You know there are a lot of options that could be
done within the framework of endurance riding that do not require AERC or FEI
sanctioning or approval. It just takes some creativity, time, and energy
to try different things.
The team idea is a great concept that has been
around for years. 20 MT has had a team competition within their AERC ride
for as long as I can remember.
There used to be a number of triathlons and
biathlons that used horses instead of the swimming event. I don't know why
one of these couldn't be held in conjunction with an AERC ride. RATs have
proven successful when held with AERC rides so there is really no reason why
another type of event couldn't be. If 10-15 mile fun rides can be
included within the frame work of an AERC ride, I don't know why a 10-15 mile
leg of a triathlon/biathlon could not be included.
I really like the French idea of qualifying young
horses and moving them up. I would never want AERC to have this kind of
system mandatory BUT I think it would be great if individuals or regional clubs
held "testing" events once or twice a year. They wouldn't have to be AERC
or FEI sanctioned.
When I first started endurance there was an
Endurance Horse Registry which was based on performance only. It wasn't
affiliated with AERC or any breed organization. It was a great concept and
had year end performance awards. All the talk about bloodlines, different
breeds for endurance, and testing young horses make an endurance horses registry
concept a very meaningful idea now.
I think that working creatively within the
framework of any large organization like AERC or FEI is a slow,
tedious process. This is mostly because of red tape and having to
work within a huge framework of committees etc. Look how long it is taking
just to get a 100 mile program to the table within our own organization.
This is not a criticism just an observation. I would like to see more
individuals come up with creative ideas that will work with AERC endurance but
not through AERC.
