A Program for Welfare of the Endurance Horse

by Stagg Newman

A Program for Welfare of the Horse
An Open letter to the AERC BoD and Members

AERC in the past took the initial lead in establishing standards for endurance riding that promoted the welfare of the horse but has lost that leadership position as discussed below.  AERC should reclaim the global leadership role for welfare of the horse in the sport of endurance.  To do so AERC should undertake a comprehensive program to protect our horses that includes
-education,
-research, and
-rule changes

AERC is to be commended for past actions to protect the welfare of the horse.  AERC was formed in the 1970s to provide protection for horses competing in endurance at a time when horse fatalities in endurance racing were common and there were no or minimal rules.  AERC brought veterinary controls to the sport.  The initial AERC rules fit on one piece of paper.  Underlying those rules was an assumption that endurance riders were knowledgeable, experienced and responsible equestrians.  Most endurance riders had grown up with horses.  In the ‘80s as a result of a still unacceptable fatality rate, particularly experiences at the Tevis ride, some leaders in AERC started advocating for more stringent rules.   Around 1990, AERC developed the current Fit to Continue criteria that became the global standard for vet checks in endurance competitions.  In the 2000s AERC led the way in investigation and publication of horse fatalities, i.e. transparency.  That is an admirable foundation.

However, we have not successfully reduced the fatality rate in the past 15 years.   Moreover, the reality is AERC is no longer regarded globally as a leader in the sport, particularly with respect to protecting the welfare of the horse.  Many other national and local organizations have taken stronger actions recently than AERC to protect our horses (see Appendix A).  Therefore, we need to ask – and demand an honest answer -- whether the original assumption that all AERC riders are knowledgeable, experienced and responsible equestrians is really valid.  In fact, many endurance riders like this author did not grow up riding horses.  Rather many of us started riding horses after we were well into our adult years and have learned to be equestrians as we did endurance rides. 
The articles by Dr. Jerry Gillespie, Chair of the Research Committee, and Dr. Jay Mero, Chair of the Veterinary Committee, in the January EN make a strong case for why AERC needs to do more to protect the welfare of our horses.

So we now need to ask what more AERC needs to do. I would like to engage the membership in discussing this issue leading up to the AERC convention in Atlanta which appropriately this year has the theme “Horses First”.

First we need to acknowledge that endurance riding does bring increased risk to our horses.  Olin Balch on the Research Committee has done an excellent job of analyzing the fatality record for the period of 2002 to 2012.  I would recommend reading his one page report on the AERC web site.  The following table from his report indicates the risk inherent in our sport. 

Table 2 -  Effect of ride length on fatalities: '02 – '12
	All rides	LD's	50 milers	75 milers	100 milers
Starts	234,072	88,358	128,536	4,358	9,764
All fatalities	80	11	42	1	20
Starts per fatality	2,926	8,033	3,038	4,358	488
Exercise-related Fatalities*	58	9	34	1	14
Starts per endurance related fatality	4,036	9,818	3,780	4,358	697

*Exercise-related deaths  are those associated  with the exercise demands of the sport such as with metabolic disease induced by the demands of endurance riding.   Non-exercise-related deaths include but were not limited to falls off trails, vehicle collisions, nighttime corral escapes, coincidental colics, sudden exsanguinations, and an enterolith obstruction of the colon. 
 
As two reference points to compare to this table use the following:
1. for horses in the general equine population, in the 5 to 20 age category over a two day period the data available indicates an expectation of about 1 fatality per 14,000 horses.
2.  for horses entered in flat track dirt racing in the U.S., the data available indicates an expectation of about 1 fatality per 588 starts.
 
An oversimplification of the statistical implications of this is that a horse incurs about a 5 fold increase in risk as a result of entering an endurance competition compared to staying at home.  Horses entering a 100-mile competition are at similar risk of dying as a result of going to and entering the event as a horse entering a flat track race in the U.S.   For this author who has focused on and completed well over 50 100-mile competitions, this was a sobering statistic.

So we need to ask what we can do to mitigate this risk.
We should analyze steps that our sport can take to improve the welfare of the horse and mitigate risks in three areas:
I.  Horse and Rider Qualification
II.  Ride Design
III. Veterinary Control

Appendix A provides examples from either local organizations (e.g. the Western States Trail Ride, aka Tevis) or national organizations of other countries (their equivalent of AERC) of controls that have been implemented to improve the welfare of the horses.   These examples are given to initiate discussion and not necessarily to advocate for these ideas.  Each idea needs to be analyzed on its merits and applicability for AERC.

We in AERC should compile a far more complete list of ideas from
-the ideas of our membership
-the practices of other local and national organizations
-a survey of the research literature including the work of the AERC Research Committee

These ideas can form the basic input for developing a long term program of education, research, and improved rules for the welfare of the horse.  The author understands that a set of near term actions is being considered by the Vet Committee and the Research Committee and commends that effort.  This effort is intended to complement that effort to create an on-going program that improves the welfare of our horses.

Stagg Newman
AERC Member 6477
Past President of AERC

Appendix A – Early Draft
Local and National Endurance Organization Rules to Promote the Welfare of the Horse
Examples – not a complete list
The following list is intended to stimulate discussion.  The author is not advocating for these ideas per se nor against them.
I.  Horse and Ride Qualification Rules
A.  Australia
From http://www.aera.asn.au/

R3    Novice Rider
3.1     A person is deemed to be a novice rider until the requirements of the following sub-rules have been complied with:
a)     The person must successfully complete two affiliated training rides before entering an affiliated endurance ride as a novice rider. Logbook(s) or vet cards must be presented to prove completion.
b)    The novice rider must then enter a sufficient number of affiliated endurance rides as a novice rider to successfully complete 240 kilometres at any time and in any riding section (excluding training rides). Logbook(s) must be presented to substantiate the distance completed.
3.1          When the requirements of the above rule have been complied with, the person will be issued with a standard Membership Card by the State Management Committee.
3.2          Pending receipt of the standard Membership Card the person may enter any affiliated endurance ride and is not required to enter as a novice rider, provided they show sufficient proof by presenting Logbooks as referred to above with their novice rider endorsed Membership Card.
3.3          A novice rider must not be entered in an affiliated endurance ride when the total distance of the ride is more than 120 kilometres to be ridden in one day.
3.4          Novice riders must attend the pre-ride briefing and will not be permitted to participate in the ride if they have not attended.
3.5          The minimum riding time for all novice riders in each leg of an endurance ride shall comply with one of the following:
a)     shall comply with a minimum riding time determined by the ride committee in consultation with the Chief Steward and Head Veterinarian.  The minimum riding time shall be calculated by dividing the distance of the ride or leg by 14 km/h or less;
b)    shall ride behind a pace rider as defined in the TRAINING RIDE RULES. The pace rider shall not complete the distance of any riding leg in a time less than that as determined in R.3.6a) above.
Endurance Rider
4.1     An endurance rider is a member who has successfully completed 240 kilometres as a novice rider and been issued a standard Membership Card and who has not been reduced to novice status by any provision of a rule.
 
