ridecamp@endurance.net: AUGUST INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER

AUGUST INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER

Richard K. Stewart (76147.1145@compuserve.com)
06 Jul 95 10:33:04 EDT

August AERC International News
Submitted by: Lori Stewart

The 1995 North American Championships mark the 10th year of
championship level international endurance riding for the United
States. Here's a look back at our first five North American
Championships:

Date: 1986 1987 1989

Location: Swanton Pacific Old Dominion Flesherton
California Virginia Ontario,Canada
Team-
Gold: Pacific Central Canada East
Silver: Mountain Pacific Central
Bronze: East Canada East Mountain

Individual-
Gold: Pacific Central East
Silver: East Pacific Central
Bronze: East Central Canada East

%Completion: 51% +/- 52% 56%
Teams:
Completing
vs. 4/9 5/7 3/6
Starting

Date: 1991 1993 1995

Location: Carson City Calgary Flagstaff
Nevada Alberta,Can. Arizona
Team-
Gold: Pacific East ?
Silver: Canada East Pacific South ?
Bronze: Mountain Canada East ?

Individual-
Gold: Pacific Pacific South ?
Silver: Pacific East ?
Bronze: Mountain East ?

%Completion: 74.5% 65% ?
Teams:
Completing
vs. 6/7 3/7 ?
Starting

DID YOU KNOW?

For the years 1986, 1987, and 1989 the final vet check to
determine completion was at 10:00 am the following morning.
Sleep? What sleep?

Beginning in 1993 the Pacific Zone was split into the Pacific
North and Pacific South Teams.

The combined AERC mileage of the 1991 Carson City Individual
Gold, Silver and Bronze medal horses was over 15,000 miles. The
combined mileage of their riders was over 23,000 miles. They are:
Gold- Darla Westlake/ RT Muffin, Silver-Becky Hart/ R.O.Grand
Sultan, Bronze- Naomi Tyler/ Mustang Lady.

The Pacific Zone and Canada East have won the most team medals
with a total of 4 each, followed by the Mountain Zone with 3 and
the Central Zone and the East Zone with 2 each.

The Pacific Zone and the East Zone have won the most Individual
medals with a total of 5 each, followed by the Central Zone with
3 and the Mountain Zone and Canada East with 1 each.

There appears to be a "Home Team" advantage given the host team
has won the Team Gold in 1986, 1989, and 1991. This may be
because the host team gets to choose its 4 team riders from a
field of 12 horse/rider teams and not 6 horse/rider teams as the
other zones do. However, there are no guarantees. The host team
was shut out in 1987.

No zone has been in the medals (individual and/or team) every
North American year. The two zones coming the closest to winning
a medal every time are Canada East (shut out in '86) and the
Pacific (shut out in '89).

It appears that to win a team medal it is not crucial for all the
team riders to finish in or even near the top ten. "To finish is
to win" still prevails even in team competition. However, to
bring home the team Gold, three of the team riders must finish in
the top ten. This has happened in all North American
Championships to date.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S ALMOST TIME TO PLACE YOUR BETS ON YOUR
FAVORITES TO BE THE 1995 NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONS!!

NATIONAL NEWS

The AERC International Charter has been revised, codified and
sent to the AERC board of directors for review and comment. The
AERC board of directors will vote on the charter at the mid year
board meeting.

ELECTIONS: The zone members of the AERC International Committee
are elected each November by members of the AERC International
Support Group in their respective zones. They serve staggered
terms of two years (ie. one zone committee member would be
elected each year). Their term runs from Jan 1 through Dec 31
two years later. If you are interested in serving on the
International Committee please submit your nomination to Chuck
Gray, Chairman of AERC International, by mid October.

The National Chef d' Equipe and National Selection Chairman for
the 1996 World Championships in Manhattan, Kansas will be voted
on during an open forum meeting. It will be held at the North
American Championship in Flagstaff. Nominations for these
positions closed on May 15. The 1997 North American Championship
site selection will also be made by the committee at this meeting
based on sites submitted to the Chairman of AERC International
for consideration.

NEWS FROM THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
from Howard Shenk

The weather is finally cooperating and trail conditions are
improving. Dr. James Bryant, Foreign Technical Delegate, and Dr.
Jerry Gillespie, President of the Veterinary Commission, will be
inspecting the championship trail on July 27th. It is
anticipated, if no unforseen problems arise, that the final trail
information can be released the first week in August.

