UMECRA Awards

Points are accumulated as a horse and rider team. Beginning with the 2026 season, this award recognizes the Top Ten teams in Endurance, Limited Distance and Competitive Trail.

Minimum mileage

• Endurance: 200 miles
• Competitive Trail: 150 miles
• Limited Distance: 150 miles
• Junior minimum mileage is 50% of the senior minimum mileage.

No nomination is required.

Points are accumulated as a horse and rider team. This annual award recognizes the top five teams in the eligible mileage divisions.

• Endurance: 295 or fewer endurance miles, with a minimum of 150 miles.
• Limited Distance: 195 or fewer limited distance miles, with a minimum of 100 miles.
• Competitive Trail: 195 or fewer competitive miles, with a minimum of 100 miles.

No nomination is required. A horse/rider team may not place in both the Top Ten and Restricted Mileage High Point in the same division, and may not place in the same division in more than one weight division.

This award recognizes the top five eligible horse/rider teams in the Competitive Novice division.

Current Novice eligibility

• A Novice entry is a one horse/rider team.
• For Novice year-end awards and individual placings, the rider must not have completed more than 90 total miles in regular-distance Competitive, Limited Distance or Endurance rides.
• Only one 25- or 30-mile Competitive ride per year may count toward Novice year-end awards.
• Rides longer than 30 miles do not count toward Novice awards, regardless of type, but do count toward the rider's 90-mile regular-distance eligibility total.
• A rider who has placed Top Five Novice for three years is no longer eligible for Novice awards and may enter Novice rides for mileage only (MO).

The Top Five drivers, singles or pairs, are recognized. Drivers must successfully complete a minimum of five drives to be eligible for an award.

Points are accumulated as a horse/rider team. The award recognizes the team that accumulates the most points while completing at least two competitions in each UMECRA division: Endurance, Limited Distance and Competitive Trail.

Points are based on finishing place rather than mileage ridden. Nomination is required; there is no fee.

Points are accumulated as a horse/rider team. A rider may ride multiple horses in each division, but points are earned by each horse/rider team. Rookie awards are for senior riders.

Rookies compete against other nominated Rookies using the standard UMECRA points chart.

To qualify

• Endurance: the rider may not have competed in more than two AERC-sanctioned Endurance competitions prior to the year of nomination and must accumulate at least 40 Rookie points.
• Competitive Trail: the rider may not have competed in more than two UMECRA-sanctioned Competitive Trail competitions prior to the year of nomination and must accumulate at least 20 Rookie points.
• A rider must nominate separately for each division. Points begin accruing on the date the nomination is submitted.
• There is no nomination fee.

This award honors the equine age 20 or older that accrues the highest total of UMECRA points plus UMECRA miles during the season. The equine may compete in multiple divisions and with any number of riders.

• The equine must complete at least four rides to be eligible.
• Proof of age is required.
• There is no nomination fee.
• The current nomination form states that nomination must be submitted before the beginning of the last scheduled ride of the season and is only needed once in the equine's lifetime.

This award recognizes riders who compile the highest number of points on any number of horses, accumulated across divisions. The existing UMECRA award description notes recognition for both a Senior and Junior rider.

This annual award is given to one Junior rider who has compiled the highest number of points on any number of horses, accumulated across all divisions.

A family consists of parent(s), step-parent or legal guardian, not to exceed two adults, and all dependent children age 18 or younger. The family must be a UMECRA member.

Endurance and Competitive points are awarded on only one horse/rider combination for each participating family member. All participating family members are listed.

Nomination is required before the beginning of the last scheduled ride of the season. There is no fee.

This award recognizes the ten horses accumulating the most mileage in Endurance and Competitive Trail, or a combination of the two. Mileage may be accumulated with any number of riders.

A lifetime award based on rider miles accumulated on any number of equines. Mileage is recorded automatically from ride results.

Chevron patches are awarded for every:

• 250 miles of Competitive Trail
• 250 miles of Limited Distance
• 500 miles of Endurance

Once nominated, an equine's eligible mileage accumulates from the nomination date and continues with any UMECRA member rider and through changes of ownership. Competitive, Endurance, Limited Distance and Driving mileage count together.

An award is given for the first 1,000 miles, with additional plates at each 1,000-mile milestone thereafter.

• Nomination can occur at any time during the year.
• One-time nomination fee: $20.
• Retroactive mileage may be added for an additional $15 per year.

