ridecamp@endurance.net: Money, Riding adn A. E. R. C.'s Future

Money, Riding adn A. E. R. C.'s Future

Jerry Fruth (hikryrdg@evansville.net)
Thu, 06 Feb 1997 14:31:09 -0800

A response to the January 1997 A.E.R.C. Stagg Newman article "Amateurism,
Professionalism, Commercialism.

Rules: We should keep in mind that in most cases less is better than more. As
the sport of endurance riding matures, revised standards may need to be
set. Along with our standards changing, more rules may be necessary to
keep the sport safe, humane, and equal to all. Lets not limit our vision of
the future for fear of adding rules..

Money: It is my belief that in time more and more money will find its way into
our sport. After all, we do race horses. Money has followed the sport of
racing horses for hundreds of years. Our particular brand of racing is no
different. Riders do ride to win. It's only natural. There is a special
thrill for those of us that show up on ride day to do our best and sometimes
come in first in our weight division. For those who like to finish, well, I
am sure they also get a get a high and a big thrill. Large cash payoffs can
work and, we can keep the sport operating at an amateur level; with equal
access for all.

So, what is the formula? First and foremost, A.E.R.C. will have to change its
own attitude about its role in endurance riding. Over the years, A.E.R.C. has
been reactive versus pro-active. It is my belief that now is the time for A.E.R.C.
to step up and take charge. A.E.R.C. should regulate awards and cash pay offs all
the way from local rides through international events. All things change. We
must change to survive.

A change in the National Championship Series is critical to our growth and to the
control of money. A new structure to the Championship Series would include
regional qualifications. A certain amount of qualification miles and placement
levels in each weight division would qualify the rider to enter the Championship
Ride. The Championship Ride should be a one day meet where on a given day
the best would test each other. At the same time, we should create a 50 mile
championship. There are 50 mile horses and 100 mile horses. Unfortunately,
some of are getting up in years where a 100 mile race in one day just does not
sound like fun. But boy, we can give them fits for 50 miles. In addition, we
could have a two-day 100 mile championship. A.E.R.C. would sponsor the "new
championship series". It would do all the promotion, collect all the fees for
advertising, etc. In time we could build the series to such an extent to where
television rights would be sold. Cash awards would be given for the top five
finishers in each weight division and the Best Conditioned cash prize would be at
least triple that of a first place finish. By placing more emphasis on the Best
Condition award, we recognize "to finish is to win".

No other rides would be allowed to give any form of cash prize or equipment
such as trailers, etc. Rides would be limited to the amount of any single prize in
dollar value. The giving of awards on a top ten basis would be eliminated and
replaced with awards on a top five in each weight division. Again with special
emphasis on the Best Conditioned award. I.A.H.A. sweepstakes would be
included in the championship series as far as part of the cash pay out goes.

Special emphasis would be placed on the horse. Awards would be made to the
horses through the rider. Example: when placings are announced the horses
name would be given first and then the riders name. Published results would also
show the sire and dam.

As the National Championship grows some of the money could be used to offset
the cost of dues, assist in the funding of a Trails Foundation, assist in the cost
where battles occur over trail usage, assist with more study on how endurance
riding effects our horses, and last but not least to promote the sport of endurance
riding.

We are at a fork in the road. We can control the destiny of endurance riding or
let it slip away. For the time being, lets not sanction money rides. Let our board
study for a year all the proposals and then take the best ideas and move forward.
What we are about to do is serious business. It is time for A.E.R.C. to create a
long term management plan dealing with money, awards, a national
championship ride, international rides and trails.

This article has been written to answer the call by several directors for ideas. It is
not meant to be critical of our existing structure or board members. They are
ideas for consideration.

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