November 28 2015
If you (or your horse) are interested in endurance riding, there is no better time to get started than right now. The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) ride season began onDecember 1, and rides are scheduled for every month of the ride year, which will run through November 30, 2016.
“New members are welcomed into the sport,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel. “We have an active group of mentors who will help you get started and answer any questions you may have about this sport, which can seem a little intimidating at first.”
New memberships are $63.75, plus $43.75 for a second adult family member ($17 for a family member under 18), which includes tracking of AERC mileage for both you and your horse, a monthly issue of Endurance News—an actual magazine sent by mail, not online—and a new member packet filled with educational materials.
The nonprofit organization, formed in 1972, has both an annual awards program and a lifetime mileage recognition program. “One of our most recognized awards is the Decade Team,” said Henkel, “which recognizes those riders and equines who have competed together on rides of 50 miles or longer for 10 seasons. It’s something many of our riders have as a goal when they get started in the sport.”
For a more in-depth experience, all are invited to attend the organization’s annual convention, held February 19 and 20, 2016, at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. The two-day event includes a free trade show with all the newest gear for distance riders, plus seminars and awards presentations.
Among the 2016 convention presenters will be Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, a recognized expert in equine nutrition, with a seminar entitled “But I Read It Online!” which will examine the good and bad of online horse nutrition claims. Jeanette Mero, DVM, will cover the topic every equestrian needs to know: “Lameness: Prevention and Treatment.”
Dr. Robin Foster, a certified applied animal behaviorist, will present a seminar on horse-human communication in “The Social Horse.” Rider fitness will be covered by Deanna Guinasso, a longtime fitness expert. Other seminar topics are being finalized over the next couple of weeks.
At the 2016 convention, GF Brazil’s Envy, a 1998 Arabian mare owned by California rider Ann Kratochvil, will be recognized as a Perfect Ten equine—the horse has competed for 10 years, more than 10,000 AERC miles, and has won 10 first place finishes and 10 best conditions. “Ann and GF Brazil’s Envy are the epitome of what endurance is all about,” said Henkel.
Also honored will be hundreds of regional award winners, the AERC Hall of Fame rider and equine, and the horse and rider team that best exemplifies sportsmanship in AERC’s Pard’ners Award.
Just ready to find out more about endurance riding without making a commitment yet? The AERC office will send out a free information packet, including their “Discover Endurance Riding” booklet, upon request to aerc@foothill.net or 866-271-2372 or by mail to AERC, P.O. Box 6027, Auburn, CA 95604—just send your name and mailing address.
For AERC convention information, visit http://www.aerc.org/static/Convention.aspx and click on Convention Information.
To join, call 866-271-2372 or join online at http://www.aerc.org/mbrReg.aspx.
Contact: Troy Smith
American Endurance Ride Conference
www.aerc.org
endurancenews@foothill.net
866-271-2372, 530-823-2260
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