2000 National Championship Qualifiers

[terry woolley <cancer@simplyweb.net>]

At the mid year board meeting the format was established for the
qualifying for the National Championship Rides.  While much of the
criteria remained the same (in order to give this format an chance), the
most important change this year is that participants in the National
Championship Rides will get full points -- both regional and national.

The national championship rides give AERC members the opportunity for a
one on one race with the best competitors in the country that are
competing that year. The championship rides are not intended to
determine who is the "champion" because of all the points, miles,
awards, etc., that that horse has attained in its lifetime, but the
opportunity for those horses competing in the current year to compete
with other competitive horses currently competing.   This is actually
five races within each course, since there is no overall winner, but a
winner in each weight division and junior division. Regional and
National points will be awarded for those participating in the National
Championships.

The qualifying is very simple.  Any rider who top tens in that rider’s
weight division at one of the qualifying rides is eligible to
participate.  Riders can qualify at a ride outside of their region.
Ride entries for the championship will be available at each qualifying
ride, and riders must enter within 30 days of qualifying in order to
avoid a late fee.  Riders may only compete at the Championship Ride on
the horse on which they qualified.  The two courses are three days apart
so it is possible that a rider, on one or two horses, could compete in
each course so long as that rider/horse team qualified in each
distance.  Winners of each weight division at the 1999 Championships are
automatically qualified.

 Randy Eiland will again be ride manager for this Championship.  The
basecamp has moved and will be near the historic Fort Stanton in New
Mexico, which is one of the few intact frontier forts in the west. The
Ft. Stanton area offers easy access to vehicles, and  tourist
attractions (Riudoso Downs Racetrack, Museum of the Horse, Carlsbad
Caverns, White Sands National Monument, plus more restaurants and other
amenities).  This would be a great family vacation.  There will be more
information later regarding the course.

Even for those who are not participating in the championship, this will
be a great opportunity to meet other riders throughout the country and
enjoy the camaraderie and experience the excitement that these
championship rides create.  Put the dates for these championship rides
on your calendar because you wont want to miss them.

The dates for the national championship rides are
                      100 Mile Championship -- Tuesday, August 1, 2000
                         50 Mile Championship – Friday, August 4, 2000

We are again most fortunate to have the 50 and 100 Mile National
Championship Rides sponsored by the National Horse Sports Foundation and
the Explorer Nutrition & Fiber Group..

 Below is a list of the qualifying rides that have been scheduled so
far:

 Midwest Region -- 50 Miles, "Southeast Minnesota Ride"  on  June 17
 Midwest Region -- 100 Miles, "Grand Island Ride"  on May 27
 Mountain Region --  50 Miles, "Mount Carmel (Day 1) Ride" on  May 13
 Mountain Region -- 100 Miles, "Fort Howes Ride" on  June 10
 Northwest Region --  50 Miles,  "Pacific North at Sunriver Ride" on
June 17
 Northwest Region -- 100 Miles, "Mt. Adams Ride" on  June  3
 Pacific Southwest Region --  50 Miles, "Mt. Laguna Ride" on  June 17
 Pacific Southwest Region -- 100 Miles, "20 Mule Team" on  February 19
Southwest Region --   50 Miles,  "Desert Sky Riders" on  April 22

If your Region's ride is not listed here, call your sanctioning director
and tell them to get on the stick to select your region's qualifying
ride.

If you have any questions or honest concerns, I will be glad to answer
them.  Flames need not reply.


Terry Woolley Howe
Chairman, Competitions Committee.




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