Home / Equestrian sports / Trail riding and equestrian tourism
For everyone: leisure and amateur
Trail riding and equestrian tourism mean riding out through forests, fields and mountains. A ride can last an hour or turn into a multi-day trip with overnight stops.
| Group | For everyone: leisure and amateur |
|---|---|
| Also called | trail riding, hacking, pony trekking, horse trekking, equestrian tourism |
| Olympic | no |
| Governing body | FITE (Federation Internationale de Tourisme Equestre) |
| Where it is popular | People go trail riding all over the world, in Europe, North America and Asia. Many countries have dedicated bridleways and horse trails. |
Usually it is a leisure activity with no competition. There are competitive formats too: in competitive trail riding you must finish between a minimum and maximum time, and the horse's condition and your horsemanship are also scored. In judged trail rides judges score how pairs handle natural and man-made obstacles along the way. Its sportier relatives are endurance riding and TREC.
Temperament matters most: a calm, reliable and fit horse. Gaited breeds such as the Tennessee Walking Horse and the Icelandic are especially comfortable.
Riders must wear a helmet and boots with a heel, and bright reflective clothing is a good idea. On longer rides take a first-aid kit, a halter and lead rope, water and waterproofs.
The largest international gathering of trail riders is Equirando, held under the patronage of the International Federation of Equestrian Tourism (FITE).
Beginners should start with short walking rides at a riding centre with an experienced guide. Children need a quiet horse, a helmet and an adult instructor riding with them.
The International Federation of Equestrian Tourism (FITE) was founded on 13 May 1975 in Dublin at the initiative of France.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, fite-net.org