AERC's tax status requires that education be an
important component of what we do.
I've just recently started competing, but I've
been working at endurance rides for a number of years. Working as a
recorder for the vets, reading Ridecamp, and connecting with experienced
endurance riders made it possible for my gelding to finish our first
LD ride with an overall impression score of A-minus. We finished way
back in the pack, and we had a few "issues" after his lost his buddy at the
mid-point, but my goal was to complete with a happy, healthy horse -- and
nothing beats an A on gut sounds.
Has AERC ever considered requiring new competitors
to volunteer at one or two rides (preferably as a vet recorder) before
ever entering a competition? The newbie would see what can
happen to an overridden horse (hopefully not an actual crash, but the horse that
just needs to stop), and the vets are generally very willing to answer
questions and explain what they're doing to anyone with a questioning
mind.
With all the data that's now available online,
would it be too much of a nightmare to institute such a
requirement?
