To learn more about endurance riding, order your free online edition of Discover Endurance today! It contains information about getting started in endurance riding, tips from riders, and what AERC can offer you. We  look forward to having you join our endurance family! To order, CLICK HERE.

Welcome to endurance riding! Whether you participate as a recreational activity or athletic endeavor, always keep in mind the ultimate goal of finishing on a sound and healthy horse and remember AERC’s motto: “To finish is to win.” This page will help you find the information you need to get started in the growing sport of endurance riding.

To join the organization and receive AERC registration numbers for both yourself and your equine, you can phone the office or sign up online: AERC membership registration.

You probably have lots of questions, and this website has plenty of education material to get you on your way to your first AERC ride. Your best resource is the AERC office, which is open weekdays from 8:00-4:00 (Pacific Time) via e-mail or a toll-free phone call to 866-271-2372.

Once you join, the office staff will send you a membership card, educational materials, rule book, a list of your region’s AERC mentors, and an Endurance Rider’s Handbook. The Rider Handbook and Rule Book are both available online.

Then it’s time to do a little homework! The Rider Handbook has chapters on conditioning, feeding, and trailering your horse, plus “rider survival” and pacing information for you.

Join “Green Bean Endurance”! All new members (and anyone with less than 1,000 AERC miles) are encouraged to join Green Bean Endurance, now under the auspices of AERC. It’s a welcoming group that encourages and rewards its members with mentoring, social media contact, prizes and fun competitions, both individual and team. Find out more at: www.GreenBeanEndurance.org. Click for the Green Bean sign-up form ($15 per season).

A wonderful resource is AERC’s YouTube channel, with videos featuring Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, and produced by Ken and Julie Herrera. They include Horse Camping, Arriving at Camp, How to Stay on Trail, Packing a Crew Bag, and the Control Check Exam.

Our AERC member exclusive webinars offer another fantastic learning opportunity. With topics ranging from best condition presentation to starting your first ride to electrolytes, you will learn a lot from the top notch clinicians and riders presenting.

Originally designed as an instructional video for endurance ride control judges, the AERC Vet Video will walk you through everything that happens at each AERC vet check during a ride.

Check out the Education section on this website for lots more information, everything from Preparing for Your First Ride to Moving Up to 100s! Also, the Old Dominion Endurance Rides, Inc., in Virginia, has many educational articles.

Many regional and local distance clubs can be found at the Local Clubs page. These local and regional groups are a great way to help you meet nearby riders as you learn more about endurance riding.

AERC’s Education Committee has selected mentors in each region based on their years of expertise and a high completion average. Here is the current list of regional mentors.

To find AERC members in your area to ride with or answer questions: Once you are an AERC member, you can look up members by city, state, and zip code from the members directory at your members page. To login to your members page, click on the “Login” link at the top right of the home page. Use your email on file with AERC as your username and chose a password. Once you have logged in, go to “Member Home” and click on “Directories”.