Equine Distance Riding Association Rules

All participants are responsible for knowing and following the rules governing EDRA events.

Points Per Mile Earned

• 25-49 miles 1 point per mile
• 50-74 miles 1.5 points per mile
• 75-99 miles 2 points per mile
• 100 miles 2.5 points per mile

Bonus points are awarded for top ten finishers using the multipliers on the chart below:

	11+	10	9	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
1st	3	2.9	2.8	2.7	2.6	2.4	2.2	2	1.8	1.5	1
2nd	2.5	2.4	2.3	2.2	2.1	1.9	1.7	1.5	1.3	1
3rd	2.2	2.1	2	1.9	1.8	1.6	1.4	1.2	1
4th	2	1.9	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.4	1.2	1
5th	1.8	1.7	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.2	1
6th	1.6	1.5	1.4	1.3	1.2	1
7th	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.1	1
8th	1.3	1.2	1.1	1
9th	1.2	1.1	1
10th	1.1	1
11th	1

 

POINTS EXAMPLE: Rider X completes a 50 mile event. They finish 4th place in an event where 8 riders started the event. Their total points are:

(50 miles) * (1.5 points per mile) * (1.7 multiplication factor from the table above) = 127.5 points

Weight Classes

Riders who declare a weight classification (I, II, III defined below) upon ride registration are eligible for weight class awards. Weight includes rider and tack.

Weight Class I: Up to 170 lbs.
Weight Class II: 171-200 lbs.
Weight Class III: 201+ lbs.

Youth Riders

Youth riders 17 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult rider during the event. Youth riders with 1000 miles of documented distance riding with an approved organization and written parent permission may petition to ride without an adult during the event. Youth members may participate in the Youth awards program through age 17.

Dues

Dues must be paid to the EDRA Treasurer/Membership Secretary in full prior to ride miles or points accumulating for the award year. For 2017 ride year only, a 3 month grace period from the first EDRA ride will be granted. Adult memberships: $75, additional $25 for spouses or domestic partners, $10 Youth membership. Lifetime memberships are $750 for adults and $1000 for couples. Dues may be changed upon resolution of the Board of Directors.

EDRA Logbooks will be supplied by EDRA and are required for each horse ridden by EDRA members. See the Appendix A for rules and guidelines.

Welfare of the Horse (Equine)

• All equines will be presented to a veterinarian prior to the ride as well as at vet checks during and upon completion of the ride. They will be evaluated using metabolic and mechanical criteria (see below). Information will be recorded in EDRA logbooks for each EDRA equine as well as on the vet card.
• All rides will include mandatory vet checks with hold times determined by the ride manager and veterinarian.
• A recommended pulse criterion is 60 beats per minute reached within 30 minutes at all holds and upon completion. At the discretion of the veterinarian up to 64 bpm can be allowed at an event.
• Equines must be presented to the veterinarian for completion within 60 minutes of the finish time.
• Evaluation of metabolic factors may include but is not limited to pulse, respiration, cardiac recovery, and temperature.
• Evaluation of mechanical factors includes but is not limited to gait analysis and body observation. Gait analysis will be conducted at a trot or equivalent, straight out and back. Gait aberrations such as consistent shortness of stride/stiffness as well as consistent observable lameness at any gait are reasons for elimination from an event. Body evaluation consists of but is not limited to examination for wounds or observable consistent pain and sensitivity anywhere on the limbs and body. The degree and nature of such factors should be noted on the vet card. If they are judged to be serious enough to limit the equine’s ability to carry on without further damage, this will result in elimination from the event.
• An equine must be judged to be metabolically and physically sound and demonstrate ability to carry on.
• Any equine judged as unable to carry on will be eliminated. If treatment is required, this must be done under the supervision of the veterinarian and noted in the logbook and vet card.
• In the event of medical treatment or an equine fatality a report by the veterinarian will be turned into EDRA with ride results.
• Any equine that presents clear danger to other equines and/or humans may be disqualified or forbidden to enter the event and asked to leave the ride site premises.

