AERC INTERNATIONAL HISTORY LESSON
or "We've Come a Long Way Baby!"
by: Rick Stewart DVM
1996 was a big year for international endurance competition in the USA.. The
World Championships were held in the US for the first time since 1988 and the US
duly earned individual gold and silver medals, and just as important (some would
say more so) the team gold medal. Increased interest was shown toward
international competition due to the US hosting the competition. Unfortunately
with this increased exposure, international competition did not meet the
expectations of some Americans; witness the criticism and critiquing making the
rounds in print and amongst endurance enthusiasts.
It has been over five years since I last put in print information on
international competition, but it appears to me that a short history lesson may
be in order for those new to international competition, those who have forgotten
how this competition began, or to remind those who should know. What happened
years ago has formed the basis for international competition in this country and
in the rest of the world.
Many people (supporters and critics of international endurance competition
alike) are fond of pointing out that equine endurance competition was "invented"
in this country. While this may in large part be true, it is also true that the
US, and specifically the AERC in the 1980's, declined to have a say in or to
support international competition. This lack of interest (indeed hostility by
many on the AERC board in the late 80's) lead to the following results:
1) It was left to Europe through their sanctioning board ELDRIC and the FEI to
organize and promote a World Championship ride for the first time in 1986. This
, in a sense , was inevitable as virtually all European competitions are
"international" and AERC showed little interest in such a concept. Indeed,
there was not even a North American representative scheduled to attend the first
meeting to lay out the concept of a World Championship Ride! The original rules
for endurance riding were based on 3 Day Eventing's cross country phase and bore
even less resemblance to a typical US endurance ride than today. To make a long
story short, the US and Canada DID get involved in later years and rules were
modified to reflect the competition we have today. Now an international ride is
very much like a typical AERC 100 mile ride regardless of some criticism to the
contrary.
In spite of having little input early on, US squads have dominated individual
competition (every world champion to date has been American) and to a lesser
degree, team competition.
2) AERC did not want to participate in international competition in the mid and
late `80s. The reasons given? Financial drain on the organization and the fear
that international competition and European ideas would take over AERC. Sound
familiar? This lead to the formation of the "AERC International Support Group"
by a few AERC members who were interested in seeing the US participate in a
formal way. "International" was formed as a semi separate, semi autonomous
committee within AERC. It was made clear by the AERC board at the time that
AERC International was to be funded separately and this was done by instigation
of a separate "member fee" and by generous support of a few donors (the late
Mark Dees a primary contributor). In the early 90's, a formal structure and
"bylaws" (now "procedures") was drafted to foster participation by those
interested and to minimized the "elite clique" perception International carried
(also sound familiar?).
Because international endurance competition is a recognized FEI sport (remember
through efforts of "the Europeans" in the early `80s) and due to the
perseverance of several AERC International members, the USET decided to try
supporting International Endurance in the US and provided, at first, limited
support of a non financial nature for the 1992 World Championship in
Barcelona, Spain, and financial support in 1994 and 96. No longer does a good
competitor with little money and a dream to be world champion need put that
dream aside. If you are the best, you CAN compete for your country. Indeed,
now we can truly send our best, a dream come true.
So what is the state of international endurance competition in the USA ten years
after the first World Championship, five years after the formation of AERC
International, and four years after the USET agreed to fund US teams to World
Championships? Support? Prosperity? The best competitors in the world? Well
at least we can still boast the latter (for now!). As far as support and
prosperity are concerned, it appears there are those who would rather snipe from
outside the structure of AERC International and complain rather than help make
the changes they feel are needed. How can changes be made? Join the AERC
International support group. Run for positions on the International Committee
and change things from the inside (no it is NOT a closed clique, members elect
who is on the committee). Volunteer to help with committee duties. Work from
within AERC to change FEI rules if change is needed. Get involved, don't just
complain!
Lastly, let me point out the following to those who would criticize the current
World Championship and North American Championship formats :
1) FEI rides are not exactly like AERC rides (due to the aforementioned
neglect). In addition, international competition has not and will not in any
way change endurance rides at the rank and file level. International is merely
one more form of competition for those interested. And, contrary to the
impression many have, it is the competing for your country or region as a TEAM,
not individual competition that makes this aspect of our sport so appealing.
2)Criticism of FEI is not synonymous with criticism of a) the organizing
committee (those that actually put on the ride based on FEI rules); b) AERC
International or the US team itself; c) AHSA, the United States national
federation; or d) USET, the team funding arm for World Championship FEI
competition in the USA. Each of these organizations are independent. Likewise
FEI rules mandate a)The format of the ride and b) the selection of a team; not
everyone can represent his country or zone at a given competition.
If our organization (AERC) wants to participate in World Championships or North
American Championships (or Pan American Championships as may be the case for the
first time this year), three things need to be present. 1) A championship must
be organized and run, 2) The USA must have a mechanism for selecting and
fielding a team, and 3) There must be a means of funding the team. I submit
that the FEI does the first, AERC International the second, and the USET the
third.
This is how the game is currently played. If you don't like the game, you can
play something else (AERC offers a variety of ride formats) or get involved and
change the game. I for one would very much like to see as many people involved
in International as possible even if it is to do the latter. As I said five
years ago, AERC International is dying for constructive input....Uncle Sam wants
YOU!
E-mail from: R. K. and L.D. Stewart, 26-Jan-1997