AERC, AHSA and The Chronicle of the Horse

[guest@endurance.net]

Betsy Wobus bwobus@neteze.com
As a long-standing member of AERC, IAHA, USDF, USCTA and AHSA, as well as
a 10-year subscriber to The Chronicle of the Horse, I encourage all of you
to go to their website as suggested earlier today to look at several items
in their annual Endurance Issue.  Go to the Table of Contents, find and
re-read Valerie's letter and then read Alan Balch's response regarding fee
structures and how they would be affected by USET being named the National
GOVERNING Body for the US.  Then go to In the Country and read about the
on-going battle between the USET and AHSA (now USA Equestrian).  Many of
us have been following this battle for years and are quite concerned about
the fate of equestrian sports in the US if an amicable compromise can't be
reached.  The USET, which has no governing experience even in the Olympic
Sports, has steadfastly resisted compromise, as can be seen in The
Chronicle's reporting.
Although AHSA has clearly "blown it" with their handling of AERC's
National Championship Ride, it is my opinion that they are in the best
position to remain the NGB for US equestrian sports, including Olympic
ones.  It would be a shame if AERC members who also belong to AHSA were
led to believe that the USET could do a better (and cheaper) job.
Betsy Wobus  AERC #5907