American Endurance Ride Conference Severs Ties with USEF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2019

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the national governing body for endurance riding since 1972, announced on January 15 that, as of December 1, 2019, it will no longer be affiliated with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

The AERC Board of Directors voted on the disaffiliation motion at their January 14 conference call meeting after months of comments and deliberation.

Continuing the AERC/USEF affiliation through the 2019 ride season will allow previously co-sanctioned rides to be held and allow for a transition period before the 2020 ride season.

AERC, a nonprofit organization founded in 1972, was affiliated with USEF and its predecessor, the American Horse Show Association, since endurance riding became an international sport. Endurance riding was first included in the World Equestrian Games held in Sweden in 1990. The winner of that event was American Becky Grand Hart, riding RO Grand Sultan+/.

AERC’s International Committee, founded in 1991, will be working with the AERC Board of Directors to find a means to allow those seeking to participate in international competitions to continue to do so.

The AERC Board of Directors, which represents the organization's more than 4,900 members, will be working on a plan to facilitate the separation from USEF, according to AERC President Monica Chapman.

For more information about the American Endurance Ride Conference, visit www.AERC.org.

About the AERC
The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as a national governing body for long distance riding. Over the years it has developed a set of rules and guidelines designed to provide a standardized format and strict veterinary controls. The AERC sanctions more than 700 rides each year throughout North America and in 1993 Endurance became the fifth discipline under the United States Equestrian Team.

In addition to promoting the sport of endurance riding, the AERC encourages the use, protection, and development of equestrian trails, especially those with historic significance. Many special events of four to six consecutive days take place over historic trails, such as the Pony Express Trail, the Outlaw Trail, the Chief Joseph Trail, and the Lewis and Clark Trail. The founding ride of endurance riding, the Western States Trail Ride or “Tevis,” covers 100 miles of the famous Western States and Immigrant Trails over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These rides promote awareness of the importance of trail preservation for future generations and foster an appreciation of our American heritage. For more information please visit us at www.aerc.org.