Re: PROPOSAL FOR NEW DIVISION AT NO EXPENSE TO ANYONE

[Michael Stone <m.stone@horsesport.org>]

I am was very interested to hear that there is an interest in disabled endurance riding. As the person responsible within the FEI for not only Endurance but also for development issues, I support both disabled riding and disabled riders who compete in general competitions. For your information there is an International association for disabled riding which organises the Paraolympics. They have an excellent document which covers the classification of disability and if anyone is interested they can contact the Chairperson Ms Jonquil Solt her E-mail is jonquil@solt.demon.uk  I hope this is useful

Michael Stone
Assistant Secretary General
Federation Equestre Internationale

guest@endurance.net wrote:

> PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO GUEST@ENDURANCE.NET!!!
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> From: Becky Solano
> Email: becky80621@AOL.com
>
> Thank you Tom Van Gelder, Barbara (from TX) and Cindy Collins.  I love the Big Horn trails.  I hope I haven't attended my last endurance race, but if it was my last ride, I am ever so grateful to all of you for giving me the opportunity to ride that trail one last time.  My husband, Frank, and I have ridden trails all over the country.  We have had varied results from completions on "backyard 50's" to National rankings.  The ability to ride a horse over country inaccessible otherwise, is the reason we chose endurance.  The people who have become fast friends over the years is the reason we wish to continue in endurance.
>     I am not proud of it, nor am I ashamed of it, but it is mine.  I have MS.  Riding is terribly difficult for me, but yet, terribly rewarding.
>     Why can't the AERC and its members get behind a PHYSCIALLY CHALLENGED DIVISION?
>     My closest friends ride hundreds and fifty's.  I love to ride with them.  I propose that I be allowed to ride with them, accompany them, as far as I am physically able, then, upon my terminating that particular ride (which I will do every thing humanly possible to ensure it is at a Vet Check) I and my horse get CREDIT for the miles completed.  I don't care about completion awards/points, weight division awards/points, etc.  I would love to ride with my friends.  I have at least four people right now who would ride with me just to ride with me over beautiful trails.  For us, the ride is the award and would continue to be. Only those previously designated "PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED" by AERC could get mileage credit for rides "not completed".
>     At the Big Horn I was helped off my horse, who was receiving straight "A's" all ride-long at 39 miles. He could, I couldn't.  Thoughts?  Becky S.