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>> All the stuff about who votes and who doesn't vote is a smokescreen

not true - the stuff about who has authority, the resources ($s), and the charter is most directly important and is not a smokescreen for anything (IMO). In the past, USEF has focused only on the international programs; as long as that focus is preeminent, there will be little impact on the AERC programs.

But John, that IS the smokescreen.  Just because AERC per se has no "vote" isn't the issue--the fact is that the committees are full of people who are AERC members.  So suggesting that the entities are separate is true on paper, but not in reality.

But, as said b/f; USEF has the charter for National Endurance as well as International Endurance. It has choosen to allow it's national affiliate (AERC) to manage the National programs. AERC is not in a symmetrical position in the relationship with USEF.

And AERC needs to get off its duff and manage.

My own feeling is that International Endurance Programs do not exist in a (National) vacuum - to be successful, the International program has to be inclusive of and encourage young (National) horses, riders, trainers, coaches, grooms, sponsors, vets, ride managers, etc.

Agreed.  Absolutely true.

There aren't enough FEI Officials in the US to have a broader program - USEF really needs to be ALL OVER that - AERC Convention chould be augmented with a 1 day officials training course (USEF supported and financed) ...

Agreed.  The stewards course I took was excellent.  Personally, am sorry that career changes have precluded me being an apprentice steward at any more than the one ride in Oreana that I did, as I'd love to become qualified.  But that's one of the few times I've seen a real opportunity for such training--maybe I just haven't been looking, but it seems like there isn't a lot of recruitment going on here....

The biggest differential b/t countries I'm seeing at the international level is not the horses - (and it's not the AERC.vs.USEF issues - by and large, All of the National Endurance Clubs have some difficulties with their Federations:) ...

it's the average age of the riders!! Look at steph's recent Namibian experience. The NERA has @60 senior riders in the standings this year. It has @35 Young Riders in the standings - In the AERC there are @5000+ Seniors and maybe @300+ Juniors; In the USEF IHP program: @300 Seniors; @5+ youngriders/juniors.

AERC Endurance is not a family sport - AERC endurance is not a National program which is pro-actively encouraging growth in a way which is important to USEF. USEF is not proactively working with AERC at the National level.

For example; The USEF could send the Junior Division AERC Champion to the international Young Rider championship! an easy and inexpensive promotion of the importance of excelling at the national level! Or better yet, USEF and AERC might jointly find sponsorship for a TEAM of young riders (again possibly from the AERC Division Championship) to represent the US in Argentina. It could easily be done THIS YEAR with the right cooperative focus from both organizations.

 

Good points about the younger riders.  Many of us who are interested are past it--that's for sure.

Heidi

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