Veterinary Oversight

All EDRA rides will have a designated Head veterinarian.

The following criteria apply for this position:

• Accredited DVM
• Responsible for setting final criteria for ride (hold times and pulse criteria)
• Responsible for Best Condition examinations unless they specifically designate another veterinarian

All EDRA rides will have a designated treatment veterinarian.

This vet will provide and be able to administer fluids, IV supplies, and drugs most likely to be utilized at a distance riding event.

EDRA rides will have established pulse criteria as well as ‘ability to carry on’ criteria (see Welfare of the Horse). Placing in distances 25-49 miles will be according to time taken to reach established pulse criteria. Distances 50 miles and up will place according to when the horse crosses the finish line. In all instances equines have 30 minutes to reach pulse criteria or they will be eliminated from the event.

EDRA pull codes will be noted on the vet card and in the EDRA logbooks. Both will be signed by RM and DVM. Pull code options are as follows; see Welfare of the Horse for details:

• Lameness/gait aberration
• Metabolic
• Body Condition
• Overtime

Prohibited Practices and Substances Rules (Appendix B—UNDER CONSTRUCTION; available by December 1, 2017)

The veterinary committee is compiling a list which will consist of drugs or methods deemed by the veterinary committee as either pain masking or performance enhancing or both. A drug testing program is also being developed.

Service Program

The EDRA Service Program is designed to maximize the educational opportunities that service to one’s community can uniquely provide.

• All EDRA members will be required to participate in some type of service experience during the ride season
• Riders with no distance experience will be contacted by the Mentor Program to assist their first service experience
• EDRA members will report their service experiences to the EDRA service coordinator and will be listed on the website as EDRA Service Champions!
• An EDRA Service Champion of the Year will be awarded

Opportunities with rides

• Manage a ride
• Help mark/maintain trail
• Help unmark trail
• Work at finish line
• Work in pulse box
• Scribe for vet
• Help with mapping trail before ride
• Assist ride manager
• Other Opportunities
• Serve on an EDRA Committee
• Put on an educational clinic
• Mentor other EDRA members through the mentor program
• Write an educational article for the website
• Make an educational webinar for the website
• Member suggestions for volunteering

Mentorship Program

The EDRA Mentor Program is designed to provide riders of all levels of experience the opportunity to teach and learn from others’ experiences. The EDRA Mentor program will:
Connect every new rider with no distance experience to an experienced mentor
Connect EDRA members who want to participate in the mentor program with mentors
Recruit mentors for riders

Awards Program (See Appendix C)

Miscellaneous

Ride managers may refuse entry with due cause.

All persons at an EDRA event shall demonstrate ethical and sportsmanlike behavior.

The EDRA BOD will assign an EDRA Steward to each EDRA sanctioned ride to manage any conflicts which arise, support and advise the ride manager on any issues that arise.

Equine participants deemed dangerous by the control veterinarians and/or ride manager can be withdrawn from the ride and may be asked to leave the event grounds.

Conflict Resolution

EDRA Conflict Resolution procedures are based on the founding principle that conflicts are best dealt with in the most direct way possible. In the event of a conflict, aggrieved parties must make every effort to achieve resolution with one another. If no resolution is reached after initial conversations between the two parties, the following procedures shall be initiated:
The principle parties (those directly involved) shall meet with the ride manager and an EDRA Steward (appointed by the BOD for each EDRA ride) and attempt to resolve the issue at the ride. If one party refuses to attend the meeting, they will be automatically suspended from EDRA rides for 6 months. If the conflict emerges after the ride, the principle party shall contact the EDRA steward appointed to that ride within 7 days to schedule a meeting for conflict resolution. The Steward will contact all parties involved to set up a meeting for resolution. Again, refusal to attend the meeting will result in a 6 month suspension from EDRA rides.

If no resolution is reached, principle parties may file their complaint with the Conflict Resolution committee. The Conflict Resolution committee will consider the complaint and the response and decide if there is culpability and consequences. Filing a complaint with the Conflict Resolution committee must be accompanied by a $100 filing fee which will be reimbursed if the principle party’s complaint is upheld.

