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[RC] AERC and FEI - Stagg_NewmanTruman, Excellent post! Let's talk more about this at Chattanooga. Personally I would like to find a way and believe it can be done for FEI and AERC rides to continue to coexist and be dual santioned. And some of the FEI aspects can help the AERC ride run more smoothly at the large rides. On the other hand, I have seen and objected to the FEI officials (in most case well meaning officials and in some cases unknowing) trying to impose FEI requirements inappropriately onto the AERC ride. Most importantly IMO we must preserve and improve the tradition of endurance that developed in the U.S. and Canada that is embodied in AERC for our membership. Should be lots of lively discussions in Chattanooga! Stagg From: Truman Prevatt <tprevatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [RC] Endurance riding/racing growing pains Interesting observation. Up until about 2000 (or was it 2001?) the FEI allowed US riders to use AERC miles for their qualifications. For the average AERC rider, the FEI was below the radar screen. Yes most knew about it but it didn't impact them in any way shape or form. The after the magic data, US riders had to qualify riding under FEI rules for championship ride, Pan Am, WEC, etc. This required FEI sanctioned rides. These rides were AERC rides that were co-sanctioned with the USAE and FEI, e.g. the Biltmore, Ft. Howes, etc. The FEI was no longer below the radar screen and there are some riders who feel that the FEI rules not only impact the riders that want (and need) the rides but every rider in the event to the determent of the the enjoyment of the event. There are a lot of small things, vet check layout and flow, crew area flow, parking and camping arrangement, etc. I won't comment on the merits of the complaints - except to point out that some people do not care for the intrusion of these FEI requirements on AERC rides. As measured by the membership of AERC Int. the number that actually care about international riding is arguably small. The number that actually need these rides is even smaller ( many AERC Int members don't pursue international riding - just support it). My last recollection the number of AERC Int members less than 400 whereas the AERC membership is about 6000. Given these small numbers and the impact some feel, the Fruth proposal does seem to hold some merit. However fiat, before this happens I would prefer to see the AERC establish a committee survey the membership that have ridden these rides and determine what the impact is and if it is significant, and if it is significant to work out procedures on how cosanctioned rides work in this country. After all it is first an AERC sanctioned ride and should riders with no interest in FEI should not be adversely impacted by the inclusion of FEI sanctioning? AERC Int ( of which I have been a member for about 10 years) primary focus is to support the involvement of US riders in international endurance and I feel that a) their plate is pretty full and b) there is an inherent conflict with their charter and this function. At the end of the day it may turn out that the culture of endurance riding in the US, being an amateur sport based on the Teddy Roosevelt tradition of seeing the land on the back of a horse, may not be compatible what seems to be the current rush by the FEI to distance racing ( minimal speed that preclude most of anything but flat tracks, etc. ) supported by UAE money. FEI style endurance may very well bifurcate far enough away from AERC style endurance that it shows little resemblence to endurance as practiced in this country and becomes a separate sport. But I for one would prefer to see that decision made based on study, understanding and and maybe a little compromise on both sides rather than it "just happening" by fiat. I'm going riding now Truman +---------------------------------------------------------+ This message may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the addressee or authorized to receive this for the addressee, you must not use, copy, disclose or take any action based on this message or any information herein. If you have received this message in error, please advise the sender immediately by reply e-mail and delete this message. Thank you for your cooperation. +---------------------------------------------------------+ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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