SELECTION NEWS
All long listed riders have begun their ride season (Doesn't it feel great to
be out on the trails again!?) and are being observed at all the rides that
they attend. Either one of the five national selectors acts as an observer or
a representative of the selector observes. Nominees are putting substantial
effort into this process and it is important that their ride record be
represented to the entire selection committee as objectively and accurately as
possible. No hearsay information is considered, only what is observed by the
selectors or their representatives and put in writing. The five selectors
can't be at every ride that all 36 Long Listed riders attend which creates the
role of the selector's representative. When a selector's representative is
used, he is fully briefed on the observation process and how to complete the
Evaluation Form. They represent the process as carefully as the selectors do.
At a ride the selector or his representative introduces himself to the
nominee. Selectors are observers not "spies". Their goal is to be "rider
friendly". Before the ride the observer asks the nominee about their
performance goals for that ride. Is the nominee planning on riding fast to
test his horse's fitness or is the nominee going to ride moderately and use
the ride for training purposes? Nominees are free to deviate from their
stated plans during the ride. After the ride the observer asks the nominee
for their opinion of their performance. Did the horse get tired or is the
horse much fitter than the nominee thought?
In their opinion, was this a slow paced ride or did they ride hard?
The nominee's assessments (self evaluation), the veterinarian's evaluation ,
the selector's evaluation and a description of the ride and trail conditions
are all sent into USET for distribution to the five national selectors.
The selectors must study all the information on all thirty six nominees and
confer with each other (via a marathon conference call) at the end of the
evaluation period before naming the World Championship squad of 12 horse and
rider combinations and a list of 12 alternates. The deadline for the
selection of the Entry List is August 12, 1996.
To help all the nominees (potential team members) to get to know each other
better, Mike Tomlinson, Chef d'equipe has sent to the nominees biographies on
their fellow nominees and is encouraging them to camp and ride together at the
rides if possible.
In the May announcement of the Long Listed riders, the list was numbered.
No ranking was intended by the numbering. . In addition, not all the
alternates will be in Kansas as was inadvertently inferred in the column.
TEAM MANAGEMENT UPDATE
Over the weekend of May 4th and 5th, Mike Tomlinson, Pete Fields, Chuck Gray
and Joe Seldon (barn manager) met in Junction City, Kansas to research the
base camp, trail, off site camping , hotels, and support services (feed
stores, laundromats, hardware stores, etc.) . During an informative meeting
with Jerry Gillespie DVM, Chairman of the organizing committee, they learned
about changes to the trail, trail marking methods, and trail monitoring that
will improve the event's safety. Information from the trip is already being
distributed to the USA management team for analysis and planning. A wealth
of useful information from the trip will be provided to nominees and support
personnel (via direct mailings) to assist them with their own planning.
A block of rooms have been reserved in the USA Team's name at the Days Inn,
Junction City. Phone: (913) 762-2727. Reservations must be made and held by
the end of August or they will be released to the general public.
We advice that you might want to make your reservations now before they are
full.
There has been a recommendation forwarded to USET for the location of the
Team's off-site camp. It is about seven acres of flat pasture. It is
somewhat wind protected being in a river valley with trees on one side. Only
two water hoses are available, but their is a creek that may be running in
September on the edge of the pasture. Campers will be responsible for all
other utilities (i.e.. Dry Camp). Anyone wishing to camp at this site needs
to contact Chuck Gray. Only those pre-registered with Chuck will be allowed
on the property.
When the horses are moved to headquarters, they will be housed in 10 x 10
stalls (the very same ones used in Flagstaff) in a secured area. There will
be only one turn out area for everyone on all the teams. Free turn out will
be severely limited. This situation is just one more reminder that the grooms
will have to be grooms. They will be spending all of their time with the
horse, not the rider. Taking the horse out for walking/grazing could take up
a lot of time. Every world championship to date has had base camp
stabling/turn out very similar to what will be provided in Kansas. Nominees
please make the effort to talk to former USA team riders about strategies they
used to acclimate their horses and then to manage their horses once they were
stabled at ride head quarters.
Learning what doesn't work is every bit as useful as what does work. What
never works is whining without planning and counting on luck.
U.S.E.T. NEWS
GMC/USET FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS
This year's GMC/USET Festival of Champions , June 20 through 23, 1996, will
include the 50 Mile USET Championship Endurance Ride. For endurance
competitors, hopes and dreams for making an Olympic team are not in the
balance at this year's festival as they will be for the Show Jumping and
Dressage Team hopefuls but the competition promises to be no less exciting and
a lot more fun (less pressure!). Given that the ride is classified as a
championship event, riders will have to meet some basic qualifying
requirements and the ride is sanctioned by AERC as a "Special Qualifying
Ride". To be eligible a competitor must have finished a 50 mile ride in the
top ten or have completed at least one, 100 mile ride at AERC sanctioned
rides. Entries close June 11, 1996.