Principle parties must initiate a solution through the Conflict Resolution committee within 14 days of the meeting with the Steward.

 

 

Appendix A: Logbook Rules and Guidelines

A. General Rules

Logbooks will be provided by EDRA as a benefit of membership.

All EDRA members shall have a logbook for any horse presented to a veterinarian for entry in an EDRA sanctioned event. The rider must assure that the logbook information is completed and verified by the veterinarian’s signature prior to leaving the ride event.

The logbook shall only be used for the horse named and identified in the logbook.

For non-EDRA rides of any distance of 25 miles or more that is non-judged, with placings determined by time the rider is strongly encouraged to complete the log book. If a ride veterinarian will verify the logbook entry, the rider is strongly encouraged to obtain the veterinarian’s signature but this is NOT required.

Any required alterations to rectify incorrect ride information in a logbook can only be made by the ride veterinarian, or ride manager. The incorrect information should be crossed out yet be still readable and the correct information placed alongside and initialed by the person making the change. No information shall be altered using correction fluid or a similar substance.
Logbook information shall include the following:

• Ride Date
• Ride Name
• Distance Entered
• Completion – yes or no
• If no completion, reason and distance for withdrawal from event
• Veterinarian comments/concerns
• Veterinarian signature
• Placing – to be added by rider when available
• Ride Time – to be added by rider when available

Information contained in the logbook may not be used to prevent a horse from starting a competition. It can, however, be used by the veterinarians to educate riders regarding issues that impact the welfare of the horse.

B. Procedures

• Prior to check-in rider shall enter the date, ride name, and distance entered portion of the logbook
• Rider shall present logbook and vet card for initial vet-in
• If horse does not pass initial veterinarian check-the vet should note the reason and sign the logbook
• If the horse is cleared to start the event, the logbooks can be placed in a designated location near the vet area or can be carried by the rider until completion of the final vet exam
• If the horse is withdrawn from the competition prior to the final vet exam, or at the final vet check it is the rider’s responsibility to get the logbook and have it completed as set forth in section 6.
• Upon withdrawal or completion of the event the examining veterinarian shall record: (a) whether the horse completed – yes or no, (b) top 10 – yes or no, (c) if no completion, distance and reason for withdrawal from event, (d) any positive or negative comments regarding the horse’s physical condition and (e) sign their entries.
• If a rider forgets their logbook EDRA will have stickers available at the ride to be added to the appropriate page.

Appendix B: Prohibited Practices and Substances Rules

l.     Definitions

COMPETITION OR COMPETITIVE EVENT: The competition or competitive event begins when the equine is presented to the Veterinarian for a pre-ride veterinarian examination and continues through until the equine withdraws, completes the course or completes judging for Best Condition, whichever comes last.

EDRA: Equine Distance Riding Association

Equine: A horse, pony or mule

Responsible Party (RP): The Rider, Owner, Trainer and/or support crew of the Equine

Rule: The EDRA Drug and Medication Rule

Substantial Evidence: Such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion

Support Crew: Includes any person present at the event who may have made a relevant decision about the care or handling of the Equine

Trainer: Any adult who has or shares the responsibility for the care, training, custody, condition, or performance of an Equine

Drug Testing Laboratory (Laboratory): the laboratory with which EDRA has a contract to conduct drug testing on Equines participating in an EDRA event

Veterinarian: A veterinarian who has been designated as a ride veterinarian by the entity/individual organizing the even

ll.     Equine Drugs and Medications Provisions

A.     Every Equine participating in an EDRA event, regardless of distance, is subject to and required to be in compliance with this Rule.

B.     No Equine may participate in any EDRA event if it has been administered in any manner or otherwise contains in its tissues, body fluids or excreta a prohibited substance as defined in the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations, which can be found at www.fei.org.

C.   ALL RESPONSIBLE PARTIES AND VETERINARIANS ARE CAUTIONED AGAINST THE USE OF MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS, TONICS, PASTES, AND PRODUCTS OF ANY KIND, THE INGREDIENTS AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF WHICH ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY KNOWN, AS MANY OF THEM NO DOUBT CONTAIN ONE OR MORE FORBIDDEN SUBSTANCES.