 
B.  Brazil
Brazil now requires several novice (LD level) competitions before a horse can compete in an open level competition (details to be supplied later)

C.  Great Britain
Endurance Great Britain (EGB) requires horses and riders to compete at a novice (30-50 km) before they can move to the open level (equivalent to endurance riders of 50 miles or more in the U.S.)
From http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/novice.html

Novice Level Riders and Ride Rules
The minimum age for any horse to take part in a Graded Endurance Ride (GER) is 5 years. The age of a horse is deemed to change on 1st January of the current year irrespective of the actual birth date during that year
A Novice horse aged 5 and in its first season may only compete at Novice Level. All Novice horses in their first season may not start in more than ten Graded Endurance Rides (GERs) and must only start rides to a maximum distance of 450km whether or not the rides are completed successfully. A horse presented to the pre-ride veterinary inspection is considered to have started the ride.  
Rides available to Novice Horse/Rider combinations are from 30-50km and are to be completed at between 8-15kph.
A Novice Level horse aged 6 yrs or over in its first season may complete Open qualification ready to compete at Advanced level from the start of its second season - providing the maximum distance is not exceeded.
A horse and rider must compete at the lowest qualification for the combination. For example, an Open Level rider riding a Novice Level horse can only compete at Novice Level.
First season horses may complete their novice and open qualifications, providing age requirements are satisfied. They must not upgrade or compete at advanced level within one season. 
However riders may progress to Advanced Level within one season.
 
Minimum Requirements for Novice Horse or Rider to Progress to Open Level

Minimum age of horse	Ride Types	Minimum No of Successful Completions	Distance km +/-5%	Conditions
5	GER (Graded Endurance Rides)	3	30-50	None (rides may be completed in any order of distance)

Horses may not compete in Open GERs until they are 6years old.
Furthermore EGB has additional requirement to compete at open rides of 65-80 km before horses or riders can advance to the advanced level.
From http://www.endurancegb.co.uk/html/open.html
A first season horse, which has completed qualification to Open, may not start GERs exceeding a total distance of 450km during that season.  
Rides available to Open Horse/Rider combinations are GERs of up to 90km in one day or a maximum of 130km over two consecutive days. The rides should be ridden at speeds between 10-18kph.
However, an Open Level horse/rider combination may, if they wish enter a Novice class.  When an Open level horse and rider enter a Novice class this must be indicated clearly at the top of the vet sheet prior to presenting for vetting.  Failure to do so may result in the horse being classified as Open/Advanced. If an Open level horse enters a novice class then it will not receive grading points – only distance points will be awarded. 
The speed parameters in a Novice class are 8-15kph.  If entering a Pleasure Ride (PR) the speed parameters are 8-12kph.

Minimum Requirements for Open Level Horse or Rider to Progress to Advanced 

Minimum age of horse	Ride Types	Minimum No f Successful Completions	Distance mms (+/-5%)	Conditions
6	GER	2	65-80km	At least one must be 80 km in one day

D.  Tevis
The Western States 100 mile ride, the foundation ride of our sport now has explicit rider qualifications and strong recommendations on horse qualifications.
From http://www.teviscup.org/

“Riders must be qualified by having completed a minimum number of sanctioned distance riding miles. You are qualified if, at the time of application, you have completed at least 300 cumulative lifetime miles of competition in AERC, NATRC, or competitive rides of 50 miles or longer approved as equivalent by WSTF ride management, or you have completed the Tevis Cup Ride. Riders fully completing the Tevis Educational Ride and Seminars will be given credit for 150 miles for a two day ride and 75 miles for a one day ride toward the 300 mile requirement. The Veterinary Committee of the Western States Trail Ride strongly recommends that horses entered in the Ride have at least 300 miles of completed distance competition in events of 50 miles or longer.
 
II.  Ride Design
A.  Australia
THE FOLLOWING vet-gate-into-hold GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED TO PROTECT THE WELFARE OF THE HORSE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT VET-GATE-INTO-HOLD VET CHECKS ARE RUN IN CONJUNCTION WITH SHORTER LEG LENGTHS. AS THE HORSE IS PRESENTED TO THE VET IN A MUCH SHORTER TIME-FRAME THAN UNDER NORMAL VET CHECK STANDARDS, THE ASSESSMENT OF THE METABOLIC STATUS OF THE HORSE IS CONSIDERABLY MORE DIFFICULT. 
12.1      The heart rate is to be set no higher than a maximum of 60 beats per minute, unless run in conjunction with an FEI ride as per Rule V9.
12.2        Rides of 119 kilometres or less should have a minimum of 3 legs if vet-gate-into-hold procedures are to be used. The last leg should be shorter in distance and of lesser intensity where possible.
12.3        Rides of 120 kilometres to less than 160kilometres should have a minimum of 4 legs if vet-gate-into-hold procedures are to be used. The last two legs should be shorter in distance and of lesser intensity, where possible.
12.4        Rides of 160 kilometres are to have a minimum of 5 legs if vet-gate-into-hold procedures are to be used. The last two legs should be shorter in distance and of lesser intensity, where possible.
 
From http://www.aera.asn.au/

B.  Brazil
Brazil now has a standard that all holds must be a minimum of 40 minutes so horses can rehydrate and get nourishment.
C.  Biltmore Challenge
The Biltmore Challenge has the ride finish line 1.2 miles away from camp in large field for safe area for race at finish away from all dirt roads that could have car traffic.
D.  Vermont
The Vermont rides now frequently require a 10 to 15 minute mandatory hold between 10 and 15 miles out for horses to have an opportunity to rehydrate.  This also breaks the early race brain mentality for excitable horses.
E.  Research from Canada by Drs. Lindinger and Ecker (need to get more precise details and references)
-the sweat loss early in a ride has a much heavier concentration of electrolytes and thus is far more detrimental to a horse
-horses need to have an opportunity to rehydrate within the first 16 miles or so of the start of the ride to avoid getting into a substantive hydration deficit situations.  Moreover horses should as the ride goes beyond the 30 miles mark or so accumulate at least 2 minutes of hold time for each mile of trail covered.
 
III.  Veterinary Control
A.  Australia  -
From http://www.aera.asn.au/
13.1        The following guidelines are to ensure horse welfare issues can always be dealt with, especially where horses are required to be treated during a ride.
13.2        For all rides with a standard 30 minute veterinary check there should be a minimum of two veterinarians for up to 60 horses. For each additional 30 horses, another veterinarian should be provided.
13.3        For vet-gate-into-hold rides, the recommended ratio is one veterinarian per 15 horses.
13.4        For rides of 120 kilometres or more, a separate additional treatment veterinarian is required, present at the ride base.  Note that these ratios do not necessarily apply to the pre-ride vet check.

US National Endurance Organization Feels the Heat

January 4 2013

by Merri Melde - Endurance.net

The FEI Endurance Controversy regarding positive horse dopings and deaths which caused a world-wide uproar beginning in the summer of 2013, is trickling down to the foundations of the sport, which originated in the USA in 1955 with the birth of the 100-mile Tevis Cup in California.

The raging international controversy has inspired much consternation and reform demands by many nations outside the FEI Group VII area (which includes the Middle East and North Africa), from where most of the violations have originated.

