Regional conventions

[wine-o@pacbell.net]

As an AERC member and supporter I go to the National Convention where 
ever it is, east coast or west.  When it is held in Reno it is easier 
for me to get there for obvious reasons since I live here in 
California. When the AERC selected Lexington I did not complain, I 
went to support my sport and my affliation with our organization. West 
coast members were present in most of the committee meetings, 
banquets, seminars.  Exhibitors from the west coast were there in 
force also.  This was not a regional convention, this was a national 
convention celebrating our sport and the comradre between riders 
across the nation!  I'm sorry if we did not meet all the east coast 
members last week, but we sure tried to.

To respond to the idea that members will not go to the national 
convention because of regional conferences I give you this,
there are at least nine seperate regional conferences or conventions 
held during the year in there respected areas.
PNER, SW Region, SE conference, Mountain, Midwest, Central, Pacific 
South, West, I hope I didn't leave anyone out correct me if I did!  
Those of us who were able to go to Lexington will probably go to our 
regional conferences also. Those who were unable to travel on that 
date due to work, children, farms and those items pertaining to life 
get a second chance to participate in a event celebrating our sport, 
learning new advances in equine care, celebrating our local hero's and 
catching up with old friends while meeting new one's in a setting 
closer to home.  Unfortunately not everyone was able to go to 
Lexington and in the future not everyone will be able to travel to 
Reno or some other destination in the U.S.  This gives the balance of 
the membership an oppurtunity to participate. These regional 
conventions also give us an oppurtunity to introduce our sport, our 
organization to local new riders who would otherwise not have had the 
chance.  The regional conferences help our sport by promoting it at 
the local level.

Best of riding! 
Mike.