Awards program
Weight Division Awards:Each horse and rider team that completes 250 MRER miles* will be eligible for the awards program. Junior (under 16 at beginning of ride season) riders must complete 100 miles on any number of horses. Senior placings will be based on points accumulated in four weight divisions : Featherweight (under 161 lbs.), Lightweight (161-185 lbs.), Middleweight (186-210 lbs.), and Heavyweight (over 210 lbs.) (Remember, senior rider and horse must have at least 250 miles in ride season to place). All weights include tack. Junior placings will be based on mileage only.
Limited Distance Mileage Awards:Limited Distance riders that complete at least 125 limited distance miles(5 rides) on the same horse will be eligible for the awards program.
Mixed Distance Awards: Horse & Rider teams who complete a combination of at least 5 rides in both LD and Endurance. Horse and rider teams are eligible for this award only if they do not qualify for the LD mileage awards or the Endurance Weight Division awards.
· A High Mileage award will be given to the rider/horse team who complete the most MRER endurance miles in a ride season. Weight division points will be used to break a tie.
· Overall Endurance champion will be recognized as the horse and rider with the most overall points in MRER sanctioned rides across all weight divisions. Does not include limited distance miles.
· Three gender awards will be given : Top Mare, Top Stallion, and Top Gelding. These awards are based on mileage completed (all riders/ LD & Endurance combined). Horse owner must be a MRER member.
- 100 Mile Champion Award. will be given to the rider who completes the most 100 mile rides(one day 100 and 2-day 100's) Weight division points will be used to break a tie.
· Best Condition Award will be given to the horse with the most Best Condition points as computed by AERC. (Senior division only, LD and Endurance))
· State Awards will be given for Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Nebraska/Dakota and Out of Region Member. These awards will be given to the rider from a given state that completes the most MRER endurance (50 +) miles. All horses ridden will count. (Riders must ride at least two rides to qualify).
· LD State Awards will be given for Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Utah and Nebraska-Dakota & Out of Region Member. These awards will be given to the rider from a given state that completes the most MRER limited distance miles. All horses ridden will count. (Riders must ride at least two rides to qualify.)
· Rookie of the Year will be given to the rider who completes the most MRER miles, includes endurance and LD, regardless of number of horses ridden. The rider must not have completed more than 300 lifetime (includes limited distance and endurance) miles prior to the ride season to be eligible for this award. (Junior and Senior divisions).
- Family Award will be given to the family completing the most miles in MRER Sanctioned rides. A family is defined as a parent or step-parent and one or more children under the age of 21 or a grandparent or step-grandparent and one or more grandchildren under the age of 21 who have paid a family membership. The family members who will be competing for the award must be declared in writing on the membership application each year. The family members must enter the same ride on the same day (not necessarily the same distance) for their miles to count. If one family fails to complete the ride, the miles of the other registered family members will still count towards the award. If a tie occurs, weight division points will be used to determine the winner.
· Team Award will be given to the team (comprised of 3 members, at least one must be a rookie*) that accumulates the most team points. In order to receive any team points, all members must complete the same ride (not necessarily the same distance on a given ride). All Distances will be counted including limited distance miles. Team members will receive 1 point for every mile completed. Remember, if one member does not complete the ride, no team points are awarded.
· Hall of Fame will be given to an outstanding individual and/or horse in MRER. Nominations are taken each year and the honor is awarded by committee. Nominations will be held for 3 years. Should the nominee not be selected during that time period, a new nomination must be submitted.
- Partners Award-Recognizes the horse and rider team that epitomizes the spirit of partnership and teamwork.
- Limited Distance Champion will be given to rider and horse team with the most limited distance miles in MRER sanctioned races.
- Ride Manager of the Year: Will be voted on by the membership and given to a Mtn Region ride manager.
MRER miles are those miles accumulated on AERC MOUNTAIN Region sanctioned rides only, with the exception of any rides out of the region that have been pre-approved by the MRER board.
*Rookie = person who has not ridden over 300 lifetime miles. This now includes all limited distance and endurance miles.
Ride season : Dec 1- Nov 30