Any questions regarding the interpretation of this policy, or with regard to particular substances, should be directed to the President of the Equine Distance Riding Association at the office of EDRA 205 N. Main St. Colville, WA 99114 or president@equinedistanceriding.com. Responsible Parties are also encouraged to consult the most current FEI Prohibited Substances Database. Any Responsible Party who is uncertain about whether these rules apply under particular situations or questions the use of a particular substance would be well advised to withdraw the affected equine from competition.

D.   Laser and shockwave therapy are not permitted within 96 hours of the competitive event. Kinesiotape may not be used up to one hour prior to the pre-ride veterinarian inspection, and may not be used again until the completion of the event (see definition of competitive event in Part I).

III.        Testing

Detailed procedures

A.   Equines participating at an EDRA event are subject to examination by a Veterinarian. The examination may include, at the Veterinarian’s sole discretion, physical exam and/or blood tests and/or any other test or procedures necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Rule. Responsible parties will be notified as soon as possible upon completion of the competitive event if their Equine is to be tested. The Veterinarian will make every effort to conduct the sampling at maximum of within 30 minutes of completion. If the equine is to stand for Best Condition, the testing may be conducted after completion of the BC exams. If there is an unavoidable delay in sampling, the RP will be advised of the delay by the Veterinarian or Steward. The Veterinarian may examine any Equine on the competition grounds that started the event including those that withdrew from the event for any reason.

B.   Refusal to submit the Equine for examination or to cooperate with the Veterinarian constitutes a violation and subjects the Responsible Party to penalties under the Rule. Cooperation with the Veterinarian and/or his agent(s) includes such things as:

1. Taking the Equine immediately to the location selected by the Veterinarian for testing and presenting it for testing.
2. Assisting the Veterinarian in procuring the sample promptly, including but not limited to removing equipment from the Equine, leaving it quietly in the testing area and avoiding any distractions to it. Schooling, lengthy cooling out, bandaging and other delays of this type shall be construed as noncooperation.
3. Polite attitude and actions toward the Veterinarian and/or his agent(s).

C.   Responsible Parties who are not able to accompany the Veterinarian and Equine to the location where examination/sample collection is to take place, to act as witness to the collection and sealing of blood samples, and to sign the drug collection documents in the appropriate places as witness, must appoint an agent to do so. The absence of such a witness shall constitute a waiver of any objection to the identification of the Equine tested and the manner of collection and sealing of the samples.

D.   Upon the collection of a sufficient number of tubes of blood or urine from the Equine, the tubes shall be divided into two groups. One group shall be labeled and identified as Sample A and the other as Sample B, and they shall be sealed accordingly. These procedures shall be performed whether or not the Responsible Party or his/her appointed witness is present as provided for in § III.C above.

E.   In the event reasonable attempts at sample collections from the Equine do not provide a sufficient amount to be divided, labeled, and identified as Samples A and B, as determined by the Veterinarian, the sample(s) obtained (if obtained) shall be labeled and identified as Sample(s) A only, and it shall be recorded on the Sample A container that no Sample(s) B does (do) exists. All Samples shall remain in the sole possession of the Veterinarian until such time as they are mailed to the Drug Testing Laboratory for testing.

lV.   Accountability of Responsible Parties

A.   Any Responsible Party who actually administers, attempts to administer, instructs, aids, conspires with another to administer or employs anyone who administers or attempts to administer a forbidden substance to an Equine at an EDRA event is subject to the penalties provided in the Rule.

B.   Responsible Parties are, in the absence of Substantial Evidence to the contrary, responsible and accountable under the penalty provisions of the Rule. Responsible Parties are not relieved from such responsibility as a result of the lack or insufficiency of ride venue security

V.   Results, Confirmatory Analysis, and Retest

A.   Samples labeled and identified as Sample A shall be subjected to chemical analysis by the Drug Testing Laboratory. Samples labeled and identified as Sample B shall be stored securely, unopened, at the Laboratory, to be used in the event of a confirmatory analysis.

