AERC Membership Recognition

Membership recognition begins with your very first completed ride, as per rule 6.3, “All riders who successfully complete the ride must receive a completion award.”

AERC offers a variety of annual and lifetime achievement awards, which are described in detail below.

AERC National Championship: AERC’s premier event featuring a 50 Mile and 100 Mile Championship Ride. View information regarding the current season’s championship ride here. To view past winners, click title link.

 

National Mileage Championship and National Limited Distance Mileage Championship: Listed are the top-mileage senior and junior champions for both endurance and LD. The National Mileage Championship honors the top 10 senior and top 5 junior rider and horse teams with the most miles accrued during one season. This award is based solely on mileage (50+ mile rides). The National LD Mileage Championship is based solely on mileage (25-35 mile rides). Honors the top 3 Senior and top 3 Junior rider/horse teams with the most miles accrued during one season. Click title link to see list of past winners.

 

National Best Condition Award: The National Best Condition award is presented to the horse who has earned the most Best Condition points during the ride season (any number of riders). Top ten placements are awarded. Rides 50 miles and up. Click title link to see list of past winners.

 

National Limited Distance Best Condition Award: Started in 2018, the Limited Distance National Best Condition award is presented to the horse who has earned the most Best Condition points during the ride season (any number of riders). Top ten placements are awarded. Rides 25-35 miles count towards this award.

 

National 100 Mile Award: Honoring the  Top Ten  Senior horse/rider teams with the most points accumulated on one day rides of 100 miles or more. Click title link to view list of past winners.

 

Junior National 100 Mile Award: Honoring the  top five Junior riders  completing at least two one-day 100-mile rides in the ride season, based on mileage only. Click title link to view list of past winners.

 

Kathy Brunjes Young Rider Award: Top 10 high-mileage senior riders between the ages of 14 to 21 on any number of equines who have met the minimum mileage requirement of 300 miles.

 

Jim Jones Stallion Award: Honoring the stallion with the most endurance (50+) miles completed during the ride season (any number of riders). Ten placings acknowledged. Click title link to see list of past winners.

 

War Mare Award: Based on the most overall placing points accrued by the same mare/rider team during one season (Seniors only). Top 10 acknowledged; plaque awarded for the first-place War Mare. Sponsored by Global Endurance Training Center.

 

Bob and Julie Suhr Spouse Award: Honoring the top 10 married teams with the most points accumulated on any number of horses. If one spouse has less mileage, their total must be greater than one-third of the total miles for the team. 10 plaques acknowledged.

 

Bill Thornburgh Family Award Award: Honoring the family with the most miles completed. A family is father and/or mother and one or more dependent children. The only rides that count toward this competition are those where at least one parent and one child start a sanctioned distance at an event on the same day; example – a parent could start the 100 and a child the LD at an event offering both. If either is pulled, the miles for the finisher will be counted. Miles for a dependent are included up until the 21st birthday but not after. The first place family receives a keepsake plaque and are engraved onto the perpetual trophy. Top 10 families acknowledged.

 

Bill Stuckey Award: Honoring the rider 65 years of age or older who completed the greatest number of miles (any number of horses) in one season. First place receives a keepsake plaque and are engraved onto the perpetual trophy. Three placings acknowledged. Sponsored by The Distance Depot.

 

Pioneer Award: For most points on a multi-day event [3-5 days (155 miles or more)]. Per event, qualification is a cumulative score for same horse and rider team.  All days of the ride must be completed to receive points. Three placements awarded per division including juniors. Sponsored by Belesemo Arabian Ranch.

 

Limited Distance Pioneer Award (new for 2024): Honors the rider and equine with the most miles in LD Pioneer events. All days of the ride(s) must be completed to earn mileage toward the award. Top three placements awarded.

 

Specialized Saddles Rookie Award: all brand new members are automatically entered into this award. Click title link to see all details regarding this award sponsored by Specialized Saddles.

Hall of Fame: Two categories – Equine and Member – honor lifetime achievements by recognizing outstanding performances or outstanding contributions to the sport or to AERC. Nominations are made by ballots submitted by members to the Hall of Fame Committee. This award is kept secret until the annual Awards Banquet. View list of recipients above.

