Ridecamp: Re: [RC] King of What???

> AERC Is still King and will be for a long time??? The sport of endurance RACING is what is heading to the olympics, and AERC has done everything it can to make it clear it doesn't want to join.  And that is fine, I think AERC should remain in place to serve the riders who want to continue to keep the pasttime of endurance riding small and more of a backyard fun weekend.  Make no mistake about it,  AERC has lost its position in the USA and the world for the top riders, it is just a matter of time before another "entity" emerges in the USA to take over as the controlling organization of the sport of endurance racing.

You know, nothing bugs me MORE than an outsider who is anonymous spouting off to those who are NOT anonymous, and then with such a condescending attitude. Top Riders?? The eprcentage of people who ARE "top riders" (begs the question just what constitutes a top rider since some of these that I have SEEN can barely stay on their horses with their heels safely down). AERC has never been worried about either its "position in the USA nor in the world. Fortunately for US, it has had the best interests of the horses and general population of its members at heart. 

I for one am so sick of hearing about the elite few, in every sport, in every area of competition. To the rank and file - who, by the way, make up the huge majority of supportive dollars in just about every competitive discipline, and receive the least in return - that it is as well to us if someoen else takes over the hassle of FEI.

Having hied from the show ring JIT, it was a relief to be free of an organization such as ASHA (now USE or some silly new title) who sucked our doallrs, made it expensive to compete at most any level, and rewarded so few riders. We have dropped our ASHA membership, several eayrs ago after dumping a lot of money into it. We see all of these groups - IAHA, AERC, ASHA, clubs, etc, sucking up dollars, and frankly the onyl one that is remotely rewarding (in enjoyment, safe competition and affordable fees) is AERC. 

You are correct, however, AERC - which the PEOPLE, not the name - don't want FEI or any other organization messing with a good thing. I do wonder though where the supportive dollars will come from for those "top riders" when this new entity signs on - but only has those top riders to fund it. Endurance is by nature and from its inception a "renegade sport" - peopled in large part by those who want to ride without being told which way to pee in the wind or how straight to park our trailers. That is just as it is. It certainly does not make those "top riders" any better or worse than those who don't like regulation, regardless of the promotion or personal exposure.  

I am reminded of two  such riders who have ridden in oru region whose riding ability can hardly be called ability but since they were able to acquire top notch mounts have done well. These riders I have in mind have not a thumbnail of teh ability and natural skill of my 14 year old daughter, and yet my daughters aspires only to bring  her (self trained) Polish snotty mare along to doing Tevis, some mulit days, and withal, as many BCs as she can. Doesn't sound like an internationally concerned rider - but one with a correct and admirable focus. So don't go shooting off one's mouth Mr. guest about the "top riders". Before bringing UP that topic, one might want to define exactly what determines a top rider. sheesh.
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