Having been
engaged in the first FEI ride, held in Davenport CA in 1986 and several others
along the way, the latest Steph's Arabian Nights, I have found the degree of
"stuffiness" or "compounded difficulties" depends on the attitude of the
management.and officials. Some of the rides were "FUN", Davenport and Oreana,
Some were exact,and disciplined but very fair, Stockholm WEG. Some were a pain
and ugly.
As with most
anything horse related IT ALL DEPENDS! The attitude and knowledge of the
management and officials makes the ride. One thing that could be an influence is
the requirement in FEI venues of particular treatment for particular officials
whereas all AERC officials(?) are volunteers and do not expect special
treatment. i.e. the AERC officials, and the only one I know of is the Steward
when required, are just riders like you and me. The FEI officials are appointed,
mandated and have endowed status and often act OFFICIAL.
Any one care
to comment?
Bob
Bob Morris Morris Endurance Enterprises Boise, ID
-----Original Message----- From: Barbara McCrary
[mailto:bigcreekranch@xxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005
9:52 AM To: AERCMembersForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx;
ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [AERCMembersForum] Re: 100 mile
rides
Frank, unless things have changed since we
last dual-sanctioned a ride, AERC did not have a steward...only FEI. I
think the various more stringent rules, along with someone to make sure they
aren't broken (stewards) was/is part of the reason some of the AERC membership
did/does not like the influence of FEI in this country. I know that
several years ago when I was on the board, there was a lot of balking about
becoming involved with FEI rules in AERC rides. Quite likely the
opposition has changed a great deal since then. I can understand why
some riders still don't like the FEI influence. I had hoped that the two
entities could be kept completely separate, but it appears that hasn't been
the case. Having stewards and stringent rules certainly levels the
playing field and attempts to keep things fair, but some riders would still
prefer the older, more relaxed way of conducting rides. In short, some
riders aren't so competitive that they fuss if someone appears to take
advantage of the laxity of rules. I would be interested in others'
thoughts on this.
Okay, I've ridden Fort Howes when it was a dual sanctioned (AERC/FEI)
ride. It was still a hundred miles of sheer pleasure and
delight. The vet checks were a bit different, but, being an endurance
rider, adaptation ain't so hard.
What I'd really like to know is, does the AERC have a Steward at the
dual-sanctioned rides? If so, great. If not, WHY NOT?
An AERC Steward SHOULD be there to represent the AERC, cause the FEI is
CERTAINLY represented. The AERC Steward should avail themselves to
AERC members with concerns, questions, bitches or just the need to
vent.
Perhaps that would help.
As for me, I liked the FEI folks I talked to and who
helped me (I rode as an AERC rider only). When I finished the 100 at
two in the morning, the FEI Steward (Robin) was waiting for me at the finish
and was very pleasant to me and my horse.
