Before the ride, horses are inspected by a veterinarian to ensure they are fit to perform in the ride.
  Riders may be given a map or GPS waypoints for the course, which shows the route, the places for compulsory halts (called "holds"), and any natural obstacles (such as ditches, steep hills, and water crossings).
 The trails frequently are marked with colored surveyor's tape ribbons at regular  intervals with additional ribbons or small arrow markers at turns in the trail.

The ride is divided into sections, with different names (legs, phases, loops etc.),
depending on sanctioning organization.
 After each section, horses are stopped for a veterinary inspection (sometimes called a "vetgate"), where they are checked for soundness and dehydration, with their pulse and respiration taken.
 To continue the ride, the horse must pass the examination, including reducing its heart rate below that specified for the event, typically 64 bpm, although terrain and weather may require the ride veterinarians to set a different maximum target.
 The riders' time keeps running until their horses reach the required target, so it is important that the horses recover as soon as possible.
 Any horse deemed unfit to continue (due to lameness or excessive fatigue, for example) is eliminated from further competition.

After the veterinary inspection, the horse must be held for an additional hold time (usually between 40 – 60 minutes), at which time it is fed and watered.
 If the veterinary inspection is on the course rather than at base camp, ride management usually delivers to the inspection location a cache of riders' personal gear, food, and water.

While riders may compete without additional aid, sometimes referred to as riding cavalry,  many riders have a designated crew to assist them during veterinary checks.
 In upper level competition this is particularly important to efficiently prepare the horse for the vet as well as care of both horse and rider during the mandatory hold times.
 A good crew allows the rider a brief respite and time to concentrate all energies on the strategy and demands of the trail itself.

Riders are free to choose their pace during the competition, adjusting to the terrain and their mount's condition.
 Therefore, they must have a great knowledge of pace, knowing when to slow down or speed up during the ride, as well as a great knowledge of their horse's condition and signs of tiring.
 Riders may also choose to ride, or may dismount and walk or jog with their horse without penalty.
 However, in FEI, they must be mounted when they cross the starting and finish lines.
 AERC riders have no requirement for being mounted at any point before, during, or after the ride.

The terrain riders compete over varies greatly from ride to ride.
 Natural obstacles (called "hazards"), are marked on the trails.
 In some areas, wilderness or undeveloped areas are difficult to find; in these places, no more than 10% of the route can be on hard-surfaced roads.
Before the ride, horses are inspected by a veterinarian to ensure they are fit to perform in the ride.   Riders may be given a map or GPS waypoints for the course, which shows the route, the places for compulsory halts (called "holds"), and any natural obstacles (such as ditches, steep hills, and water crossings).  The trails frequently are marked with colored surveyor's tape ribbons at regular  intervals with additional ribbons or small arrow markers at turns in the trail.
The ride is divided into sections, with different names (legs, phases, loops etc.), depending on sanctioning organization.  After each section, horses are stopped for a veterinary inspection (sometimes called a "vetgate"), where they are checked for soundness and dehydration, with their pulse and respiration taken.  To continue the ride, the horse must pass the examination, including reducing its heart rate below that specified for the event, typically 64 bpm, although terrain and weather may require the ride veterinarians to set a different maximum target.  The riders' time keeps running until their horses reach the required target, so it is important that the horses recover as soon as possible.  Any horse deemed unfit to continue (due to lameness or excessive fatigue, for example) is eliminated from further competition.
After the veterinary inspection, the horse must be held for an additional hold time (usually between 40 – 60 minutes), at which time it is fed and watered.  If the veterinary inspection is on the course rather than at base camp, ride management usually delivers to the inspection location a cache of riders' personal gear, food, and water.
While riders may compete without additional aid, sometimes referred to as riding cavalry,  many riders have a designated crew to assist them during veterinary checks.  In upper level competition this is particularly important to efficiently prepare the horse for the vet as well as care of both horse and rider during the mandatory hold times.  A good crew allows the rider a brief respite and time to concentrate all energies on the strategy and demands of the trail itself.
Riders are free to choose their pace during the competition, adjusting to the terrain and their mount's condition.  Therefore, they must have a great knowledge of pace, knowing when to slow down or speed up during the ride, as well as a great knowledge of their horse's condition and signs of tiring.  Riders may also choose to ride, or may dismount and walk or jog with their horse without penalty.  However, in FEI, they must be mounted when they cross the starting and finish lines.  AERC riders have no requirement for being mounted at any point before, during, or after the ride.
The terrain riders compete over varies greatly from ride to ride.  Natural obstacles (called "hazards"), are marked on the trails.  In some areas, wilderness or undeveloped areas are difficult to find; in these places, no more than 10% of the route can be on hard-surfaced roads.
Endurance riding