RE: [Enduranceriders] Fw: Rider Education

["Bob Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

Thank you for the opportunity to comment further on education. Being the type of person that cares to define the goals of what ever organization I participate in I can do no better than adhere to the AERC By-laws (as currently published) and refer to Article VI PURPOSES.  This article defines in reasonable detail just what the AERC should be doing in the realm of education.

 

The AERC has gathered "data" for many years now. This data is the basis for our education process.  the foundation that supports most everything that we do in endurance riding from laying out the trail to the completion criteria for the horses and yes, a bit towards the awards given.

 

Where we, the members have have allowed this EDUCATION PROCESS to falter is that all so many of us, myself included, believe that since we found out the hard way then just let the new riders do the same. This is wrong and each of us know that it is wrong. But how to correct this?

 

The comments offered by Steve are very pertinent. Articles in the Endurance News are fine but the concept of "MENTORING" new riders goes a bit further. There are those of us , getting a bit less competitive with the years, that should be available for such a program. It would take only a few riders in each region to start a mentoring program that would cover the entire AERC nation wide.

 

Another part of this education process is just what Barney and Susan are doing in their research. It is time that the AERC and by this I mean the AERC members, recognize the tremendous strides that research at endurance rides has provided to the riders at little on in most cases absolutely no cost. This research MUST be supported!

 

Then there is the Internet  education. I am sorry to say there is much dis-information as there is good information available. Well meaning persons often stretch their experience and thus cause less-than-correct situation. We need to look at this medium of education and create a filtration process to assist those with a quest for additional knowledge.

 

Last, while I have mentioned education on a national basis, it is very important to consider education on a regional one as well. What works in the SW can cause problems in the SE. How well this has been illustrated in these pages discussing the problems of heat and humidity.

 

To summarize, Education is considered the primary purpose of the existence of the AERC per the By-laws. All other aspects of the sport follow education if we are to believe in the tenets of the founding members.

 

Bob Morris

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Garlinghouse [mailto:suendavid@worldnet.att.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 12:33 PM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: [Enduranceriders] Fw: Rider Education

Below is a response I received from Steve Rutter, which I'm forwarding with his permission.  His DAL statement specifically mentioned rider education, and my question to him was how did he specifically hope to implement that.  I've edited it slightly---just removed a few personal chitchats, none of the relevant material.

 

Several other nominees have also mentioned rider education, perhaps they would care to comment on their own views as well (obviously, rider education is near and dear to my heart)<g>.

 

Susan G

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Stephen W. Rutter

To: Susan Garlinghouse

Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 7:43 AM

Subject: Rider Education

Hi Susan,

 

<snip, snip>

 

One of the primary functions of AERC is education. It has to be to justify our being a nonprofit, tax exempt organization and more importantly, we need AERC's educational efforts for the higher purpose of the safety and welfare of the horse.

 

Yes, I do have some specific ideas on accomplishing better education:

 

         I feel the Education Committee needs to be charged by the Board with advancing an active,                 written program of rider education, both to accomplish it and to emphasize education's importance         within AERC. 

 

        Endurance News could carry many more articles on myriad topics of interest to the                             riders which would benefit the members' use of and caring for the horse. For example, we                     subscribe to The Horse and enjoy and benefit from the excellent articles found there. Why not have         abbreviated articles on such topics in our magazine? Too many riders follow the approach of                mimicking what they have seen done by others with no knowledge of whether or not it is                     appropriate for their horse or situation.

 

        Another ripe area for rider education is the Ride itself. I would like to see the culture develop at             Rides where the ride managers and veterinarians are comfortable counseling riders that are                 pushing the limits of their horse on any given day. I know that the Veterinary Committee is making         efforts to improve the uniformity of vetting and I feel charging the ride vets with this educational             function as well would be beneficial to all. Some vets do this now quite well so I know it helps.

 

In summary, I guess you could say my heart lies with preserving this sport by nudging AERC in the direction of better knowledge of and care for the horse in long distance riding.I interpret "TO FINISH IS TO WIN"  means the horse-rider team that completes the course the "best for them" that day rather than who can complete the distance in the fastest time. Our horses are our friends and pets, not among our tools, to be used and discarded.

 

Again, I applaud your efforts in this education process.

 

Steve Rutter

 

 

 

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