To make a ride entry, either use the "Ride Entry Form" sent to owners of registered horses, or supplied in the information pack obtainable from the Endurance GB Office, or if you do not possess any of these, send a SAE to the Ride Organiser or Secretary requesting an entry form.

Post your entry in good time, enclosing another large SAE (at least 10 x 8 size) in which the Ride Organiser will send you details of the route, your start time, time of veterinary inspection, ride number, etc.

When you receive your ride details, read the route description and study the map carefully. It is advisable to transfer the route onto an OS Landranger 1:50,000 series map of the area. Check the speed of which you have to ride and work out the times that you should be at the checkpoints and at the finish. Make a note of your pre-ride veterinary inspection time and plan to arrive at the venue at least 30 to 60 minutes prior to this time.

On arrival, go to the Secretary's Office to collect your number, (some organisers require a deposit on these), and hand in your Mastercard if you have one with the first four columns completed (these are issued when an Endurance Horse Log Book is requested and are required for Rides over 20 miles. Cost £5 from Endurance GB Office and belongs to and lasts for the life of the horse plus a further Annual £5 for Horse Registration.) On arrival be sure to read all the information on the notice board as this will give you updated information regarding route changes, marking, etc. Find out where the farrier and veterinary inspections are being held. There is no Tack inspection but your hat standard will be checked either when you collect you number or at the Start.

Report to the veterinary steward, with your horse, five minutes before you are due to be vetted. For this first vetting the horse may be presented in a bridle or headcollar (the choice is yours, but your horse must be under control), with no other tack. The horse’s hooves must not be oiled. When called to the Veterinary Surgeon remove your horse's rug, if he is wearing one, unless it is very cold. Place yourself in front of your horse and make him stand square on his legs so that the Veterinary Surgeon can take his pulse. The Veterinary Surgeon will check him over for "lumps and bumps". You will then be asked to trot him up in order to check his action. This should have been practised at home so that the horse will stand correctly and then run up freely. All the veterinary comments will be noted on the Veterinary Record Card for your horse. At a major ride, a different Veterinary Surgeon may carry out each section of the examination. After the veterinary inspection, saddle up and go to the start just before your allotted time.

Take a First Aid kit, your map and written instructions with you on the Ride and make a note of the emergency telephone number of the venue. Organisers work hard to mark a route, but markers are often vandalised. You are now ready to report to the starter at the time you have been given. When on the course, make sure that the Checkpoint Stewards have noted your number as you pass through - this is your responsibility, NOT the stewards. If, during the ride, you have not seen a marker for a while and think that you may have taken the wrong route, check with your map and written instructions, and, if necessary, go back to the last marker you saw in order to find the correct route. Be courteous to people you meet during the ride especially walkers and cyclists and give way to walkers.

At the finish of the Ride, check in with the Timekeeper. You have 30 minutes before your final veterinary inspection, when the procedure will be similar to that before the start. If, for any reason, your horse does not pass the veterinary inspection or is eliminated or withdrawn on the course, you must get permission from the Veterinary Surgeon to travel your horse home. You may NOT RIDE the horse from the venue if it has failed the vet at the preliminary or any other vetting. Hopefully you will pass successfully and are then free to prepare your horse for the journey home - remembering first to return your number and collect your award.