B.   In the event the chemical analysis of Sample A is negative, i.e., no forbidden substance or any metabolite or analogue thereof is found to be present in the sample, the corresponding Sample B may be disposed of by the Laboratory. The laboratory will send results to the President of EDRA and the Responsible Party will be notified by the President. No further action will be taken.

C.   In the event the chemical analysis of Sample A is positive, i.e., a forbidden substance or any metabolite or analogue thereof is found to be present in the sample, this shall be prima facie evidence that the forbidden substance was administered in some manner to the Equine, whether intentionally or unintentionally, or otherwise was caused to be present in the tissues, body fluids or excreta of the Equine and all Responsible Parties may be deemed responsible and accountable.

D.   In the event the chemical analysis of Sample A is positive:

1. EDRA shall immediately notify all Responsible Parties via certified/registered mail of the positive test result and their right to request an analysis of Sample B.
2. A Responsible Party wishing to have Sample B tested must, within 15 days of receiving the notice of a positive test, notify the EDRA president by registered/certified mail of their desire to test B Sample B. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the request for testing of Sample B, EDRA shall coordinate such analysis.
3. If no Responsible Party requests a test of Sample B, all Responsible Parties are deemed to have: (a) waived their right to a Sample B analysis and (b) accepted as accurate the Sample A analytical results.
4. The confirmatory analysis of Sample B shall be performed by a laboratory that is approved by EDRA and agreed upon by the person who requests the confirmatory analysis, which laboratory must have demonstrated proficiency in performing the necessary confirmatory analysis, provided Sample B exists and is of sufficient volume to permit a confirmatory analysis. In the event the drug testing laboratory that analyzed Sample A is the only laboratory that has demonstrated proficiency in performing the necessary confirmatory analysis, this laboratory shall be the only laboratory to perform the confirmatory analysis of the corresponding Sample B. Upon the completion of the confirmatory analysis, the laboratory performing the confirmatory analysis shall forward its findings and supporting data to all parties.
5.  In the event no agreement is reached as to a laboratory as required in V.D.4 and the person who requests the confirmatory analysis does not revoke his/her request, the confirmatory analysis of Sample B shall be performed by the Laboratory, and shall forward its findings and supporting data to all parties. Both the results of the analysis of Sample A (and supporting data) and the results of the confirmatory analysis of the corresponding Sample B, if any (and supporting data, if any), shall be admissible as evidence in any hearing or proceeding pertaining to this matter.
6. In the event Sample B does not exist, or is of insufficient volume to permit a confirmatory analysis, and there exists a remaining aliquot of Sample A which is of sufficient volume to permit a retest the confirmatory analysis will be conducted on Sample A. Any requested re-test of the remaining aliquot of Sample A, provided it is of sufficient volume to permit a retest, shall be performed by the Laboratory.
7. The Responsible Party requesting the test of Sample B, or the retest of the remaining aliquot of Sample A is required to pay all fees and costs associated with the testing before such confirmatory analysis will be performed whether it is performed by a mutually agreed upon laboratory or by the Laboratory. Failure to pay for the testing will be considered a waiver of the right to retest and an acceptance of the accuracy of the A sample results.
8. If the laboratory’s confirmatory analysis of Sample B does not substantially confirm the Laboratory’s findings, then any allegations that the substance in question was present at the time that the samples were collected shall be dismissed.
9. If the laboratory’s confirmatory analysis of Sample B substantially confirms the Laboratory’s findings, the finding shall be considered conclusive.

E.   When a positive report is received from the Laboratory EDRA shall not take any disciplinary action against a Responsible Party until after an administrative penalty has been assessed or after the conclusion of a hearing and a written ruling thereon has been made.

