Distance Riding
Region 4 Distance Riders
Distance riding is a great sport for all ages and skill levels. It tests a horse’s condition and stamina, rider intelligence and horsemanship under veterinary supervision on a cross-country trail. Most competitors own and train their own horses.
Discipline, dedication and a sense of adventure are the most important ingredients for success. Competitive Trail and Endurance are the two most popular distance sports and Arabians excel at both. Other distance events include Ride & Tie competitions and Mounted Orienteering.
The endurance competitor’s motto, “To Finish Is To Win,” applies to all types of distance events. Distance riding may be highly competitive and challenging or a recreational activity combining a camping trip with an extended trail ride.
Distance Programs
Ride your way to great rewards with these AHA Distance Ride Programs:
Distance Horse Awards
Competitive Distance Program
Frequent Rider Program
Competitive Trail High Point Program Awards
Endurance High Point Program Awards
Distance Horse of the Year Award
Horse Achievement Awards
Amateur Achievement Awards
Breeders Sweepstakes
The Arabian Horse Association offers several programs that recognize efforts of distance riders. Please contact Carlene Benson for more information at (503) 399-1580 or Email.
AHA Distance Ride Championships
The AHA National Distance Commission has been working with additional breed organizations to help support the growth of Distance Riding by partnering to hold multiple National Championship rides at one event. The 2017 Distance Horse National Championships will be held October 6-8 in Oreana, Idaho, site of the Owyhee Canyonlands Pioneer Endurance Ride. We look forward to welcoming more breeds in joining the Distance Horse Nationals Championships!
Sweepstakes Payout for Distance
View flyer of the Sweepstakes Payout for Distance Click Here
Earn Distance Awards
Do you compete with your Arabian, Half-Arabian or Anglo-Arabian in Endurance or Competitive Trail rides? Earn credit for all of your miles with the Distance Horse Award Program! When you reach 500 miles, you will be awarded a beautiful plaque with your horse’s name with space for more milestones in 500-mile increments. For every 500 miles you ride in AHA recognized distance rides, you will earn another brass mileage marker that can be added to your plaque. You will also receive acknowledgment in the Recognition Spotlight of the Modern Arabian Horse Magazine. For more information on the Distance Horse Award Program, please call the Competitions Department at (303) 696-4500 Option 4, or visit the AHA website.
AERC’s Northwest ride season begins April 1.
Upcoming Events
Date ST Ride
4/6/2019 ID Owyhee Tough Sucker AERC
4/27/2019 ID Eagle Canyon AERC
5/3/2019 OR Still Prineville AERC
5/11/2019 OR Owyhee No River Challenge
6/6/2019 ID City of Rocks AERC
6/15/2019 OR Limestone Challenge AERC
7/12/2019 OR Bandit Springs AERC
7/26/2019 ID Top O The World Pioneer
7/28/2019 OR Pacific Crest AERC
8/10/2019 OR Santiam Cascade AERC
8/10/2019 OR REGION 4 50 MILE CHAMPS
8/31/2019 ID Old Selam AERC
9/14/2019 OR OR100 PNER Fundraiser
9/21/2019 ID Prater Mountain AERC
9/28/2019 OR Lava Cast Forest Ride AERC
10/11/2019 ID Autumn Sun Pioneer AERC
10/26/2019 ID Owyhee Hallowed Weenies
Arabian Distance Opportunities
AHA Distance Programs
Programs for horses and riders!
Recognition for completed miles in Endurance, Competitive Trail and/or Ride and Tie.
AHA Distance Nationals
Joining AHA and the returning partners, the Appaloosa Horse Club, the Paso Fino Horse Association, the Performance Shagya-Arabian Registry, the American Morgan Horse Association, the Akhal-Teke Association of America and the American Saddlebred Ass in 2019!
Limited Distance Challange
AHA is offering the Limited Distance Challenge again in 2019. They recognize that many individuals do not want to ride 50 miles a day, but do enjoy riding 25-30 miles in consecutive days. Therefore, AHA's Limited Distance Challenge offers this opportunity.