91 Ideas for Completion Awards

Nobody rides for the awards, but everyone appreciates them. Coming up with the right idea at the right price is an ongoing challenge. I plumbed years' worth of discussions on social media to learn about riders' favorites. Here are 91 ideas, from old standbys to the downright bizarre, to get your juices flowing.

Ride-Branded Stuff
These days, it's easier than ever to have your ride logo embroidered, engraved, or printed on just about anything. Riders love a "branded" award that keeps the happy memories alive. For bonus points, include the date and location -- bearing in mind, of course, that doing so could limit carryover of extras to next year. Riders cited these items among their favorites:

• Coffee mugs
• Insulated lunch totes (very popular!)
• Mouse pads
• Tumblers
• Bottle openers
• Flasks
• Coozies
• Wine glasses (I'm sensing a theme here...)
• Bandanas
• Windshield sun shades (I love mine from Bandit Springs in Oregon!)
• Hand towels or buffs
• Calendars
• Back scratchers
• Water bottles
• Photo frames
• Hats (not just ball caps -- try beanies)
• Coasters
• Umbrellas
• Tote bags
• Pillowcases
• Lightswitch plates (Yep, I actually got one of these once. It's in my home gym, and it makes me smile.)
• Refrigerator magnets
• Key chains

Riders love a "branded" award that keeps the happy memories alive.

This stein from Idaho's Old Selam Endurance Ride came complete with ice cream and root beer!

• Stickers or decals
• Playing cards
• Blankets and throws

More riders give tees the thumbs-up than the thumbs-down.

T-shirts: Yay or Nay?
​Ah, the humble t-shirt. Some riders beg for anything but another t-shirt, either because they have too many, or because they just aren't the t-shirt wearing type. Personally, I like them, although I find they're usually sized too large for my featherweight self.

In reviewing years' worth of comments on the subject, I reached the [decidedly unscientific] conclusion that more riders give tees the thumbs-up than the thumbs-down. Variations on the theme get extra appreciation. Tank tops, long-sleeved shirts, and UPF fabrics are especially popular. Sweatshirts take it up another level entirely!

Practical Items
Many riders report that practical items -- the things they keep in their cars or barns or living rooms and keep using for years -- are their favorites.

For the People

• Mini tool sets 
• Headlamps
• Pocket knives
• Socks
• Alarm clocks
• Camp chairs
• Folding stools
• Solar yard lights
• Laundry bags
• Platters
• Coat racks
• Mirrors
• Rechargable handwarmers
• Half chaps

For the Horses

• Hay bags
• Horse treats
• "Dog" tags to put on rope halters
• Electrolytes
• Fly masks
• Sweat scrapers
• Buckets
• ICE tags to clip on saddles
• Hoof picks
• Grooming totes
• Monogrammed halters
• Rump rugs
• Sheets, coolers, and blankets
• Browbands

"Award-y" Awards
Some riders really like traditional awards that carry emotional significance. Ride photos are always a hit. Some managers get especially creative in making unique trophies, buckles, plaques, or certificates to commemorate riders' accomplishments.

​Distance Riders of Manitoba president Darice Whyte spent the year snapping photos of riders, then had the best ones printed on metal for the club's division winners. They turned out gorgeous! Here are a few more examples:

Crafts by Local Artists
Some ride managers excel at sniffing out local talent, and artists can be amazingly generous when it comes to handcrafted awards. From potholders to pottery, horseshoe art to painted rocks, artisan soaps to quilts, you can't go wrong with something this special.

Just for Juniors
Who doesn't enjoy seeing juniors get some extra love at the end of a ride? Many rides offer extras for our youngest riders. Some reported favorites include:

• Stuffed or model horses
• Horse books (think Black Beauty, Misty of Chincoteague, and The Black Stallion)
• Tack
• Paint-by-number
• Jewelry-making kits
• Horse shampoo

Former junior rider Kelly William Stehman now sponsors juniors herself. She suggests awarding "things that would be good for juniors to add to their saddle bags or something that would help them become better riders. Things like scoops, sponges, stethoscopes, quality multi use tools. Maybe some sort of GPS unit to help them learn pacing or some hoof boots as a big award."

Intangibles
Need a last-minute award, or want your rider to pick exactly what s/he wants? Riders reported being thrilled with awards like gift certificates and discounted ride entries.

And finally...we all know that the best reward of all is the ride itself.

​Thank you, ride managers, for all you do!

The best reward of all is the ride itself.

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