We are very fortunate again this year to have as our event's sponsor the
National Horse Show Foundation. Thank you! In addition all competitors are
guests of the Competitor's Party- "Stars and Stripes" A Celebration Sendoff to
Atlanta" on Saturday night. The $150 per person (free for entered riders)
gala fund raiser to benefit Somerset Medical Center and the United States
Equestrian Team will be highlighted by a spectacular Gucci fireworks show with
George Plimpton as master of ceremonies.
A beautiful trail has been made even more scenic and challenging with the
addition of 25 miles of new trail. The mayor of Gladstone wants competitors
to ride right through a part of the town, so riders will really get a taste of
European style endurance riding (Veterans of foreign competition will know
what I mean.). The course is set in rolling hills, fields and wooded trails.
Less than 10% of the course will follow dirt or paved roads.
A mounted awards ceremony is planned for Sunday, June 23, in the Main Arena
at approximately 1:30 PM. The Marie Dey Perpetual Trophy will be awarded to
the winner along with awards to top ten and for completion.
For lovers and admirers of top notch equine athletes, the Festival of
Champions is a beautiful and exciting weekend for your whole family.
USA Endurance Team Sponsorship
Our USA Endurance Team's chances for Gold at the 1996 World Championships
have improved THANKS to funding from our United States Equestrian Team. Please
show your appreciation for their help by joining U.S.E.T. Your membership
does make a difference!!
OFF CONTINENT NEWS
Dateline Ireland:
Ireland is giving back the organization of the 1998 World Equestrian Games to
the Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI). They are afraid of a
financial disaster (as happened to WEG-the Hague 1994) and the anger of tax
payers as the government had agreed to subsidize the games if revenues did
not cover the costs. The FEI has offered Germany and Great Britain,
alternates for the games, the chance to rebid. Ireland would have been a
spectacular venue for an endurance ride. What a shame to loose the dream of
competing in Ireland.
Dateline Australia:
Anyone with a dream to compete in Australia (the Quilty maybe?) will be
interested in the following article that appeared in the New South Wales state
association newsletter for their ride secretaries in particular and their
members in general.
From time to time endurance riders from other countries visit and wish to
ride in our rides. It is the wish of the association that we assist in this
regard whilst having regard for the guidelines set out by the AERA. Every
person who enters an affiliated endurance ride must be a member of the
association and this requirement also applies to visitors from other
countries. The AERA has a special class of membership in their rules to cater
for this need known as "International". A visitor, who is an endurance rider
and who wishes to ride, must apply to the AERA, either directly or via the
state body and be able to establish their bona-fides by providing details of
their experience as an endurance rider and evidence they are a current member
of a recognized endurance riding club.
Once these requirements are met the AERA will issue a special membership
letter, at not cost, which will allow that person to enter five affiliated
rides. Under special circumstances an extension may be granted. Such
membership will also include the rider in the provisions of our public
liability insurance policy. A visitor from overseas who is unable to provide
the information required by the AERA and who wishes to ride must join the
Association and complete the qualification levels which apply to all novice
endurance riders. Should you know of an overseas visitor who intends to
ride, please bring these matters to their attention so the paperwork can be
attended to before the day of the ride.
In these times a fax can be used to transmit data instantly. So, with a
little forethought an overseas visitor need not be inconvenienced.
If anyone has any questions or needs clarification of this, feel free to
email Nikki Ward <u913558@student.canberra.edu.au>. If anyone is interested
in riding in Australia, contact the New South Wales state association: NSWERA,
PO Box 191, Windsor, NSW, Australia 2756.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS!!
(note to Miki: maybe box separately?)
LEASE HORSES NEEDED FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOREIGN RIDERS. USDA concerns
over the spread of Piroplasmosis into this country will prevent a number of
off continent endurance riders from competing on their own horses. Already
Sweden, Quatar, and Australia have expressed interest in leasing horses.
Riders with a horse to lease please contact Maggie Price, Lease Horse
Committee Chairman, with the following information: the horse's age, ride
record and a projection of his performance level. In addition provide an
estimate of the cost to lease from you. It is customary for foreign riders
to pay for at least the horse FEI passport, health certificate, and transport
to and from the event. Again, contact Maggie Price directly (Not the World
OC!) with this information or if you have any questions. Her contact
information is listed under Directors at Large on the inside cover. Don't
delay!!
FEI PASSPORTS: Remember, they are only good for 4 years after which they
must be revalidated.
1999 NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS Ride site search is on. A good tried and
true trail and a strong ride management team are a must. Planning and
management will be made much easier and cost efficient now that we have ten
years of experience with FEI international endurance events . Please send your
ideas to Chuck Gray, International Committee Chairman (reference inside
cover).
E-mail from: R. K. and L. D. Stewart, 09-May-1996