Just
to offer a little global perspective: In Brazil and Argentina the LD (40km - 25
miles) is simply another distance in the same sport. It is typically used
by new riders as an introduction to the sport, and to prepare horses for longer
distances. I don't think there are many 'career' 40km riders. People use this
distance interchangeably with the other distances - depending upon their goals
and their horse's age and training. Riders are more competitive in general I
think, with 'the race - the competition' - a generally more prevalent attitude.
Regarding the rules: in the Argentina FEI ride that I
did, all of the distances were FEI sanctioned (40km is a one star *
ride). BOTH the 40km and the 80km rides had a 'pulse to finish'
criteria. The time did not stop until the horse reached criteria. 64 for the
80km, 56 for the 40km. The horses had to meet criteria within 20
minutes.
In
Brazil - the 80km was a 'finish line' criteria, and the 40km (also FEI) was a
'pulse to finish' criteria with a criteria of 56. A LOT of 40km horses didn't
meet the 56 criteria within 20 minutes (many were hanging at
60).
The
lowest completion rate of all the distances in the Argentina ride was, by far,
the 80km ride.