Due to the public outcry, an Endurance Strategic Planning Group was formed to meet during the November 2013 FEI General Assembly in Montreux, Switzerland. This group set forth proposals designed to address the contentious issues in international Endurance, particularly the incidences of doping and injuries, and misconduct of officials.

While it is a step in the right direction, many feel the FEI is moving far too slowly in dealing with the crises, and repercussions may spill out into non-FEI-related endurance riding.

In the USA, the AERC - American Endurance Ride Conference - is currently recognized as the "affiliated endurance organization" by USEF - United States Equestrian Federation, the USA Federation member of FEI. AERC is to encourage and promote the direction of growth of the endurance discipline.

AERC and its members have been swept up into the FEI debate, worrying that the current state of the FEI sport of endurance racing has tainted the original idea of the sport of endurance riding, and will negatively affect its existence in the USA.

AERC was founded in 1972 "as the 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." Part of AERC's mission statement is to "attract and reward members who act to insure the highest priority for their horses' immediate and long-term physical and emotional health and well-being." Many feel FEI endurance racing has become the antithesis of this mission statement.

While all of AERC members who have voiced opinions agree that the FEI rule infractions are wrong and unacceptable, they are divided on whether or not AERC should completely divorce itself from FEI, or to try to use its influence and its reputation as promoting endurance horse welfare to improve the situation. Only about 6.3% of the AERC membership are also FEI members.

While members on one side of the debate insist that AERC can have a good influence on FEI, members on the other end of the spectrum argue that AERC never has and never will have any influence on FEI, and that the bad press, the breaking of and blatant disregard for FEI rules in Middle Eastern countries, and the drugging and deaths of endurance horses will blanket the AERC organization in America and paint them with the same brush.

AERC originally responded to the FEI Endurance controversy with a letter to USEF in June of 2012, voicing strong alarm "in regard to profoundly disturbing evidence of deficiencies in horse welfare issues, including an increase in equine fatalities, orthopedic injuries and serious drug violations." The letter urged USEF to submit a letter to FEI regarding these concerns.

AERC followed up with recommendations to ESPG's proposals on December 19, 2013, including demanding FEI's commitment to change, transparency of equine fatalities, major penalties for rule-breakers, extensive drug testing at major competitions, limited competitors per team, and disciplinary action for rule infractions.

The AERC Sponsorship Committee, chaired by AERC Board Member Randy Eiland, has now offered a motion for discussion, which proposes temporary suspension of concurrent FEI events with AERC rides. In part, it states: "If FEI has not incorporated enforcement of the policies approved by AERC in its December, 2013 Letter to FEI, on or before June 30, 2014 then on July 1, 2014 AERC will decline sanctioning of rides that intend to hold an FEI event concurrently with the AERC event.  This action by AERC will be rescinded when either 1) FEI accepts and begins enforcement of the policies found in Exhibit “A”; or 2) FEI begins enforcement of policies that are acceptable to AERC. "

The complete proposal can be seen here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2013FEIControversy/AERC_Motion_Proposal_Jan2014.doc

A complete recap of the news regarding the FEI Endurance Controversy over the last year can be seen here:
http://www.endurance.net/international/UAE/2013FEIControversy/index.html

Frank, Born of the Wind and Runner of Many Trails - 1985?-2013

January 3 2014

They were a common sight in the Northwest for over a dozen years: the mustached rider with the reins double wrapped around his gloved hands, and a plain dark brown bay roaring down the trail with his head in the air, trying to go faster than his rider wanted.

Idaho's Tom Noll had gotten it in his head in 2002 that he wanted to do endurance, but he didn’t know how to ride. He bought Frank - the unpapered horse once owned by Wayne Newton (maybe) - in 2002, and Frank taught Tom how to ride.

And Tom Noll and Frank did it all together: over 5000 endurance miles, Tevis, the Big Horn 100 (3 completions together, including a first place and Best Condition), Best Condition 5-day horse at the Owyhee Canyonlands, the Pony Express Trail on the 2011 XP, and Decade Team.

I first rode with Tom and Frank in 2008, one of those rides where Frank was pulling Tom along quite insistently, incensed at Frank's perceived slowness of our pace. Tom had said, "I started him on Adequan shots a while back, and they took 5 years off his life. Maybe I shouldn't have done that!" We decided if Frank wrote a book, it would start out like this: "All I ever heard out of Tom's mouth was, 'Slow down!'" The title of every chapter would be, "Idiot!" Have you seen the made-in-southern-Idaho movie Napoleon Dynamite? Frank, we imagined, uses the same tone of voice calling his rider "Idiot!" when he wants to go out front, and when he wants to go faster, the opposite of what Tom wants. We imagined that Frank uses this word quite often.

[slide show]


Tom called Frank an "outlaw horse", and his best friend. Frank died on December 29, 2013 from colic. Following is Tom's tribute to his best friend.
~ Merri Melde


Frank, Born of the Wind and Runner of Many Trails
1985 (?) – December 29, 2013

My horse Frank died late in December. Anyone’s best guess is that Frank was nearly 30 years old. Frank was an outlaw horse from Wyoming with no papers and an unknown past. His breeding looked to be Morgan perhaps mixed with some Arabian. Frank showed the look of eagles. Many of you remember Frank and I am not exaggerating when I write that Frank was a legendary horse.
Frank ran 100s and Frank ran multi-days. Frank’s signature trail was the Big Horn 100 but he also finished Tevis and he finished the National Championship 100. Frank last ran the Big Horn in 2010 for the 40th Anniversary of the Big Horn 100. Frank and I traveled across the west on the Pony Express Trail on the 2011 XP. Frank was an AERC 5,000 mile horse and Frank and I were a decade team.
Frank never turned away from difficulty. I never had to ask for speed – all I had to do was relax and let Frank go. Frank’s only questions were “how far and how fast.” Frank was forward but Frank was a true gentleman and Frank was humble. Frank had nearly 6,000 AERC miles with one pull and one overtime finish.
Frank’s record is significant but the numbers do not tell his story. Frank and I were partners in every sense of the word. We trusted each other completely. We were brothers of different species but we were cut from the same cloth.
Frank taught me how to ride, and together we saw some of the best parts of the west. I spent thousands of hours on the trails with Frank. On those trails, we met many riders and horses and we made many friends. Together, we saw wild horses and we saw wild lands. We shared the sun, and the moon, and the stars. We shared sunrises and sunsets. We shared fair weather and fierce storms, sweltering heat and bitter cold. We shared red rock deserts and high mountain passes. We also shared love and beauty. We shared our thoughts and we shared our innermost feelings. Frank showed poetry and magic to me. At certain moments time stopped and a mystical door opened, and we traveled together in another realm of consciousness.
Frank was my best friend. Frank offered help when I faced difficult times in my life. Frank never complained and he never asked anything of me until the very last moments of his life. In those last moments, Frank’s eyes looked to me and Frank asked for my help. I honored Frank’s request as we both faced that most difficult decision together. In my heart, I knew. I placed my hand on his forehead, and Frank was gone.
I am sad because I will never see trails through those two pointed black ears again until it is my time to cross the rainbow bridge and our spirits meet. Frank was my best friend and I love that little bay horse.
From my heart,
Tom Noll

PNER Convention will be held Jan. 24-25

Thereflector.com

January 1, 2014

Horse enthusiasts in the Clark County area who enjoy trail riding, riding in new areas, camping with their horse and talking horse all weekend will find just what they are looking for at the annual convention put on by the Pacific Northwest Endurance Rides, Inc.