 

Pard’ners Award: Rider and horse perform together as a mutually bonded team. Rider and horse engender a spirit of friendship, enthusiasm and championship that makes those around them glad to have attended the ride. However competitive they may be, good sportsmanship remains their first priority. Horse and rider take care of each other. Together horse and rider personify the prevailing and abiding goal of AERC “To Finish is to Win.” This award was established in honor of the late Mae Schlegel. Selection is made by nomination and announced at annual Awards Banquet. Recipient receives keepsake plaque and name of horse and rider engraved onto perpetual trophy.

 

Perfect Ten Award (Equine Only): Created in 1997 and sponsored by Joe Long, past president, former SE director, and member of the Hall of Fame. Must have completed 10 years, 10,000 miles, 10 first place finishes and 10 best conditions. Award item to be announced.

 

Ann Parr Trails Preservation Award: This award, first given in 2012, honors the member who has worked tirelessly for equine trails. This award may not be given every year.

 

AERC Volunteer Service Award: This award is established to honor an AERC member who has devoted an extraordinary amount of volunteer effort, time and service on behalf of the AERC for many years. This award may not be given every year. The recipient shall receive a keepsake plaque of such quality as to underscore the value placed on volunteer efforts by members of the AERC.

Decade Teams. The Decade Team recognizes those equine and rider teams who completed at least one endurance ride (50 miles or more) each year for 10 years. Years do not have to be consecutive.

 

Double Decade Teams. Honors equine/rider endurance teams who have who completed at least one endurance ride (50 miles or more) each year for 20 years. Years do not have to be consecutive.

 

Equine Longevity Award. This award recognizes AERC-registered equines who have completed at least 50 miles a year in AERC-sanctioned rides of 25 miles or more for a minimum of 10 years. (The years do not have to be consecutive.) Owners of the recognized equines will receive the first longevity pin at the 10-year mark, and also at 15, 20 and 25 years. In order for the owner to receive their equine’s longevity pin, they must be a current AERC member. Longevity pins will be sent out at the conclusion of each ride season.

 

Rider Mileage Award. This award honors AERC riders who have reached milestones in endurance and/or limited distance miles. A custom-made pin is emailed to recipients. Both this award and the Equine Longevity Award were instituted in 2017, by vote of the AERC Board of Directors, and is administered by Terry Woolley Howe of the Pacific Southwest Region. Thanks to Terry for recognizing the importance of recognizing these horses and mules who carry their riders over many years of competition.

 

Hundred Hundreds Club. This designation recognizes those AERC members who have completed at least 100 one-day 100 mile AERC-sanctioned rides. This is an exclusive club of dedicated 100-mile riders.

 

Century Club. This distinction is reserved for those riders and equines whose ages total at least 100 when they participate in an AERC endurance or limited distance ride.

Regional Awards are those earned by riders from each of AERC’s regions.

 

Regional Points Championship standings are based in riders in each region earning the most Weight Division and Overall points (includes Seniors not placing in a weight division).

 

Within the Senior Division (over 16 years of age) there are 5 weight divisions:

 

Featherweight: combined body weight and tack is 160 lbs or below.
Lightweight: combined body weight and tack is 161 to 185 lbs.
Middleweight: combined body weight and tack is 186 to 210 lbs.
Heavyweight: combined body weight and tack is 211 lbs or higher
Young Rider: For riders from 16-21 as of the first day of the ride season

 

Scoring: Calculated on a single horse and rider team. Each rider receives 2 sets of points; one for placement in their weight division and one for overall finish line placement. Due to each region having a varying membership count, the ranking is based on the top 5% of a region’s membership or 10, whichever is smaller.

 

Some regions will have a greater number of weight division placements, while all regions will have a top 10 overall placement. Some riders will score only enough points to place top ten in the regional overall standings but fail to score enough to place within their weight division. This occurrence is reported as “Senior not placing in a weight division”. Riders placing in their weight division and/or overall will receive an award jacket.

 

Junior Division: A junior rider is under the age of 16 as of the first day of the AERC ride season (December 1st). A junior rider must ride in the company of a sponsor who is 18 years of age or older (see Section 10 of AERC Rule Book). Juniors receive points per mile only and are not considered for overall placements. All regions will list top 3 juniors. Each making the list at year end will be receiving an award jacket.

