WHAT IS UMECRA?
The Upper Midwest Endurance and Competitive Rides Association (UMECRA) is a distance riding organization which sanctions endurance and competitive rides. In 1999 UMECRA will sanction 48 such events throughout the Midwest.
Most of our endurance rides are 50 miles in length although there are a number of 100 - mile - in - one - day rides, one two-day 150 mile ride and one 3-day 150 miler. There are also limited distance endurance rides of 25-35 miles. All our endurance rides are also sanctioned by AERC.
Competitive rides are ridden within a set time period at speeds of 5 1/2 to 7 miles per hour. Most are 25-30 miles in length although there are some three-day 100 milers and others of varying lengths. Horses are scored by veterinarians on such factors as pulse, respiration, soundness, fatigue and attitude. Horsemanship is not judged.
Most of our rides are on state or county trails although some traverse private lands. Road riding is kept to a minimum.
At all rides awards are given to top six placings in heavyweight, lightweight and junior divisions. Everyone who finishes receives a completion award. Top ten year- end awards are given in both endurance and competitive--lightweight, heavyweight and junior divisions. There are also awards for restricted mileage riders, rookies, high point family, top horse mileage and others.
YEAR-END AWARDS
High Point Awards Points accumulated on horse and rider as a team. Awards at rides are given to a minimum of 6 placings in all divisions. Year-end awards will be given through 10th to those who have 40 points or more competitive or l60 points or more endurance.
Restricted Mileage (formerly Limited Distance) Awards will be given through six placings in all divisions for completed rides as follows: 195 or fewer competitive miles and 295 or fewer endurance miles. Horse-rider teams must have 40 points in endurance and 20 in competitive. A horse-rider team may not place in both top ten and restricted mileage divisions. No one can place more than one horse, either lightweight or heavyweight, in each restricted mileage division.
Rookie Top Five (Seniors--endurance and/or competitive divisions) Participants to nominate with the UMECRA secretary and mark ride entries with an "R." One horse-one rider teams to count. Rookie defined as a rider who competed in not more than 2 open events prior to his year as a declared rookie. Must accrue at least 20 points comp. and 40 points endurance to be eligible.
High Point Riders - Senior and Junior riders who have compiled the highest number of points on any number of horses.
Family Award - The Jan Scott memorial trophy will be presented to the family who accumulates the most points in competitive, endurance, or a combination thereof.
Novice Competitive Top Five - Allows for accumulation of points for UMECRA members who choose NOT to ride more than 15 miles at any particular time within UMECRA. Can be a Junior or a Senior rider. The horse/rider team must accumulate a minimum of 40 miles and one of them MAY BE a 25 or 30 mile competitive ride.
Rider Mileage - To count on any number of horses. Chevrons awarded for each 500 miles of endurance and 250 miles of competitive riding. No charge. Miles recorded automatically from ride results.
1000-mile Horse Award - to count with any number of riders. Both competitive and endurance miles. One-time nomination fee of $10. Miles to count from time of nomination. Anyone wishing to have back miles counted may pay an additional fee of $15 per year or portion thereof. Contact the UMECRA Secretary.
Louise Reidel Top Ten Mileage Horses - the 10 horses accumulating most mileage--end & comp to count. Any number of riders. Donated by Robert Beecher and John Sturm in memory of Louise Riedel.
High Point Senior Equine - This award honors the equine 20 years of age and older that accrues the highest number of UMECRA points during the season. The equine may compete in multiple divisions(endurance, limited distance,competitive, novice, driving) and with any number of riders. The equine must complete at least 4 rides to be eligible. To be considered for the award, each equine should be nominated in writing accompanied by proof of age(registration papers or vet letter or other evidence for unregistered animals). This award is sponsored by Sharon Hahn.
Limited Distance Endurance - 25 - 35 miles.Year-end awards will be given through 5th, no divisions, to those who have 40 or more points. Points accrued from rides will be on the same basis as open rides.
UMECRA Scholarship Program - Scholarships to college, university or tech school available to those who have been members for a minimum of two years and have completed at least 25 rides.
Still have questions -- check out the Newbie page!!