The convention will be held this year Fri.-Sat., Jan. 24-25, at the Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel, 8235 NE Airport Way, Portland.

Started back in the early 1970s, the convention will offer Endurance 101 classes for the beginner or newly-interested endurance rider; a nutrition class for the performance horse; a class to learn how to use your Garmin GPS for tracking your riding on the trails; a Yoga for Riders class; a class with videos for learning how to spot lameness in horses; biomechanics of the horses hoof; and classes on tracking the lost horse. There will also be a panel of experienced endurance riders who can answer questions.

During the convention, there will be a trade show with various vendors offering tack, nutrition for both equine and human, laser therapy for both, clothing and more. There will also be a huge used tack sale.

Endurance riding is a unique equine event in which horse and rider teams compete over distances of 50 to 100 miles in one day. Limited-distance events are 20- to 35-mile rides completed in one day. Accomplishments in endurance and limited-distance events are recognized at the annual convention.

Shopping will be available at the free trade show, open to the public Jan. 24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Jan. 25, 8 a.m.-6 p.m..
There will be opportunities to visit and swap horse stories with other equine lovers. Both Friday and Saturday evenings will feature the year-end awards celebrating the accomplishments of Pacific Northwest Endurance Rides members. The weekend will culminate on Saturday, Jan. 25, with a banquet and dance.

For additional information on this event, including cost, speaker schedules and more, visit www.pner.net, or contact Tani Bates at vicepresident@pner.net or Becky Feidler at president@pner.net.

Mountain Region Endurance Riders Convention

MRER.org

The Mountain Region Endurance Riders Convention will be held January 31-February 2, 2014, in Northglenn, Colorado.

Registration : Payment must accompany your registration and must be RECEIVED no later than January 19. Check the registration form! Additional fees for late or at the door registration. You may also register on-line. Full refund if you cancel by Jan 26, 2014. Notify Joann Kewish at 719-942-4203 or rkewish@ris.net

MRER Horse Bingo: Best way to spend a Fri. night! Cash bar with appetizers 6-10 PM, Bingo begins at 7 PM. Win ride entries!

Morning Session: "Conformation of the Horse/Relationship of Form to Function." G. Marvin Beeman, DVM, Emeritus. Dr. Beeman is a founding member of Littleton Equine Medical Center, and an avid horseman and equine practitioner for 55 years. He will be speaking on how a horse's conformation can affect its future performance and its performing longevity.

Afternoon Session: "Optimal Training and Conditioning for the Endurance Horse." Julie A. Bullock, DVM. Dr.Bullock has an equine dentistry practice in Virginia. She is also a 4star FEI Endurance Vet, has been a team coach and endurance veterinarian internationally as well as in the US. She will share her experience and knowledge in training and conditioning the endurance horse, particularly for 50-100 mile competitions. Her endurance career includes successfully completing 16 100-mile races, over 70% which have been in the top 10. Her 50 mile race record is as impressive, with most completions in the top 10 and several BC's .

Trade Show and Ride Managers table: Check out new items in endurance gear for both horse and rider. Restock electrolytes, easy boots, supplements, and other essentials for the upcoming ride season. Sell your unused saddle and tack. Pick up MT Region ride entry forms. Buy more raffle tickets!

Award Dinner: Join us as we recognize the accomplishments of all our riders this year.MC'd once again by Holly Ulyate and Susie Schomburg. Raffle will be at both lunch and dinner. Great prizes, including lots of ride entries. We will also recognize the horse and human inductees into the MRER Hall of Fame.

For more information see:
http://mrer.org/MRER_Convention.htm

Desperate Endurance by Kasey Riley

25 December 2013

When endurance rider and divorcee Bethany witnesses a murder at a highway rest area, she’s forced to elude the killers while locating the victim’s son to pass on documents as the victim requested. Told to trust no one, she struggles to create a new persona in order to hide her identity from the killers as she takes on the challenge of finding widower Roger Meadows, the handsome son of the murder victim. She manages to overcome her shyness to become a sassy redhead whose bold personality allows her to meet and intrigue Roger while avoiding those who are hunting her.They learn to trust each other as they delve into the death of his father and work to avoid the killers. It is a desperate ride at the end of the story that provides the information needed to solve the mystery and cement their love.

This novel appeals to readers of Suspense, Romance and Mystery. The characters are rich and believable as is the plot and locations. Celebrating and reflecting the values of small town America in the background while the characters struggle to solve the mystery surrounding the death of Richard Meadows.

About the Author

Kasey Riley is a writer whose strong background of endurance riding has led her to create a novel that will appeal to those who enjoy a good mystery and to those who love animals. She has a unique touch in dealing with her sport and an insight to fellow competitors. The horses, the Ride camps, the challenges of the trail - all are taken from real experiences. Living in a town of less than 15k population, she has a handle on small town living and relationships of the residents. All of this combined with her love of riding and her skill at relating to her readers has developed her as a writer just waiting to be enjoyed. She has been published back in the early 1990's and won awards from an equine manufacturer for essays submitted about their products. Her writing career has been on hold while she pursued a career first with the Postal System and later as a business owner. Now that she has time to devote to her first love, she plans to write several books with the fictional town of Riverview as a center point and some of the same characters being part of the story in each. Look for her next mystery, The Skeleton Trail, some time in 2014.

Desperate Endurance is Endurance.net's Book of the Week!
http://www.amazon.com/Desperate-Endurance-Kasey-Riley-ebook/dp/B00FIE630Y/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388249152&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=deadly+endurance+Kasey+Riley

PNER Scholarship Available

December 27 2013

PNER has a single scholarship of up to $1000 to award to an eligible student this year. Scholarship monies are paid directly to the school or institution. 

Eligibility qualifications are:

* Completed high school or equivalent

* Current active PNER member in good standing

* Attending post high school educational institution
 


Applicants must submit a letter describing their involvement with PNER (riding, volunteering, office-holding, etc) and their educational plans. 

In addition, applicants must write an essay on some topic concerning the history of PNER and endurance riding. 
Essays will be judged on the following criteria:

·       On-topic, organization, and accuracy - 30%
·       Of interest to PNER members - 25%
·       Grammar, spelling, and citation of sources - 15%
·       Writing quality and style - 15%
·       PNER involvements & accomplishments - 15%

PNER scholarship applications should be sent to Aarene Storms, preferably via email: aarenex@haikufarm.net
or by snail-mail: 25118 Jim Creek Rd, Arlington, WA  98223
 
Application deadline is December 31st, 2013.  The award will be given at the PNER convention in January 2014.