 

Regional Limited Distance Mileage Championship: The regional LD mileage awards are for those riders who have accumulated at least 100 limited distance miles on one equine. These awards are for the top seven senior riders and top three junior riders (regardless of ties) in each region who have accumulated the minimum number of limited distance miles on one horse. The actual award will be the same given that year to the regional high point endurance riders receiving weight division awards.

 

Rider Mileage Championship: Top 2 seniors and 1 junior with the greatest endurance-distance mileage accrued in that season are chosen as that region’s mileage champions. A rider may ride up to 2 horses. This achievement is listed on their award jacket.

 

Regional Best Condition: Honoring the top 5 horses winning Best Condition throughout the season. Points are awarded on a per mile basis, not vet scores. See Section 9.4 of the AERC Rule Book for an explanation of the point system. Best Condition points are not applied toward the overall point system.

 

Regional Limited Distance – Best Condition: Honoring the top 5 horses winning Best Condition throughout the season in 25-35 mile rides. Points are awarded on a per mile basis, not vet scores. Best Condition points are not applied toward the overall point system.

Rider Mileage Program: Upon completion of 250 miles, riders receive a Rider Mileage patch and a 250 mile chevron. Additional chevrons are awarded at 500, 750, and 1000 miles and at each additional 1000 miles. Riders achieving these mileage plateaus are acknowledged in Endurance News.

 

5000 Mile Riders (Mileage computed annually)

 

Equine Mileage Program: Horses will receive a medallion for each 1000 miles completed. Plateaus are acknowledged in Endurance News.

 

3000 Mile Equines (Mileage computed annually)

 

Limited Distance Program: Upon completion of 250 miles of Limited Distance Rides, riders receive a Limited Distance Rider Mileage patch and a 250 mile chevron. Additional chevrons are awarded at 500, 750, and 1000 miles and at each additional 1000 miles. Riders achieving these plateaus are acknowledged in Endurance News.

 

Top 100 Limited Distance Riders

 

Limited Distance Equine Mileage Program: Limited distance equine medallions are awarded at 500 miles, then at each 1,00 miles. Plateaus are acknowledged in Endurance News.

 

Top 100 Limited Distance Equines

 

100 Mile Incentive Program: Begun in 2010, this program recognizes equines who have completed 100-mile, one-day rides. All equines finishing their first one-day 100 will be listed, with their owner’s name, in Endurance News (listings are published quarterly). In addition, the AERC office will mail a certificate of achievement to the owner of the equine.

 

Levels of recognition — This program recognizes the following levels of achievement:

 

  • Bronze level for horses completing three one-day 100-mile rides with any rider. The owner of the equine will have the option to add a 3 next to their horse’s official AERC name. The owner will have the option to order, at their own expense, a bronze level award through AERC; at this level a personalized lead rope or trailer tie is available.
  • Silver level for horses completing seven one-day 100-mile rides with any rider. The owner of the equine will have the option to add a 7 next to their horse’s official AERC name. The owner will have the option to order, at their own expense, a silver level award through AERC; at this level an embroidered jacket, personalized lead rope or trailer tie are available.
  • Gold level for horses completing 10 one-day 100-mile rides with any rider. The owner of the equine will have the option to add a 10 next to their horse’s official AERC name. The owner will have the option to order, at their own expense, a gold level award through AERC; at this level an embroidered horse blanket/cooler, an embroidered jacket, personalized lead rope or trailer tie are available.
  • Platinum level for horses completing 15-plus one-day 100-mile rides with any rider. Equines will be recognized at this level at five 100-mile intervals, i.e., 15, 20, 25, etc. The owner of the equine will have the option to add the number of 100s next to their horse’s official AERC name. The owner will have the option to order, at their own expense, a silver level award through AERC; at this level an embroidered jacket, personalized lead rope or trailer tie are available.

 

Note: Upon request to the AERC office, members may recover mileage for AERC sanctioned rides completed prior to joining. Restored mileage applies to career totals. Contact the AERC office for information about adding back mileage to rider and/or equine records.

 

Miles continue to accumulate as long as an individual remains a current AERC member. Should membership lapse, rides completed while the individual is a non-member will not be credited. Upon renewal, mileage will resume accumulating as of renewal date. Miles completed during the non-member period can be reclaimed (see paragraph above).

Juniors are eligible for a wide variety of awards programs in AERC. Mileage programs for juniors and their equines, in both endurance and limited distances, are a great way for juniors to work toward distance goals.

