Annual Awards

All recipients of Awards and Recognitions must be a current SEERA member and only the ride results achieved as an active SEERA member apply. Only results from SEERA-sanctioned rides apply. A ride year is defined as December 1 - November 30.

The Lawton Johnston President's Award

The Southeast Region has produced many accomplished members, perhaps none more so than Lawton Johnston of Graniteville, South Carolina. Lawton was well known as a consummate competitor who ended his career with 13,775 miles, 46 1-day 100s, an overall ride record of 173 starts with 164 completions over his 20+ year endurance career, and induction into AERC’s Hall of Fame. Lawton was equally well-known as someone who gave back to the sport he loved. He and his wife Frances put on the Graniteville Gallop for many years and he was a friend and mentor to everyone who knew him. The Southeast and the sport of endurance lost Lawton to cancer in 2000 not long after he attempted to complete his 47th 1-day 100 at Biltmore. In 2001, SEERA established the Lawton Johnston Award in his memory. It is awarded at the President’s pleasure to someone who epitomizes our sport and embodies all that Lawton taught us.

Condition Awards

OPEN DISTANCE BEST CONDITION: Awarded to the horse/rider team with the highest Best Condition score in Open Distance for the ride year.

LIMITED DISTANCE BEST CONDITION: Awarded to the horse/rider team with the highest BC score in LDs for the ride year.

CONSISTENT CONDITION: Awarded to horses with at least five (5) Open Distance Top Ten completions. The best 3 Vet Scores are averaged. Rider must self-nominate by December 15 with supporting documentation (including the 5 BC Vet Score Cards). Hint: Keep all of your BC score sheets!

100 Mile Awards

FIRST 100: Riders who have completed their first one-day 100 in the current ride year (two-day 100s do not count).

100 MILE CLUB: All horse/rider teams that complete 3 or more 1-day 100 mile rides in a single ride year are eligible for this award.

BRONZE AWARD: This is for a horse that completes THREE one-day 100-Mile rides (can be across multiple ride seasons). If the horse had multiple riders, combined results of SEERA member riders are used. The horse must be nominated with supporting documentation provided no later than December 15 of the year in which the horse reached the milestone.

SILVER AWARD: This is for a horse that completes SIX one-day 100-Mile rides (can be across multiple ride seasons). If the horse had multiple riders, combined results of SEERA member riders are used. The horse must be nominated with supporting documentation provided no later than December 15 of the year in which the horse reached the milestone.

GOLD AWARD: This is for a horse that completes TEN one-day 100-Mile rides (can be across multiple ride seasons). If the horse had multiple riders, combined results of SEERA member riders are used. The horse must be nominated with supporting documentation provided no later than December 15 of the year in which the horse reached the milestone.

Mileage Awards

OPEN DISTANCE: Awarded to the horse with the most Open Distance mileage in a single ride year. If the horse has multiple riders, combined results of SEERA member riders are used, In the case of a tie, the horse with the most Open Distance AERC points wins Open Distance Mileage Reserve Champion. Awarded to the horse in order of priority: If there was a tie for Open Distance Mileage Champion, the horse with the second highest AERC points wins. Otherwise, the award is given to the horse with the second highest Open Distance mileage in a single ride year. In the case with a tie, the horse with the most Open Distance AERC points wins. If the horse has multiple riders, combined results of member riders are used.

LIMITED DISTANCE: Sponsored By Jana Smith in Memory of Steffanie Waddington. Awarded to the horse with the most Limited Distance mileage in a single ride year. If the horse has multiple riders, combined results of SEERA member riders are used. In the case of a tie, the horse with the most top ten Limited Distance completions wins.

65 PLUS: Sponsored By Patsy Gowen. Awarded to riders 65 or older by start of the ride year (December 1). Based on the rider's combined Open and Limited Distance ride completions. If the rider competes on multiple horses, combined results of the rider are used. Only miles from a single ride year count. In case of a tie, AERC points break the tie.

Freshmen Awards

FRESHMAN HORSE OF THE YEAR: Sponsored By Dan Hallman. Awarded to horses in their first year of competition with the most consecutive miles. If the horse has multiple riders, combined results of member riders are used. Based on the horse's combined Open and Limited Distance completions. Miles from a single ride year count. Only miles from the horse's first full year of competition apply. First full year of competition is defined as: Previous ride starts recorded in no more than one prior ride year, and ride starts in prior ride year are no more than 3. All previous ride history applies, regardless of region or sanctioning. In case of a tie, AERC points break the tie. If at any time the horse fails to complete a ride (regardless of region or sanctioning), a new count begins at zero. Consecutive miles prior to pull may still be submitted.

