Recognizing Excellence: The 2023 SEERA Awards Ceremony and Winners

The Southeast Endurance Riders Association's annual convention was held at the Lodge in Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia January 12-14, 2024. Shannon Thomason and Michelle Hoffman Wrobel were nominated and voted in to replace outgoing President Lara Worden and Treasurer Tamra Williams, respectively. Shannon and Michelle pledged to do their best to continue to grow our membership, increase our volunteer base, support our ride managers, and keep the miles on trail fun and rewarding!

The Convention Planning Committee really stepped up this year and pulled off a successful and informative conference. The guest speakers were incredible -- from UGA veterinarians to the amazing Holly Corcoran and the 100 Mile Living Legends panel. Kim Minarich, whose husband Pete was a fantastic addition to the festivities, and everyone enjoyed his rousing song about endurance riding!

A huge shout out to everyone who donated to the Silent Auction -- vendors, ride managers and individuals -- and to the buyers, who bought it ALL. We raised 10% of our total cash balance in one night!

A total of 57 awards were presented to individuals and teams. SEERA would like to thank the following award sponsors for their generosity and continued support:

• First 100 Award sponsored by RiteBalance, Sudi Lenhart, Nolan Whitesell, and Mane Street Pet & Horse

• Junior Grand Champion sponsored by Christo Dinkelmann

• Open Distance Champion sponsored by Duane and Nina Barnett

• LD Mileage Champion by Jana Smith, in Memory of Steffanie Waddington

• Freshman Horse of the Year sponsored by Dan Hallman

• Freshman Rider of the Year sponsored byFoster Olson and Lela Nielsen

• 65+ Award sponsored by Patsy Gowen

• Garrie Bates-Ritter Long Ears Award sponsored by Ginee Ritter

• Team Challenge Awards sponsored by Eric Rueter

AWARD WINNERS:

100 MILE CLUB - Horse/rider teams that completed 3 or more 1-day 100 mile rides in a season

• Bronze Level Winner(s): Out Ragehess (owned by Melina Efthimiadis)

• Silver Level Winner(s): N/A

• Gold Level Winner(s): N/A

First 100 Mile Ride: Mattie Compton & Thoroughleap

OPEN DIVISION

Top Ten

1. Cheryl Van Deusen

2. Claire Godwin

3. Avery Betz Conway

4. Melody Blittersdorf

5. Sarah Arthur

6. Verena Stock

7. Megan Grant

8. Uma Kraskin

9. Theresa Carroll

10. Alisa Waxman

Best Condition: JG General (owned by Cheryl Van Deusen)

Consistent Condition Evanessence (owned by Tracy Benedict)

Mileage Champion: Tru Beau Sardi (owned by Cheryl Van Deusen)

Reserve Mileage Champion: Sundown Reveille+/ (owned by Claire Godwin)

LIMITED DISTANCE

Top Five:

1. Margie Johnson

2. Michelle Brinton

3. Evelyn Baig

4. Patsy Gowen

5. Mary Oliphant

Best Condition: Savanna BA (owned by Elizabeth Turbyfill)

Mileage Champion: Jake (owned by Margie Johnson)

JUNIOR AWARDS

Grand Champion: Mattie Jean Compton

Open Distance Champion : Mia Moore

Limited Distance Champion: Sophie Cline

4th Place: Ansley Conway

5th Place: Emma Kate Priban

6th Place: Evan Stewart

SPECIAL AWARDS

Lawton Johnson Award: N/A

65 PLUS: Claude Brewer   

Freshman Horse of the Year: Thoroughleap (owned by Mattie Compton)

Freshman Rider of the Year: N/A

Garrie Bates-Ritter Long Ears Award: Jake (owned by Margie Johnson)

Region Crossover Award: Melody Blittersdorf

10 Consecutive Finishes:

1. Patsy Gowen on Atlaas

2. Tracy Benedict on Evanessence

3. Avery Betz-Conway on Djet’s Mojo

4. Christel Bayol-Wyatt on Ozzie

5. Margie Johnson on Jake

6. Theresa Carroll on Callie

7. Melina Efthimiadis on Axel

8. Heidi Perrault Rajala on Amadahess

350 Miles in a Season:

• AA Aabyra & Alisa Waxman

• Callie & Theresa Carroll Penny & Scott Carroll

• Perseveranze & Melody Blittersdorf

• LR Georgie Girl & Clare Summers

• Sonrise Basko & Mia Moore

• Khepera El Ausir & Christel Bayol-Wyatt

• Thoroughleap & Mattie Jean Compton

• Evanessence & Tracy Benedict

• Danis Final Magic & Tim Worden

• Son Rais & Tina Murphy

• King Ali Jet & Verena Stock

• SH Encantada & Verena Stock

Ride & Tie Freshman Horse of the Year: Speedy Blue

Team Challenge

1. Unbridled Miles (Crystal Bayol-Wyatt, Emily Compton, Joe Stump, Mattie Compton, Megan Grant, Melina Efthimiadis, Mia Moore, Pauline Fleming, Rachel Land, and Sarah Marie Arthur)

2. 9 Chicks and Rooster Brewer (Alicia Mansuetti, Annie Whelan, Bonni Hannah, Claire Godwin, Clare Summers, Claude Brewer, Maggie Houston, Ruth Anne Everett, Susan Wilson, and Verena Stock)

3. Blazing Saddles (Erin Symonds, Jennifer Dumas, Jim Jarosik, Kelly Caudle, Mary A Smith, Michelle Brinton, Shannon Thomason, Tina Murphy, and Tracy Benedict)