IntNewsGroup: January 2002 AERC I Column

["Lori & Rick Stewart" <rk-ld.stewart@usa.net>]

CLIMBING MT. OLYMPUS

By A. Priesz, Jr.

 

The 2004 Olympics in Greece will likely occur without endurance as one of the Equestrian Disciplines. Although the 2001 FEI General Assembly in San Francisco last spring agreed to formally study the "feasibility" of recommending endurance as a fourth discipline, no real progress has been made to actually doing so at the 2002 General Assembly scheduled for Morrocco. That is unfortunate, but it is not the end. It is the beginning, not an end.

However, here at home in the USA we are making progress toward that goal. We are continuing to contribute to the debates, and preparing for that goal on various levels.

This year, for the first time, the five U.S. Pan Am Zone Squads (67 AERC members) were partially funded by the USET in Vermont in 2001, and the USET has agreed to fully fund the team effort for 2003 for the PAC.

As well, again in 2002, the USET is fully funding our World Endurance Championship effort, well over $200,000.

Along with implementing and running an improved and more objective Selection Process and adding two Active Riders (from the USET Long List of internationally-experienced riders) to the USET Endurance National Selection Committee (made up of AERC members as the five Zone Selectors), the USET has also continued to encourage and undertake training and education to assist us in preparing for, and improving, our performances, internationally and at home.

This past November, the USET again sponsored three clinics for those purposes across the USA. As had been done in 2000, they were run in the East Zone, the Central Zone and shared by the Pacific North and South on the West Coast. (As well, a smaller clinic was sponsored in Vermont in August at the 2001 PAC.)

Over 65 AERC members participated in the three clinics at: the USET Team HQ in Gladstone, NJ, November 2-4, the High Kaliber Ranch in Pt. Blank, TX, November 16-18, and at Hale Arena in Cottonwood, CA, November 30- December 2.

Traditionally, in other disciplines the USET limits attendance at such clinics to prior and current U.S. Team members. However, the USET has recognized the grass roots nature of Endurance, AERC-style, and uses US and PAC US Zone team experience to prioritize opportunities, opening up the clinics to others who have declared an interest in FEI-sanctioned International Competition and demonstrated that interest by achieving the horse and rider experience necessary to nominate.

With 20+ AERC riders attending each clinic, the events were both busy and fun.

Robin Groves gave lessons at all three sites, in indoor arenas, applying dressage techniques as tools for exercise/conditioning for various terrains and training. She also taught "showing in hand", the all too overlooked skill that makes or breaks 100 mile competitors in 5-8 stretches of 250 feet each at vet checks, as well as long-lining.

Daniel Stewart taught classes on rider balance and body position while also working with Ms. Groves to provide video-tape critiques of riders for immediate feedback and helpful learning.

The combination of the two, Ms. Groves and Mr. Stewart, provided a remarkable and upbeat combination. Ms. Groves has a significant dressage, eventing, driving and competitive trail and endurance background and is an excellent horsewoman, while providing very practical tips. Mr. Stewart is also a Sports Psychologist, together with his equestrian experience within other disciplines. The riders’ responses to them both were terrific. The visible improvements in performance were overwhelming for all, including some riders and horses who had little or no "ring" experience (which under other circumstances might have been intimidating).

As well, Kentucky Equine Research furnished Kathleen Crandall and Steven Duren to provide nutritional advice, information and opportunities for feed and hay analysis to riders. They, also, were well received and after encouraging the riders to submit more information for analysis and study, KER will be happily busy for months.

Additionally, the USET brought in Linda Voigt, the National Selection Chair, to all three clinics to review and discuss the refined procedures, schedule of Selection Trials, and The Ten Commandments of Selection (a blue-print guide of selection considerations and issues) with the riders and a dozen or so auditors.

In Texas and California, Dr. R.A. Beecher, the Team Veterinarian, attended to work out the protocols for implementing the mandatory USET Veterinary Exams which will be part of the Selection Trials and Team process in 2002 for all nominees and squad members and alternates. Dr. Mike Foss met with Dr. Beecher in Texas to discuss the protocol for conducting exams, and Dr. Jeannie Waldron joined him in conducting example exams in California.

Shoeing and hoof management was discussed at all three clinics, with farrier Kirk Caudill giving a demonstration lecture in Texas. As well, Dr. Beecher conducted thermographic studies in Texas and California.

Rivalries, the good-natured kind, were also enthusiastically displayed. Several East Zone riders offered East Team shirts and chocolate to Linda Voigt (who does not vote as Selection Chair). She accepted. (They also called Pacific North riders to tell them their clinic would be canceled as unnecessary; it wasn’t.)

In Texas, several Central riders plied Ms. Voigt with cough drops, cold pills, and Kleenex after the East Zone "made her sick" (according to the Central riders).

In California, Ms. Voigt was "offered" Napa Valley wine (she accepted, reminding Tony Benedetti afterwords she did not vote), and the riders as a group speaker-phone called a certain offending East rider to advise her nomination was not "needed".

In short, we are coming together more and the more we come into the process bonded as a team. Maggie Price’s hard work in the past at the USET has paid off for all AERC members. Mary Lutz, the USET Director of Endurance, and an AERC member since being assigned to us, continues that work for all of AERC. That means those that are now interested in FEI International Competition, and those that "might" be, someday.

One last thing, the only cost to the AERC riders for attending, inclusive of meals, exams, lessons, video, et. al., was only the $45 for the medical insurance cost.

So, thank and bless the USET, for all they do and for listening to us before and as they do it. Look for opportunities to see even more of you at future clinics.