Vl.   Positive Drug Reports – Plea Agreement or Hearing

A.   Once a positive drug test result is received and any requested confirmatory testing is either completed or waived, the EDRA President shall convene a drug violation review sub-committee consisting of a minimum of three Board members to investigate the matter and decide whether to: (1) offer the Responsible Party a plea agreement, (2) send the matter for a full hearing, or (3) determine that no further action be taken in the matter. In making this decision the sub-committee shall consider all pertinent information available, including the seriousness of the alleged violation(s), precedents in similar EDRA drug cases, and any prior rule violation(s) by the Responsible Parties, and may, if desired, consult with the EDRA Veterinarian Committee and/or the USEF Drug and Medication Department The sub-committee is authorized to include any penalty listed in this rule as part of the plea agreement.

B.   Any member of the Sub-Committee may at any time disqualify himself or herself from the proceedings if they believe that they have a conflict of interest or can, for any reason, not conduct themselves in an impartial manner.

C.   Notice of the sub-committee’s decision shall be sent to all Responsible Parties via certified/registered mail within 30 days of the date of the original positive drug test or the results of the retest are received, whichever is later. The notice will inform the Responsible Party of their right to a full hearing. Any notice mailed to the last current address listed with EDRA shall be deemed sufficient notice.

D.   Within 15 days of receipt of the sub-committee’s decision, the Responsible Party must notify EDRA via certified/registered mail of the Responsible Party’s intent to accept or decline the plea agreement. If a Responsible Party fails to reply within the 15 day period the Responsible Party is considered to have accepted the plea agreement and any right to a hearing is permanently waived and no further action may be taken on the matter by either EDRA or the Responsible Party.

E.   Once a plea agreement is accepted by a Responsible Party it shall be effective immediately, shall be final, and shall not be subject to further review under any circumstance(s).

F.   If a Responsible Party declines to accept a plea agreement, the matter shall proceed to a full hearing before the Hearing Committee. The Hearing Committee shall not be limited in choice of penalties to those that may have been offered as part of plea agreement.

G.   Within 15 days of when a Responsible Party declines a plea agreement, the Hearing Committee will set a hearing date to take place within the next 30 days. The Hearing Committee may postpone the date once upon request of the Responsible Party for good cause.

H.   Responsible Parties may attend their hearing in person or telephonically, at their option, with or without counsel, and may bring witnesses, submit sworn statements or other evidence on their behalf. Opening and closing statements may be made by the parties to the Hearing, but the Hearing Committee reserves the right to limit the length of such statements

I.   At the hearing, EDRA has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence.

J.   Any member of the Hearing Committee may at any time disqualify himself or herself from the proceedings if they believe that they have a conflict of interest or can, for any reason, not conduct themselves in an impartial manner. Except for members who are disqualified under this provision, all members of the Hearing Committee must be present during the entire hearing to hear and consider all the evidence, as well as to deliberate and decide the outcome of the matter. The Hearing Committee shall give all parties a fair hearing. The Hearing Committee shall consist of at least one member of the Veterinary Committee, one member of the sub-committee and an additional Board member. The Responsible Party may contest, on grounds and with evidence, the inclusion of any one member of the Hearing Committee if he/she feels impartiality is an issue. The Responsible Party may suggest an alternative who must be either a current Board member or member of the Veterinary Committee. The substitution is subject to Hearing Committee approval.

K.   The Hearing Committee shall prepare a written record of the proceedings which shall include the evidence considered in the proceeding, each finding of fact based on the evidence, the conclusions and decisions regarding the alleged rule violations and a statement of penalties, if any, imposed and of other relief granted or denied. The Hearing Committee is not limited in its choice of penalties to those that were offered in the plea agreement. This written record, along with the initial recommendations of the President and Vice President, constitutes the official record. The written record shall be issued within 15 business days of the hearing

L.   EDRA does not require a verbatim stenographic transcript of the hearing to be made, but a Responsible Party may arrange for one at their own expense. EDRA reserves the right to obtain a copy of the transcript at its own cost.

M.   The Hearing Committee’s decision following a full hearing on the matter is final.

Vll.   Penalties

 A.   If a violation of the Rule is found to have occurred, the Hearing Committee may impose one or more of the penalties set forth below, which will be published on the EDRA website.