 

Best Condition. Juniors compete with adult riders in the regional and national best condition awards for both endurance and limited distance.

 

Regional Point Awards. There are junior division placings in each of the nine AERC regional points divisions.

 

Regional Mileage Championship. The top endurance mileage junior in each AERC region becomes the Junior Regional Mileage Champion. A rider may ride up to two horses for this award.

 

Regional Limited Distance Mileage Championship. Three junior LD riders in each region are eligible for this award, once a minimum mileage requirement of 200 miles per ride year have been met. This award is based on mileage only, with one horse and one rider.

 

National Mileage Championship. This award, based solely on mileage, honors the top five junior rider/horse teams with the most mileage accrued during one season.

 

National Limited Distance Mileage Championship. Based just on LD rides, this honors the top three junior rider/horse teams with the most miles accrued during one ride season.

 

Junior National 100 Mile Award. The top five junior riders completing at least two one-day 100-mile rides in a ride season are eligible for this award, which is based on mileage only, not placement.

 

Bill Thornburgh Family Award. A family (either father and/or mother and one or more dependent children) with the most miles completed will be considered for this award. Note: The miles applied are those where at least one parent and one child start any sanctioned distance at an event.

 

Pioneer Award. This award honors riders with the most points earned on multi-day events, with awards going to the top five juniors each season. Qualification is a cumulative score for the same horse and rider team; all days of the ride must be completed.

 

Kathy Brunjes Young Riders Award. This award, new in 2012, honors the top 10 high-mileage senior riders between the ages of 14 and 21 on any number of equines (300 miles minimum). This award is available to young riders who are competing in the senior division.

 

Junior Scholarship. For the past several years, the Junior Committee has awarded a scholarship to a young AERC member. For information about the scholarship program, contact a member of the Junior Committee.

All breeds of equines are welcome at AERC rides, and several organizations offer special awards to endurance horses. Below are the breed associations that typically offer specific awards as well as those with distance programs. Please contact the individual organization for further information by clicking on the breed association name.

 

These awards are given by the breed associations, not the American Endurance Ride Conference, and are subject to change without notice.

 

Breed Association Awards for AERC Rides

 

Akhal-Teke Association of America

The Akhal-Teke/Akhal-Teke sport horse with the highest points earned in both limited distance and endurance will be awarded the ATAA bred award at the AERC convention. ATAA will provide an embroidered fleece cooler for each category. The Akhal-Teke/Akhal-Teke Sport horse must be registered with the ATAA and both member and horse must be current ATAA members to qualify for the award.

 

Al Khamsa

Al Khamsa, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization of enthusiasts devoted to preserving the horse of Bedouin Arabia. Each year Al Khamsa sponsors an award (a plaque) for the AERC high-mileage Al Khamsa Arabian horse, presented annually at the AERC National Convention.

 

American Connemara Pony Society

The American Connemara Pony Society’s High Point Awards recognize the high mileage (combined endurance and limited distance) full- and half-Connemara pony. Ribbons will be awarded to the owners of the ponies who earn this award.

 

New for 2023! American Mustang and Burro Association, Inc.

For all members of AMBA (usamba.org, $20/year membership), your AMBA-registered mustang or burro is eligible for the High Point Endurance and High Mileage LD award — custom belt buckles — beginning with the 2023 AERC ride season. Any wild equine or wild equine cross, including Chincoteague Pony, Corolla Horse, Indian Reservation Horse, Canadian Mustang, Mustang Cross, Burro, BLM Branded Equine, Forestry Service Mustangs, and other State agency managed equine is eligible. Check with AMBA for more information.

 

American Morgan Horse Association

The American Morgan Horse Association’s (AMHA) awards recognize the highest mileage endurance and limited distance Morgans in AERC competitions. The horse must be competed under its registered name; must have proof of registration with the AMHA or Canadian Morgan Horse Association, and both the owner and rider must be AMHA members. A saddle pad is being awarded to the two 2021 winning Morgans.

 

American Mule Association

The American Mule Association is sponsoring an award to the mule with the highest endurance mileage in one season. This award is in remembrance of Marirose Six, a Mountain region member who ran Marirose’s Mule School (and Horses Too) and competed on many mules, most notably Lucky Six Nellie. The recipient will be the mule and rider team with the highest endurance (50 or more mile rides) mileage for the season. In case of a tie the award will go to the team with the most 100 mile completions in the season. This award is open to any mule and rider team. An engraved plaque will be given at the AERC convention national awards banquet.

