rides \u003cstrong\u003edon’t have to be completed as a combination\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nPrevious experience from other recognised endurance organisations \u003cstrong\u003ecan count\u003c/strong\u003e, with evidence\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReturning Horses\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf a horse hasn’t completed a ride in the \u003cstrong\u003elast 3 years\u003c/strong\u003e, they will return to \u003cstrong\u003eNovice level\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nThey are \u003cstrong\u003enot considered a first season horse\u003c/strong\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nPrevious experience can be reviewed to reinstate a higher level\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Supportive Pathway for Every Horse and Rider\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEndurance is all about building a partnership over time. These qualification rules are designed to:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nSupport safe, progressive training\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nProtect your horse’s long-term wellbeing\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\nGive every combination the confidence to move forward\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom your first Novice ride to Advanced competition, there’s a place for you—and a clear path to follow.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWant to Know More?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide gives you an overview of how qualification and progression works.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou can find the full details, including all rules and eligibility requirements, in the\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\u0022https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Documents/Rule_Book_2026_v1_Final_with_headings.pdf\u0022 class=\u0022btn btn-primary\u0022\u003eEndurance GB Rule Book\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","HasCommentsThread":true,"SeoTags":{"OpenGraphTags":[{"ID":"og:title","Name":"Endurance GB Qualification Levels Explained"},{"ID":"og:type","Name":"website"},{"ID":"og:url","Name":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Qualification+and+Eligibility++Understanding+Levels+Progression+and+Requirements"},{"ID":"og:description","Name":"A clear guide to Novice, Open and Advanced progression in endurance riding. Understand requirements, distances and how to move up safely with your horse."},{"ID":"og:image","Name":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Cms/Pony%20Club/DSC_0679_cropped.jpg"}],"NonOpenGraphTags":[{"ID":"description","Name":"Learn how Endurance GB qualification levels work, including Novice, Open and Advanced progression, ride requirements, horse age rules and how to move up safely."},{"ID":"keywords","Name":"Endurance GB qualification levels, novice endurance riding, open endurance level, advanced endurance riding, horse endurance rules, GER requirements, endurance progression"}]},"PageURL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Qualification+and+Eligibility++Understanding+Levels+Progression+and+Requirements","Comments":[],"UpdatedComments":[],"LastViewTime":null,"CanEdit":false,"CanPublish":false,"CanComment":false,"CanReadComments":false,"CanModerateComments":false}
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