Hi Maryben,
In answer to your question about the importance of
using AERC ID numbers for rider and horse, yup, it's very important to us when
entering ride results. It assures accuracy and speeds up the data entry
time by a whole bunch. When numbers are not used an asterick is placed by
that riders name indicating a possible error and is published in the EN ride
results. This can result in many phone calls to both the AERC office and ride
managers from riders concerned with errors on their records. When we
receive a call correcting ride results (such as adding ID numbers for horse
and/or rider) we must unpost the ride, make the correction, post the ride, make
a copy of the correct ride results for the yearbook, and another copy to keep
with the results. While we can look up people by name to see if they are
members, there are many variables that make this practice at times unreliable at
best. Same goes for the horses. People often use nicknames for
themselves and horse making it more difficult to find in our system, thus
increasing the chance of additional errors in ride result entries. When ID
numbers are not used, and we cannot locate that rider in the system for whatever
reason, they and their horse may not receive the miles and points they have
earned. So while I know that trying to get the correct information from
ride entrants can be frustrating, it is worth the effort for everyone involved
in the process. Additionally, sometimes riders who cannot be located
in the system but are actually paid up members will be unnecessarily billed for
the day-member fee if not collected by the ride manager. As always, if a
member needs to know their AERC ID numbers for horse and rider they can call the
office and we will gladly provide that information. I hope my "2-cents
worth" helps.
Thanks,
Judy