 

American Saddlebred Registry

This award will reward riders of Saddlebred and Half-Saddlebred horses who have registered with the American Saddlebred Registry; riders must be members in good standing of VERSA but need not be members of ASHA. Awards are based on mileage of the rider; riders may accumulate mileage on one or more horses, and in multiple categories. AERC endurance and LD miles count toward the award. Riders are responsible for sending their mileage to the VERSA program administrator. Prizes: embroidered coolers.

 

* High Mileage, Limited Distance, by a registered Saddlebred

* High Mileage, Limited Distance, by a registered Half-Saddlebred

* High Mileage, Endurance Distance, by a registered Saddlebred

* High Mileage, Endurance Distance, by a registered Half-Saddlebred

 

Appaloosa Horse Club

The Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC) offers several distance programs. Each year the High-Mileage Endurance Appaloosa Award is presented to the horse completing the highest number of miles in approved open endurance rides within a ride year. The High-Mileage Appaloosa of the Year Award goes to the horse with the highest combined endurance and competitive rides in a ride year. A Medallion is given to Appaloosas with 350 miles of 50-mile endurance rides during the ride year (December 1-November 30).  Fee for distance program participation is $25 (lifetime) per horse.

 

The ApHC sponsors a national championship endurance ride at various locations around the country.

In addition, ApHC also has a distance program for current ApHC members. These lifetime awards, given since 1972, recognize horse completing endurance rides and/or LD rides with a Register of Merit award after 250 miles and a Superior Event Award after 500 miles.Those horses reaching 1,000 miles are eligible for the 1,000 Mile Award.

 

Arabian Horse Association

The Arabian Horse Association offers several incentive programs and distance programs:

 

*Endurance High Point Program Awards, given for the 100-mile and 50-99-mile horses for registered Arabian and half-Arabian horses. (Individuals interested in the 50-99 mile category must submit an AHA Endurance Horse High-Point Middle Distance Award application form to AHA. Award presented at the AERC convention.

*Distance Horse of the Year Award, which recognizes significant accomplishments of a registered Arabian, Half-Arabian or Anglo-Arabian in distance sports. Awarded at convention.

*Amateur Achievement awards program, modeled after their popular Achievement Awards program which tracks a horse’s performance, the amateur program assigns points to individual riders. Available for youth and adults.

*Distance Horse Awards recognize completed miles in AERC competitions (awards plaques and mileage markers).

*Competitive Distance Program, with a multi-level prize and award system.

*Frequent Rider Program for recording training hours.

 

Icelandic Distance Riders of North America

When this group was formed in 2018 there were 20 members and only two riders actively competing in AERC rides. In 2022, the group has 327 members, with 20 actively competing in distance riding. Honors go to the high mileage endurance and high mileage Icelandic competing in AERC competitions. Awards may vary; in 2021 a ball cap and ribbon are the top awards.

 

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) will honor the High Mileage Endurance Thoroughbred and High Mileage Limited Distance Thoroughbred. Honorees will receive a Ribbon and T.I.P. logo bag. The Thoroughbred horse must be registered with The Jockey Club or a foreign Thoroughbred stud book recognized by The Jockey Club and all horses should have a T.I.P. Number to assist with proof of eligibility. Thoroughbreds competing in AERC are also eligible for The Jockey Club’s Performance Awards and Recreational Riding Incentive Program. Click on links for more information on these programs.

 

Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association

To support the efforts of AERC and recognize the registered Missouri Fox Trotting horses competing in AERC events, the MFTHBA will award the top five high-mileage horses in both endurance and limited distance each year. The competition year begins December 1 and will run through November.

 

To be eligible for year-end Missouri Fox Trotting Horse awards, horses must be registered with the MFTHBA; and the horse’s owner(s) must be members in good standing of the MFTHBA and AERC during the competition year the miles are earned. Awards are based on mileage of the horse. Horses may accumulate mileage in multiple categories. AERC endurance and limited distance (LD) miles count toward the award. Ties will be broken using completion percentage for the year. Prize will be a custom jacket with MFTHBA and AERC logo. The award will go to the owner of the horse and will be presented at AERC’s annual national awards banquet.

