Awards
Celebrating the miles, achievements, and people who make UMECRA special.
High Point Top Ten Awards
Description
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.
Awards Presented
10 per division
Eligibility
Riders must meet minimum mileage to qualify for a year end award.- Endurance: 200 miles
- Competitive Trail: 150 miles
- Limited Distance: 150 miles
- Junior minimum mileage is 50% of the senior minimum mileage.
Nomination Required - No
No nomination is required.
Competitive Novice Top Five — Donated by Purina
Description
This award recognizes the top five eligible horse/rider teams in the Competitive Novice division.
Awards Presented
5
Eligibility
- A Novice entry is a one horse/rider team.
- 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, 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).
Nomination Required - No
No separate year-end nomination is currently described on the Awards page.
Competitive Drive Top Five
Description
The Top Five drivers, singles or pairs, are recognized.
Awards Presented
5
Eligibility
Drivers must successfully complete a minimum of five drives to be eligible for an award.
Nomination Required - No
No nomination is required.
Charles Phillips Memorial Versatility Award — Donated by GLDRA
Description
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.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
Points are based on finishing place rather than mileage ridden. The team must complete at least two rides in each of Endurance, Limited Distance and Competitive Trail. One award is given.
Rookie Endurance or Competitive
Description
Points are accumulated as a horse/rider team. Rookie awards are for senior riders. Rookies compete against other eligible Rookies using the UMECRA Rookie standings rules.
Awards Presented
2 per discipline
Eligibility
Eligibility is controlled by the UMECRA Management plugin. Junior riders are not eligible for Rookie awards. Prior starts, including starts made while a Junior, count when determining whether a rider exceeded the allowed number of starts before becoming a Rookie. Champion and Reserve Champion are the only award recipients and minimum point thresholds apply.
Nomination Required - No
Current Rookie eligibility is determined automatically by the Management system; use the Management summary below as the rules authority.
UMECRA Senior Equine Award — Donated by Sharon Hahn
Description
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.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
- The equine must complete at least four rides.
- Proof of age is required.
- The nomination is only needed once in the equine’s lifetime under the current public description.
Vi Bredl Memorial High Point Senior Rider
Description
This annual award is given to the Senior rider who compiles the highest number of points on any number of horses, accumulated across divisions.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
Points are accumulated by rider across eligible divisions and any number of horses. One Senior award is given.
Nomination Required - No
No nomination is required.
High Point Junior Rider — Donated by DRAW
Description
This annual award is given to the Junior rider who compiles the highest number of points on any number of horses, accumulated across all divisions.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
Points are accumulated by rider across eligible divisions and any number of horses. One Junior award is given.
Nomination Required - No
No nomination is required.
Jan Scott High Point Family Award — Donated by the Dale Scott Family & the Mowrer Family
Description
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.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
Endurance and Competitive points are awarded on only one horse/rider combination for each participating family member. All participating family members are listed. One family award is given.
Nomination Required - Yes
Nomination is required before the beginning of the last scheduled ride of the season. There is no fee.
Louise Riedel Memorial Top Ten Horse Mileage Award
Description
This award recognizes the ten horses accumulating the most mileage across all event types. Mileage may be accumulated with any number of riders.
Awards Presented
10
Eligibility
Horse mileage is totaled for the season; points are not used to determine this award.
Nomination Required - No
No nomination is required.
Rider Mileage Awards
Description
A lifetime award based on rider miles accumulated on any number of equines. Mileage is recorded automatically from ride results.
Awards Presented
—
Eligibility
Chevron patches are awarded for every 250 miles of Competitive Trail, 250 miles of Limited Distance, and 500 miles of Endurance.
Nomination Required - No
No nomination is required.
1,000 Mile Equine Award
Description
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.
Awards Presented
—
Eligibility
An award is given for the first 1,000 miles, with additional plates at each 1,000-mile milestone thereafter.
Nomination Required - Yes
Nomination can occur at any time during the year. Current public information lists a one-time $20 nomination fee and an additional $15 per year for retroactive mileage.
100 Mile Equine Award
Description
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.
Awards Presented
—
Eligibility
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 Required - Yes
Nomination may occur at any time during the year by the equine owner. Current public information lists a one-time $50 nomination fee.
UMECRA Hall of Fame
Description
The UMECRA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose contributions and accomplishments have had a lasting impact on UMECRA and distance riding.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
See the Hall of Fame nomination procedures for current criteria.
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
UMECRA Rider's Choice Award
Description
Originating in 1981, this award is presented annually at the UMECRA Convention & Awards Banquet following a vote of members present at the convention.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
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.
Nomination Required - No
Selected through the convention voting process described in the public award information.
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
Outstanding Service Award
Description
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.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
Selection is made by the AHDRA executive board.
Nomination Required - Yes
Nominations can be directed to the AHDRA president and are generally due by December 1.
Outstanding Mentor Award
Description
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.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
Selection is made by the AHDRA executive board.
Nomination Required - Yes
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.
Dr. Beecher Shining Light Award
Description
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.
Awards Presented
1
Eligibility
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.
Nomination Required - No
See current UMECRA procedures if a nomination process is established.
Recipients
- 2013 — Marnee Gamm
- 2014 — Dianne Schmidt
- 2017 — Jill Feller
- 2018 — Rae Birr
- 2019 — Lori Windows
- 2023 — Sarah Maass
- 2025 — Barb Kurti
Scholarship Fund
Description
Scholarships for college, university or technical school may be available to eligible UMECRA members.
Awards Presented
—
Eligibility
Current public description: applicant has been a UMECRA member for a minimum of two years and has completed at least 25 rides.
