October AERC International Newsletter

["Steph Teeter" <steph@endurance.net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: rk_ld_stewart@csi.com [mailto:rk_ld_stewart@csi.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 1999 8:15 AM
Subject: AERC International Internet News-October


Pamela Burton, PSaintjohn@aol.com


The RED, WHITE, & BLUE take GOLD, SILVER, & BRONZE in the Team Competitions
at the Pan American Endurance Championships, 1999 in Manitoba, Canada!

    90 horses who made the journey to Canada vetted through for the start.
About ˝ of that number finished the race.  The soft sand track through
mostly flowered meadows and some woods was deceptive.  It sapped the
strength of the horses quickly.  10% of the horses were pulled at the first
loop after 24 miles.
   Constance Walker and Smoke Silver drove all the way from Plainfield, New
Hampshire as  second to last alternate for U.S. East….The Team members had
been chosen but late in the game, teams were told they could have 12, not 6
squad members,  and she was tagged as an alternate.  On arrival, the team
was re-evaluated, and her effort to come had paid off!!  She was on the
team, and planned "to try to finish strongly" in the top 10.  Good race day
strategy had her slowly moving up as Smoke settled down.  Connie says "he
gets stronger as the day goes on". Their partnership work has paid off as
this was the horse that threw her" every day for three months".
   By the last loop when team member Steve Rojek and Hawk were pulled,
Connie vetted out and left the vet check first.  She thought she had a
twenty minute lead and was surprised to see Pacific North's Darla Westlake
and RamZ catch up to her 10 minutes into the loop. With several large sand
dunes left to go…the two decided to ride together and let the horses "pull
each other along".   The finish was decided by the horses as Connie's Smoke
settled into a nice strong trot while Darla was not sure she wanted to risk
a fast finish….But RamZ decided as he picked up the pace …..and was pushing
Smoke from behind as they came to the finish!!  Smoke crossed first in 9 hrs
32 mins ride time, with RamZ a second behind for Silver!

Christie Jensen and Tais,  who was held 20 minutes for a time penalty, came
in a strong individual third place Bronze for Canada West….and took Best
Condition the next day.

	Connie was joined in her individual Gold by her team-mates from U.S. East
who made a concerted and intimidating rush for the lead, and never let go.
Patti Pizzo, Steve Rojek, Linda Crandell, Constance Walker, Julie Bullock,
Amanda Taylor, Dana Reeder and Rita Swift all kept in the front of the pack
and helped pull U.S. East to the Gold Medal Team finish.

    Pacific North's Lari Shea and Avantii had won the pre-ride last year on
the same course in 9 hours and 18 minutes. A repeat was not to be this time
as Avantii was pulled at 71 miles as he was "slightly off".

Thanks to everyone who allowed visiting competitors to lease horses as the
health requirements and cost were prohibitive to transport horses. This
allowed riders from Australia, Brazil, Canada (zones East and West) Great
Britain, Romania, and Venezuela to compete.

Because any rider can compete for a country if holding the passport from
that country, the British team were all ex-pats residing in the U.S. and
AERC members.
See complete race results on www.endurance.net.

 Myna Cryderman, Event Organizer, with her great group of Canadian
supporters proved to be excellent hosts.  Along with the lovely ride site
and camping field, there was a grand food tent,  entertainment,  clean Porta
Potties,  and plenty of water on site and on the trail. Thirteen
accomplished endurance veterinarians were responsible for the main vetting,
but the ride site boasted not less than 50 vets competing or attending as
team vet.
Those of you who heard the Brian Reeves and his horse "Goofy" parted company
during the ride will be happy to know that a concerted effort by many ride
members and locals found Goofy after two days not too worse for wear. Brian
and Goofy are happily reunited and  home safe. They want to express their
deep appreciation for all of the efforts made on their behalf. Ride members
gathered a reward of $1000 which they will send to the local gentleman who
collected Goofy from the wilds.

Final top ten finishers:
1.  Constance Walker, S.M.L. Smoke Silver, US East, ride time 9:32:32.
2.  Darla Westlake, MC RamZ. US Pac North, ride time 9:32:33.
3.  Christine Janzen, Tais, Canada West, ride time 9:43:40. Best Condition.
4.  Amanda Taylor, VP Bojtok, US East, ride time 10:03.
5.  Patti Pizzo, Savaq, US East, ride time 10:13.
6.  Linda Crandell, L.R. Forgeym, US East, ride time 10:13.
7.  Stephanie Teeter, Nature's Kruschev,US Mount, ride time 10:50.
8.  Julie Bullock, Tashi Ashara, US East, ride time 11:08.
9.  Marcia Smith, Saamson CC, US Pac North, ride time 11:08.
10.  Kevin Bohm, MN Fay Royale, Australia, ride time 11:16. Top
off-continent award finisher.


INDIVIDUAL GOLD
Constance Walker, D.M.L. Smoke Silver, US East.

INDIVIDUAL SILVER
Darla Westlake, MC RamZ US Pacific North.

INDIVIDUAL Bronze
Christine Janzen, Tais, Canada West.

