The Rules

The Washington Trail Riders Distance Derby is a year long competition where you GPS your ride for mileage and compete virtually with other riders in the same competition.  The purpose of this game is to encourage you to get out and ride. Any equine, any time, any speed.

1) You must have a horse (or other equine) or access to one and a GPS device to record your mileage. Please note that many Smartphones have GPS capabilities. Sample apps include Runtastic, Garmin Fit and MyTracks. Find the app that works best for you. You are responsible for the operation of your unit. Technical support is not available through the Distance Derby.

2) The Distance Derby begins January 1 and ends on December 31.  All eligible mileage must be accumulated in that time period. All participants must be enrolled by January 1st.   Mileage begins on January 1 or the date of enrollment if later than January 1 and is not retroactive.   

3) A team by definition is you, the rider, and whatever equine you are riding while recording miles.  

4) To enroll, submit a brief bio, a favorite photograph and your team name to wadistancederby@gmail.com . You will be assigned a team number and your bio information will be shown on this Distance Derby blog page.  (Click here for a sample entry/bio).

5) Anytime you ride or drive your equine, record your mileage with your GPS device. Enter date & mileage and the total MILES TO DATE (MTD), in the comments section shown at the bottom of your bio, additional commentary is optional. It is up to you to keep your own log and check for accuracy on the Leader Board. It is also up to you to keep it honest. A summary of mileage will be posted periodically in the right sidebar of this blog.  (Click here to see a sample of how to enter miles)

6)  This is a race therefore mileage must be posted frequently for riders to know their placings.  Each rider must post their mileage within 7 days of their ride to receive ride credit.  Any mileage submitted beyond 7 days will not be eligible for credit.  Exception:   If a rider is going on a riding vacation and the length of the vacation prevents the rider from posting one or more days in the 7 day period, rider must advise the group via their comments prior to leaving for vacation specifying the time period (date to date) that they will be unable to post due to riding vacation or event.  Rider will have 7 days from the last date specified to post their total mileage from the trip.  If rider does not notify group of extended leave prior to the event, credit will not be given. You may also contact an admin if you have extenuating circumstances that make it so you cannot post and the admin may decide if they will grant your miles. 

7).  Riders who do not submit miles for 60 or more consecutive days will be disqualified from competition as abandoning the Derby.  Riders who have not ridden in 60 days may continue to compete as long as they make notation on their bio that they plan to continue the competition. 

8)  A volunteer scribe will post your miles most generally each week on the Leader Board that will be posted here and on the Facebook page.  It is up to each rider to verify if the mileage is correct.  Errors must be reported via the comments section of your bio within 7 days of the update.    

9) The person with the highest mileage in the Derby will receive a yet-to-bet-determined award. Don't get too excited, it's about winning not the award, right? The rest of you will end the year with a well-conditioned mount and well-honed riding skills.

10)  This game is based on the honor system.  There is no big bag of cash or a trophy saddle awarded to the winner so there is nothing to cheat for.  If the goal is to out-distance another rider for bragging rights then that can only be done by really doing it.  Trust and integrity is as much a part of this game as the miles traveled in the saddle.

11)  Be polite. The derby is ran by volunteers who wish to foster a positive environment. If you cannot abide by this you will be asked to leave. 

This competition is all in fun.  If a rule is protested, Derby Admin has the final decision.  Stay safe and keep your horse happy and healthy!