An annual award based on completion of one-day, 100-mile event(s) by an equine/rider team. The rider does not need to own the equine; points and placings are not considered.

A plaque and medallion are awarded for the first 100-mile event completion. Additional medallions are awarded for each multiple of three completed events (3, 6, 9, etc.).

• Nomination may occur at any time during the year by the equine owner.
• One-time nomination fee: $50.

The UMECRA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose contributions have had a lasting impact on the organization and the sport.

Hall of Fame recipients

• 2001 — Louise Riedel
• 2002 — Dr. Beecher
• 2003 — Grace Ramsey
• 2004 — Joanne Gernant
• 2005 — Wayne Gastfield
• 2006 — Bob Mielke
• 2009 — Rick Nelson
• 2010 — Dr. Dean Peterson
• 2011 — Jan Worthington
• 2012 — Maxine Bernsdorf
• 2013 — Ruth Stewart
• 2015 — Dr. Wes Elford
• 2018 — Lori Windows
• 2019 — Roberta Harms
• 2022 — Bonnie Mielke
• 2023 — Linda Jacobson
• 2025 — Darlene Molitor

Originating in 1981, this award is presented annually at the UMECRA Convention & Awards Banquet following a vote of members present at the convention.

Considerations include an equine that has shown superior ability, has been a consistent competitor, has overcome setbacks, or is admired as a superior representative of the distance horse.

Rider's Choice Award winners

• 1981 — Smokee (Bob Mielke)
• 1984 — Dan Yankee (Jan Worthington)
• 1991 — S.A. Mocha Bahra (Bonnie Mielke)
• 1997 — Sha-Win (Roberta Harms)
• 1998 — Raffy's Dainty Dee (Louise Reidel) / Cherishably TAJ (Dianne Kuhn)
• 1999 — Berjo Zeek (JoAnne Gernant)
• 2000 — Enm Eddie (Mary Lou Rounds)
• 2001 — Chub Lake Jack Daniel (Linda Jacobson)
• 2002 — Sadat (Holly & Bob Egerer)
• 2003 — Tutsyn +/ (Ellyn Rapp)
• 2004 — Gandie (Lori Windows)
• 2005 — Fourmiles Palouse (Dawn Haas)
• 2006 — Lucas Bask (Wayne Gastfield)
• 2007 — J Dalmaar Sharri +/ (Charles Phillips)
• 2008 — Matuks Legend +/ (Rose Clark)
• 2009 — Synerator (Barb Kurti)
• 2010 — Lazer's Legacy
• 2011 — JA Bannarr (Lori Windows)
• 2012 — Honey (Meinders Family)
• 2013 — Zahar's Gallant Dancer
• 2014 — Majer Ridge Scarlet Debut
• 2015 — CH Shamm Bashire “Bad Andy”
• 2016 — My Cameo Love
• 2017 — Ella N Fires Jane Doe
• 2018 — RTM First In Line
• 2019 — Arazi
• 2021 — Lily Creek Rhythm
• 2022 — Wild River Sundancer
• 2023 — Psyche on Fire
• 2024 — Lady Jane
• 2025 — Toshi

Sponsored by AHDRA and awarded to an individual who has shown outstanding service to the club and the sport of distance riding on a continual basis. The recipient is chosen by the AHDRA executive board and announced at the annual UMECRA awards banquet.

Nominations can be directed to the AHDRA president and are generally due by December 1.

Sponsored by AHDRA and awarded to an individual who has been an outstanding mentor, helping others learn about the sport of distance riding. The recipient is chosen by the AHDRA executive board and announced at the UMECRA awards banquet.

Those who benefited from the mentor's support should send a nomination letter to the AHDRA President, generally no later than December 1, explaining the reasons for the nomination.

Developed in 2013, this award honors an outstanding individual who has provided tireless service to UMECRA through managing ride(s) and/or serving as a veterinarian.

Qualities considered include being organized, helpful, honest, supportive and fair; possessing knowledge of the sport; educating and mentoring others; delegating effectively; and handling crisis situations.

Recipients

• 2013 — Marnee Gamm
• 2014 — Dianne Schmidt
• 2017 — Jill Feller
• 2018 — Rae Birr
• 2019 — Lori Windows
• 2023 — Sarah Maass
• 2025 — Barb Kurti

Scholarships for college, university or technical school may be available to individuals who have been UMECRA members for a minimum of two years and have completed at least 25 rides.