Biltmore Challenge Endurance Ride

ENTRY FORMS / PAYMENT:  Please return entry form and signed waiver (general entry form is here), if not already done, with your deposit or full fee.  All final payments are due by April 10.  Note:  FEI requires an additional, separate entry form (see below).   Fees, except for $25 deposit, are refundable with notice received before Monday, April 23; partial prior to May 3; minimal thereafter.  You MUST bring Coggins test papers to check-in, or send a copy of the Coggins current through May 6 ahead of time.  Non-AERC members must pay day fee of $15.  There is a $25 late fee for downgrading to 50 from either 100 or from 75 after April 10.  Questions?  Call Cheryl Newman at 828-665-1531 or email the Ride Manager for trail or AERC questions; or Biltmore Equestrian Center for stalls / paddocks / site info.  Cancellations after May 3 please leave message at 828-225-1454 (BEC).

FEI:   An additional, separate entry / release form is required for the FEI component at each distance. 

Biltmore is hosting six FEI competitions:  a 50 mile ride (CEI*), a 75 mile ride (CEI**), and a 100 mile ride (CEI***); plus the same distances offered to Young Riders.  Young Riders are eligible from the beginning of the year they reach the age of 16 until the end of the year they reach the age of 21.  AERC juniors may enter any FEI ride as Seniors IF they are eligible to ride unsponsored (over 500 miles and with parental and USEF permissions).  As many know,

FEI has instituted a 'ladder' system for qualifications.  A qualifications summary is here from the 2009 FEI Rules for Endurance Events.  The qualifications require documentation of the lower level events you have entered and / or the same level FEI events prior to this ride.  The form suggested by USEF is attached here (if you fill in the USEF form documenting qualifying rides and return it as requested, you can ignore that part of the Biltmore FEI entry form).  If your information is not verifiable on AERC and/or FEI web sites, please email or snail mail qualification information to the ride manager beforehand.  In addition, for 50 milers without passports, please make certain you have the FEI log forms available (properly filled out at the top for your horse and printed on a printer) so that this event can be recorded.  Note:  non-US FEI 50-mile horses must have passports.

For US riders and horses, FEI 100 mile and FEI 75 mile entry requires USEF membership for rider and owner, FEI Passport for the equine, FEI annual registration for rider and equine, USEF high performance fee ($35 / event already included in the entry fees).  Requirements for FEI 50 mile entry are USEF membership for rider and owner, USEF equine registration (annual or lifetime), USEF high performance fee, and FEI annual registration for rider and equine, and horse identification and vaccination papers (e.g., detailed Coggins or breed registration papers, plus veterinarian certified proof of flu immunizations per FEI requirements).  Please ensure the equine's name is consistent on all documentation (e.g., Coggins vs Passport vs entry vs FEI registration...).  

For non-US riders and / or horse, all FEI entries require an email to the ride manager or copy mailed ahead of time of permission from the National Federation asserting qualification to ride in the upcoming event, and good standing with the National Federation.  All horses and riders must be FEI registered for 2012.  All horses must have a valid FEI passport.  By USEF rules, even non-US riders MUST pay the USEF high performance fee, so it is buried in the entry fees already.

The FEI Definite Schedule will be available here

The USEF Prize list is available here.   The USEF Federation Page is here.

AHA Rides:  In 2012, the 50, 75, and 100 mile rides of the Biltmore Challenge are AHA recognized as local competitions.   To compete in the AHA division, the basic requirements are:
==> Have entered an Arabian or Half-Arabian in the event.
==> Present copies of the horse's registration, show rider's and owner's 2012 'Competitor' AHA membership card. 
==> Fill in appropriate separate entry and release for the AHA at or before registration.
             - 50 mile AHA entry form is here
             - 75 mile AHA entry form is here
             - 100 mile AHA entry form is here
Sweepstakes :  To qualify for sweepstakes money, you must have paid AHA the annual enrollment fee of $100 before the event.  This can be done by phone to AHA or by downloading the enrollment form (www.arabianhorses.org, click on Sweepstakes.)  You can enroll later but will not receive any retroactive points toward end of the year prize monies.
How points are scored:  You receive one point for every registered Arab, Half-Arab, and AngleArab you beat on the ride and one point for yourself up through fifth place.
More detail is readily available at the AHA website mentioned above.

TEAM COMPETITION:  Open to all riders within the 100-mile, 75-mile, and 50-mile AERC competitions, the teams are of 4 rider-horse combinations (one rider per horse) at the same distance.   At least 2 full teams must be entered for the team competition at each distance.   At least three horse and rider combinations on a team must go the entire distance.   The top three finishing times for the team count towards awards.  

This is a good opportunity to practice team riding....   Check out how strategy and opportunities change in this environment!   Entry at ride registration, no additional fees. 

Choose your team: 
50 mile entries -- to be posted 2 weeks pre-ride
75 mile entries -- to be posted 2 weeks pre-ride
100 mile entries -- to be posted 2 weeks pre-ride