>For instance, what is the AERC?
AERC is the American Ednurance Ride Conference. It is the official national
organization for endurance riding. It coordinates and sanctions rides
throughout the US and Canada. It promotes the sport. Its goal is to provide
the basis for a safe and fair endurance event. Endurance is defined by AERC
(very loosely paraphrased) as 50 or more miles on one horse in one day.
>How does one become a member?
If you email me your address I can send you some info via snail mail.
You can contact the AERC office at:
701 High Street, Suite 203
Auburn, CA 95603
(916)823-2260 Fax(916)823-7805
8-5 M-F, USA Pacific Time
Dues are (new/renewal) $50/45 single, $65/55 family (for first 2, plus $10
each after 2).
Membership: 1. Keeps you informed, 2. $5 less per ride, 3. Cheaper
registration for Annual Meeting, 4. Many more things possibly more important
to you.
>What/where is Tevis? It sounds like a big event - maybe the biggest annual
event of endurance riding?
"Tevis" is the nickname for the Western States 100 mile something or other.
There are two primary awards given: the Tevis Cup for the first horse across
the finish line and the Hagan Cup for the horse that finished in the Best
Condition in the top ten.
Tevis has its roots in the trail from Reno, NV to Sacramento, CA. Wendal
Robie and friends started out this event and it has grown into what we now
know the world over as equestrian endurance.
It is a very big event here on the West coast. The East coast has the Old
Dominion. Tevis is this weekend. It is quite an experience. Everyone
should try it out at least once.
>Also, the event in Flagstaff - is that an annual event that is located in a
different place each year or is it regional only?
The event in Flagstaff is the North American Championship. There are local,
regional, national, continental (which Flagstaff is), and world
championships. Flagstaff is second from the top as far as quality of
competition.
Continental championships are held every odd year. The location is decided
by the FEI (the equestrian equivalent of the olympic committee) and is
usually different every time, much as the olympics are.
>How would I find the local endurance riding club in my area (Los Angeles
area)?
There are several groups in the Los Angeles area. I live out in Yucaipa
(towards Palm Springs on I-10), but most from far away consider me to be in
LA. Let the list know which city or area of the county and you would be
surprised how many endurance riders live right next to you.
>How would I sign up for working on a crew in one of these (or other)
races/rides?
Hook up with a rider near you and hang on. Once you catch the endurance
spirit your life will change.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to email me directly at CMikeT@AOL.com
Sincerely,
Mike
C. Mike Tomlinson, DVM
Tomlinson Consortium
501-D West Redlands Blvd.
Redlands, CA 92373-4642
(909)307-2369
Fax(909)307-2366
CMikeT@AOL.com
Mike@Tomlinson.com