CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
In the world of endurance riding, the United States has center stage in 1996
as hosts of the World Championships and as the home team. The convention was
buzzing with planning on all fronts.
An all day AERC International Committee meeting on Friday and reports from
our delegates to the ELDRIC Convention, our National Chef d'equipe, our
National Selector's Chairman, AHSA director of endurance Jennifer Wells, the
USET Active Riders Committee and the World Organizing Committee produced a
mountain of information to pass along to you. This month's column can only
hit the high points and will undoubtedly leave you with that "tell me more"
feeling. I apologize. Where possible a contact person for more information
will be given. Plus in the future, some issues will be expanded on in this
column.
AERC INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING
The committee continues to fine tune the AERC International by-laws in
response to the wishes of our membership and the AERC board of directors.
The by-laws will be titled International Procedures instead of the
International Charter. A mission statement was added to the procedures. These
and other minor revisions were submitted to the AERC board for ratification
at Sunday's AERC board meeting. The updated procedures will be mailed to
International members in approximately six weeks.
The AERC International Mission Statement: The International Committee of the
American Endurance Ride Conference shall promote excellence in the sport of
International Endurance Riding through education, participation, promotion,
facilitation and support of the United States effort.
The committee voted to donate $1000.00 to USET for the endurance team. In
recognition of the honor the United States receives for hosting the World
Championships in Endurance, the committee voted to donate $3000.00 to the WC-E
organizing committee.
Mountain Zone representative Naomi Tyler was appointed to coordinate AERC
International promotional items such as cloths, pins and decals.
If financially feasible the following benefits will be included in your
membership to AERC International in the near future: an international logo
sticker to put on your AERC membership card, a window international logo
decal, a directory of international members organized by zone, and a new
member packet that includes the AERC International Procedures, and a primer on
how all the facets of international are structured and how you can become an
active member .
The Stevenson Ranch of Bend, Oregon will be the site of the 1997 North
American Championships. Spectacular scenery abounds! The preview ride date
is September 7, 1996. Riders headed for the World Championships are welcome
to fly into Redmond, Oregon where a lease horse will be provided so you won't
miss out on this opportunity. For more information contact Heidi
Smith-Winger, DVM 1764 NE Wilcox, Terrebonne, OR 97760. Ph. (503) 548-1754.
The search for the best ride site for the 1999 North American Championships
is on. A good tried and true trail and a strong ride management team are a
must. Give us your suggestions by contacting Chuck Gray (reference inside
cover).
Howard Harris of Australia is the new member of the FEI subcommittee on
endurance replacing Jerry Gillespie, DVM. Thank you Dr. Gillespie for the
work you did on behalf of the United States endurance community and the sport
of endurance riding as a whole.
E.L.D.R.I.C. CONVENTION NEWS
Maggy Price and Val Kanavy acted as our delegates to the ELDRIC (European
Long Distance Riding Conference) convention in San Marino (republic bordering
Italy) this year. Did you know 57 countries enjoy the sport of endurance
riding and have national organizations? Currently places like Qatar, Jordan
and Japan are showing interest and have approached the FEI (the international
sanctioning body for all equestrian events). The FEI has been referring them
to ELDRIC. ELDRIC currently has 24 voting member countries and eight
affiliate members of which the United States is one. ELDRIC, in response to
growing interest in endurance riding is setting up a world wide endurance
organization to promote endurance around the world. The United States plans
to play an active part in the way this organization develops and is currently
helping to wrestle with two issues #1 The name for the new organization, #2
Ideas on an equitable voting structure. For more complete information please
direct your questions to Maggy Price who attended the ELDRIC convention as the
official representative for AERC, AHSA, and USET (reference inside cover).
LEASE HORSES NEEDED: Piroplasmosis is endemic in Europe but is not yet a
problem in the United States. The USDA wants to keep it that way. As a
consequence many European riders will have to lease horses from United
States endurance riders in order to compete in Kansas. If you did not
nominate for the USA team but have a good 100 mile horse, consider leasing
your horse to one of the European riders. As a nominee for the Worlds if you
have to withdraw your nomination, you can lease your horse to a foreign rider
anytime before the cut to twelve is made on August 12th. Leasing has proven
in years past to be a great way of developing international friendships and
connections that lead to opportunities to ride in other countries. If leasing
is a possibility for you, it is best to get on it sooner instead of later as a
lease horse must also be FEI passported and fees to AHSA/FEI must be paid
(the foreign rider typically pays these costs). Maggy Price will be chairing
the Lease Horse Committee for the World Organizing Committee. Please contact
Maggy for complete details (reference inside cover under Directors at Large).
