About Us
NERA is the official
association for endurance riding in Namibia. Organizing
rides, the riders and ensuring fair competition, is just a few
basic tasks NERA undertakes. NERA ensures that a high
standard of procedure is followed at local rides.
NERA provides the
riders with opportunity to excel in the horse riding sport,
internationally.
About Endurannce:
Endurance is a competition against the clock where the speed
and endurance of a horse is put to the test, but where riders
are also challenged with regards to effective use of pace and
thorough knowledge of their horses and cross country. Indeed,
although the rides are timed, the emphasis is on finishing in
good condition rather than coming first. Endurance is a genuine
test of horsemanship which began as a necessity rather than a
sport.
Modern competitions
consist of a number of sections called phases. At the end of
each phase, in principle at least every 40 km, there is a
compulsory halt for veterinary inspection, usually referred to
as a vetgate. Riders are free to choose their own pace between
the start and the finish of the competition. They may lead or
follow their horses, but must be mounted crossing the starting
line and the finish line. Each horse, which is thoroughly
examined before it is allowed to start the ride, must be
presented for inspection within a set time of reaching each
vetgate. The aim of the check is to determine whether the horse
is fit to continue the ride. A final veterinary inspection
occurs at the end of all rides to ensure that horses completing
the ride are not overly fatigued or lame. Excessive fatigue,
signs of lameness and other indications of problems are grounds
for elimination.
It can take years for a combination to be
ready to compete in a 160 km ride. Endurance requires extensive
preparation and a deep knowledge and understanding between horse
and rider. In this way the well being of the horse can be
maintained at all times.
The minimum distance for a one day
competition is between 40 and 160 km, depending on the type of
competition. For competitions of more than one day, the minimum
average distance for each day is 40 - 79 km for FEI * rides, 80
km to 119 km for FEI 2* and 120 km or more for FEI 3* events.
For a Championship FEI 4* one-day competition, the distance is
usually 160 km and the winning riding time about ten to twelve
hours. (http://www.fei.org/Disciplines/Endurance/About_Endurance/Pages/What_Is_Endurance.aspx)