Tevis Talk with Linda Tellington-Jones

Teviscup.org

Save the date - 2014 Tevis Talk! Thursday, March 27th
Featuring Special Guest Speaker:
Legendary Horsewoman Linda Tellington-Jones

Sierra Building, Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn, CA
6:00pm No-Host Bar
6:30pm Spaghetti Dinner Served
7:30pm Campfire Talk hosted by: Matt Scribner

For Reservations:
Call WSTF: (530) 823-7282
or email: tevistalks@gmail.com

Tickets:
Presale $20
or $25 at the Door

Neighboring Notable: Hickory woman wins national award for endurance riding

Hickoryrecord.com - Full Article

December 22, 2013 5:39 pm
By Alex Frick africk@hickoryrecord.com

HICKORY N.C. – Ruth Anne Everett knows a thing or two about horses.
Since 1994, she has covered 6,750 miles in 131 endurance rides across the country. This year, she was the American Endurance Ride Conference’s (AERC) highest ranked rider in the Southeast, and she won the organization’s coveted National Hundred Mile Award.
“It’s good, clean fun. It’s the adrenaline rush without a substance,” the 58-year-old Hickory resident said.
That good, clean fun involved countless hours of preparation before each of the five 100-mile rides she completed this year. AERC riders have a 24-hour window to travel 100 miles on their horses. Sometimes, riders begin before sunrise and ride early into the morning of the following day. Points are awarded based on each rider’s rank at the finish line. Ruth Anne Everett’s best time in a 100-mile ride is 9 hours, 59 minutes...

Read more here:
http://www.hickoryrecord.com/news/article_eb49c6a0-6b59-11e3-a736-0019bb30f31a.html

2014 Annual Pacific Northwest Endurance Rides Convention and Trade Show

to be held January 24-26, 2014
The Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel in Portland, Oregon.

FRIDAY-JAN 24th
10am: REGISTRATION OPEN
10am-6pm: FREE TRADE SHOW & USED TACK SALE
10am: Education committee meeting
10am: Ride manager meeting
11am: Board meeting
1pm-2pm: Tracking the lost horse with Kate Beardsley
2pm: Endurance 101 with Aarene Storms
2pm-4pm: Learn how to best use your Garmin GPS with REI/Garmin tech (course optimized for the endurance rider)
4pm-6pm: “Tired to Exhaustion – Feeding Management after an Endurance Ride” with Dr. Steve Duran
6pm: No host bar
7pm: Friday Night AWARDS
After awards: Story time with Max Merlich
SATURDAY-JAN 25th
8am: REGISTRATION OPEN
10am - 6pm: FREE TRADE SHOW & USED TACK SALE
7:30am-9am: YOGA for riders with Patti Stone
9am-10am: Heart to Heart Healing with Liz Burney
9am: Endurance 101 with Aarene Storms
10am to 12pm: GENERAL ASSEMBLY (election of PNER board)
12pm-1pm: Junior luncheon
12pm-1pm: Veterinarian luncheon
1pm-3pm: Lameness videos-"Be a Vet for the Day-You be the Judge " with Dr. Jen Strelkaukas
3pm: "Biomechanics of the Endurance Hoof" with Dr. Mike Vanzwol
4pm: "Question & Answer Panel" ask the experienced Endurance Rider
6pm: No Host Bar
7pm: Awards Banquet
9pm-12am: Dance
SUNDAY, JAN 26TH
8AM: BOARD MEETING
*Subject to change without notice*

for more information see:
http://nwrides.org/

Jeremy Reynolds wins 2013 NAETC

13 December 2013

Jeremy Reynolds won the CEI*** 160-m 2013 North American Endurance Team Championship in Morriston, Florida, at the Black Prong Equestrian Center, on December 13th.

Reynolds rode RR Gold Dust Rising, a 7-year-old French-bred gelding by Falina Des Fabries (by Dormane), out of Madeline, by Virgule al Maury, to a finish time of 8:20.22, or 19.39 km/h average.

With a record of 8 completions in 9 starts in his first season of endurance, it was Gold Dust Rising's first 100-mile ride.

Reynolds also was on the Gold Medal team of Southeast Team B, which consisted of Micki Meuten (finished second on Not Tonight, 2 1/2 minutes behind Reynolds), Deborah Walker/Shakoal, and Cheryl Van Deusen/Hoover the Mover, for a team finish time of 27:06.48.

The complete order of finish for individuals and teams can be seen at
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2013NAETC/

Regional Directors for AERC Announced

AERC.org

Regional directors for AERC have been announced.

The newly elected Regional Directors are:

Northeast region, Nick Kohut DVM and Skip Kemerer.
Northwest region, Stephanie Teeter and Paul Latiolais.
West region, Forrest Tancer and Andrew Gerhard.

2013 NAETC is Underway in Florida

http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2013NAETC/index.html

December 13 2013

Approximately 68 riders started the North American Endurance Team Challenge 160-km course at 7 AM Florida time, under clear skies at 54°F, 65% humidity, with a predicted high of 70°.

Leading riders are currently out on loop 3.

See this page for entries, and we'll update the progress/results as the news arrives:
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2013NAETC/index.html

Opening Ceremonies at the North American Endurance Team Challenge

http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2013NAETC/

December 12 2013

Opening Ceremonies were held yesterday at the Black Prong Equestrian Center in Bronson, Florida, for the 2013 North American Endurance Team Challenge, hosted by the USA Southeast zone and organizer Helen Koehler.

World Endurance Championships are held every two years. On alternate years without a WEC, the USA hosts a North American Endurance Team Challenge. The ride is held as a 160-km 3* FEI event. Horse and rider each have to be qualified (with a previous successful FEI 1* 80 km and FEI 2* 120 km finish in the last 24 months, but not together.

The team zones are: The zones are Pacific North, Pacific South, Mountain, Central, North East, South East along with Canada East, Canada West and Mexico. Each zone can send up to 12 team members, determined by the highest point totals earned on the endurance rider ranking list. Each zone can then determine its 3 teams; and additional horse/riders can compete as individuals. Each team has a Chef d'Equipe, a team vet, and uniforms.

Follow the ride updates at
http://www.endurance.net/international/USA/2013NAETC/

December Endurance Day on Horses In The Morning

December 10 was the monthly Endurance Day on Horses In The Morning radio show, hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen Chaton.

The show covered the topics of safer horse containment and lameness research, and guest Christine Lazzarini talked about her endurance documentary, Arabian Silk: Horses of Endurance.

Listen to the broadcast here:
http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/hitm-for-12-10-2013-by-action-rider-tack-safer-horse-containment-lameness-research-and-endurance-documentary/

Apache Eclypse +/ 1996-2013

December 9 2013

Last week, the sport of endurance lost a great competitor and friend. Gail Jewell and Elroy Karius'
Apache Eclypse +/ suddenly passed away at their farm in Kelowna, BC.

The 17-year-old gelding had amassed over 3500 endurance miles in his 12-year career, with 6 100-mile completions and 13 Best Condition awards, in competitions all over Canada and the US, in both national and international rides.

Apache Eclypse, by Bey Eclypse out of Apache Gem by Silver Apache, was a part of the family, and a horse with great character. Elroy once said of him: "If he could, he'd stop and look at himself in every mirror he passed!"

He will be missed.

Senate Bill S.60: Western States National Historic Trail Study Act of 2013

www.energy.senate.gov

This bill needs your support to amend the National Trails System Act to provide for the study of the Western States Trail for potential designation as a national historic trail.