TEAM GOLD
 US East
Linda Crandell, LR Forgeym
	Patti Pizzo, Savaq
	Stephen Rojek, Hawk Peregrine
	Constance Walker, D.M.L. Smoke Silver
   Combined Riding times: 29 hours, 58 minutes
Team  Silver
US Pac North
	Darla Westlake, MC RamZ
	Shellie Hatfield, Major Attraction
	Marcia Smith, Saamson CC
	Kathleen Thompson, LS Zane Grey
  Combined Riding Times:  33 hours, 33 minutes

Team Bronze
 US Central
	Melissa Crain, Charbeil
Gail Fiebelman Zeck, Obsyssion
Roberta Harms, Sha-Win
Jan Worthingham, LM Mastermind
  Combined Riding Times:  35 hours, 7 minutes



TEAM ZONE/SQUAD PROPOSED CHANGES
    by Toni Benedetti, International Chair

I sent a mailing to the AERC International members prior to the Pan American
Championship (PAC) in August  asking for  opinions
regarding increasing the number of zones and/or increasing the squad size
per zone.  I appreciated the many responses I received showing a huge level
of  interest in International.

 	In Canada, at the PAC,  I held an AERC I meeting to discuss this issue
with  about 75 members present.  Once again, I appreciated the input.  The
general consensus at the meeting was that the members wanted to keep the
zones as they are currently defined
but permanently increase the squad size to twelve.

  Below are the pros and cons regarding squad/zones.

1.  (If we) stay with 5 zones and select 6 horses per squad: Pros include
stability and continuity within the zones, limit sending only the best
horses to a championship event, challenge and reward of making a 6 horse
squad (best of the best). Cons include limiting the number of horses and
newcomers who gain international experience (6 horses X 5 zones = 60
entrants), constrains pool of International (level) riders for world
selection, limits entries and imperials the financial feasibility of putting
on a PAC.

2.  (If we) increase the number of zones possibly to match AERC regions
within the United States (9 zones):
Pros include making it easier for people to better understand what zone they
are in and why, allows more riders (6 horses X 9
zones = 54 entrants) to participate and gain International experience,
gives people pride in their AERC region. Cons include the ability to put
together 9 management teams (9 chef d' equipes, 9 selection chairman, 9
selection committees), limits the interaction of International riders
outside their AERC regions (I riders become regionalized), some regions fear
the inability to field full squads and management teams, some regions would
never be competitive at a PAC .

3.  (If we) increase squad sizes and increase the number of Zones:
See the pros and cons of the two options outlined above.

4.  (If we) increase the squad size and keep the five Zones as they are:
Pros include an increased number of overall entrants (5 zones X 12 horses =
60 entrants) which will help with the financial feasibility of putting on
the ride, increases the number of riders and horses getting International
experience, cross regionalization of International riders allows riders to
get to know and work with riders from outside of their regions on a North
American and Pan American level before potentially moving on to the Worlds.

Leaving zones as they are increases the continuity that is just now
hitting its stride in regards to team management (chef d'equipes, selection
chairpersons, and selectors), sponsors, and zone spirit. Cons include a need
to increase the size of the team management per squad (need assistant chef
d'equipes and assistant vets), the larger squad size is more difficult for a
chef d'equipe to manage.

There was also discussion regarding splitting individual zones which really
only included splitting the East Zone. There were arguments for and against
but I felt that the general consensus from the people at the meeting was
that they wanted to keep the East Zone as is for the present time with the
understanding that this opinion may change in the future.

Let your voice be heard!
Please convey your thoughts on this issue to your zone representatives.   We
will discuss this issue at the International meeting at the next AERC
convention and the International Committee will then vote on a
recommendation to give to AHSA and FEI.

Other News

FYI
Get involved!!

Volunteers needed for the World Games in France in August 2000.  Interested
person please contact Ellen Betker, 64119 Hunnell Road, Bend OR 97701  Phone
(541) 389-7606 or email:  lebetker@outlawnet.com

Nominations for International Committee Chair, Vice Chair , and Zone
Representatives close October 31, 1999.  Contact  Doyle Patrick, AERC Office
to announce candidate status.

USET Discipline Committee:
Nominations to serve on the USET Discipline committee close November 15,
1999.  People interested in serving, please send a letter expressing your
interest to Tony Benedetti (address inside EN cover).  The AERC
International Committee then recommends candidates to the USET for
appointment.

2000 World Endurance Championship - Team Selection Announcement:

The selection procedures for the World Endurance Championship in Compiegne,
France to be held on August 27, 2000 are curently being reviewed by the
appropriate committees. Subject to approval by these committees, the
selection procedures should be available in early December. Look in the
November Endurance News for further details. You will be able to request
nomination forms in late November by calling Mary  Mary Lutz at the
USET.


2001 Pan American Championships:

The 1999 Pan American Championships illustrated that a well-run First Class
event can be hosted  with some financial success. A site search committee
was formed at PAC 1999 consisting of Jerry Gillespie, Mike Tomlinson, and
Tony Benedetti.  Please contact one of these members with any ideas and
questions regarding a proposal for 2001 site selection.


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