Distance riders saddle up for Endurance Rides at Spruce Woods Park

Many people visit Spruce Woods Provincial Park for its scenic trails, sand dunes, and peaceful camping, but few realize the park has also been home to one of Manitoba’s most demanding equestrian sports—endurance riding. This summer, that tradition continues as a series of events, including a training clinic and two endurance rides, bring horses and riders back to the park’s sand and grass trails.

Aside from 1999 when the park hosted the Pan American Games Equestrian Endurance Race, an event that attracted more than 1,000 competitors and spectators, many people are unaware that endurance rides have actually been held annually in the park for the past eight years. While the upcoming events may not draw crowds on the scale of the Pan American Games, they are still attracting riders from across Manitoba, as well as Saskatchewan and North Dakota.

The first event of the season will be the Introduction to Distance Riding Clinic, taking place at the Equestrian Campground on Saturday, June 20. The clinic will be hosted by the Manitoba Trail Riding Club and the Distance Riders of Manitoba.

Designed to introduce riders to the sport of endurance riding, the clinic will feature a full agenda covering topics such as horse conditioning, pacing, how to present horses for veterinary checks, horse camping, trail navigation, and the rules of the sport.

Chelsea Ashton and Kara Popplestone of the Distance Riders of Manitoba say Spruce Woods Provincial Park remains one of the most popular venues for endurance riders, noting that competitors appreciate both the facilities and the support of those who help host the events.

Popplestone, who will be managing both the clinic and the Stargazers ride in September, explained that while the Arabian breed often excels in endurance riding, competitors bring a variety of breeds to the event. “We are very inclusive,” added Ashton.

The inclusivity doesn’t stop with the breed of horse, as riders also come from a wide range of equestrian backgrounds.

“Many were formerly on the rodeo circuit, and while the median age of riders is 55, we have grandmas competing alongside their grandkids,” said Ashton with a broad smile.

The competition is similar to marathon running. While some riders are competitive, many are simply looking to beat their own best time. For them, it’s a personal challenge and an opportunity to be part of something with like-minded people.

“The park staff and Friends of Spruce Woods receive a lot of accolades for all they do,” said Popplestone. Ashton added that the trails themselves are also a favourite among riders due to the mix of sand and grass, which often allows horses to compete without the need for horseshoes.

The first two-day endurance ride will take place June 27 and 28 and will be hosted from the hilltop at the Equestrian Campground. Each day competitors can choose from distances of 10 or 15 non-competitive miles, or 25 or 50 competitive miles.

The Stargazers endurance ride will take place in September, featuring a variety of distances ranging from 15 to 75 miles on Saturday and 15 to 50 miles on Sunday and will be hosted at the Canoe Campground.

While endurance rides can be taxing on the horses, Dr. Glenn Sinclair will be stationed at the barn area where each trail segment begins and ends to keep an eye on them. “Setting it up this way also gives the riders the benefit of coming back “home” where they have all their personal snacks, horse feed, human feed etc.,” added Popplestone.

Volunteers will also be setting up water stations along the rides to ensure both horse and riders are well hydrated.

Both rides have a max of 30 participants so preregistration is advised.

Looking back to 1999, the Equestrian Campground transformed into a makeshift city as campers and horse trailers filled the area for the Pan American Games endurance race. While the events held over the past eight years may not draw crowds on the same scale, the spirit of endurance riding remains very much alive at Spruce Woods Provincial Park.

Local resident and horse enthusiast Kathy Noel has helped keep that spirit going, volunteering as a host for the rides over the past few years. “I believe I have helped out five times or so, but I plan to help them every year now if I am able,” she said.

For riders and spectators alike, the excitement of watching horses and riders push themselves across the sandy trails still builds to the same unforgettable moment—the thunder of hooves racing toward the finish line, with a fine fog of dust rising in their wake.

A scenic photo taken during the Stargazer Endurance Ride. PHOTO SUBMITTED