Anyone wishing to be on the North American Championship mailing
list please contact Howard Shenk at 4101 N. Bear Canyon Road,
Tucson, AZ 85749. Phone: 602-749-1162.

ZONE NEWS

Even the most wisely managed and ridden equine athlete is a
notoriously fluid creature. Here today, gone tomorrow. The
zones are not required to submit the names of their participating
horse/rider combinations to the organizing committee until
September 14, 1995 (48 hours prior to the start of competition).
However, those names must come from the list of 12 nominated
entries (Mountain is allowed 24 as host zone) submitted to the
organizing committee by the August 15,1995 deadline. Message to
all zone alternates here is, "It's never over until it's over."
Keep your horse fit and sound and your paperwork in order. Your
phone may ring when you least expect it. Remember, too,
Cinderella ended up going to the ball at the last moment....and
she got the Prince.

CENTRAL
from: Louise Riedel

>From the list of the following rider/horse teams the squad and
ranked alternates will be named: Mary Lou Rounds/ENM Eddie, Susie
Carlton/Grand Drubaska, Lynda Corry/Baskhari, Jan Worthington/LM
Mastermind, Russell Broussard/Werbor's Sensation, Melissa
Crain/Whoa Jack, Ray Gehrig/ Rushcreek Luv, Audrey Gehrig/Czar
Louis, Wendy Maas/Rushcreek Quasar, Darolyn Butler/Albanet, Nina
Warren/Desert Ballad.

The nominees who make the squad and are members of UMECTRA are
sponsored through that organization. UMECTRA raises funds for
its international riders on an ongoing basis.

EAST
from Debbie LaBerge

The following squad members have completed at least one of the
two required demonstration rides as of June 26, 1995: Debi
Gordon, Valerie Kanavy, Pat Oliva, Steve Rojek. The following
alternates have: Danielle Kanavy, Doug Lietzke, Joy Mahler, Diane
Bickers, Cindy Simcox. Stagg Newman/Ramegwa Drubin (formerly 5th
alternate) has withdrawn his nomination. Cindy
Simcox/Christopher has been moved into 6th alternate position
from the Long List. The demonstration rides must be completed by
August 12, 1995.

Nancy Spencer, Team Logistics Coordinator, is seeing to your
every travel and culinary need. She has obtained a group
discount for rental cars, blocked rooms at a nearby hotel so all
team members (team meaning support staff and riders) have the
option of staying under one roof, and is arranging for group
meals on site to enhance team spirit. Good work, Nancy!

THANKS to Ariat International who will be outfitting each squad
member with black Ariat Performer Paddock Boots and Ariat Half-
Chaps for the dress uniform! This came as a result of work by
Debi Gordon. Ariat is very enthusiastic about supporting our
group. THANKS to Patagonia for providing riding tights for squad
members' uniforms. Valerie contacted Patagonia on behalf of the
ETZ squad. THANK YOU Slypner for providing horseshoes for those
squad members who want to use them.

MOUNTAIN
from: Naomi Tyler

The Mountain Team Wants You!! Volunteers are needed for all
aspects of support of the 12 horse/rider teams that will be
competing. Help them have the ride of their lives. Team
practitioner, Joyce Anderson, will be giving a mini clinic at the
ride on the use of Team Work before, during and after competition
for all Mountain Zone support personnel and riders. Learn and
share in the thrill of competing for the Gold all on the same
weekend. Not a bad deal!

The Mountain Team has been made more awesome by the addition of
two new members to the support staff. Dr. Liz Scott of Eagle,
Idaho as assistant team veterinarian. She is an avid endurance
rider and ride and tie competitor. Joyce Anderson of Brownville,
Oregon will be bringing her expertise as a Team Practitioner to
the Mountain Zone squad. Thank you and welcome aboard !!

The Mountain Team is proud to announce the following sponsors:
Satin Finish, Easy Boot, Power Plus, Select Electrolytes and
Valley Vet Supply. Thank you for helping us in our effort to
bring home the Gold.

Bob Stellar riding Hasty Flyer has withdrawn his nomination.

