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Please Reply to: kim kimfue@xxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Your post make complete and perfect sense and explains weak performances on the 
International level.  It also explains why so many AERC riders feel the FEI is 
not compatible within AERC anymore.  This explains some of the frustration with 
dual sanctioned rides here also.  There is a dicotomy when you choose your 
international riders from a pool of AERC riders and AERC events.  AERC places 
importance on the completion therefore to finish is to win.  As you mention, 
International competition focuses on the win or the single performance. Overall 
lifetime mileage doesn't matter.  It seems we are trying to blend to very 
different sports and philosophies and then can't understand why there are fewer 
successes and dissention in the ranks.  I looked up Debbi's record and it is 
quite impressive....I am even familar with one of her horses as it is 
originally from CA and I know the breeding and knew the horse before it was 
sold.  Her record is impressive a  "race horse" rider, trainer, and competitor 
if you consider endurance long distance "racing".  Kudos to that but her record 
on that front.  In terms of an endurance rider it is not what most would 
consider impressive or respectable but would border on taking chances and being 
abusive.  As we heard from Debi, she feels 12 hour endurance rides are abusive. 
No one is wrong if we are talking about two different sports.  The problem is 
is that those that want to "race" and compete internationally want to use the 
AERC venue as their platform and that is what seems not to be working well 
anymore.

Kim



n regards to the comment by Debi Foti and the reply from Perry.  You're right 
Perry you don't see Debi's name in the standings because she concentrates on 
riding international. When you ride international you do not put thousands of 
miles on your horse then ask him to crank out international level speeds. Keep 
international seperate from AERC these are 2 different kinds of endurance 
sports, that are trained for completely differently. She bought a horse I bred 
and raised and trained him to a level that allowed him to be bought and 
exported. She has been a flat track trainer for years and has more horse 
experience than most realize.  Had she kept him she would have easily kicked 
butt at the worlds, her mistake was selling him but that was her choice.  He 
needed to represent UAS not Dubai.

International riders realize that they cannot have high mileage horses and 
still compete on the international level.  Your international level horses stay 
international level and you need your aerc horse for the other rides/races.  
Rio and other horses of the past were not taken to this fast level of racing.  
Criteria was different, racing courses were different.  Horses are not the 
machines that most people think they are.. They can not do high mileage like 
most AERC members want then, step up to international level intensity and 
speed.  We are talking 2 different kinds of competitions.  International 
competition needs to stay seperate from AERC.  Views and attitudes are just too 
different and strategy and training are just to different.

But we need better minds on the riders and veternarians, and better training 
techniques. There needs to be better horse selection procedures also.  If most 
selected horses end up lame or the training camp intensity lames them up, then 
people need to be willing to go back to the list and start again, but there was 
no time left.  Horses going to Dubai need to be heat horses, most not all, 
mix-breeds cannot handle the heat as well as most pure arabians. That is not 
saying, do not use mix breeds, just pick the heat tolerant horses and ride them 
like that at the ride do not expect to race w/the big boys that live there on 
those particular horses, finish don't expect to race.

The USA needs to definetly change seletion procedures for International races.  
The comment that MOUNTAIN horses have never seen sand is ridiculous.  Try MT. 
Carmel if you want sand or Color Country or Oreana (set up for FEI training) or 
come out and ride in Moab. I'll give you sand.  Most AERC members have quit 
wanting to step up to the international level, because of not only the speed 
but the ridiculous politics that occur during the selection process.  There are 
a few of the selectors that tried their best to select the best possible 
individuals out of the pool that was present.  But once that occured and it got 
down to the last group that's when things fell apart.  Horse and riders teams 
need to be selected for their horsemanship skills and care of the horse, but 
also for team support. Dictatorship was used in Flordia, changes were made and 
forced upon riders with the ultimatim of not being on the team.

Ridecamp member and readers, please start understanding the difference and 
don't use AERC motto to finish is to win w/International level.  International 
level is race to the finish line. If you don't like their motto, then don't 
compete to international level, let them make their mistakes just like a lot of 
AERC members do.

Thanks





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