A group interested in sharing knowledge and furthering that
knowledge have formed a non-profit called APEX
- A Partnerhsip in Endurance eXcellence.
The
mission: Partnering in training and academic advancement to achieve the
highest performance levels in endurance horses, riders, and teams.
Anybody is welcome to join.
What was this modelled on? Do similar private ventures already exist to
"promote excellence" in other major equestrian sports such as 3-day or
dressage?
In some ways it seems like what people would do who have become somewhat
frustrated with existing mechanisms (like AERC, or SERA, or ECTRA). Rather
than trying to drag along the deadweight of tradition and concensus and
rule-governed process, it is easier to just create one's own
organization of like-minded people and simply proceed to do things the way you
think they should be done. Note: this isn't a criticism; it is actually a very
common pattern. Many's the time I've thought people interested in equestrian
trail politics should simply ditch the American Horse Council and all the
saddle clubs who only want to give each other belt buckles and form a targeted
group where all the effort doesn't get absorbed just trying to convince the
group that the mission is important!
It is somewhat like what I was driving at when I asked whether there were
any "professional endurance trainers," but much more diffuse. You don't
have the attention of a private trainer, but you do purchase "access" to
people who will, presumably, give you sober, reasoned,
experienced advice. I wonder if they'll get into horse dealing in
any way (slippery slope, that).
I will likely attend a future event under the auditor
program.
