TO: All International & AERC Members
From: Chuck Gray and the International committee
I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all the
AERC members who have supported the International effort during
this past year. From the North American through the pre-ride held
at next year's site for the Worlds, you all have been very
supportive.
I especially would like to say THANK YOU to Lori Stewart for all
her time spent researching those articles for Endurance news. Her
efforts have helped to bring more information to all our members.
This year we have had the largest response ever from members who
want to become involved with the International Committee. While
the positions are limited on the committee, we hope that if your
bid was not successful that you will turn your talents and time
towards our effort at the Worlds in September.
Finally I would like to thank the AERC Board of Directors and our
President, Vonita Bowers for the support they showed us during
our request to approve the International Charter. Their support
then, now and in the future is imperative if we are to succeed
in our goal to make International riding available to all who
chose to participate.
On behalf of the International Committee and myself I would like
to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and
Successful New Year.
See you at the convention March 1-2, Reno, Nevada!
DECEMBER AERC INTERNATIONAL NEWS
submitted by:
Lori Stewart
NATIONAL NEWS
The elections for zone representatives took place by mail ballot
in mid-November. The results of the elections will be published
in the January International column.
The change of command for the 1996 United States Endurance Team
is official. But, before introducing our new National Chef
d'Equipe and National Selector's Chairman, on behalf of all
International riding enthusiasts I would like to say THANK YOU to
Debbie Lyon and Pete Fields. They very diligently and
enthusiastically served in these positions for the 1994 World
Endurance Championships in Holland and did a terrific job!!
The National Chef d'Equipe and the National Selector's chairmen
for the 1996 World Endurance Championships were appointed by the
AERC International Committee from a field of nominees that
submitted resumes and were then interviewed by the committee
members at the North American Championships.
Tony Benedetti will serve as the National Selector's Chairman.
Tony is from Santa Rosa, California where he is currently an
Asst. Vice President for Pacific Coast Farm Credit and
specializes in lending to the vineyards and wineries in the Napa
Valley. Tony began competitive riding in NATRC and rode
his first endurance ride in 1975. Tony currently competes on the
west coast. He has been a member of the AERC International
Committee since 1991. Tony was involved in writing the selection
process which will be used for the selection of the USA Squad
that will compete in the 1996 World Championship in Kansas.
Tony has substantial international experience which will prove to
be valuable in this position. He was a crew member and support
person at the 1991 NAC in Carson City and the 1994 World
Championship in Holland. He was also selected to the 1993
Pacific North Squad which competed in Calgary Canada, and was the
Chef d'Equipe for the gold medal winning Pacific North Squad at
the 1995 NAC in Flagstaff.
Mike Tomlinson DVM will serve as our National Chef d'Equipe.
Mike has been involved in endurance riding since 1976 both as a
rider and a control vet. He is currently an AERC Director at
Large. He and his wife Debbie also enjoy dressage, Mike at
training 2nd level dressage and Debbie at the 4th level.
Mike brings with him a wealth of experience in FEI International
Endurance competition. He has been a member of the veterinary
commission for several FEI Continental Endurance Championships
and served as the United States Team veterinarian for endurance
in 1990 (Stockholm) and 1992 (Barcelona). In 1994 (Holland) he
served as an assistant veterinarian.
The U.S.E.T. Endurance Team will have a significant competitive
edge at the Worlds under the guidance of Mike Tomlinson.
Look for updates monthly from Tony and Mike in the International
column.
USET NEWS
Even though in our original negotiations with USET, we did not
ask for their help when the Worlds are domestic, they very much
want to help and will be a big asset to us in 1996.
They are working to come up with some funding for our team.
However, USET's support is much more than monetary. USET
provides equipment, organizational assistance, legal support, and
probably most importantly, clout when asking for assistance from
businesses or other organizations.
If you have not joined USET, please do so now. They are very
much a part of our team so become a part of theirs. Strong
membership numbers are a powerful fund raising tool. Your
membership in USET helps them to help us. A regular membership
is $25- with checks payable to the United States Equestrian Team,
Pottersville Rd., Gladstone NJ 07934.
Nominations for the USET Discipline Committee closed December 1
with the vote by AERC International Committee members scheduled
in mid-December. The 1996 USET Discipline Committee members will
be announced in the February International column.
SELECTION UPDATE
Tony Benedetti
Nomination forms are available NOW. Contact Kathy Roberts,
U.S.E.T., P.O. Box 355, Gladstone, NJ 07934. Phone:908-234-1251.
Nominations can be submitted between Jan. 1, 1996 and March 5,
1996.
The horse, rider, and horse/rider combination must meet and have
completed the following minimum criteria by March 5, 1996 (the
close of nominations) in order to have an application accepted
(Note: There are some modifications to the minimum criteria
published in the October Endurance News.):
HORSE:
1. Must be at least 8 years (96 months) of age on or before
September 19, 1996.
2. Must be registered in the AERC Mileage Program and have
an AERC number.
3. Must have completed a minimum of 750 verifiable lifetime
miles in endurance competitions at distances of 50 or more
miles under FEI or AERC rules.
4. Must have completed at least two 100 mile in one day rides
under FEI or AERC rules.
