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2009 AERC Convention
FEBRUARY 20 & 21, 2009, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
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photos: Susie Kelly: AERC Hall of Fame Inductee Eden's Bay Rum owned by MJ Jackson: AERC Hall of Fame Horse Inductee 2009 AERC Officers: (left to right): Jan Stevens, Secretary. Connie Caudill, President. Laura Hayes, Vice President. Roger Tayler, Treasurer. |
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Release: February 25 2009
Endurance riders from across the U.S. and Canada made their way to Louisville, KY, for the American Endurance Ride Conference’s 2008 convention, held February 20-21 at the Galt House Hotel.
The convention, which included educational seminars, “hot topics” workshops, trade show, meetings for international competitors, a class for veterinarians, and a dance, concluded with a heartfelt and tearful national awards banquet.
Suzy Kelley, a longtime endurance rider from Southern California, was taken by surprise when she was named to AERC’s Hall of Fame. Called to the stage, Suzy could only say, “I’m not a speaker. Bye!” But her tears stood testament to the impact of this major award. Suzy has racked up 16,000 miles of competition, and has an 89% ride completion rate over 24 years of riding.
Suzy is not just a rider, however. As presenter Kim Fuess noted, “Suzy can meet someone on the trail and within a week they are riding one of her horses at an AERC ride.” And while Suzy is competitive, Kim said, “She is always willing to lend a hand, or share her crew, even if you are her closest competitor.”
The equine Hall of Fame award went to Edens Bay Rum, a 17-year-old bay Arabian gelding owned by MJ Jackson of Bluffdale, UT. In 12 years of competition, Edens Bay Rum has racked up 151 completions in 154 starts, and of those 7935 miles, 88% were top 10 finishes.
As presenter Susie Schomburg helped unveil a portrait of AERC’s newest Hall of Fame equine by California artist Laurie Anderson, MJ made her way to the podium, and said of her horse, “He’s a super guy. I hope you can see him on the trail. He is still going.”
AERC’s third major award honors a partnership of rider and equine. The Pard’ners Award was presented to Bailey Rose Eiland and Nimphas Barbi, who have been competing together for 10 seasons, which is remarkable since they were both born in 1990. Bailey Rose and Barbi, who hail from the El Paso area, have started 104 rides together and completed 101. Barbi has been taking it easy of late, having recently foaled BRE Renegade Rose, but should be back to competing soon.
Accepting the honor from longtime family friend Roger Taylor, Bailey Rose said of her registered Arabian mare, “It’s as if we were meant to be together. I can’t wait to go home and share this award with her.”
Other special presentations included the United States Equestrian Federation’s Maggy Price Endurance Excellence Award which went to Valerie Kanavy. Valerie, a competitor in the recent World Endurance Championships, received the prestigious trophy for earning the most FEI points in the 2008 season.
AERC installed new officers at their general session meeting, with Connie Caudill of Henryville, IN, taking the reins of the 6,800-member organization. Serving as Vice President is Laura Hayes of Brocton, NY. Roger Taylor, of Albuquerque, NM, is treasurer and the secretary’s post is held by Jan Stevens of Ashland, MT.
Plans are already underway for AERC’s 2010 convention, set for February 19-20 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. For more information about AERC or endurance riding, contact the AERC office, located in Auburn, CA, at (866) 271-2372 or e-mail aerc@foothill.net or visit www.aerc.org.
Troy Smith, AERC
January 2009
Endurance riders and equestrians interested in checking out the "ultimate distance riding sport" are invited to attend the American Endurance Ride Conference's 2009 convention at the Galt House Hotel Louisville, Kentucky on February 20 and 21.
"We are excited to have our convention in Louisville," said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. "There is no admission charge for the trade show and mini-clinics on the trade show floor, and we are hoping to attract many local riders who may be interested in finding out more about endurance riding."
Highlights of AERC's convention will include a trade show featuring vendors from across the country. Regional awards will be presented at an evening reception on February 20, and the convention will culminate with AERC's national awards the evening of February 21.
The trade show will be located in the Galt House's exhibit hall from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Vendors will display a variety of products for long-distance riders - everything from saddles to jewelry to horse trailers. One feature of interest to local riders is the popular Tack Swap; attendees are welcome to bring their used tack to sell at the show.
Also open to the public is the convention's annual Friday night dance, which begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the convention for $10 per person.
Equine experts from across the U.S. will be featured at several seminar sessions as part of the convention's "Best Condition" theme.
Friday's seminar speakers are:
* Tom Sayvetz, MD, who will discuss pedigrees and performance, including gait efficiency, body and muscle types in horses, metabolic issues and weight-carrying capacity. * Jim Moore, DVM, whose 3-D horse models and animations, currently used in veterinary schools worldwide, make understanding a horse's gastrointestinal tract much easier. He will discuss anatomical features that result in common causes of colic. Dr. Moore is a professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. * V.R. Maxwell, DVM, will present "Equine Degenerative Joint Disease in the Equine Athlete." Topics covered include healthy joints, the disease processes of degenerative joint disease and therapeutic options.
Saturday's seminar speakers are:
* Duane Barnett, DVM, a longtime AERC veterinarian, will discuss equine performance sports and drug rules. This important seminar focuses on principles and behavior that can be followed by endurance competitors to stay within the intent of AERC's drug rule. * Laurie Lawrence, PhD, a professor of Equine Nutrition at the University of Kentucky, has authored more than 100 publications on equine nutrition. Her seminar will feature the importance of carbohydrates in the equine diet. Covered will be different types of carbohydrates, how they are digested and absorbed, and which are most important for endurance horses. * A Veterinary Panel with Drs. Nick Kohut, Ken Marcella, Jeanette Mero and Melissa Ribley will instruct seminar attendees on the convention theme: Best Condition. One of endurance riding's most sought after awards, Best Condition requires speed and stamina from the equine, and this seminar will present ideas for getting and keeping your horse in best condition consideration.
Seminar prices are $45 per day ($25 for each additional family member) if purchased before February 6; the prices go up $10 after the pre-registration period. Seminars begin at 9:00 each day. Tickets are available at the door.
Veterinarians can take part in the seven-credit Continuing Education program on Thursday, February 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Galt House.
Convention registration can be made by phone to the AERC office at 866-271-2372. A complete convention overview and reservation forms are available online at www.aerc.org. The reservation line for the Galt House is 800-843-4258.
For information about AERC's upcoming convention or membership in AERC, visit aerc.org or phone toll-free 866-271-2372.
Contact: Troy Smith
endurancenews@foothill.net
866-271-2372, 530-823-2260
CONFIRMED VENDORS AT THE AERC CONVENTION
(More to be added):AERC Education Committee, AERC International, AERC National Championships 2009, AERC Trails, Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Arabian Horse Association, Action Rider Tack, Arabian Saddle Company, Asgard Arabians, The Distance Depot, Equine Performance Tech, Healthy As A Horse Network, Native Spirit Saddlery, SR Saddles, Taylored Tack, Trailer Eyes, Trail and Pleasure Riding Supplies, VETTEC, Inc.
TRADE SHOW HOURS: Friday 8-6, Saturday 8-5; free admission! (This year there is plenty of time between seminars for shopping.)
2006 AERC Convention Photos by Steph
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