First of all, let me say I have the utmost respect for Valerie and all she
has done for Endurance Riding. I truly feel she is one of our best
representatives to the world.
Valerie Kanavy wrote to BOD-----------------------------------------------
Qualification criteria is limited to horses. I am requesting a minimum of
500 lifetime miles of which two hundred must be one day 100's. To
encourage
foreign participation and assure an availability of leased horses, I would
like to exempt off-continent riders on leased horses from the qualification
criteria, however, unqualified horses are ineligable for top ten placing.
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This is essentially the same field of horses as the ROC. I would contend
that qualified riders would ride the ROC without all the "fufu" and
"hubbub" and expensive prizes. All Susan would need to do is put on a well
managed ride and those 90% or more of the current participants would come.
Valerie further states-----------------------------------------
Federal law requires that all corporations must file a
1099 form for anyone it pays more than $600.00 to in a year. The winner is
responsible for federal as well as sales tax. So, a $10,000.oo trailer
prize
can cost the winner (depending on their tax bracket) up to $4,000.00. And,
it's a funny thing about the government, they want CASH up front not
partial
ownership in a prize.
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Another great reason why NOT to give the cash prizes. Just donate the $ to
the trails, or research or AERC or FEI and the FEDs won't get their cut.
The distance riding community will get to use it to their benefit.
Let's face it. The elite riders in our sport have gotten to where they are
by efforts of very many people. These riders themselves work and train
hard, and smart. They have wonderful support from family, and friends and
great horses. AND, they are able to compete in this wonderful organization
(AERC) because of the "grass roots" support of the majority of riders in
the sport. Yes, that's right. The ones in the trenches that come to rides
because we LOVE this sport and want to support it and see it grow in the
right direction. Without us, they would not have a sport to be the elite
of. Why not have sponsors benefit the whole sport, not just the elite.
Enough of my soap box! Let's just not go further down this cash/big$
merchandise award road. Let's stop and take a look at the trail markings
and the map, before we get lost on this trail.
Linda Van Ceylon
lvanceylon@vines.colostate.edu