mileage/money

[KarenBrat1@aol.com]

I am a new member of AERC... but does not AERC keep track of LD miles and 
points?  They are just kept track of, under a separate program from endurance 
miles, right?

Having done many 20-25 mile rides with a friend for FUN, at endurance speed 
(minimum that is, only 5-6 mph!) in pretty tough country, and my first two 
LD's this year which were much easier than any of those fun rides, I 
personally feel that 25 miles is no endurance test of a horse... at least not 
my horse, nor any Arab I've ever been on.  He's definitely ready to go on to 
at *least* 50 mile distances, I'm the weak link holding the team back!  I 
don't at all resent my LD miles not counting toward my eventual endurance 
mileage.  

Re ride fees to AERC...   I am researching budget for the new ride we're 
doing in northern Idaho next summer...  AERC only gets the sanctioning fee 
and, what, $3 per rider?  (Plus $10 if the rider is a non-member, added to 
their entry fee).  The rest of your entry fee is to pay for vets (probably 3 
@$250-$350), portapotties (probably 3@$50), insurance for entrants ($110/ride 
day), insurance for volunteers ($110/ride day), land use fees, awards, trail 
marking supplies, lots of paperwork/copying/postage, etc etc.  I didn't 
realize myself what it costs to put on a ride until I really started looking 
into it... at *least* $2000 for an absolutely no-frills ride with plenty of 
volunteers!

Karen Bratcher in Hayden ID... not a real endurance rider yet, hoping to do 
at least one 50 in 2000
Bender... let's go!
Lanista... let's go, FASTER!! (19 years young and more energy than 5 younger 
horses)


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