Monday, February 07, 2011

American Endurance Ride Conference Annual Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: February 3, 2010

Horseback riders of all types will find inspiration at the American Endurance Ride Conference’s 2011 convention at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada, on March 4 and 5. The theme for this year’s annual meeting is “Family-Friends-Fun” and the show promises a family-friendly celebration of endurance riding for participants of all ages.

A free trade show in the exhibit hall from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday features the lightweight tack and saddles favored by distance riders, plus a myriad of products for all horse enthusiasts. A tack swap which benefits AERC gives convention-goers a chance to pick up used saddles and tack at great prices.

For those interested in finding out more about endurance riding, seminars are available both Friday and Saturday which feature icons of the sport sharing their knowledge. Seminar passes are $55 per day ($35 for each additional family member).

On Friday, Angie McGhee of Wildwood, Georgia, author of the humorous book, “The Lighter Side of Endurance Riding,” will team up with her daughter Josie for “Adventures in Family Riding.” Gary Magdesian, DVM, associate professor of medicine and epidemiology at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, will talk about recent research on horses not completing at the Tevis Cup 100-mile endurance ride. Next, equine veterinarian Langdon Fielding, DVM, will discuss risk factors for endurance pulls. Rounding out Friday’s program is Jan Worthington, a top endurance competitor who, at age 70, was the oldest competitor at the recent World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Saturday’s line-up includes “Lame or Not Lame? You Be the Judge,” moderated by Thomas Timmons, DVM, which will give audience members a chance to recognize subtle lameness clues. Julie Suhr, an AERC Hall of Fame member and one of the most respected members of the sport, will present “The FUNctional Endurance Family” with her daughter, Barbara White, a 30-time finisher of the grueling Tevis Cup competition. Saturday’s final seminar is “Nutrition for Endurance Equines,” presented by Performance Horse Nutrition’s Stephen Duren, MS, PhD.

The conference also features a regional awards ceremony on Friday afternoon and a dance later that evening, and free “hot topics” sessions on both Friday and Saturday at 7:30 a.m., where members discuss and debate current subjects of concern.

Top equines and riders of 2010 will be honored at Saturday’s national awards banquet. The evening culminates with the naming of the newest inductees into the organization’s Hall of Fame, both human and equine, and the Pard’ners Award winner, honoring the person and horse who best personify true partnership and sportsmanship.

Convention registration can be made by phone to the AERC office at 866-271-2372. A complete convention overview and reservation forms are available online at www.aerc.org. The reservation line for the Grand Sierrra Resort and Casino is 800-648-5080.

For information about AERC's upcoming convention or membership in AERC, visit aerc.org or phone toll-free 866-271-2372.

Contact: Troy Smith
endurancenews@foothill.net
866-271-2372, 530-823-2260

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