Limited Distance

[LRiedel769@aol.com]

Terre writes on 16 September
                                                                              

Years ago, AERC had a Limited Distance program.  Participation was voluntary
and one 

 of the rules was that no prizes could be given for placing--these were
training

rides for completion only.  The program was only moderately popular; more

in some regions than in others.  Then came a time when AERC was in

serious need of an influx of funds, and fast.  The solution that BOD came

up with was the mandatory sanctioning of all LD Rides (defined as 25

miles and up).  The non-member charge was also instituted at this time,

with LD specifically exempt.  In order to make the program more

"saleable" to the membership, the rule against placings was dropped,

changing the rides from "completion" to "races".
    Having "been there, done that" on the Board forever I feel that some of
the facts concerning LD should be reviewed.
   1.  The LD program was initiated some time in the late 1980s.  I'm not sure
of the actual date, but there was a By-law change in 1989 which incorporated
the program as follows."Limited Distance Riding is defined as  an athletic
event in which the same equine and rider  cover a specified course of not less
than 25 miles and not more than 35 miles within a maximum time limit. . . ."
It then states the conditions of veterinary control, completion awards and age
of equines.  The original purpose of LD rides was to give beginning riders an
opportunity to ride under AERC controlled situations, and yes, there was a
great deal of controversy as whether AERC should be involved in anything less
than a "true endurance ride of at least 50 miles."

   2. On March 11, 1990, the following was added to  the AERC rules
1.5.  Limited Distance rides may be offered BUT MUST BE SANCTIONED INTO THE
AERC LIMITED DISTANCE PROGRAM AND HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN AERC SANCTIONED
ENDURANCE RIDE AND MUST BE REGULATED BY AERC RULES AND REGULATIONS with the
following provisos: (In the interest of space I won 't quote them completely.
They cover distance (25-35 miles), age of equines, recording of mileage,
elevation to a higher mileage, veterinary control, meeting of veterinary
criteria for finish, fitness to continue.  The one rule that contradicts
Terre's statement is 1.5.4 "PLACEMENTS AND BEST CONDITION MAY BE GIVEN." 
     The addition of these rules in 1990 had NOTHING TO DO with the addition
of the non-member fee, as Terre alleges.  A non member fee of $5.00 was
instituted in February of 1994--it was increased to $10 at the midyear meeting
in August of 1995.
At that time limited distance entrants were exempted from the non-member fee.
    It has obviously been the intent  (since 1990) of AERC to bring Limited
Distance rides under the control of AERC.   The present suggested By-law
change is to close the loophole whereby rides are adding events of less than
25 miles or more than 35 miles and not sanctioning them.  It's up to the
membership whether to approve this change or not.  Louise Riedel (I've got the
minutes)