Laurie, the horse welfare issue was the result of the membership coming
together. The BoD suppressed all information on horse deaths and did no
studies as to why it was happening, and had no programs in place to prevent
it. I simply made the membership “aware” of the
problem. They did the rest.
At a “grassroots” level, there is one thing the membership
could do that would REALLY get some attention and is pretty painless.
Without FEI sanctioned AERC rides, for all practical purposes, there would be
no AERC International. By attending FEI sanctioned AERC rides, you are
supporting AERC involvement in International “Racing” and giving
tacit approval to what goes on at these events. So if you’re
attending FEI sanctioned rides, it’s somewhat hypocritical to complain
about what goes on at International Endurance rides. For that reason, and
because all that “pomp and circumstance” interferes with my
enjoyment of the ride, I vote with my feet and don’t go. My principles
are more important than any one ride. I simply will not participate in
any event that supports an organization that has such little regard for the
welfare of the horse and such abominable moral values.
If enough of the membership would acquire an entry form for an FEI
sanctioned ride in their region and write across it:
I was looking forward to attending
your ride. However, because it is FEI sanctioned and I strongly oppose
the overriding of young horses and blatant drug abuse in this organization, I
am instead sending a contribution of $$$ (whatever the ride fee is) to
“xxxxx” (your favorite horse charity)
Round up a few of your ride buddies to join you in the boycott and go
on a nice trail ride, or go work on clearing your favorite trails instead. You
can write off the donation, give your horse a break and a bath, save some gas,
and you have made a statement that won’t be misunderstood. I can
GUARTANTEE that if a ride manager got about 10 or 15 of those, BoD phones would
be ringing on Monday morning. J
I believe if the membership does not make
its collective feeling known that nothing will change. My high school
debate teacher often said “what is not said is not heard”. I
used to think it was some sort of rhetoric or cheerleading tactic, but turns
out she was a wise woman. Kim Fuess and Ed Hauser have it right: we all
need to write to the BOD and express our displeasure at this sorry, but
inevitable, turn of events. IMO this one ride/race spotlights exactly
what happens when money and power are allowed into a ride. If enough of
us tell them we’d like to see FEI cut loose, it might make a difference.
We can ask for a vote, but I wonder how
many AERC members actually pay attention to this sort of thing. I have
friends who cannot understand why I take an interest in the
“politics” of endurance or why I subscribe to RC, since it does tend
to overload one’s in-box. Some “don’t have time”
to vote. Or whatever. But we do know that the squeaky wheel gets
greased. I think it’s time for some mighty squeaking. And, it
seems to me that one person can make a difference. Just ask Mr. Holland.
:o)
