The 1995 North American Championship provided all who were
involved a great challenge and a lot of fun. Everyone met their
challenges admirably through hard work, sportsmanship and TEAM
WORK. No group worked harder as a team or demonstrated a "can do"
positive attitude better than the Flagstaff Riding Club and their
terrific group of volunteers. Thank you!
The complete ride results for the FEI North American are posted
in this issue of AERC News. Chronicle of the Horse journalist
Tricia Booker gives an exiting account of the event that is
reprinted in our "Ride Round Up" section this month. In the
November issue of A.H.S.A.'s Horse Show Magazine, a whole section
is devoted to endurance riding featuring both the Race of
Champions and the FEI North American Championships.
Now it's onward and upward! The 1996 FEI World Championship in
Endurance will be upon us in a blink of an eye. The
International News column will reflect the change in focus. Each
month there will be information for you from the U.S.E.T.; from
Mike Tomlinson DVM, National Chef d'equipe; from Tony Benedetti,
Selector's Chairman; from Chuck Gray, AERC International
Chairman; from the World Championship Organizing Committee; and
occasional news about our competition abroad. If you have any
questions regarding information that appears in the column or
ideas that should be covered, please contact me at 886 Pt
Phillips Rd, Bath, Pa 18014 or Ph.(610)837-2874 or e-mail,
76147.1145@compuserve.com.
Thank yous are in order to all the zone spokes persons who took
time out from their often hectic lives to report the news from
your zones to you. Everyone was great to work with and very
helpful.
ZONE NEWS
This will be the last issue that features zone news until we
begin to gear up for the 1997 North American Championships in
Bend, Oregon (pending approval by the F.E.I. Executive
Committee).
CENTRAL
Grace Ramsey
EAST
Debbie LaBerge
USA East was lead by Chef d'equipe Heather Hoyns and Team Vet Don
Kiefer. A support crew of at least 40 people traveled to
Flagstaff to assist the riders in the pre-ride preparations and
ceremonies as well as during the event itself. USA East started
five of its six horses and finished all five. Unfortunately,
squad member Pat Oliva and Rushcreek Reid were unable to start.
USA East looked sharp in uniforms sponsored by Patagonia, Ariat,
Sterling Health, and Maggy Price. MPI Outdoors supplied mylar
rescue blankets which were called into use during the rain/hail
storm. In the USA East camp, everyone worked together
beautifully to set up for a great ride.
USA East riders, Val Kanavy (Team) and Steve Rojek (Team) rode
together for 3rd and 4th place finishes. Lois MacAfee (Team) and
Jim Rogan (Individual) also rode together for 16th and 17th place
finishes. Diane Bicker (Team) completed for a 38th place finish.
The horses all looked great!
Congratulations to our USA East Bronze Medal Team and Valerie
Kanavy, Bronze Medal Individual. Thanks to all the volunteers
and team sponsors who supported the squad in 1995.
MOUNTAIN
Naomi Tyler
The Mountain Zone was proud to finish all four of its Team
Members: Pat Murray, Clydea Hastie, Holly Ulyate, and Cathy
Leaver. Additionally, we had four individuals finish: Carrie
Miracle, Don Jacobs, Jerry Barfield and Cheryl Winter.
Congratulation to all eight of these Mountain Zone riders.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our Team
Veterinarians, Dr Tony Oddo and Dr. Liz Scott; our TTeam
Practitioner, Joyce Anderson; and our Assistant Chef d'equipe and
Fund raising Chairman, Mary Ann Severin. These individuals gave
generously of their time and all helped make our Team effort a
success! The Mountain Zone also thanks Howard Shenk and his
organizing committee for hosting the North American Championship.
The Mountain zone will have several nominees for next year's
World Championship. Any Mountain zone residents interested in
crewing next year at this exciting event, please call Naomi
Tyler, (208) 939-8087
PACIFIC NORTH
Terry Benedetti
It just doesn't get much better than this. Competing in only its
second North American Championship, the Pacific North squad came
out of nowhere and made everyone take notice. Earlier this
Spring, phones were ringing and the words "international", "North
American Championship" and "Flagstaff" could be heard throughout
northern California, Oregon, and Washington. The nominations
rolled in and a team began to take form that had very little
international experience. The Chef d'equipe began to educate,
inform and organize all of the nominees and support people with
two goals in mind: have fun and be competitive while having fun.