 

Mustang Heritage Foundation

The Mustang Heritage Foundation sponsors three awards for BLM Mustangs ridden by AERC members:

 

*High Mileage BLM Equine in Endurance. Given to the highest mileage horse and rider team (minimum 150 endurance miles). AERC rides 50 miles or longer count toward this award.

*High Mileage BLM Equine in Limited Distance. Given to the highest mileage horse and rider team (minimum 100 limited distance miles). AERC rides of 25 to 35 miles count toward this award.

To be eligible for the Mustang Heritage Foundation award, riders must be current AERC members and the horse must be a BLM Mustang registered with AERC. Belt buckles will be given to the winning riders. Awards will be presented at the annual AERC convention.

 

North American Shagya-Arabian Society

In order to celebrate the outstanding achievements of horses with Shagya-Arabian blood, the North American Shagya-Arabian Society (NASS) has created the Radautzer Award for NASS-registered horses, owned by NASS members in good standing, competing in AERC rides. Named after the horses from the famous Austrian military stud farm of Radautz (located in present-day Romania) a horse with exceptional courage and stamina in Europe received the highest praise if described as “tough as a Radautzer.” Riders can find nomination forms and more details about the Radautzer Award scoring system at www.shagya.net.

 

Paso Fino Horse Association

The Paso Fino Horse Association recognizes the recreational rider with the most combined LD and endurance miles each year. Riders may compete on any number of Paso Fino horses and must be AERC and PFHA members; all horses must be AERC- and PFHA-registered to be included.

 

PFHA also offers a pointed LD/Distance program wherein a horse may be awarded points for each ride which will be applied toward that horse’s PFHA Endurance Horse of the Year Award and the various PFHA Society of Merit Awards. Those riders not wishing to apply for points may count the hours ridden on each ride in their log for the PFHA Pasos for Pleasure Award Program.

 

Rocky Mountain Horse Association

Dedicated to promoting and protecting the Rocky Mountain Horse, an American heritage breed, the nonprofit Rocky Mountain Horse Association is sponsoring an award for high mileage RMHA members with registered/certified Rocky Mountain Horses. The highest mileage (combined endurance and LD) will receive a trophy, and the second and third place RMHA horses will earn ribbons.

 

In addition, the RMHA has a Trail Mileage Program which rewards their members for miles spent in the saddle riding RMHA registered and certified horses, both annual and with lifetime awards. Riders must enroll annually. RMHA also offers a Versatility Program for their members who participate in a variety of disciplines, with annual and lifetime awards (annual registration required).

 

Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association

The Spotted Saddle Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association (SSHBEA) offers LD and endurance awards programs. Miles are tracked and tabulated by AERC, and awards are presented annually at the AERC convention: High Mileage Limited Distance and High Mileage Endurance or Overall High Mileage. To be eligible for these awards, participating horses must be registered Spotted Saddle Horses with SSHBEA and the owners of those horses must be current SSHBEA members. For more information contact SSHBEA or visit the SSHBEA website.

 

Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association offers LD and endurance programs. Points and miles are tracked and tabulated by AERC and three awards are presented annually at the AERC convention: High Mileage Limited Distance, High Mileage Endurance and High Point Endurance. To be eligible for these awards, participating horses must be registered Tennessee Walking Horses and the owners and riders of those horses must be current TWHBEA members. For more information contact Kristen Stegall at 931-359-0592 or visit the TWHBEA website.

 

U.S. Mangalarga Marchador Association (North America)

The USMMA offers awards, prizes and cash incentives to members competing in various disciplines. In endurance, the association sponsors three awards for Mangalarga Marchadors registered with the USMMA to their members using the AERC recorded statistics to determine entries and mileage:

*High Mileage in Endurance. Given to the highest mileage horse. AERC rides 50 miles or longer count toward this award.

*High Mileage in Limited Distance. Given to the highest mileage horse and rider team. AERC rides of 25 to 35 miles count toward this award

*Overall High Mileage. Given to the highest mileage horse (unlimited number of riders) each season. Both LD and endurance miles count toward this award.

To be eligible for the USMMA awards, riders must be current AERC and USMMA members and the horse must be a USMMA registered Mangalarga Marchador. Contact USMMA if you have any questions.

