As luck would have it I just spent 6
months researching the history of CTR (along with other distance related facts)
for a presentation I did for the BOD of AHA.
The Cliff Note
version.....
CTR began in the US on the East
Coast in the late 1910's! The first organized group was the GMHA (Green
Mountain Horse Association) in 1926. The Vermont 100 CTR is the oldest
ride in the country. The original purpose of CTR was a test of horses used
in the military. Horses needed to be able to carry their
rider 25 miles a day in a timely manner, remain sound and serviceable and
be able to go on the next day. So it was a test of selecting a suitable
horse for this purpose. Thus no pit crews, boots, etc.
Today there are 6 governing bodies
of CTR in the US. NATRC, ECTRA, OAATS, UMECRA, SEDRA, and MODTRA. (listed
in order of formation). Five of the groups are very similar with NATRC
being slightly different in that they judge horsemanship over and around
obstacles during the ride as well.
CTR is considered a strategy
sport. You present your horse for evaluation before the start of the
ride, complete the ride in the same amount of time as everyone else, and present
your horse at the end of the ride for evaluation again. The objective is
to bring your horse back and make it look like it's not done anything.
Points are deducted for any condition deemed worse at the end of the ride and
the highest scoring horse wins.
Granted to those who do CTR this is
hugely over simplified, but without presenting a dissertation it's the best I
can do in a few paragraphs.
I started distance riding in the CTR
world and did about 4,500 miles before I started endurance. I found it a
very valuable tool to learn how to condition and pace myself during
competition. I also use it to start my young horses.
