by Jessica Schroeder, USTA Outreach & Membership Enrichment Coordinator
Columbus, OH — The United States Trotting Association is proud to announce the first ever Standardbred Distance Championship. The event, held during the Crazy Daze of Summer Ride just outside Spokane, Wash., will be Sept. 2.
The first three registered Standardbreds to cross the finish line in the 50-mile ride will be considered the Standardbred Distance Champions. Completion awards will be given to any AERC declared Standardbred (registered with the USTA/SC or not) competing that weekend in any of the rides; there are 25, 50, 55 and 75 mile rides being offered over the course of the ride weekend.
The Crazy Daze ride will be held at Riverside State Park in Nine Mile Falls, Wash. Requests for more information about the ride can be directed to Shelley Kerr at 509.220.9963 or by emailing cwranchusa@hotmail.com.
An east coast championship ride is in the works to be held Spring 2019. More information about endurance riding, Standardbred endurance recognition programs and requirements and entry information for the Distance Championships, can be found on the USTA’s Life After Racing Endurance page.
Since 2011, the USTA has recognized the High Mileage Standardbred competing in sanctioned American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) rides. The award is given to the Standardbred that has the most miles ridden during the current ride season (Dec. 1-Nov. 30). The Standardbred Distance Championship not only adds to the USTA’s portfolio of recognition for off-the-track Standardbreds, but aims to contribute to providing a great network of Standardbred endurance riders. Standardbred ambassador Anita Rees started the ‘Team Standardbred Distance Riders’ Facebook page for those interested in competing in endurance with a Standardbred.
Since 1996, the Standardbred Equine Program has worked with owners of off-the-track Standardbreds to educate the general public about the many disciplines Standardbreds excel at once they are retired from racing. For more information about the SEP at the USTA, visit LifeAfterRacing.ustrotting.com, or send e-mail inquiries to sep@ustrotting.com.