 |
Re: [RC] UAE Involvement in AERC Functions - heidiUmmmmm......I don't think being a good example is working. Aren't most of the people in the UAE, Muslims? Even if they aren't the more radical fundamentalist type, I doubt they would ever look at our "example". Last I heard, we predominately Christian, Americans rate among the low heathens as far as their culture is concerned. Plus, these rich Princes and Sheihks don't give a rat's hiney about our "example". Linda, "example" is a lot more than just silently doing our own thing. Perhaps it would be better phrased by saying that we have to play ball with them in order to change the rules. We can't do it by just picking up our toys and going home. Perhaps I should call it an "active example." Our "active example" has already greatly improved the conditions of the horses in the sport there--I still think they go through a lot of horses to get one good one to the races, but at least what they do at their races/rides has improved greatly. Additionally, a female member of the royal family has come to America to ride--it is my understanding that she has been training with Grace and Jan in the midwest. She did her first 100-miler here in Idaho in August. Having a woman ride would have been unheard of just a few years ago. While it is true that we need to provide incentives for improvement (as we did with the horse care), we can't do that unless we are involved. If we shun them, they simply go buy their own ballpark. If we want to make a difference, we have to stay in the same game, but make sure we enforce standards that we want to see enforced. Jerry was on the right track here--instead of picking up our marbles and going home, we should remain in the game and influence FEI to hold WECs in other countries who DO mind the rules. This is a huge task. One reason that the WEC has gone back to the UAE a second time in only 6 years is because they have offered to host it--and other countries have not come up with a viable alternative. We have not had a WEC here since 1996. Shame on us! If you want to be an active part of depriving the UAE of hosting WECs, get on the bandwagon, urge AERC to be less hostile toward FEI, and help an Organizing Committee to host another WEC here, for goodness sakes! We are one of the most active endurance nations on the globe--we hosted some of the early WECs, but have not had anyone come forward to do so in EIGHT YEARS! As Jerry suggested, we need to get together with other countries who would agree with us about this, and help THEM to host WECs as well. That means MORE involvement with FEI on our part, not less. Righteous indignation and rhetoric that suggests that we just quit playing the game simply leaves the field wide open for the UAE to host more and more rides--it does nothing whatsoever to exert pressure on them to make a change. I agree with the person who said the WEC should be moved to other countries until the UAE corrects their little slavery problem. That sort of shunning just might have an effect because we know how they like to host these events and show the world what a lavish affair they can sponsor. Linda, as I've stated previously, I agree with Jerry as well--but moving the WEC isn't shunning--it is staying in the game and playing ball with the UAE. And it is playing the game with them while insisting on some standards that gives them the incentive to make changes. What concerns me here is that the people who are posting about the slavery issue are the very same people who have stated that we should get out of FEI altogether. It is our very involvement with FEI and international riding that gives us a voice for change. When I see Howard and John and some of the other folks here get behind a bid from a USA Organizing Chairman to hold another WEC in our own country, I'll know that they are willing to back their rhetoric with constructive action. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|