Note that we’re capping the entries at 30 riders.

Dates:  June 25, 2023

Start Time:      7:00am

End Time:       10:00pm

Location:         Spruce Woods Provincial Park Equestrian Campground

Contact Name:           Christine Steendam

Contact Email: kcsteendam@gmail.com

Contact Phone:           204-981-5602

DRM’s Spruce Woods Endurance Ride will be setting up Ride Camp at the Equestrian Campground on Saturday night after 5pm. There are limited corrals and stalls available for use at this site. All camp sites, horse corrals and barn stalls are on a first come first served basis with camping, stabling and firewood fees to be paid to the Spruce Woods Provincial Park directly as per usual.

Please note that there is an MTRC competitive trail ride event on Saturday June 24th. Please keep the vet gate and crewing areas clear until their event has wrapped up.

We are offering Intro rides of 10 or 15 miles for beginners or those who wish to leg up their horses for later in the season.

This is an AERC sanctioned ride and will offer Limited Distance Rides (LD) of 25 miles. This distance is suitable for anyone that has fit horses.

We will also offer Competitive Endurance Rides of 50 miles each day. This distance is NOT suitable for beginners and should only be entered by athletes ready to challenge themselves and their equine partners.

All horses are subject to vet checks prior to beginning the ride each day, during ride holds and at the conclusion of the ride. Any horse may be pulled from competition by the ride veterinarian for lameness or metabolic issues.

Riders may also choose to Rider Option (RO) if the ride vet has not pulled the horse as riders know their equine partners best and our sport is about the horse’s health and well being coming before all other considerations.

AERC Motto: “To Finish Is To Win!”

Spruce Woods Endurance Ride Updated Info

Directions to Spruce Woods Provincial Park Equestrian Campsite:

USE ACTUAL GPS COORDINATES OF 49.678209, -99.146762

Do not use the automatic one in your device as it may take you to a site across the river!

From HWY #1:

Turn south at Carberry onto #5 Hwy to Assiniboine river.

Cross bridge go about 1km, then

Turn left into Kiche Manitu Campground – Spruce Woods and follow the signs to the Equestrian Center 8km.

From HWY #2:

Turn north on #5 Hwy to Assiniboine River, then

Before the bridge turn right into Kiche Manitu Campground – Spruce Woods and follow the signs to the Equestrian Center 8km.

Camping Fees:

Equestrian Campground

Basic Site $23.10

Electrical $27.30

For more information please visit: https://www.friendsofsprucewoods.com/equestrian-campground

Schedule:

Saturday  June 24   

• 4:00pm – Ride Camp will be up and running
• 4:00pm – Vetting of horses begins

Sunday June 25 

• 6:45 am – Ride Meeting for 50-mile riders
• 7:00am – 50 mile race starts
• 7:30am – Ride Meeting for 25 mile riders
• 8:00am – 25 mile race starts
• 8:30 am – Ride Meeting for 10/15 mile intro riders
• 9:00am – 10/15 mile intro starts
• 7:30pm – Fireside potluck

Trail Notes:

Each trail will be marked with its corresponding ribbon colour.

Blue trail: Blue & white ribbons

Pink trail: Pink & white ribbons

Turning ribbons:

Green & white – left turn

Red & white – right turn

Note: ribbons will always be on your right-hand side.

Water will be available for horses on the trail.

Further trail details, maps, and water locations will be covered in the ride meetings.

PLEASE NOTE: Spruce Woods Provincial Park is a public park.  You may encounter bikes, hikers of all ages, dogs, etc. on the trails.  Standard Trail etiquette applies at all times.  Be respectful and lead by example.  Educate where appropriate and always make it your priority to keep you and your horse safe even if it costs you a little time.

After Each Loop*: 

Go to your crewing/rest area to get your horse’s pulse down, or stay in the cooling area off to the side of the Vet Gate until you are ready to present to the Vet;

Heart Rate Courtesy Checkers, if available, may check your horse’s pulse on request, however, the Vet’s HR will always be the official record upon the exam;

When you have met or are under your pulse criteria, proceed to the TIMER FIRST before you proceed to the Vet Gate and call “TIME” and identify yourself by name and your horse by name, distance and competition number.  (Our timers are new and need your help to correctly identify you and your horse to ensure accurate race records) THEN enter the pulse Area and your time will be written down and you will receive your Vet Card to provide to the Vet Scribe.

In the event your horse has not met pulse criteria, you will be requested to go back out and when your horse is ready to re-present you must advise the TIMER that of your new “Time”.

Once the vet has completed the exam and you have been cleared to continue, you may then go to your Crew/Rest area for the remainder of your 1 hour hold period (calculated from your “TIME”, not the end of your exam).

Once you are ready to go back out onto the next loop, ensure you check in with the TIMER to ensure your hold time is up – no sneaking onto the course early!

*Except the “race to the finish” for 50 mile riders… your finish time after your final loop is the actual time you cross the Finish Line marked on the course, not when you are ready to present to the Vet for your exam

Awards:

Awards will be given out at the Sunday Fire Side Potluck.

If you are leaving before awards are presented, then please find Christine Steendam or Carrie Wilson to pick up your awards or they will be held until the following ride.

General Notes:

All dogs must be kept on a leash, tied to your trailer, crated or confined inside your trailer/truck in Ride Camp and Crewing areas.

Dogs are not permitted near the Vet Gate area or Trot Lane at any time.

No smoking on the trail.

No smoking in the Vet Gate area.

Pulse criteria will be 64 bpm for the 50 mile, and 60 bpm for the 25 mile and intro distances.

Hold times will be 45 minutes for all holds for both 50 and 25 mile races.