DAL election

["Truman Prevatt, PhD" <truman.prevatt@netsrq.com>]

Dear AREC members,

By the time you read this you will most likely have received your
Director-at-Large ballot. For those of you that don’t know me, I would
like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and to share my vision
for the AERC.

I have been involved in endurance riding since the late 80’s as a rider
and ride manager. The past four years I have been serving on the Board
of Directors of Southeast Endurance Riders Association (SERA) and have
served one term as Vice President. I am in my second term as SERA
President.

There is an old Chinese curse – the curse of living through interesting
times. These are surely interesting times for the AERC. The challenge
ahead for AERC is manifold, but with challeng comes opportunity.  The
AERC supports a diverse group of people with diverse goals. To many –
perhaps the large majority – endurance riding is a chance to enjoy our
horses in an activity where we can be free from an overgrown rulebook
and be true to our own goals, e.g., mileage, points, a family activity,
etc. Endurance riding is the only equestrian sport where this is
possible. There are also riders who want to pursue high-level
international competition.  The AERC must serve the needs of all its
members.

Below I have listed several issues I feel that will be important over
the next two years with a brief statement on my view of these issues.
These are by no means the only issues that we must face in the future,
but they are pressing issues whose ramifications last far into the
future of the organization.

AERC’s role in international endurance:
AERC must work with FEI to provide an access to the opportunity for our
riders to pursue international competition. AERC should also work –
through AERC International – to seek financial sponsorship for our
international program. AERC must also - through AERC International -
develop a selection process that is fair, open and inclusive and
produces the best possible team to represent the US at world
competition.

Veterinary judging consistency:
Since it’s inception SERA has been involved in developing quality and
consistent veterinary judging throughout the region. For the most part
this has been successful. However, even with this effort there are small
pockets in the SE where there are not endurance trained vets in the
local area and it is difficult for the RM’s to find a good vet staff.
This lack of a sufficient number of trained, qualified endurance
veterinary judges is an issue through out the country. This is not only
an issue for the quality of the judging, it is an issue that impacts the
safety of the horse. This is an area where AERC should concentrate.

Keeping the AERC on a firm financial footing:
The most important function of any Board of Directors is to insure the
financial viability of the organization. We must never again get into
the financial state from which we are now recovering.

The role of Limited Distance:
It is clear that LD is a hot button issue on both sides. It is also
clear that much of the growth in the AERC comes in the form LD. Our
experience in SERA is that many LD riders do go on to the longer
distances and as an introductory point into endurance LD is working.
There are those, on the other hand, who see LD as their distance for
whatever reason. AERC needs to make our tent as big and as inclusive as
possible while staying true to our history and heritage. What that means
is I do not have the answers, but we must be open and listen to the
membership’s input and make informed decisions concerning the direction
of LD within AERC.

National Championship Ride:
The AERC has struggled with a National Championship concept for as long
as I have been a member. We have gone from the “series” concept to
championship ride concept. The AERC must develop this ride into a “big
ride.” If this is our championship and it should be as big as the Race
of Champions was.  The AERC must keep working to find the correct
formula for this ride and actively support it.

Updating of the By Laws:
The AERC has grown and evolved. There has been no serious revision of
the By Laws since I have been a member. The goals, responsibilities and
size of the organization have changed since the By Laws were adopted. It
is not at all clear that the “founding fathers” of the AERC envisioned
an organization with a budget of well in excess of half a million
dollars. It is time that we look at the By Laws and look at our future
and determine what constructive changes are necessary to the By Laws.

While these are not the only major issues, they are some of the key
issues that will have to be addressed in the next two years.

The AERC belongs to its members. The Directors are there to insure the
efficient functioning of the organization. It is the responsibility of
each and every member to learn the issues and to vote. My view is that
the Directors – unless there is some overriding reason – should reflect
the views of the members. Not only do I think the members have a right
to, I feel it is an obligation of the membership to express their views
to the Board on the major issues. While I would clearly like your vote
during this election, the important thing is that you do vote.

I am always available to discuss my views on the issues concerning the
future of the AERC.

Truman Prevatt, AERC number 8217
Candidate for Director-at-Large






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