Virl O. Norton, Great American Horse Race winner and AERC Western
Director is riding a 7/8 Arab named Declaration, born on July 4th from the
Crossroads City to the White House. Mr. Norton is carrying letters from
school children, Effingham's Mayor, the Chamber of Commerce and thousand of
others. The purpose of the 900 mile ride is to invite President Carter to
the start of the race.....March, 1979......
"March 2, 1979:
Dear Dave and All AERC Members:
Thanks again Dave, for the action and all the help You're
letters which many have read, have really been helpful. We are progressing
fine on this end, lots of news, radio, TV, etc. AS many as nine interviews
in 24 hours. Yesterday, we rode to Governor James Rhodes, lovely
secretaries by the way, many pictures with the gals, also TV. We
have extended our arrival date to the White House till March 20th. Seems
TV Radio and Newspapers are really time consuming. Dave, I've been in
nearly daily contact with AERC Members and as director of the West Region, and
with these contacts with the many riders we meet as we travel, we seem to agree
that you are doing a hell of a job as our President. We want you to know
we appreciate the many hours you and your staff spend in trying to improve the
AERC. Our Quicksilver Club Officers will really help me and the Regional
Directors, as I travel to the White House and later to France. Then home
for the Tevis, then to St. Joseph for this Pony Express Classic. This will
be a very professionally run race. The right people are back of it.
Things are snowballing, lots of excitement. I sure look forward as No. 1
entry to the start August 12.
Dave I believe you are the first to know--the need to bring all
people interested in Endurance Riding closer together. I am concerned of
this and in my own way am trying on this trip to improve this situation.
Hello to all AERC and a special Hello to my friend Wendell.
