RIDING AT A WHOLE NEW STRESS LEVEL IN YOUR SPORT
And, riding at a whole new level of exhilaration.
The true nature of FEI endurance competition is nothing more than
an opportunity to experience a new and different challenge in our
sport of endurance riding.
In the December issue of AERC News, Randy Eiland, Southwest
Region director and Ride Managers Committee Chair, chose as the
topic for the Ride Manager's Forum the issue of FEI/AERC dual
sanctioning. His article also expresses a number of negative
opinions and feelings about International that are held by many
AERC members. I will attempt to address each of these issues in
this column. In the Ride Managers Forum this month, Randy's
questions regarding dual sanctioning are addressed in part by
Teresa Cross , one of the few ride managers to AERC/FEI dual
sanction a ride in the past ten years. She talks about her
experience as the ride manager of a dual sanctioned ride.
It helped me to understand why many AERC members have a skeptical
attitude about International by using this analogy. A guy looking
into a trench sees it very differently than the guy in the trench
with the shovel. I'll address the points one at a time.
1)Some lack of trust in the international scene.
International does have many interesting peculiarities, some of
which are: AERC International has a special membership fee. A
horse/rider team must qualify and be selected in order to
participate in an FEI championship event. The horses all must
have passports. It is a competition between teams complete with a
team manager (Chef d'equipe) and team veterinarian. The overall
event format is different than a typical AERC ride.
If you have been involved in any capacity at an FEI international
ride, some of the differences may still seem peculiar but they
are no longer unsettling. Most important you've learned that the
ride itself requires that riders compete like they would at any
other 100 mile ride. Our "To Finish Is To Win" motto has proven
to be especially true in team competition.
2)"One of the main objections I have to the 'international
mentality' is their belief and constant use of the term, 'It's a
whole new level of competition'. I don't really believe the
competition itself is at a higher level than where the rest of us
compete."
I agree. However, "New" doesn't mean "higher". As far as I know,
the words "new level" have never been synonymous with "higher
level". Endurance riders by nature are always looking for a new
and different challenge. You only have to look at the point
standings every month to see the wide variety of AERC awards.
Each represents a different challenge. I don't think one is a
higher award than another, just different.
Beware the would be international rider that would like you to
believe the false mystique that "new" does mean "higher". If
that rider can psych you out of nominating, their chances of
making the team are improved. One of the first things I learned
when I started endurance riding in 1976 is, COMPETITION STARTS
EARLY. Since its beginning, gamesmanship has been almost as much
a part of endurance riding as horsemanship.
3) "...these are the same people we compete against in our little
old AERC rides... and sometimes we common folks even beat them."
I've noticed that too with good horses at the peak of their
careers. At rides, they all seem to end up finishing together.
Who finishes in front of who is usually determined by which
athlete is having a better day.
Also keep in mind, the owners of these equine athletes may have
different goals so the good horses don't end up attending all the
same rides. The rider going for the AERC 100 mile award is not
going to attend the same rides as the rider aiming to attend the
most 5 day rides. This year with the date conflicts, the rider
wishing to compete in the championship series was at a great
disadvantage if she/he nominated to ride for a team at the FEI
North American Championship.
4) "The real difference is in the number of restrictive formal
rules, dress codes, and other doctrines that accompany the
international scene."
The basic philosophy of an FEI sanctioned ride is that the
"playing field" should be level for all competitors, regardless
of nationality or where the ride is held. While the rules may
seem nit picky at times, each has evolved out of some past
discrepancy or perceived inequity (not unlike AERC rules
evolution over the years!). Many different nationalities are
represented and many different languages spoken. If you think
rule interpretations and controversy within AERC can sometimes
get out of hand, just imagine the potential at an international
ride! Therefore the rules are specifically spelled out and
enforced rigorously.
