AHA: National Distance Championships Combine

Arabian Horse Association
Release: July 02 2009

By Hilary Nixon

For the first time ever, the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) will combine the National Endurance Ride and National Competitive Trail Ride into one week of exciting competition, which will include American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC)-sanctioned rides, October 27-31, at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater, OK.

Competition begins Tuesday, October 27, with the AHA National Championship 100-Mile Endurance Ride, coupled with three coinciding AERC endurance rides— a 100-mile, a 50-mile and a 25-mile ride. The AHA National Championship competitive trail ride (CTR) spans two days, October 28-29. The last days of national competition will feature the AHA National 50-Mile Endurance Ride, along with a 50-mile and 25-mile AERC-sanctioned ride on October 30. The Ozark Country Endurance Riders (OCER) will host a Halloween special, Witch Way Ride, on October 31, as well.

Also new to the Distance National Championships is the opportunity to win Allocated Sweepstakes prize money. If a horse is competing in the National 100-Mile Endurance Ride or the National Competitive Trail Ride, a horse can earn Allocated Money. Allocated Sweepstakes prize money is in addition to the Sweepstakes Points Program money, which requires annual enrollment prior to the event.

The dates of the National Distance Championships coincide with that of the U.S. Nationals in Tulsa, OK, about an hour and half away, giving horse lovers in Oklahoma plenty to watch in October. Arabians, Half-Arabians and Anglo-Arabians, known for their versatility and athleticism will be on display at the National Distance Championships and U.S. Nationals for the public to enjoy everything from the grueling 100-mile endurance ride to the glitz and glamour of English pleasure and the excitement of working cow classes.

For more information visit www.ArabianHorses.org/competitions or call (303) 696-4500.