Official Short: Western States National Historic Trail Study Act of 2013
Long Title: To amend the National Trails System Act to provide for the study of the Western States Trail for potential designation as a national historic trail.
Sponsors: Mrs. Boxer and Mrs. Feinstein
STATUS:
• January 22, 2013.--Introduced.
• January 22, 2013.--Mrs. Feinstein added as cosponsor.
S.60
Western States National Historic Trail Study Act of 2013 (Introduced in Senate - IS)
S 60 IS
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 60
To amend the National Trails System Act to provide for the study of the Western States Trail for potential designation as a national historic trail.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 22 (legislative day, January 3), 2013
Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. FEINSTEIN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL
To amend the National Trails System Act to provide for the study of the Western States Trail for potential designation as a national historic trail.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
• This Act may be cited as the `Western States National Historic Trail Study Act of 2013'.
SEC. 2. WESTERN STATES NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL STUDY.
• Section 5(c) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
◦ `(46) WESTERN STATES TRAIL-
▪ `(A) IN GENERAL- The Western States Trail, a trail of approximately 100 miles from Squaw Valley to Auburn, California (including the Tevis Cup Loop)--
▪ `(i) as displayed on the maps maintained in the office of the American River District Ranger, Tahoe National Forest;
▪ `(ii) as described in the journal of Professor William Brewer for August 30, 1863; and
▪ `(iii) along which are conducted--
▪ `(I) the Western States Trail Ride; and
▪ `(II) the Western States Endurance Run.
▪ `(B) COMPONENTS- The study under this paragraph shall include a determination on whether the trail is appropriate for designation as a national historic trail.'.

Permalink: http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2013/1/s-60

WSTF & Tevis News - (New) President's Message

Teviscup.org

posted 16 November 2013.

I wish to thank the board of governors for selecting me to be president of the Western States Trail Foundation (WSTF) for the coming year. It is a humbling experience to assume leadership of an organization with such a rich history.

First I wish to quell the rumors that there will not be a Tevis Cup Ride in 2014 because of the American Fire. Yes, in some places there will be less shade on the trail, and we may have to ford the creek in the North Fork canyon rather than use the swinging bridge, but we foresee no reason that we cannot have the trail open for the 2014 Tevis.

Last week Steve Hallmark from the WSTF and Mark Falcone from the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) led volunteer crews into the canyon for the first time since the fire. We are under the direction and supervision of the United States Forest Service (USFS) and in partnership with the WSER. They have been hard at work this week mitigating the trail damage and protecting the trail from the damage that will surely come with winter storms, We are fortunate to be able to partner with the WSER as the two groups together can generate more volunteers and funds than we could working alone. We do need your help, if you live in northern California are physically fit, volunteer for a work party. Check the Tevis Cup home page for more information on work parties.

Did you know that in the past five years, 2007 through 2012, the WSTF spent over $161,000 on trail maintenance? We annually spend between $20,000 and $40,000 on the trail. Since its inception, the WSTF has invested over one million dollars in trail building and maintenance. We have established the Western States Trail Endowment Fund which has over $600,000 invested in a trust account for the trail. The earnings from this fund along with donations and fund raising events are the source of the funds that we spend on trail maintenance. Since the ride last summer we held two fund raising events, a fun run and a golf tournament. These events raised nearly $20,000 for the trail fund. We thank all of you who have made contributions and participated in our fund raising events. With the preliminary estimate for the restoration of the Swinging Bridge being $100,000 to $150,000 and the restriction on government funds, we will need to have many more fund raisers to complete repair of this historic bridge.

It is going to take a lot of money to restore the trail and we cannot depend on government funds to do it. If the Tevis trail means something to you and you want to give back to the trail, now is the time. You can join a work party, hold a fund raising event, or make a contribution. The Western States Trail Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Your donation is fully tax-deductible.

An aspect of Trail maintenance that many people don't think about is the legal maintenance. In the 1980’s when the Granite Chief wilderness was established we almost lost the right to use the trail. It is quite a story that needs to be retold but the short of it is that we lobbied Congress to pass a bill allowing the Tevis and WSER to use the trail and we won. Now there is another bill in Congress we need you to support to protect our use of the trail. It is Senate Bill S. 60. Please check this link to learn what this bill is all about.

In the past few years the WSTF has been working on several major projects. We have completed retreading the trail between Auburn and Foresthill. Over the years slough of the banks on the uphill side of the trail had narrowed the trail to the point that it was becoming unsafe for horses. We cleared the slough, returning the trail to its original width.

There is a critical need for more equestrian staging areas on the trail. The campground at Robinson Flat is the only official equestrian staging area west of Robie Park on the trail. Last year we completed five years of work on “Pickett Park” at the Auburn Overlook. You can now come to Auburn and have a place to park with your horse overnight and then ride the trail. To make this happen we needed to secure the lease of the land, have it surveyed, do an environmental impact study, obtain permits and permissions from the Bureau of Land Management and the Auburn State Recreation Area, obtain an encroachment permit from the city of Auburn and pave the driveway. All of this was done to convert a vacant field into an official horse staging area.

We are currently working with the U.S. Forest service to establish a staging area at Chicken Hawk between Foresthill and Michigan Bluff. We have completed the design and environmental studies and hope to start construction this year.

These are just a few of the projects that the WSTF has underway. Yes, we put on the Tevis Cup, truly a world class event, but we also have many volunteers working to preserve the Western States Trail and improve access for equestrians. Trail preservation is an equally important part of our mission. Now is the time to help preserve this historic trail.

If you haven’t been to the official Tevis facebook page recently Garett Ford has posted the link to the HR TV video on the Tevis. I think it is one of the finest videos ever produced on the ride. Here is the link to check it out.

Phil Gardner
President WSTF

AERC Convention: Atlanta, March 7-8, 2014

AERC.org

March 7 & 8, 2014, in Atlanta, Georgia

We are pleased to be heading to Atlanta for AERC's 2014 AERC convention! Click for the Convention Flyer & Registration Form. The Southeast Region members are looking forward to welcoming endurance riders and and interested future endurance riders to their region. They are helping to line up some fabulous vendors for the trade show -- free as always! -- so you won't want to miss that.

The hotel for the 2014 convention is Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta Airport.** We'd appreciate you booking your hotel with the special AERC code as we do have a room minimum which must be guaranteed. The hotel features free airport transportation, a cafe and restaurant, health club and year-round heated pool.

Book your reservation by calling 800-325-3535 (say you're with AERC).

To reserve your room online, click for AERC Convention Hotel Reservation.

Convention is always a great time to greet old friends, meet new ones, celebrate the accomplishments of AERC members, attend informative seminars (and shop at that fabulous AERC Trade Show).

The Veterinary Committee is planning a two-day veterinary CE to run on Thursday and Friday, March 6 & 7. More on this ito come!

For more information about the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, visit the hotel website.

For Atlanta visitor information, check out the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau.


**Room rate info: $99.00 per night, single and double rate and that rate is exclusive of applicable state and occupancy taxes which are currently 7% and 8% respectively and are subject to change without notice. Rates are available 3 days prior and 3 days after the convention dates. Reservation requests received after Monday, February 3, 2014, will be accepted on a space available basis at the hotel's published rates. A deposit equal to one night room plus tax will be charged at the time a guest makes a room reservation. An early departure fee of $75 will apply if a convention attendee checks out prior to the confirmed checkout dates.

