AERC Rules

1. The rides are 30 and 50 miles in length.

2. The horses are under the control of qualified control judges and their decisions are final.

3. The ride is open to any breed or type of horse or mule.  The horses must be 48 months of age for the 30 miler and 60 months of age for the 50 miler

4. Entry will not be refused except for cause; cause is defined as one of the following, but is not limited to:  non-payment of fees, abuse of horse, drugging of horse, continuing ride after being pulled, unsportsmanlike behavior towards ride personnel or other riders or public trail users, altering trail markings, taking short cuts, or leaving timed holds early.

5. Riders will have 7 hours and 15 minutes to complete the 30 miler and 12 hours in which to complete the 50 miler

6. All riders and their horses must be present at the starting time, but may hold back and start later.  All riders and their mounts must report to the veterinarian for a post-ride check about one hour after the completion of the ride.  Criteria for successful completion will be given at the briefing.

 7. Placing will be determined by the order of finish of those who have met the completion requirements

8. AERC will record points and mileage for AERC members as described in the current rule book.

9. An award will be given to each horse and rider who successfully completes the course within time.  An award will be given to the first place and the best conditioned horse.  Best condition will be judged using the AERC system.

10. All Junior riders must be accompanied by a competent adult sponsor throughout the competition and must finish within one minute of that sponsor.  A junior is a rider who was under the age of 16 on the first day of the ride season in which the ride was held.  An AERC member who is 14 years old or older who has completed 500 miles may ride unsponsored, but will compete as an adult and must provide a letter verifying status for the AERC office.  Juniors must wear a helmet at all times when mounted.

11. Drugs of any kind are prohibited in all equines participating in all sanctioned rides. (This means the only thing you may put in or on your horse is hay, grain, water and electrolytes.)