There is much discussion within this organization regarding limited distance rides and their role in AERC. Prior to 1984, the rides shorter than 50 miles were referred to as "novice rides" and were not required to be sanctioned. In 1984, the limited mileage program was established, with record-keeping and mileage recognition. The rides had to meet AERC criteria and were not to offer any kind of "speed award." However, since these rides were not required to be sanctioned, some were sanctioned and some were not.

In the mid-'80s limited mileage was defined as rides of 25 to 35 miles. In 1990, a motion was passed creating a rule that limited mileage rides must be sanctioned by AERC, but many ride managers got around that by having 24-mile rides. Later in the '90s, the name limited mileage program was changed to limited distance program. At that time, limited distance riders did not have to be members of AERC, or pay a non-member fee.

In 1998, a motion was passed by the board which established that all limited distance riders had to be either full or day members of AERC. If they were not a full member, then they would have to pay the same $10 fee as endurance day members.

At the same time, the board passed a motion that all limited distance rides must be sanctioned with AERC. Many thought that this was a "money-raising scheme" by the board, but in fact, requiring sanctioning of limited distance rides and requiring the participants to become members was the only way AERC could enforce our rules to protect the welfare of both riders and equines. We could not enforce rules on nonmembers nor on unsanctioned events. This also put the pressure on ride managers to sanction their rides because limited distance riders did not want to pay AERC dues and not get credit for riding that distance.

Defining the 'LD rider'

While it would appear that initially this category of "novice rides" was used as a stepping stone to the longer endurance rides, the limited distance rides of today are more than that. To some, the limited distance rides are introductory rides by individuals who are intending to elevate to longer rides, but to many, it is a distance that they enjoy riding and these riders have no intention of ever participating in an endurance ride.

These "career" limited distance riders give various reasons for not wanting to ride in the longer distances. Frequently the reason is that they do not have the time to train that is required to keep a horse fit to do the longer distances; sometimes the reason is that the horse that they choose to ride is not capable of doing the longer distances (either because of age or breed); sometimes the riders feel that physically they are not capable of riding the longer distances; and sometimes it's just that riders prefer the shorter distance with time to relax after the ride and socialize. For whatever reason, the number of participants in LD rides is on the rise.

LD awards established

In 1998, when limited distance rides were required to be sanctioned and participants were required to be members of AERC, a motion was made to establish regional and national limited distance best condition awards. The establishment of the regional awards passed but the national awards were referred back to committee, so at this time, there are only regional limited distance best condition awards, not national best condition awards as erroneously stated previously in EN.

The establishment of regional best condition awards for limited distance has caused a division of philosophy regarding limited distance. When this new rule establishing a best condition award for limited distance was written, it said that a best condition award may be available. However, in order to receive credit for and be in contention for the regional best condition award, the horse must be judged using the same best condition form used in endurance rides. But ride managers are not required to give a best condition award using the AERC form.

Since the AERC form limits the judging to the top 10 horses, some ride managers have taken the position that this award encourages racing, which has no place in the limited distance ride. Others feel that this award does not encourage racing, and that riders who have conditioned their horses should have the opportunity to show their horse for best condition. There have been various suggestions on different ways to judge for best condition not using speed, but there has yet to be a solution to finding the balance between evaluating only the top 10 horses and having the vet judge every single entry.

Regional differences

The division within the organization of judging best condition using the AERC form is somewhat regional. The Central and Southeast regions judge all of their limited distance rides using the AERC form with good results, and they have very high limited distance participation. The Midwest, Northeast, and Northwest Regions have Canadian rides which do not judge limited distance rides for best condition.

While the Pacific Southwest has a large number of limited distance rides, it, along with the West Region, has the lowest percentage of limited distance rides that use the AERC form for best condition judging. The majority of the ride managers in these two regions appear to be adamant that limited distance rides are solely training rides and at this time appear to be immobile in their position.

It is hoped by the Limited Distance Committee that at some point there will be a reversal in the position of the ride managers that do not use the AERC form. But as the rule is written, ride managers still have the option of whether or not to use the AERC form. Unfortunately when ride managers do not use the AERC form, the limited distance riders at those rides do not have the opportunity to show for best condition and be in contention for this regional award. Of course, the riders who feel strongly that they should be able to show for best condition can show how they feel by only attending rides that use the AERC form. If enough limited distance riders take that position, the riders may be able to help this change, one ride at a time.

Since there are many rides throughout the country that do use the AERC best condition form, this committee would like to establish limited distance national best condition awards. At the midyear meeting of the board of directors in August, the Limited Distance Committee will present a proposal to give national best condition awards to the top three recipients of the limited distance best condition awards. We invite you to communicate with your directors to let them know how you feel about this proposal.

New regional LD awards

Because there have been few awards recognizing limited distance riders (only regional best condition and national mileage awards), at the recent monthly board of directors telephone conference call, the Limited Distance Committee proposed new regional mileage awards. This proposal was unanimously approved by the board and beginning with the 2005 ride season, there will be seven senior and three junior limited distance mileage awards in each region. The Limited Distance Committee's goal has been to represent the interests of the limited distance riders so that they feel a part of this organization and are recognized for their accomplishments. The committee feels that regional mileage awards are a big step forward in recognizing the accomplishments of the limited distance riders and their contributions to this organization.

The Limited Distance Committee invites the membership to communicate with the members of this committee regarding their views. Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses can be found on page 3 in every issue of Endurance News.