A.H.S.A. REPORT
Riders eligible to ride for another country, please contact that countries
national federation A.S.A.P. Since some countries will be leasing horses this
year, they may be more open to your riding for their team. For contact
assistance please talk to Jennifer Wills, AHSA Director of International
Disciplines and Endurance .
REMINDER! FEI Passports are good for 4 years after which they must be
revalidated.
USET ACTIVE RIDERS COMMITTEE REPORT
The committee meeting focused on three main themes. First riders are
encouraged to let Assistant Team Veterinarian, Nancy Elliot DVM, know what
types of adjunctive therapies they want in Kansas and who they might like to
fill these jobs. Nancy will also have references for riders wishing to
incorporate different support modalities into their program in the months
preceding the Worlds. Contact information for Nancy is under the AERC
International Committee listing.
Input is encouraged from riders with regards to Grace Ramsey's position as
Rider Liaison. Since this is a new official position its duties are still
open ended. Some of her duties include settling nerves, helping to focus
riders in the midst of much chaos, helping to arrange preride schedules, and
helping to arrange support therapy for horses. Grace will be working with the
squad in advance of the ride to help develop team spirit and team strategies.
Grace was a master at this at the North American Championships this year!
Also , a squad member's choice of Groom was emphasized as a choice to be
given very careful consideration. Stable access limitations for security
reasons and the demands placed on the rider's time at the event make this
decision critical.
Nominees, please feel free to contact Judith Ogus, Chairman of the Active
Riders Committee at (408) 997-0814 or Nancy Elliot DVM (reference inside
cover) regarding these or any other rider issues.
NATIONAL SELECTOR'S CHAIRMAN UPDATE
Tony Bennedetti
As of March 8, 1996, 42 nominations had been forwarded to Tony from USET. A
total of 50 to 60 nominations are expected. They have been fairly evenly
spread across the country. The selection committee will review all submitted
applications and will issue a "Long List" on April 1st of 36 riders. These
riders will be reviewed during the time period of April 1st to July 22nd,
during which time they must complete one 100 mile demonstration ride at weight
(rider with tack weight to be a minimum of 165 lbs).
The selectors for the 1996 United States Endurance Team are the current zone
selection committee chairpersons. They are as follows: Hal Hall, Pacific
North; Louise Reidel, Central; Nancy Elliot, DVM, Pacific South; Linda Voight,
Mountain; and Doug Lietzke, East.
The "Short List" will be published on August 12th, which will be the top
twelve names and also the list of alternates who will step up to fill spaces
on the Short List as needed.
All questions regarding selection procedures and issues can be answered by
Tony Bennedetti (reference inside cover under AERC International Committee for
contact information).
NATIONAL CHEF D'EQUIPE UPDATE
Mike has put together a great management team to help the United States
riders bring home the Gold and finish all twelve squad members. They are
Chuck Gray, Assistant Chef d'equipe; Mitch Benson, DVM, Team Veterinarian;
Nancy Elliot, DVM, Assistant Team Veterinarian; Grace Ramsey, Rider Liaison
(a.k.a. Mother Hen); Pete Fields, Support Volunteers and Road Crews; Rick and
Lori Stewart, Base Camp Services and Communications; and last but not least
Naomi Tyler, Administrative Assistant to Mike Tomlinson.
Team Support Volunteers are critical to the success of the United States
effort. If you can help please contact Pete Fields Rt. 1 Box 285, Charlotte
Hall , MD 20622.1-301-932-6707.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE UPDATE
Living up to the honor of hosting the World Championship in Endurance is not
just the responsibility of the folks in Kansas that worked hard to be chosen
over other possible countries, it is ours. They got us the home court
advantage. Now it is up to all of us in the United States Endurance riding
community to help make the Worlds a smashing success.
Volunteer yourself as a helper for the organizing committee for any job they
need done. Over 450 volunteers will be needed for the festivities that will
begin on September 14 and last through September 22nd. The theme is
remenisant of the Rondeveous of days gone by and will include the American
Horse Festival, Western Art Show, and a Large Trade Show. In addition FEI
certification courses will be taught. The organizing committee is made up of
some of the finest people you will ever have the pleasure to work with. For
more information on how you can help either by lending a hand or donating
money please call 1-800-892-9692.
E-mail from: R. K. and L. D. Stewart, 16-Mar-1996