RIDER:
1. U.S. citizen or compliance with FEI Article 123.5 at time of
selection.
2. Must be current member of AERC and have an AERC number.
3. Must be a current member of AERC International.
4. Must be a current member of the USET.
5. Must be a current member in good standing of AHSA.
6. Born during or before 1978. Juniors born during or before
1982 may nominate provided they receive permission in advance of
nomination by the American Horse Shows Association.
7. Must have completed a minimum of 750 verifiable lifetime
miles in endurance competitions at distances of 50 or more
miles under FEI or AERC rules.
8. Must have completed at least two 100 mile in one day rides
under FEI or AERC rules.
HORSE AND RIDER COMBINATION:
1. Must have completed a minimum of 200 verifiable lifetime
miles in endurance competitions of 50 or more miles under FEI or
AERC rules.
2. Must have completed at least one 100 mile in one day ride
under FEI or AERC rules.
ON THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Jerry Gillespie DVM
The preliminary ride for the 1996 World Championship (96 WC-E)
for Equestrian Endurance was really two events, the Road to the
Championship Ride (RTCR), and the Black Tie and Blue Jeans Ball
(BTBJB), a fund raiser which the riders attended as guests of the
Organizing Committee (OC). Both were extraordinary successes.
Overwhelmingly, riders have reported how much they enjoyed the
trail, the hosts, the accommodations, and the Ball. The OC has
benefited from many of their thoughtful suggestions for the trail
and suggestions for changes in some services. It is clear
that many want, as we do, the 96 WC-E to be the best Championship
ever, anywhere.
The OC hasn't taken a break since it started its work in 1992,
and immediately after the BTBJB begin to work to improve all
aspects of the site for the World Championship. We will be
strengthen every aspect of the trail and it supervision to be
certain the areas of weakness are gone for 1996.
Fifty-two started the 100-mile ride and 27 finished (52%).
Twenty-two started the 50-mile ride and 16 finished (73%). Nina
Warren (Tennessee) riding Desert Ballad won the 100-mile
competition. Chrisie Unser (Virginia) riding Nugget was second
and won Best Condition. Peggy Penland-Moore (Germany) riding Win
Wisdom won the 50-mile ride. Kathy Crothers (Arizona) riding
Rebels Traveler was second. Cisco ridden by Emmit Ross
(California/Colorado) won Best Condition for those competing in
the 50 mile ride.
<Miki, If Jerry gets the ride results to you by the 7th, please
add the following sentence: Complete ride results are posted in
this issue of Endurance News. If he does not get them to you in
time please add the following sentence: Complete ride results
will be published in the January issue of Endurance News.>
Chef d'Equipe's Update
Mike Tomlinson DVM
The trail that will be the next World Championship course is
deceptively challenging. Kansas may look flat from the air or
when flying low on the interstate highway, but from the back of a
horse, the flint hills are anything but flat.
The pre-ride this year brought out many problems that will now be
corrected. The facilities for the event, housing, food, horse
accommodations, etc. are the best ever. The people of Kansas are
some of the hardest working, genuinely good people I have ever
met. This is shaping up to be the best World Championship yet!
NEWS FROM EUROPE
Pierre Bulte, France
Thanks to Pierre Bulte's participation on the Internet Endurance
Forum, we get to scope out our competition in Europe from time to
time. As we are well aware, Europe has arrived on the endurance
scene and cannot be under estimated, regardless of whose turf
they're on.
The FEI European Championship in Morlaix Britanny (France)
September 2, 1995 was a superb battle between the very strong
French and British teams. At VC 3 all four English riders were
ahead of the French by 25 minutes. By VC 4 all four of the
French riders were ahead. The British prevailed and won the team
Gold, followed by France for the Silver and Germany with the
Bronze. Seventy riders representing 19 countries started the 103
mile ride. Russia fielded a full team and traveled 6000 km to
the event. Benedicte Atger of France riding Sunday d'Aurabelle
won the Gold. Michel Denayer of France riding Ami took Silver
and Patricia Fawler of Great Britain riding Sheraton went home
with the Bronze. The average speed of the first place horse was
17.07 km/hr (>10mph) and the 15th place horse averaged >15 km/hr.
A LOOK TO THE FUTURE
It's winter, it's cold, and you and your horse don't quite meet
the criteria for the 1996 United States Endurance Team. When the
going gets tough, the tough DREAM BIG. How about shooting for
the USA Team to compete in Dublin,Ireland at the World Equestrian
Games, August 1 - 17 ,1998. Set your sights, do your planning,
then prepare, prepare, prepare. Your first opportunity to
prepare is to put your heart and soul into the 1996 USET
Endurance Team as a volunteer. Help bring home the team Gold in
'96. A guaranteed Rush! Then target yours and your horse's
competitive schedule so you qualify to be a strong member of your
zone's team at the 1997 North American Championship in Bend
Oregon. A huge Rush! You're well on your way. Keep that athlete
of yours strong, healthy, happy and competitive. Demonstrate to
the United States Endurance community that you and your horse
would be a valuable asset to our team in Dublin, Ireland. With
hard work and the usual measure of luck, DREAMS often come true.
Takes the chill out of the air, just thinking about it!