Driving to convention? Daily parking fee: $12.

High speed internet access in guest rooms: $9.95 per day

All cancellations must be made seven (7) days prior to arrival to avoid forfeiture of room deposit and a cancellation number must be obtained.

For more information, see:
http://aerc.org/Mem_Con_ComingInfo.aspx

Arabian Nights Announces it Will Close Permanently on January 1

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Nov. 29, 2013) - After a wonderful 25 year run, Arabian Nights Dinner attraction in Kissimmee has announced it will close permanently on January 1st, 2014.
 
The dream and vision of owner, Mark Miller became reality on February 29th, 1988.  Since then, it has presented more than 10,000 performances for more than 10 million guests.
 
Miller says, "It has been an honor sharing my passion for the beauty and magic of horses with people from all walks of life over the last 25 years. Unfortunately, we have reached a point where the marketplace demands a cheaper product than we can provide."
 
"Arabian Nights, which is the most honored dinner show of all time, was built for the highest excellence, not the lowest price," Miller explained.  "Just this last August, we once again won the 2013 Orlando Sentinel Award as Best Dinner Show, proving that our quality is still unmatched. I always believed there would be a place for a first class secondary attraction in this market.  I was mistaken."
 
"Our mission now is to present the best possible product for the rest of the year so that the people who have loved us over the years will be able to come back and experience the magic of our show one last time.  Then we will be concentrating on how to assist our incredible staff in handling this transition," Miller added. 
 
"There is no question that the skill, dedication, work ethic and people skills of our employees have enabled to be the best there is," Miller said.  "Anyone looking for an incredible employee after the first of the year should call our human resource department immediately."
 
"The Arabian Nights Christmas show runs from December 1 - December 31.  We know a lot of Central Florida Residents will want to see the show before we close, and we are offering them half price admission," Miller said.
 
Arabian Nights' parent company, Park Equus Inc., will continue operations and has stated that at the time of closing on December 31, Arabian Nights will have no due payables. 
 
Arabian Nights is located at 3081 Arabian Nights Blvd. in Kissimmee.  
 
Media Contacts:
 
Mark Miller
Owner, Al-Marah Arabian Horses and Arabian Nights Dinner Attraction
407-239-9223
wronglead@gmail.com
 
Frank Wolff
Wellons Communications
407-339-0879 office
407-637-6000 cell
Frank@wellonscommunications.com

McCamey Kimbler Reserve Winner of 2013 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award

November 29 2013

The USEF Youth Sportsman's Award is designed to identify potential future leaders in the equine industry and provides an opportunity for the USEF to recognize outstanding youth members for their achievements.

17-year-old vaulter Miranda Prints was the winner of the 2013 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award, while endurance rider McCamey Kimbler of Aberdeen, South Dakota was the reserve overall winner. The American Endurance Ride Conference nominated Kimbler. She will receive a $500 grant.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways: Draft plan includes restrictions on motorboats, horses in some areas

Westplainsdailyquill.net - Full Article

November 11 2013

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Motorboats, horseback riding and river access would be restricted in some areas of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways under a draft management plan released Friday.

The riverways are under the direction of the National Park Service, which oversees sections of the Jacks Fork and Current rivers, along with stretches of nearby creeks and streams within the park. The public has 60 days to comment on the plan that will direct management of the national park area, the first in the country specifically designated to protect a wild river system, for about the next two decades.

Environmentalists long have sought changes for the riverways, which they say are mismanaged. About 1.3 million visitors come to the park area each year to canoe and kayak, fish and camp, and ride horses and all-terrain vehicles. The spring-fed river system is also home to the Ozark hellbender, a salamander subspecies that exists only in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas...

Read more here:
No comments:

Endurance Day on Horses in the Morning 11/12/13

11/12/2013

Episode 786 of Horses in the Morning radio show, Endurance Day hosted by Glenn the Geek and Karen Chaton, featured authors Aarene Storms (author of Endurance 101) and Angie McGhee (author of The Lighter Side of Endurance).

Karen Chaton also presented a Top 10 list to ensure endurance horse durability and reviewed the Da Brim helmet cover.

Every second Tuesday of the month is Endurance Day on Horses in the Morning.

Listen to the 11/12/13 episode here:
http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/hitm-for-11-12-2013-by-action-rider-tack-two-endurance-books-one-helpful-hat-ten-tips-from-karen/#t=1:26:33.226

Should AERC sever ties to AERC-International?

On October 20, AERC member Ed Hauser wrote the AERC board (and copied to Ridecamp at endurance.net) the following recommendation: “The AERC-I should be spun off as a completely independent entity with absolutely no connection with AERC.” This suggestion literally cracked the flood gates with the volume of AERC members writing directly to the entire Board or Board members they knew personally with comments both pro and con on this recommendation. This was an unprecedented outpouring of thoughtful, well-reasoned, heart-felt comments, eclipsing any other issue previously facing the AERC in our experience as Board members.

Since spring, the Board has been deeply troubled by documented doping and horse welfare abuses in some elite international FEI endurance rides, particularly in FEI Zone VII. On June 15, the AERC released a very specific and powerful letter to USEF (and thus FEI) recognizing the gravity of these issues and encouraging specific and forceful action to address a profoundly unacceptable circumstance; that letter is archived both on the AERC website and endurance.net. Indeed, because of this letter and similar letters from other countries, the Endurance Strategic Planning Group at the FEI Generally Assembly in Montreux last week called for “Immediate and sustainable action to safeguard the welfare of horses and reinforce the FEI’s anti-doping and fair play policies at Endurance events globally.” But words alone are not sufficient.

Given the growing toxic nature of the FEI controversy and the obvious controversy within AERC about the future of AERC-International (AERC-I), the Board has prepared a more detailed, more explicit letter addressing the FEI controversy that will be sent directly to FEI. We are hopeful that this letter will be ratified by the AERC Board of Directors and distributed as soon as possible.

Unlike other previous AERC issues, we are taking unprecedented steps to comment publicly and in detail about an issue that is currently before the board. We are doing this because we are both deeply and profoundly disturbed by the doping and on-going welfare abuses. Also, we are doing this publicly since we are Directors-at-Large. You as our constituents deserve to know our opinions about issues that obviously move a great number of AERC members to express such strong positive and negative feelings.

It is important to realize that this is our personal analysis of the situation and only that. It does NOT necessarily reflect an official AERC Board opinion or the opinion of any other AERC Board members.

Undisputed facts

1) Number of positive medication and doping cases is much higher in FEI endurance than other FEI disciplines (www.fei.org, Tables 1 – 4). Most of the horses suspended originate from FEI Zone VII (specifically United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan), and most of the suspended riders are endurance riders.

2) Orthopedic injuries in FEI horses competing in the 2007-2008 season were similar in nature and frequency to those in flat-track racing horses (Misheff et al, 2010; Nagy et al, 2012, Coombs, 2012). During that season, treating veterinarians recorded one fracture per 236 starts. To provide a perspective on these numbers, consider the following: If a similar frequency of orthopedic injuries occurred in the roughly 140,000 AERC endurance starts (50 miles or greater) from 2002 through 2012, we would see nearly 600 AERC horses with such crippling orthropedic injuries to require either surgical repair or euthanasia.

