The first part of this column, about 100 mile rides, was written several years ago at a ride in the Pacific Southwest region. It could have been any number of places in the country. It expresses some of my thoughts that lead into the statistics that follow.

"It's cold and windy here tonight in the desert while I'm writing this and I'm happy not to be going back out after having ridden in the 65. I'm glad to have the chance to socialize, to attend the awards, have dinner with friends, and to take care of my horse after doing the shorter ride. In most 100s, riders finish early in the next morning, take care of their horses, get the leftovers from the other distances dinners, go to sleep, drag themselves out of their trailers early for a small breakfast, get an award with only a few people present, then head for home.

"There are a few rides that break this mold and make the next morning something to remember for the riders. Tevis, Old Dominion, Swanton Pacific, Biltmore, and 20 Mule Team are among them but they are few.

"So why would these riders I see want to go back out in this dark, cold, windy night? For some it's the entrance qualification required to take part in international competition. This is a growing part of our sport. Some of our membership certainly wants to do this -- FEI rides are becoming more common. For others it's a way to generate points for regional and divisional awards.

"For most riders, they go out to meet the ultimate test with their horse. They've set this as a personal goal and see this as what endurance is all about. It's one rider-one horse-one day. Some only do it once to achieve a goal while others do it over and over again.

"But they are doing it less and less each year unless FEI competition starts rebuilding interest in 100 mile rides or there is something equivalent to the Race of Champions that requires it for qualification. The AERC National Championship 100 could drive this but it's just not seen in the way the ROC was by our membership yet.

"LD and multidays are the growing areas of our sport although they represent something different than the founders of AERC envisioned. So these are areas for the AERC to find present and future ways to support. Change is a part of our culture -- and a requirement for a growing organization. But on the other hand, we seem be losing a cornerstone of our sport: 100 miles-one rider, one horse-one day. Do we want to see this become a smaller and smaller part of our sport?

"Are 100s important to our sport? I think so and the riders going back out on this cold dark windy night seem to think so too..."

Statistics on 100 mile rides

1. In 1996 there were about 1600 starters in 102 100-mile rides. By 2002 this was down to 1090 starters in 69 rides. This is a decrease of about 33% in seven years. In the same period, overall rider participation in other AERC distances increased by 26%.

2. 100 mile events are not large to start with--14 was the average ride size in 1996 and it's now a little below 13. There were a few 100 mile rides with less than five entries.

3. In 1996 there were about 690 different riders doing 100s. In 2002 there were 645, showing that the number of riders doing 100s is fairly flat.

4. In 1996 there were 335 riders who did only one 100 mile ride. By 2002 that number was up to over 400. This means that only 240 riders did more than one 100 mile ride in 2002 down from 360 in 1996.

5. If you look at riders who may be doing their first 100--they didn't do a 100 last year but are doing one this year--it runs about 285 from 1996 to 2002.

Given that the numbers are staying relatively flat, this implies that there are quite a number of riders who do a 100 mile ride--then don't do another. There are 380 riders who do 100 miles at least two years in a row. Eighty-three riders have done a 100 mile ride in each of the past seven ride seasons. Compare this to our membership: AERC has almost 6,000 members this year.

The 100 mile ride was the heart of the early AERC. One hundred miles, one horse, one day was once considered "real" endurance with 50s being more training rides. We've added multiday rides and limited distance to our format and the organization has changed.

One hundred mile rides take a toll on horse and rider. Completion rates for 50 mile/LD rides have been 86-87% for many years. Completion rates for 75 mile rides drop to 75-80% but completion rates for 100 mile rides are 58-60%. The last 25 miles take a significant toll on horse and rider.

AERC has consistently encouraged 100 mile events by providing a significant number of bonus points in scoring. Placing first in your weight division in a 100 gives you the same points as placing first in three 50 mile rides. Placing first in a 75 mile ride gives you only half the points you would get in a 100.

Why do riders choose to compete at shorter distances? There are many reasons including starting at a really early hour--4:00 a.m. in some areas, little time to socialize with others at a ride because everyone but the 100 milers are gone when you finish; leftovers for meals; higher risk for your horse; lack of time to condition for the distance; dislike of riding in the dark; and you think it just isn't fun. It's more expensive for ride managers to offer 100s--vets, volunteers, marking the trails, and, with decreasing entries, even more of a risk of losing money on the whole ride.

So, where do we go from here? Bonus points and awards haven't seemed to be successful in generating more 100 mile riders. There's been a reasonable amount of discussion on the AERC members-only forum about how to generate more interest in 100s. One suggestion included different types of recognition for riders/horses. Additional thoughts and ideas from members would be appreciated, especially in the members-only AERC forum and Ridecamp.

If you haven't done a 100 mile ride, think seriously about doing one. It's a challenge and you may find it's easier than you thought. And if you haven't done a 100 in a few years, try one again. You may rediscover what AERC was all about in the beginning of our sport.