1. .Censure.
2. Suspension for any specified period of time: A suspended person is forbidden from participating in any EDRA event and may not participate in EDRA affairs and activities, hold or exercise office, or attend, observe or participate in any EDRA event, forum, meeting, program, clinic, task force, or committee. Suspension may include the right to have any horse owned by a suspended party participate in an EDRA event.
3. Expulsion or suspension from membership in EDRA for any specified period of time.
4. Forfeiture of points, placings, awards and BCs earned at the ride in which a positive drug test was obtained, and all rides thereafter for a specified period of time.
5. Suspension of Equine: The Equine that had a positive drug test may be suspended for any period of time specified by the Hearing Committee. In determining an appropriate penalty under these rules, the Hearing Committee may take into account such factors and circumstances as it may deem relevant, including but not limited to

a. the pharmacology of the forbidden substance,

b. the credibility and good faith of the person charged or of other witnesses,

c. penalties determined in similar cases, and

d. past violations of any EDRA rules (or the lack thereof).

e. reliance upon the professional ability or advice of a veterinarian who is a licensed graduate of an                                 accredited veterinary school and who is in good standing in the state in which he/she primarily practices.

If the Hearing Committee determines that any violation or attempted violation of this Rule was willful and/or intentional, there shall not be any limit to the period of a suspension, and the Hearing Committee may impose other and significantly greater penalties than it would have in the absence of such a determination.

 

Appendix C: AWARDS

Award Descriptions

The intent of the Equine Distance Rider Association (EDRA) Award Program is to recognize and celebrate achievements requiring significant effort by both rider and horse while encouraging the humane treatment of equine participants and supporting their longevity in our sport. EDRA promotes the competitive aspects of endurance riding and defines “compete” as a strong desire to succeed. We recognize and support members who may have a wide variety of competitive goals – whether they prepare their equine partner to out-perform other participants, or enable their equine partner to complete distances – ride-after-ride, year-after-year.

The organization offers a variety of awards – some of which are based upon the number of miles ridden or rides completed. Winning one of these awards may not necessarily require extensive speed, but durability is a significant factor. Other awards are based upon points accumulated and we consider these awards to represent truly remarkable riders and horses. Bonus points can be accrued through faster placement finishes and successfully completing longer distance events. Regardless of the type of award offered, riders are strongly encouraged to carefully prepare their horse for the challenge they’re striving to achieve.

The following requirements apply to all awards:

• Awards are available to members of the Equine Distance Rider Association (EDRA) and horses ridden by EDRA members.
• EDRA membership is required and is not retroactive. Events ridden prior to the processing of an individual’s membership are not counted toward EDRA awards in the applicable ride season.
• The awards cycle covers the EDRA ride season (January 1 through December 31) annually.
• EDRA recognizes only EDRA sanctioned events.

Rider Age

Rider age is determined as of January 1 of each year for the applicable ride season. Age divisions are defined as:

• Adult Division – Age 18 and older
• Youth [1] Division – Under age 18, sponsored and supervised by Adult riders during the course of the event

[1] Youths with 1,000 or more completed lifetime miles and written parental consent which has been accepted and approved by EDRA, may ride without adult supervision and maintain their status in the Youth Division.

Weight Divisions

Members compete in one of three weight divisions. Weight division determination is established for the rider at the first ride of the season and includes the rider’s weight and tack. This information will be recorded at the pre-ride vetting in process and will be used for the remainder of the ride season, irrespective of the horse ridden or subsequent changes in tack. Weight divisions are defined as:
Division I – Rider and tack weight of 170 or fewer pounds
Division II – Rider and tack weight of more than 170 pounds, but less than 201 pounds
Division III– Rider and tack weight of 201 or more pounds.

Awards

There are three major categories of awards offered by EDRA:

• Awards that recognize the mileage successfully accumulated.
• Awards that recognize the number of rides successfully completed.
• Awards that recognize the number of points successfully accumulated.

Awards recognize individual equines, individual riders and explicit pairings of one horse, one rider teams.