 

United States Trotting Association

The USTA’s Standardbred Equine Program has teamed up with AERC to present the Standardbred Endurance Award, to be awarded to the Standardbred that has the most miles ridden during the season. Both limited distance and endurance rides will be considered. Since 1996, the Standardbred Equine Program has worked with off-the-track Standardbreds and their owners to educate the general public on the many disciplines at which Standardbreds excel once they are retired from racing.

 

Distance Riding Awards

 

American Paint Horse Association

The American Paint Horse Association’s Ride America program rewards Paint Horse riders for the time spent in the saddle. Fourteen achievement levels, from 100 to 10,000 hours, earn you patches, certificates of achievement, and discounts on Ride America awards including clothing, tack and trail riding accessories.

 

American Quarter Horse Association

The American Quarter Horse Association offers a horseback riding program, which rewards AQHA members for the time spent in the sadde riding AQHA-registered horses. After paying a one-time enrollment fee each year, members log hours spent in the saddle, turning in the log sheet before December 31 each year and are awarded prizes based on their hours riding.

 

American Saddlebred Registry

The American Saddlebred Registry (ASR) and Half-Saddlebred Registry (HSRA) offer the ASHA Sport Horse Incentive Program. Horses registered with ASR or HSRA competing in international competitions, including endurance, are eligible for $15,000 in prize money based on their participation and performance. Based on scores submitted, horses will earn points in each discipline, which will determine their eligibility for prize money. Points can be earned at all levels of USEF- or FEI-recognized competitions. To be eligible, horses must be ASR or HSRA registered, and must be nominated annually for a fee of $150 for the horse incentive program.

 

Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America, Inc.

The Cleveland Bay Horse Society of North America, Inc., has an annual Performance Award for registered Cleveland Bay horses (1/8 minimum) competing in distance events. An annual registration fee is required and at least one owner must be a member in good standing of the CBHSNA. This award is based on mileage completed, and includes endurance, LD, intro rides and competitive trail rides. For information, visit CBHSNA Performance Award info.

 

Foundation Appaloosa Horse Registry

The Foundation Appaloosa Horse Registry (FAHR) is dedicated to the protection, preservation, perpetuation and promotion of the true bloodlines of the Appaloosa horse. Horses registered with FAHR represent some of the purest Appaloosa horses to be found, as they must prove at least 75% Appaloosa blood within a five-generation pedigree.

 

FAHR offers both annual and lifetime distance awards, including the Nez Perce honor given to FAHR-registered horses who complete at least 400 endurance miles in a season, with bonus mileage given for best condition awards. The Buffalo Runner Horse goes to those completing 1,000 miles and the War Horse award is given after 2,500 miles. The organization’s Saddle Log program presents chevron bars for completion of mileage milestones for training and competition miles.

 

Friends of Sound Horses, Inc.

The Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) is a unique, all-volunteer organization committed to supporting the welfare of the whole horse. This means protecting the animal’s emotional, mental and physical well-being. Visit FOSH’s Gaited Distance Program page to find out more about this program, which recognizes the achievements of gaited horses who compete in veterinarian-supervised distance rides. All owners and riders of horses must be current members of FOSH for miles to be accumulated and count toward the year end awards. The horse must be enrolled in the FOSH Gaited Distance Program and all fees current.

 

Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association

The Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse Association has a Trail Rider’s Club. Riders earn KMSHA hats, t-shirts, halters and more.

 

National Spotted Saddle Horse Association

The National Spotted Saddle Horse Association trail riding program honors hours spent riding NSSHA-registered horses on the trail.

The HERO Award (Helping Endurance Riders Often) recognizes outstanding volunteers. AERC members may nominate a person for this award to recognize the time, effort and work that HERO has performed. The HERO will be featured in Endurance News or online.

 

The HERO can be an AERC member or non-member, and can be involved in any manner of activity: timers, vet scribes, trail marking crew, water fillers, vets, ride managers, trail maintenance workers, or just about anyone who helps the riders or the rides run smoother. It is not for the average volunteer but for the worker who shows up year after year and for the worker that is devoting numerous hours to volunteering.

 

The nomination fee of $5 covers the cost of preparing and mailing a certificate to the recipient.

 

You may phone the office, 866-271-2372, to make a nomination or fill out this Online HERO Nomination Form.

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