Endurance riding is an extreme sport and a true test of horse and rider over 50-100 miles. The welfare of the horse is in high regard. The race is run in loops (usually six on a 100-mile course) with compulsory veterinary checks and hold times in between loops. The horse and rider with the fastest time, and that also pass the final veterinary check as well as getting their horse's pulse down below 64 beats per minute within 20 minutes of crossing the finish line, wins.

The races are usually held in national forests or places where vast trail systems are in place. Sometimes the races are close to civilization, sometimes it's held many miles from nearest convenience store.