These goals were achieved beyond anyone's expectations.
On September 16th in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Pacific North Team
consisting of Marcia Smith, Chris Knoch, Ona Lawrence and Jim
Brown won the TEAM GOLD medal. Marcia and Chris led the race for
most of the day and just to make things exciting, they decided to
treat the spectators to a horse race for the finish. Marcia out
sprinted Chris and took the individual GOLD medal, Chris settled
for the individual SILVER medal. They were followed closely by
Ona Lawrence finishing 10th, with Susie Morrill and Jim Brown
close behind. All five Pacific North horses that started the
race crossed the finish line. On a High (aka. Elvis) ridden by
Marcia, trotted away with the prestigious Best Condition award.
The Pacific North squad was assisted by more than 40 support
people prior to the race and on race day. They were seen and
definitely heard as they cheered wildly at Best Condition judging
and Closing Ceremonies.
All the team work, positive attitudes and a little good luck paid
off for the new kids on the block. The North American
Championship was a special event for the Pacific North Endurance
Team and 1995 is a year we won't forget.
PACIFIC SOUTH
Nancy Elliot DVM
Everyone involved would like to thank those who put so much
effort into the squad: Teresa, Jamie, Sandy, Kathy, Becky and all
those folks who gave us your support- You were all terrific!
Gratitude also to our alternates who came out and were fully part
of the Team in every way.
Once again, an alternate was asked to step in at the last moment
after Lyn Abrams withdrew his horse Eli to prevent aggravation of
an injury. Alternate Debbie Lyon and Isa stepped in and went on
to complete another NAC ride. Congratulations also to Shirley
Delsart for Dusty's Top Ten finish. This pair is now looking
ahead towards the Kansas ride.
While the rest of the ride did not go as expected, there are no
regrets or "we should of/could ofs". Such is possible in high
level athletics of any discipline, and all members will be back
out doing their usual outstanding efforts in the near future.
The team spirit and camaraderie that developed through the
process and especially during the week in Flagstaff will last far
into future competitions. The high level of sportsmanship and
respect shown by all the teams bode well for the next FEI
competition when we are all one team.
U.S.E.T ENDURANCE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE
Chuck Gray
Call for nominations! Persons interested in serving on the USET
Endurance Discipline Committee, please send your nomination to
Chuck Gray (Reference inside cover). Include a brief bio
describing your international experience. Deadline: Postmark,
December 1, 1995. Committee members serve a one year term from
Jan. 1, 1996 to Dec.31, 1996.
This committee represents the interests of the Endurance
discipline within the multi-discipline organization that is the
United States Equestrian Team. The Endurance Discipline
Committee provides input on issues of budget and selection. They
approve the National Chef d'equipe and National Selector's
Chairman and the national selectors as submitted for approval by
the AERC International Committee. Basically, if a U.S.E.T. issue
concerns its Endurance discipline, these people get involved on
our behalf.
The committee consists of nine people. AERC International
determined that the positions would be filled on an annual basis
this way: the USET Vice President of Endurance (as committee
chairman), the chairman of the USET Active Riders Committee, the
chairman of the AERC International committee, the U.S.
representative on the FEI Subcommittee for Endurance,
and.....Five people recommended by the AERC International
committee. The call for nominations is to fill these five
positions. As you can see, nominees should have FEI experience
and understand the rules and regulations that govern
international riding in order to best represent our interests.
The nominations are sent to all the International committee
members who then vote for five on the list. The five with the
most votes will be recommended to USET to fill the positions.
The vote will take place on or about December 15.
NATIONAL SELECTOR'S CHAIRMAN
Tony Benedetti
To nominate to ride for the United States at the 1996 FEI World
Endurance Championship, please contact Kathy Roberts, United
States Equestrian Team, P.O. Box 355, Gladstone, New Jersey
07934-9955. Nomination forms should be available after November
15th. Useful information about membership requirements, basic
age and performance qualifications, etc. will be included with
the nomination.
Nominations will open January 1, 1996 and close March 5, 1996.
Nominations must be postmarked no later than March 5, 1996 (Two
days after the AERC Convention). Basic age and performance
requirements must be met by the nomination deadline.
If you have any questions regarding the selection process for the
1996 United States Endurance Team, please contact Tony Benedetti,
Ph.(707)538-8865.
Reminder: the handbook, An Introduction To International
Endurance Riding, is available by sending your request and $5.00