FRESHMAN RIDER OF THE YEAR: Sponsored By Foster Olson and Lela Nielsen. Based on a new rider's combined Open and Limited Distance ride completions in their first ride year. If the rider competes on multiple horses, combined results of the rider are used. Only miles from a single ride year count. Only miles from the rider's first full year of competition count. Rider's first full year of competition is defined as: Previous rider starts recorded in no more than one prior ride year, and rider starts in prior ride year are no more than 3. All previous rider history applies, regardless of region or SEERA sanctioning. Member must self-nominate with supporting documentation by December 15.

Junior Awards

Limited to one award per Junior. Each Junior receives the highest award when qualifying for multiple awards. If the rider competes on multiple horses, combined results of the rider are used.

GRAND CHAMPION: Sponsored By Dinkelmann Arabians. Based on the Junior rider's AERC points for Open Distance rides plus Limited Distance completion mileage. In case of a tie, based on combined mileage. If needed, additional tie breaker is number of top ten completions.

OPEN DISTANCE CHAMPION: Sponsored By Duane and Nina Barnett. Based on the Junior rider's AERC points for Open Distance rides only. In case of a tie, based on open distance mileage. If needed, additional tie breaker is number of top ten completions.

LIMITED DISTAMCE CHAMPION: Based on the Junior rider's Limited Distance completion mileage. In case of a tie, based on greatest number of top 10 Limited Distance completions.

4th, 5th, and 6th PLACE: Based on Junior rider's combined Open Division AERC points & Limited Distance completion mileage. In case of a tie, based on combined mileage. If needed, additional tie breaker is number of top ten completions.

Ride & Tie Awards

FRESHMAN HORSE OF THE YEAR: Awarded to the horse with the most consecutive miles in its first year of competition. In case of a tie, Ride and Tie points break the tie. If at any time the horse fails to complete a ride, a new count begins at zero. Consecutive miles prior to pull may still be submitted. If the horse has multiple riders, combined results of SEERA/Ride & Tie member riders are used. Based on the horse's total completions regardless of mileage in the race. First full year of competition is defined as: Previous ride starts recorded in no more than one prior ride year, and ride starts in prior ride year are no more than 3. All previous ride history applies, regardless of region or SEERA-sanctioning. Member must self-nominate to the Ride and Tie Secretary by December 15.

FRESHMAN HUMAN COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR: Awarded to the Human Competitor with the most miles completed. In case of a tie, Ride and Tie points break the tie. If the rider competes on multiple horses, combined results of the rider are used. Only miles from a single ride year count. First full year of competition is defined as: Previous ride starts recorded in no more than one prior ride year, and ride starts in prior ride year are no more than 3. All previous ride history applies, regardless of region or SEERA-sanctioning. Member must self-nominate to the Ride and Tie Secretary by December 15.

Milestone Awards

TEN CONSECUTIVE FINISHES: Based on combined Open and Limited Distance ride completions of a single horse. If the horse has multiple riders, combined results of member riders are used. Completions from two consecutive ride years count. If at any time the horse fails to complete a ride, count returns to zero. Member must nominate the horse with supporting documentation by December 15.

350 MILES IN ONE SEASON: Applies to a single horse/rider team, Based on combined miles from Open and Limited Distance ride completions. Miles from a single ride year count. Recipients of Open Division Mileage Champion, Open Division Reserve Mileage Champion, and LD Mileage Champion Awards are not eligible for this award.

REGION CROSSOVER AWARD: Must be a member of SEERA residing outside the AERC Southeast Region (including Virginia). Must complete at least 200 miles of SEERA-sanctioned rides (can be either LD or open distance, and multiple horses). Juniors are eligible for this award.

GARRIE BATES-RITTER LONG EARS AWARD: Sponsored By Ginee Ritter. In case of a tie, AERC points break the tie. If at any time the mule fails to complete a ride, a new count begins at zero. Consecutive miles prior to the pull may still be submitted. If the mule has multiple riders, combined results of member riders are used. Based on the mule's combined Open and Limited Distance completions. Only miles from a single ride year count.

Southeast Endurance Riders Association