What is an Equathon: An Equathon consists of a TEAM of two persons (Rider/Runner) and one horse, or IRON consisting of one person (Rides/Runs) and one horse competing on a pre-determined course.
The length of the run must be at least 25% of the length of the ride.
The Rider completes their portion of the course first before the Runner starts their portion of the event. The Runner may start after the horse reaches pulse criteria taken by official race staff, but prior to the veterinary examination. The clock runs continuously until the runner reaches the finish line.
Iron person rides the designated course first and then runs the second part of the course. The clock runs continuously until the runner reaches the finish line. They must start the run portion within 30 minutes of the horse passing the pulse criteria. Designated crew may present the horse for both the pulse and the veterinary exam.
Completion Time: The “Completion Time” is when the runner crosses the finish line. In addition, the horse must PASS the post-ride exam meeting “fit to continue” criteria otherwise the team will be disqualified.
Long Course: Is combined rider/runner mileage of 20 miles or longer.
Short Course: Is combined rider/runner mileage of less than 20 miles.
General rules:
- All participants must be current members of the Ride & Tie Association. Throughout these rules, “horse” means “horse, pony, donkey, burro, or mule.”
- The horse must be at least four years (48 months) old if competing in distances 19 miles or less, and five years (60 months) old if competing in distances of 20 miles or longer.
- NO pregnant or lactating mares will be allowed to compete.
- In alignment with AERC, no foreign substance or medication may be given or administered to any horse within 72 hours before starting or one hour after finishing the event. This includes ointments or solutions for topical use that contain local anesthetics All medications administered during the two weeks prior to the event must be declared in writing to the veterinarian conducting the pre-ride examination.
- All horses must be submitted for a pre- and post-ride examination.
- All horses must be presented for a post-ride veterinary examination within a half an hour of the horse crossing the finish line. Horses must pass this examination for any member of that team to be eligible for completion awards and points.
- Horses traveling less than 10 miles require standard pre- and post-ride examinations.
- Veterinarians will determine pulse criteria which may differ from Ride & Tie horses. Pulse must be taken/certified by official ride staff.
- If the ride portion is 20 miles or longer, there will be a mandatory hold as pre-determined by the head veterinarian for the horse at any vet check(s).
- All decisions of the Veterinarian staff regarding the health and safety of the horse including altering any horse related Equathon rules are final. NO abuse of a horse will be tolerated.
- Before the Start there will be an Agreed upon “Start and Finish line”.
- Riders shall be responsible for their horse’s behavior prior to and during the event. If, at the discretion of the ride management, any horse becomes unruly or jeopardizes the safety of other participants, the team may be disqualified from the event.
- Competitors must pass and report to any trail marshals who are positioned along the course. Competitors inadvertently off course must return to the point at which they left the marked trail and complete the course correctly.
- Any protests must be made in accordance with the Association’s Protest Policy
- The Runner (for both Standard Equathon and Iron Person) must report to the event timer for the official run portion start and finish time and follow the designated course.
- All minors under age 16 must wear approved safety helmets by AHSA, PCA, ANSIZ90.4 or Snell while mounted during the event.
Revised January 2025