The dress code is minimum. Basically, one must use taste in
dress and not go overboard in search of individuality (after all,
you are representing your team and not yourself!). The more
formal dress of a World Championship opening and closing ceremony
is worn to show respect for the host country, the event
officials, your fellow riders, and yourself.
The differences are no big deal once you've been to one of these
things. However, one of the biggest challenges facing a chef
d'equipe is preventing the inconsequential differences from
totally psyching out a rider. More than once great riders have
arrived at the starting line totally sleep deprived and 5+ lbs
down in weight because they don't believe the talent that got
them there is the talent that will see them through. Usually by
ten or so miles into the ride they start to believe in themselves
again. What all riders say in hind sight is they've never been
so pampered during a ride (thank you team support crews) and
they've never been to a ride that had more efficient and fair vet
checks and veterinary judging.
Team competition is the most distinctive aspect of an FEI
Championship Ride. Team spirit is exhilarating for everyone,
helpers and riders alike.
5)"Not to mention the amount of money and "free time" one must
have to actually be involved in these endeavors."
An FEI North American Championship requires a money and time
commitment in the same ball park as the ROC or a 5 day ride.
These endeavors ain't cheap either. However, for these other
events you are probably not working together with your fellow
endurance riders to hold fund raisers and solicit sponsors to
help off set costs for the team.
Before we joined forces with United States Equestrian Team, an
off continent World Championship was a financial killer. Today,
thanks to USET, a rider still has a greater than average time
commitment (about two weeks) ,but this extra time commitment is
offset by having all their expenses to attend the event paid by
USET.
6)"I may be wrong, but much of what little I know of
FEI/International makes it seem like a glorified version of
NATRC.
This is a tough one for me to speak to because I've never ridden
an NATRC ride.
I do know that there are no judges scoring you around camp or
lurking on the trail at an FEI ride. There is a uniform
inspection before the ride to make sure all riders have an
approved riding helmet and safety stirrups or shoes with a heel.
The horse passports are inspected to make sure the grey horse
standing next to you is the same grey horse you nominated and
also that all vaccinations are current. Riders are weighed with
tack before the ride to make sure they meet the 165 lb weight
minimum and the weights are sealed.
A very important although informal judging is conducted by all
participants and officials at an FEI ride. A consensus is always
reached regarding which team has the...COOLEST UNIFORMS!
The winners of this judging have a great advantage after the ride
when everyone starts swapping shirts and jackets for souvenirs.
The post ride uniform swap is becoming a time honored tradition
at a World Championships.
In conclusion, all I can say is...Viva la differance!!
________________________________________________________________
AERC International Committee service carries a wide range of
responsibilities. We thank all our outgoing committee members
for serving on the committee for the past two years. Your work
has made a difference for the future. Thank you, Keith Byergo,
Karen Schrader, Suzanne Hayes and Heidi Smith-Winger DVM for your
service on the AERC International Committee. (Reword this a
little if you want. Sounds just a little awkward.)
Congratulations and welcome to our newly elected AERC
International Committee zone representatives. Eastern Zone,
Teddy Lancaster; Central Zone, Russel Brussard(check spelling!);
Mountain Zone, _________?; Pacific North Zone, Marcia Smith DVM;
Pacific South Zone, Nancy Elliot DVM. (Reference inside cover of
this issue of AERC News for your representative's address and
phone number.)
Aerc International Activities and Meetings planned for the
Convention:
Feb. 29, Thurs. 9 am: AERC International Committee Meeting
Mar. 1, Fri. TBA: AERC International meeting-Review of
Thurs. meeting and look to the future.
Mar. 1, Fri. 6 pm: AERC International party for International
Members. Check Clarion Hotel monitor for
location.
Mar. 2, Sat. TBA: AERC International meeting-Focus on the
World Championships
REMINDER: Riders nominating for the United States Endurance Team
please contact USET for a nomination packet. Your January AERC
News has complete selection details.
Rick Stewart
stewart@postoffice.ptd.net