Limited distance rides have come a long way since 1984 when the AERC board passed a motion which made limited distance rides a separate category and started keeping track of limited distance miles. In 1984, the first year where LD miles were recorded, there were a total of 131 riders starting limited distance rides. In the 2004 ride year, there were 7,712 starting riders at 324 rides.

How limited distance rides are viewed by ride management vary from region to region. In many parts of the country, limited distance is considered no different than a 50-mile endurance ride, just a shorter distance, and sometimes the limited distance rides are just as competitive as the endurance rides. This is especially true in the Southeast.

The opposite view of limited distance rides is that they are strictly training rides (with the hope that everyone will come in last). This view is held by many ride managers in the West Region, and a few in other regions as well.

The majority of the other regions appear to be of the opinion that the purpose of limited distance is somewhere in the middle-that it is a distance where riders can condition their horses in preparation for the longer endurance distances, but still understand that it is a place where fit horses can be competitive.

While there are rules that establish the framework around which both endurance and limited distance rides are conducted, the manner in which best condition awards are judged is up to the discretion of ride management. AERC gives annual awards for regional best condition in the endurance and limited distance categories, but if the ride manager does not use the AERC form and the AERC formula for judging, then the rider does not get credit for a best condition win. There does not seem to be a problem with ride managers not using the AERC form for endurance rides, but the choice of not using the AERC form for limited distance rides eliminates those AERC members from being in contention for this AERC award.

There has been much discussion as to what exactly is the purpose of limited distance rides. Originally, limited distance rides were established as training rides for the longer distances. However, over the years there has been an evolution from limited distance rides only being a stepping stone to the longer distances, to limited distance being a career for some riders.

There is a large number of riders who will never elevate to the longer distances, and that is certainly their right. Some of these career limited distance riders were endurance riders who, because of their age or the age of their horse, have decided to only do limited distance. Some of these career limited distance riders do so because of the time they have to train, or the breed of their horse. Some only do limited distance because they enjoy the social aspect that the short course affords them.

Some ride managers who are unwilling to use the AERC form for limited distance BC have indicated that the reason is because they feel that to do so would promote racing by the limited distance riders, since only the top 10 horses can be judged for best condition. While it is true that only the top 10 horses are judged, it is difficult to believe that a BC award would encourage a rider of an unfit horse to race. There are always going to be riders who race, and sometimes on horses that should not be racing.

While I feel that offering a first place award would attract racing by those who should not be racing, I personally don't feel that offering an AERC BC would have that effect. I believe that the offering of an AERC best condition would encourage those riders with fit horses to ride competitively, with the understanding that they would be judged on the fitness level at the completion of the ride.

There is no way to keep the novice rider who mistakes a "hot" horse into believing that it is a fit horse from racing, but I don't think that a BC award is the carrot. I think allowing the limited distance riders the opportunity to show for BC is a great incentive for limited distance riders to ride within the horse's fitness level, and not override their horses.

The revenue generated by limited distance rides is frequently what makes the endurance rides financially possible. If limited distance riders felt strongly enough about wanting the rides in their area to offer a best condition award that is recognized by AERC, then it may be necessary for them to band together and only attend those rides that offer such an award. That is the decision that the members must decide for themselves if they want a change.

Limited distance has come a long way. In addition to the LD national mileage award, there are the regional BC awards and, starting this season, there are regional mileage awards. The top seven senior and top three junior riders in each region who have accumulated at least 150 miles on one horse are entitled to an award similar to the regional high point endurance award.

Terry Woolley Howe is chair of the Limited Distance Committee as well as a Pacific Southwest regional director.