Liz Worthy, PR rep for the North and East Yorkshire Group of Endurance GB, is trying to encourage more riders to try the sport and explains why she choose to get into it.
"Well, for me, it is the freedom and enjoyment of long rides in the country with little roadwork and places for a good canter, often with the most wonderful scenery to enjoy.
"All this with back up available if required. I know that if something untoward should happen then medics, vets, often a blacksmith and stewards and helpers with radios are available to provide the help needed.
"There is the added bonus of riding with other like-minded friendly individuals and just having a good time.
"There are different grades of riding from the pleasure rides, which is an organised ride of 14 to 18 miles, taking around two hours 25 minutes to three hours or less, up to the endurance races which cover longer distances at speed.
"At all levels the welfare of the horse is put first and the vets are there to ensure the horse is OK.
"The route is marked and you are given a map marked with the route and sometimes with additional written directions so you shouldn't get lost.
"If you do, the organisers will be aware and will be out looking for you. There is no age limit and children are welcome accompanied by an adult.
"Some continue to take part in the rides into their 70s."
Liz's horse is an 18-year-old Shire cross who used to pull a carriage on Scarborough seafront.
Others have anything from a gypsy pony or mountain and moorland type through to ex racehorses and arabs.
But Liz said one myth is that people's horses need to cover miles and miles each day in training.
"I am lucky we have steep hills around Whitby and my daily rides last no more than one hour and take me around the villages and up and down the hills," she said.
"This keeps my horse fit enough and last year we took part in many 25-mile rides with no problem to horse and rider, covering the ride in around three hours 30 minutes."
Anyone who is interested can check out the North and East Yorkshire group website at www.neyorksgroupofegb.co.uk/ index.htm or the Durham and Teesside website www.durhamandteessideegb.org.uk/
Locally organised pleasure rides coming up in the area are: 27 April Guisborough Forest, 8 May Wykeham, 6 July New Marske, 3 August Harwood Dale, 24 August Yarm, September 7 Sledmere.