May/June 2024 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN May/June 2024 Page 13 Planning for the June endurance competition in Fair Hill began with a “test” competition in Pennsylvania last July. Riders in that event includ- ed (from left to right) Kylie Wert, Jessica Hermann, Meghan Wert and Gretchen Wert. Meghan represented the USA on the Young Riders team in France in 2023 and Italy in 2021. She will be one of the featured panelists at the Fair Hill Young Riders discussion in June. Photo by Becky Pearman Sanctioned Endurance Competition Coming to Fair Hill, MD in June By Suzanne Bush What’s the fastest-growing equestrian sport outside the US? Holly Corcoran of Stroudsburg, PA says it’s endurance. And a lot of equestrian organizations around the world agree with her. Corcoran has been compet- ing in endurance since 2003, after years in the show ring. “I really prefer being on the trails,” she says, and points out that endur- ance is much more than a really long trail ride. “It’s amazing what you learn about your horse when you spend that much time to- gether.” But endurance is unique among equestrian sports, it’s one in which families can compete alongside each other—or even against each other. It’s accessible and most rides are open to all ages of riders, from young teens to…well…senior riders who have nothing more to prove, other than that the joy of riding is ageless. Junior riders—those under age 16—must ride with a sponsor throughout the ride, Corcoran says. Corcoran says that the endurance community is actively recruiting younger riders, and her non-profit, USA Northeast Endurance (www.usaneendur- anceinc.org ) is hosting a major endurance ride at Fair Hill, MD on June 20. “It’s going to be like a festival,” she says. “You’re welcome to come and learn about endurance. We’re encour- aging a lot of kids from 4-H and Pony Club to open up their minds about endurance. We do have a youth coordinator who is working on the day of the ride if someone wants to pitch in and learn more about it.” Pitch in, as in volunteer to work with crews supporting the riders. News You Can Use While the actual competition is on June 22, there are two days of clinics and workshops that (Continued on page 39)