Over the years, very ­interes-ting and ­telling ­statistics have emerged at the ­National ­Endurance ­Championship at ­Fauresmith. Peet ­Diedericks and Greg Miles highlight some patterns based on Erasa statisctics.

The weight factor

There is a definite relationship between ­rider weight and the chances of ­completing the ride successfully. Here are statistics ­taken at the 2007 ride.

Table A is arranged according to rider weight, descending (this weight is the weight of the rider including all riding gear i.e. bridle, saddle, numnah and rider).

There is a clear tendency for the ­horses ­carrying more weight to have a lesser chance of completion. They also ­consistently ­register slower times.

The only deviation to this trend are the children riders and maybe this can be ­attributed to the fact that children riders may not ride on their own and have to be accompanied by an experienced endurance rider, thus not giving a true reflection of what a child rider may accomplish.

A good example this year was the child rider, Willem van Rensburg on Esmah ­Baronca, who with only the last day to go, was leading the child category by just ­under four minutes. His senior’s horse, however, had to slow down on the last day and he finished fourth, 34 minutes off the winning time. Table B is arranged by speed ­descending. Table C shows the percentage completions from 1998-2005.

Ideal horse

Looking at Erasa statistics of the past ten years, the average age of the horses that completed the ride over this period is 11,58 years.

Many riders ask what the ideal horse for endurance is. Most riders will say a gelding, as it is consistent in its behaviour and not a handful like a stallion.

A mare can, however, create problems if they come on heat ­during a ride. Table D sets the sex of the horses from 1998-2007 that completed the ride.

Many riders or potential buyers ask what breed of horse should be purchased for endurance riding. Table E shows some telling statistics.

The following horses have completed five or more Fauresmith rides between 1998 and 2007. Their names are given in ­alphabetical order, with their average times over their rides: