Great Lakes Distance Riding Association Awards
Year End Awards
GLDRA recognizes the following accomplishments each year at the annual award banquet. Points are calculated using the chart listed below:
10% bonus for advertised multi-day rides.
Points are given for each placing for rides held in Michigan.
Criteria
● Riders must be a GLDRA member during the years for which they are competing.
Awards
A plaque is given for the following placings:
Extended Distance Endurance
Heavyweight top 6 placings
Lightweight top 6 placings
Junior top 6 placings
Grand champion, Reserve champion, Best Condition – Embroidered item
Grand champion (Junior), Reserve champion (Junior) – Embroidered item
Restricted Distance Endurance
Heavyweight top 6 placings
Lightweight top 6 placings
Junior top 6 placings
Grand champion, Reserve champion, Best Condition – Embroidered item
Grand champion (Junior), Reserve champion (Junior) – Embroidered item
Limited Distance Endurance
Senior top 6 placings
Junior top 6 placings
Grand champion, Reserve champion, Best Condition – Embroidered item
Grand champion (Junior), Reserve champion (Junior) – Embroidered item
Extended Distance Competitive
Heavyweight top 6 placings
Lightweight top 6 placings
Junior top 6 placings
Grand champion, Reserve champion – Embroidered item
Grand champion (Junior), Reserve champion (Junior) – Embroidered item
Restricted Distance Competitive
Heavyweight top 6 placings
Lightweight top 6 placings
Junior top 6 placings
Grand champion, Reserve champion – Embroidered item
Grand champion (Junior), Reserve champion (Junior) – Embroidered item
- Extended Distance LD and CTR = more than 195 season miles same rider/horse team, minimum 100 miles for year end placing
- Restricted Distance LD and CTR = 195 or less season miles same rider/horse team, minimum 100 miles for year end placing
- Extended Distance Endurance = more than 295 season miles same rider/horse team, minimum 200 miles for year end placing
- Restricted Distance Endurance = 295 or less season miles same rider/horse team, minimum 200 miles for year end placing
- Heavyweight- more 180 pounds (rider and all tack weight)
- Lightweight- less than 179 pounds (rider and all tack weight)
GLDRA Lifetime Mileage
Personal Mileage Award
GLDRA takes pride in recognizing riders for their long-term dedication to the sport through cumulative
mileage milestones.
Criteria
● All qualifying rides must be veterinarian-judged and accurately measured to ensure correct
mileage.
● Mileage is counted for endurance, limited distance , competitive, novice and intro.
Limited distance is included dating back to April 1980
Mileage from advertised Novice and Intro counts beginning in 2005.
No mileage prior to April 1, 1980 (the start of GLDRA) may be included.
● Effective January 1, 2001: cumulative out-of-state mileage may count toward the award up to
a limit of 50% of cumulative Michigan mileage (for all program-enrolled years). Out-of-state
miles exceeding that threshold will be carried forward to future years, still subject to the 50%
rule.
● Riders are responsible for reporting out-of-state mileage to the Points Keeper. All reports must
be submitted no later than November 1 of the ride year to be included in that year’s awards.
● A one-time enrollment fee of $40 (effective May 2025) must accompany the application. Past
mileage may be purchased at $20 per year, provided the Points Chair can verify the mileage.
To receive a mileage award, the rider must be a current GLDRA member for the year in
which the award is presented.
Awards
Mileage awards are presented at the following milestones:
● 200 miles – Certificate
● 500 miles – GLDRA Patch
● 1,000 miles – Belt Buckle
● 2,000 miles – Fleece Blanket
● 3,000 miles – Vest
● 4,000 miles – Fleece ¼-Zip
● 5,000 miles – Duffle Bag
● 6,000–9,000 miles – Embroidered item of choice (up to budgeted amount)
● 10,000 miles – GLDRA Jacket
● 11,000 miles and above- Embroidered item of choice (up to budgeted amount)
Awards are presented at each 1,000-mile interval
GLDRA takes pride in recognizing our equine athletes for their dedication and achievement through
cumulative mileage milestones.
Criteria
● Eligibility: Open to equines of any breed or grade.
● Age Requirement: Horses must be at least 48 months old to begin accumulating mileage.
● Ride Requirements: To count toward mileage totals:
Mileage is counted for endurance, limited distance , competitive, novice and intro.
Limited distance is included dating back to April 1980
Mileage from advertised Novice and Intro counts beginning in 2005.
No mileage prior to April 1, 1980 (the start of GLDRA) may be included.
The ride must be judged by a veterinarian.
● Out-of-State Mileage:
Effective January 1, 2001, cumulative out-of-state miles may be credited up to 50% of cumulative Michigan miles (for all program-enrolled years).
Excess out-of-state miles will be carried forward to future years, still subject to the 50% rule.
● Mileage Reporting:
Riders are responsible for keeping the Association informed of out-of-state mileage.
All reports must be submitted no later than November 1 of the ride year for inclusion in that year’s awards banquet.
● Enrollment and Fees:
A one-time $40 enrollment fee (effective May 2025) must accompany the application.
Ride mileage follows the horse, not the owner; sellers must pass along accurate mileage records during transfer of ownership.
Back mileage may be purchased at $20 per year, provided the Points Chair can verify the mileage.
Mileage from official 15-mile rides counts beginning in 2005.
No mileage may pre-date April 1, 1980.
● Membership Requirement:
To receive a mileage award, the owner and/or rider must be a current GLDRA member for the award year.
- Awards
Mileage awards are presented at the following milestones:- 200 miles- Certificate
- 500 miles- GLDRA Patch
- 1,000 miles- Picture Frame
- 2,000 miles- Halter
- 3,000 miles- Rump Rug
- 4,000 miles- Fleece Cooler
- 5,000 miles- Blanket
- 6,000 miles- Beta Bridle
Additional awards presented at each 1,000-mile interval
Legend Cup
The Great Lakes Distance Riding Association Legend Cup is a traveling award presented to the
horse that completes the highest total mileage in sanctioned events within a single season. Mileage
may be earned in competitive, limited-distance, endurance, or combined events.
The award was established in 2011 by John and Roseanna Clark in honor of their horse Matuks
Legend+/. Legend holds the GLDRA all-time mileage record, completing 8,330 career miles.
Purpose
● To recognize the skill, dedication, and strategic planning required to condition, prepare, and
successfully campaign a horse through a full season to achieve the highest accumulated
mileage.
Criteria
● Awarded to the horse with the highest year-end mileage, as calculated by the Points
Committee, across competitive, endurance, or combined events.
● Riders must notify the Points Keeper of any competition miles completed outside the state of
Michigan by December 1 st .
● Riders must be GLDRA members during the year(s) in which they are competing.
Award
● Traveling Trophy
Legend Award Recipients
| Year | Rider | Horse | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Diane Meinders | Lacey’s Game | 855 |
| 2012 | Leslie Bennett | Catchu Latr WLA | 660 |
| 2015 | Linda Hamrick | RTM First In Line | 690 |
| 2016 | Linda Hamrick | RTM First In Line | 710 |
| 2017 | Linda Hamrick | RTM First In Line | 845 |
| 2018 | Diane Meinders | Yo Dusty | 805 |
| 2019 | Diane Meinders | Yo Dusty | 695 |
| 2021 | Diane Meinders | Yo Dusty | 670 |
| 2022 | Diane Meinders | Yo Dusty | 560 |
| 2023 | Shane Darga | Spot on the Diamond | 780 |
| 2024 | Diane Meinders | Lumiere WW | 605 |
| 2025 | Diane Meinders | Lumiere WW | 650 |
GLDRA Rookie of the Year Overview
The GLDRA Rookie of the Year Award was originally created by the Scrub Oaks Ride in memory of
Lecia Strunk, a young and enthusiastic distance rider who lived with diabetes from childhood until her
passing at age 35. Despite significant health challenges, Lecia remained committed to the sport she
loved, competing whenever possible with the dedicated support of her parents, who frequently served
as her pit crew. Her determination and resilience continue to inspire the distance-riding community.
When the Scrub Oaks Ride was discontinued, Char Richards and Debbie Bosma donated the award
to the Great Lakes Distance Riding Association, where it has been awarded ever since. In 1985, the
Lecia Strunk Memorial Trophy was formally established to honor her legacy—celebrating the spirit of
perseverance embodied by each new Rookie of the Year recipient.
Purpose
The GLDRA Rookie of the Year Award recognizes new riders who achieve the highest year-end
points during their rookie season.
Criteria
● Eligible riders must not have completed more than three lifetime full-length competitive or
endurance rides prior to their rookie season.
(Novice and Intro rides do not count toward this three-ride limit.)
● Riders must declare their intent to compete for Rookie of the Year to the Points Keeper.
● Riders should mark an “R” in the upper corner of all ride entry forms to indicate rookie status.
● The award is presented to the rider who earns the highest year-end points, as calculated by
the Points Committee, in competitive, endurance, or combined events. The rider may ride
multiple horses.
● Riders must be a GLDRA member during the years for which they are competing.
Award
● Embroidered halter
Rookie of the Year recipients
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Carrie McCandlish |
| 1986 | Craig Barshum |
| 1987 | Jan Baxuin |
| 1988 | Lisa Harthorn |
| 1989 | Shelly Dake |
| 1991 | Dani Kregear |
| 1992 | Julia Abrams |
| 1993 | Ronald R Hart |
| 1994 | Katie Bosma |
| 1995 | Jonathan Bosma |
| 1996 | Charles Phillips |
| 1997 | Janette Stevens |
| 1998 | Tommy Van Gessel |
| 1999 | Christina Dyer |
| 2000 | Chris Otto |
| 2001 | Joe McCulloch |
| 2002 | Tali Sorenson |
| 2003 | Scott Anstine |
| 2004 | Sandra Wright |
| 2005 | Rachael Meinders |
| 2006 | Rachael Clark |
| 2007 | Katy Byard |
| 2008 | Karen Steffens |
| 2009 | Whitney Meinders |
| 2010 | Ashton Clark |
| 2011 | Leslie Bennett |
| 2015 | Doug VanderWoude |
| 2016 | Isabella Moorhouse |
| 2018 | Stephanie Boomgaard |
| 2023 | Natalie Hauswirth |
| 2025 | Ann Bogan |
Hall of Fame Award Overview
The Hall of Fame Award was established in 1984 by Ted and Holly Palmer-Chaff, who originally
donated a silver trophy bowl engraved each year with the names of the recipients. The trophy was
retired in February of 2026. Honorees now receive a commemorative plaque.
Nominations must be made prior to the annual meeting and voted on by the general membership at
the annual meeting. Candidates should have made significant contributions to the sport of distance
riding—either through long-term dedication or a notable achievement within a single year. In 1992, a
committee developed formal guidelines for the award, which were adopted in 1993.
Written nominations are published each December on the GLDRA website and in the newsletter, and
all candidates should be notified in advance.
Purpose
The Great Lakes Distance Riding Association Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and/or equines for
outstanding achievements within the sport.
Criteria
Members voting on nominees are expected to consider each candidate thoughtfully. Selections
should be based on merit rather than sentiment or popularity. The following guidelines apply to both
human and equine nominees:
● Nominations must be submitted to the Awards Committee by December 1.
● The nominee should have achieved significant accomplishments in the sport.
● The nominee should have contributed meaningfully to distance riding (e.g., volunteer service,
competition, mentoring).
● The nominee should demonstrate consistent, high-level performance.
● The nominee should have accumulated a substantial amount of competitive mileage.
● The nominee must be a GLDRA member during the years for which they are nominated.
Award
● Plaque
Hall of Fame recipients
| Year | Person | Horse | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Will Koster | Brandy | Kathy Walton |
| 1985 | Diane Dykstra | Cedric | Pat Sager |
| 1986 | Pat Sager | Dang It All Minty | Vickie Herrick |
| 1986 | Ka-Barrz | Judy Schlink | |
| 1987 | Joe Yogus | Magic Carima | Joe Yogus |
| 1988 | Roger & Rhoda Ritter | Rugged Lacy’s B | Jan Mills-Kennedy |
| 1989 | Richard Stonehouse | Shorty | Bruce Birr |
| 1990 | Jo Beth Bridleman | Mar Rocca | Pat Sager |
| 1991 | Marcia Koster | Mire Star | Robin Dilg |
| 1992 | Ruth Yogus | Spruce Sarta | Craig & Debbie Olson |
| 1993 | Betty Dykstra | T.F. Starfire | Marcia Koster |
| 1994 | Sue Herrick | Count Qamira | Julie Roe |
| 1995 | Jim Yell | Tyson | Ray Sugzda |
| 1995 | One Tuff Joker | Jonathan Bosma | |
| 1996 | Ray Sugzda | Takis Rama | Shelley Dake |
| 1997 | Rae Birr | Bay Champagne | Jean Miller |
| 1998 | Julie Roe | Tis-A-Prince | Jim Harris |
| 1999 | Cindy Osborne | Chester | Katy Byrne |
| 1999 | Wayne Gastfield | ||
| 2000 | Jeanie Miller | Matuk’s Legend+/ | Roseanne Clark |
| 2001 | Gene Dake | It’s A Story | Don Caldwell |
| 2002 | Shelley Dake | Jo Ve Conbrio+ | Lisa Germann |
| 2003 | Jan Kennedy | Just Jimmy | Julie Roe |
| 2004 | Ted Klopfenstein | Maggie (War Lucinda) | Jeanie Miller |
| 2005 | Miss | Birr Family | |
| 2006 | Bruce Birr | Honey | Diane Meinders |
| 2007 | Charles Phillips | J Dalmaar Sherri+/ | Charles Phillips |
| 2008 | Karen Graham | Synerator (Bud) | Barb Kurti |
| 2008 | Karen Bahrman | ||
| 2008 | Lisa Germann | ||
| 2009 | Myra Fleming | Gallant Dancer | Linda Hamrick |
| 2010 | MA Mara Leah | Kari & Dale Hanes | |
| 2012 | Count Cha-Ska | Shelley Dake | |
| 2013 | Kathy Macki | RC Radar | Birr Family |
| 2014 | Shatto’s Sir Lance Lot | Becke Grams | |
| 2016 | Over Brooks Image+// | Lisa Germann | |
| 2017 | RTM First In Line | Linda Hamrick | |
| 2019 | Donnie Hamrick | ||
| 2025 | Becke Grams |
Charles Phillips Versatility Award
In 2008, GLDRA elected to sponsor the Charles Phillips and J Dalmaar Sharri+/ Versatility Award to
honor Charles and his exceptional horse Sharri for their dedication to distance riding and for
demonstrating the true versatility achievable within the sport. Charles and Sharri earned the AHDRA
Versatility Award twice, and Charles also won the award once with his retired horse, Whitney. Their
accomplishments set a high standard for all teams pursuing this honor.
Purpose
To recognize horse–rider teams that demonstrate versatility across multiple distance-riding disciplines
within a single season.
Criteria
● The horse and rider must be current members of UMECRA.
● Teams must complete a minimum of:
2 competitive rides
2 limited distance rides
2 endurance rides
● There are no division awards for this category; only one Grand Champion will be given.
Award
● Award is presented annually at the UMECRA Convention.
