Re: RC: AERC NW Director statement

[Roger Rittenhouse <roger@vmaxept.com>]

Support of Steph Teeter.

Yes - of course .. just read her position paper.
Steph has been an icon within our sport for many years. Seeing her get
 around in France was what this sport is about - over coming
 adversities and caring for the horse.

 A major asset to the BOD   as a rider  RM  and business person
  Roger
 
Friday, September 21, 2001, 11:42:31 PM, you wrote:

ST> I spent the day out exploring new trail for our October ride. Enjoying the
ST> horse, the sun, the rabbit brush in bloom, the expansive sky.  For me, this
ST> is really what Endurance is about. And I think that this is what it is about
ST> for almost all of us that are so addicted to the sport. We don't need more
ST> rules, we just need to get out and ride!

ST> Here's my nomination statement (I'd like to be a director for the NW for
ST> another term) - what I think about the sport, and some of the divisive
ST> issues AERC has.

ST> Race vs Ride: This is a sensitive topic for many. Endurance is a demanding
ST> sport - hard on riders and hard on horses. There is no denying this. Whether
ST> we ride slow or fast, it is still a LOT of miles. If we choose to race or if
ST> we choose to accumulate high mileage we still have to accept the
ST> responsibility of selecting a capable horse, and training it for the job. I
ST> honestly don't think it's any harder on a fit trained horse to race a few
ST> rides at speed than it is to do a thousand slow miles. Either way if the
ST> horse is not conditioned for the job and given adequate rest and care it is
ST> going to develop problems. Do what you enjoy and be responsible for yourself
ST> and your horse.

ST> Limited Distance: I think this is tremendous addition to the sport. More
ST> people can be involved and enjoy the sport and the trails, the horses are
ST> ridden fewer miles. I don't consider LD second class in any way. It is
ST> easier on both horse and rider and yet still a respectable challenge. This
ST> is a good thing. I see it as a sport in itself, not simply as a stepping
ST> stone to longer distances. I think AERC should fully support and embrace LD.

ST> International: I've been lucky enough to have a truly outstanding horse -
ST> and because of this wonderful horse and the support of my family I've had
ST> the opportunity to ride overseas. A very special experience. And for me it
ST> was still about riding the trail - flying through Napoleon's forest in
ST> France, climbing dunes and skirting camel herds in Dubai, making every step
ST> and every moment count. These were races, yes, and somehow that made the
ST> thrill of riding on foreign trails even brighter. I would do it again, and I
ST> would support any individuals that set their sights on International
ST> competition. I don't think we (AERC) need to feel threatened or concerned
ST> over the International aspect of the sport. There is room for all, and for
ST> 99% of the rides and riders it makes no difference what FEI is doing. We
ST> love our horses, love our trails, and this will never change here in the
ST> USA.

ST> Licensed Vets: Currently AERC has neither rules, regulations nor
ST> recommendations regarding the requirement of ride vets to be licensed.
ST> Licensing is done by states, and each state has its own policies regarding
ST> 'foreign' vets. It is not a simple issue. As a ride manager, I will make
ST> sure that any vet I hire is also capable of treating a horse without
ST> breaking state codes. But, this is not an AERC rule. Should it be???
ST> Probably.... Will it be? Hard to say, but some sort of policy (if not a
ST> rule) is probably forthcoming. If there is an issue (e.g. a horse vetted by
ST> a non-licensed veterinarian dies or becomes ill) who is liable? AERC? The
ST> ride manager? The vet? There are enough aspects to this issue that I don't
ST> entirely understand that I wouldn't choose to push the issue forward as a
ST> Director, but would probably depend upon recommendations by the AERC
ST> veterinary committee as to the best solution.

ST> Rules & Bylaws: I don't think we need any more rules, we probably have too
ST> many as it is... but I do respect John Parke's recommendation that we update
ST> the AERC bylaws. He's a smart, rational, fair-minded guy, with a legal
ST> background and if he says we need to deal with it, I believe him.  I think
ST> it is reasonable to have Directors file a conflict of interest disclosure.
ST> We are all involved in many aspects of the sport and some of us make a
ST> living from the sport, and it makes sense to publically disclose this.

ST> I'm sure there are more issues - and I'd be happy to answer any questions
ST> you guys have.

ST> Steph Teeter
ST> NW Director



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-- 
 Roger                            mailto:roger@vmaxept.com