Specialized Saddles Rookie Award
2026 Specialized Saddles Rookie Award standings, as of 3/19/2026 (only riders with at least an 80% completion rate are listed):
Endurance Distance:
1st – Stephanie Richter (NW) 250 miles (3 long completions)
2nd – Kaylie Johnston (MT), 250 miles
3rd – Megan Grant (SE), 100 miles
3rd – Katie Clayton (SW), 100 miles
Limited Distance:
1st – Jonathan Paul Taylor (SE), 80 miles
2nd – Madison Wright (PS), 55 miles
2nd – Macaelyn Ava Carter (SE), 55 miles
2nd – Arianna Bryn Spinuzzi (CT), 55 miles
3rd – Amanda Macleod (PS), 30 miles
3rd – Margaret Salomon (PS), 30 miles
Rookie Award Guidelines:
Sponsored by Specialized Saddles
VIEW THE Rookie Award flyer (award information is the same for 2026)
- All new AERC members are automatically entered.
- Your ride mileage will begin accumulating towards this award from the date you join AERC.
- Any miles done as a non-member do not count against this award.
- If you are not a new member in 2026, but meet the below criteria, you must contact the AERC office to be added to the Rookie Award competition:
1. You have two or fewer LD rides on your official record and/or
2. You have two or fewer endurance rides on your official record.
- Note: If you have more than two LDs but only one endurance ride, you could still qualify for the endurance award, just not the LD award, and vice versa.
- You must let the AERC office know by May 15 of the ride season for prior rides entered that ride season to count. After that, your rides count from the date you notify AERC.
- Award based on one rider and one or two AERC-registered equines.
- In the event of a tie, the higher number of completions will break the tie; second tie-breaker will be the higher number of longer ride completions (55 miles and up).
- Riders with a completion rate of less than 80% at the end of the season will be ineligible for the Rookie Award.
- View flyer for additional criteria