PACIFIC NORTH
from: Tony Benedetti

Don't say you weren't warned! The Pacific North will be sending
a very competitive squad to Arizona. The nominees are busy
training and competing throughout northern California, Oregon,
and Washington. Many have traveled to Utah for the Race of
Champions. Their horses are being prepared to peak for the North
American Championship on September 16th. The evaluation period
is coming to a close and as the dust settled the top 12 horse and
rider combinations were named on July 26th. The selection of the
squad of 6 and the 6 alternates will be named on August 15th,
just three days after Tevis. Some nominees will be using that
course and the Swanton 100 to ready their horses for the
challenging trail in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The Pacific North welcomes anyone who is interested in helping us
on our way to the NAC or on the day of the event. We are making
this a team effort and appreciate everyone's support. Pacific
North t-shirts are the hottest item on the west coast and are
rumored to be spreading eastward. Get yours while the supply
lasts, they are soon to be a collector's item! If you can lend a
hand, Please contact Tony Benedetti at 707-538-8865. This is a
great way to ge some FEI experience.

PACIFIC SOUTH
from: Nancy Elliot DVM

Shirley Delsart and KJ Destination ('Dusty') cruised in to a win
in the Mendocino 100 with a time of 10:16 over a new course with
lots of hard pack and some good hills. That makes 2 wins in
their last 2 100's, and Shirley is looking forward to the ROC.
Other nominees having good demonstrations were Loretta Potts and
Sally (tied for 2nd), Barbara Sanches and 'Tor' (tied for 4th),
Lyn Abrams and 'Eli' (8th), Becky Glaser and 'Tio' (9th), Debby
Lyon and 'Isa' (10th) and Dublin Hart and 'Rosebud' (13th).

Unfortunately, Marilyn Russell's mare 'Cougar's Silmaril' came up
lame and she has since withdrawn from consideration. Kim
Christlieb had to withdraw Buddy due to some legal wranglings
over the partnership of the horse (note: Get any arrangements in
writing, even among friends.). We really feel for those nominees
whose dreams fell short this year, but hope to see them on future
lists.

Becky Glaser and Tio just got back from a terrific XP ride, with
an overall Best Condition, 2nd overall and 3 individual B.C.s.
She will be going to ROC along with 8 other nominees, so the
three selectors watching will have plenty to do.

T shirt sales are going strong, and plans are underway for a
social ride for all involved. Onward to Arizona!


U.S.E.T. FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS
Margaret Price
U.S.E.T. Vice President/Endurance

Over 17,000 people who attended the United States Equestrian Team
Festival of Champions had the opportunity to see the start, a vet
check, and the finish of a 50 mile endurance ride, the first to
be put on by USET.

Sanctioned by AERC and run under certain FEI rules (this was
classed as a "friendly competition") the ride had a field of 48
top notch competitors from a wide area, including Canada, the
Carolinas, Illinois, and Texas.

The Festival, held at the USET grounds in Gladstone, N.J., is a
four day affair which features grand prix jumping, dressage,
driving (It was this discipline's selection final for the teams
to go to Poland for the World Driving Championship in Aug.) and
now, ENDURANCE! The purpose of the event is to court sponsorship
for the teams USET sends abroad.

As a result of this kind of exposure, our sport continues to gain
esteem in the equine world. This year our veterinarians, Dr.
Jerry Gillespie, Dr. Mitch Benson, and Dr. Kerry Ridgway, along
with our world gold medalist, Valarie Kanavy, were joined by 3-
day event vet Dr. Kent Allen in a very successful and well
attended clinic (over 70 participated) on conditioning. All the
disciplines who will be involved in the Atlanta Olympics
recognize that Endurance has some tips to offer when it comes to
working under the stresses of heat and humidity.

The conditions of race day (high 80's with 98% humidity) proved
that most of us are doing something right. The top ten horses
galloped across the finish line in less than 4:20 with the
winning chestnut gelding ridden by Kim Orr edging out Patty
Pizzo's gelding by a nose!

As is customary at this Festival, the top ten horses of each
discipline were asked to take a victory gallop around the main
show ring later in the day. Some of us were apprehensive of
galloping around the arena amidst all the show jumping
paraphernalia, including 2 huge statues of killer whales! Not to
worry! Arabs only shy at wet rocks! Our horses came flying in,
tails aloft, taking not one but two turns around (They thought
the second 50 miles was starting!) and then lined up to receive
awards presented by Henry L. Collins, president of the National
Horse Show Foundation who gave $5000 to sponsor Endurance at the
Festival.