3) FEI is entirely nontransparent about the number of injuries and deaths occurring in their sport events. The orthopedic injuries in endurance horses were compiled and reported in European scientific papers by treating veterinarians and surgeons. While there are many anecdotal reports of multiple horse fatalities at FEI endurance rides abroad, FEI refuses to release fatality statistics.

4) AERC-I is a relatively small subset of the AERC membership. Its formal membership over the last four years ranged from a high of 352 in 2010 to a low of 328 in 2011 and 2012, representing roughly 6% of AERC members. Not all these AERC members participate in FEI rides that in the United States are, for the most part, dual sanctioned with AERC, but these are AERC members who made a monetary contribution to AERC-I. (Full disclosure: we are not AERC-I members.) Based on the results of last year’s survey, the general AERC membership ranked “International/FEI” as the lowest priority of all activities surveyed, even below Breed awards.

5) Over the past four years, the AERC has dual sanctioned with FEI between 8 -11 rides annually. There is good evidence that the FEI co-sponsored events robustly supports concurrent AERC events and synergistically generates a higher total rider attendance than would be possible without FEI involvement.

6) To the best of our knowledge, the FEI rides dual sanctioned with the AERC over the last ten years have a history of no drug violations. Frequency of fatalities is unknown as FEI is not forthcoming with those statistics describing equine deaths in North American FEI endurance events.

Our interpretation

1) There are profoundly unacceptable doping and welfare issues occurring in elite FEI overseas endurance rides, and these abuses originate largely from FEI Zone VII countries. But these abuses are not occurring in AERC-dual sanctioned rides in the US and Canada (and likely not in various other countries such as Australia and Japan).

2) While we are not FEI veterinarians, we have vetted roughly 20 rides that have had concurrent FEI events. Also while vetting strictly AERC rides, we have directly observed AERC members who on occasion will participate as FEI riders. Whether they are riding FEI or riding AERC, these AERC members, as a group, are as committed to horse welfare and a level-playing field as any other group of AERC members. As one FEI/AERC member wrote colorfully to the board: “There is only one butt in each saddle, and only one person ultimately responsible for the horse. Attached to that butt is a code of ethics, which is completely up to the rider.”

What are our fundamental guidelines that we use to make decisions as AERC board members?

1) The AERC’s first job is to promote diverse, quality endurance riding opportunities in North America and elsewhere for AERC members. These endurance riding opportunities are truly the AERC’s “big tent” ranging from limited distance rides to 100-mile rides to multi-day endurance rides that might be better called endurance expeditions. This “big tent” philosophy also embraces very competitive events where horses are allowed to work at speed on challenging courses but under very strict veterinary control. Whatever level our AERC members aspire to in endurance, we want to personally support them and believe the AERC Board should enthusiastically support them as well.

2) Here’s the only caveat on the above statement: We use the AERC mission statement as our primary guideline to identify which AERC initiatives to support and which other international endurance groups to liaison with. We emphatically believe that “Part of AERC's mission is to attract and reward members who act to insure the highest priority for their horses' immediate and long-term physical and emotional health and well-being.” It is worthwhile for every AERC member to review the four sentences in our mission statement.

So what should the AERC do in view of the current FEI endurance debacle?

1) There are significant rumblings in Europe about the formation of a new international equestrian association to promote endurance riding worldwide that will truly make horse welfare paramount. AERC should monitor and even participate in these discussions. If FEI does not act, then AERC should consider severing current ties and developing new ties with a new international association. We think this course of action is entirely appropriate, unless FEI can demonstrate extraordinary efforts to enforce their rules and show positive results in horse welfare issues. As veterinarians and scientists, this mandates transparency of fatality data, at least at a level that mirrors AERC’s own policies.

2) Rather than cutting the umbilical cord between AERC-I and AERC, we would rather see the AERC-I committee become much less FEI-centric. AERC-I should also promote AERC members riding in overseas events that are not-FEI sanctioned and frequently more in sync with the AERC philosophy “To finish is to win” and celebrating horse longevity (miles and years) in this endurance sport. Exemplifying this positive synergy is the interchange between two of the most premiere 100-mile endurance rides in the world - The Tevis Cup in California and The Tom Quilty Ride in Australia. Organized at the ride level, there is a regular exchange of veterinarians between these two rides to encourage worldwide appreciation of cutting edge veterinary control and treatment. Whether formally organized or not, there is a surprising number of AERC members who have already taken great pride and pleasure in riding the Quilty. We are also pleasantly surprised by the number of Australians that have ridden the Tevis. (Full disclosure: we are riding on the coat tails of another AERC Board member who suggested this idea on the board forum.)

3) In summary, we cannot support severing AERC-I from the AERC as we believe that would reduce riding opportunities for AERC members who respect horse welfare. However, we will advocate that AERC officially sever ties with FEI unless: 1) the FEI can expeditiously and convincingly address the above abuses and, 2) becomes transparent with fatality and injury data to provide independent confirmation of the success of their reforms. Additionally, we advocate that AERC-I be restructured to support non-FEI international riding as well as FEI-riding overseas for AERC members, but predicated on the condition that FEI genuinely and permanently reforms itself. Least we forget, our AERC Vision Statement is “To be the preeminent authority and leader in developing and promoting the sport and pastime of endurance riding in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world.”


Sincerely,

Olin Balch, DVM, MS, PhD
AERC, Director-at-Large

Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, MS
AERC, Director-at-Large

Co-signers: Bruce Weary, DC, AERC, Director-at-Large; Maryben Stover, Regional Director - West; Steph Teeter, Regional Director

Minot parade celebrates women's spirit of adventure

Sunjournal.com - Full Article

Lindsay Tice, Staff Writer
Lewiston-Auburn | Saturday, November 9, 2013

MINOT — Fifty-nine years ago, Annie Wilkins left her Minot home to travel to California.

On a horse.

With her dog.

At nearly 63 years old.

A woman who liked to wear pants and speak her mind, she wasn't well-regarded by local folks at the time. Some breathed a sigh of relief when she left.

But Wilkins — also known as Mesannie or Jackass Annie because she rode a donkey to her job at a Lewiston shoe shop — would become famous for the journey. And her odyssey, documented in her book, "Last of the Saddle Tramps," would inspire others to ride across the country.

On Saturday, nearly 59 years to the days since Wilkins left for her trip, Minot welcomed the latest of those riders — and celebrated Wilkins' spirit — with a 100-person parade along Jackass Annie Road.

"Women can do stuff just as good as the guys, maybe different stuff, maybe in a different way," that latest cross-country rider, Sea G Rhydr, told the crowd...

Read more here:
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2013/11/10/minot-parade-celebrates-womens-spirit-adventure/1449553

November 12: New Episode of Endurance Day on Horses in the Morning

Horsesinthemorning.com

Next Tuesday morning, November 12, is Endurance Day on Horses in the Morning. Tune in live from 6 to 7:30 a.m. PST, or listen to the recorded show later in the day. Aarene Storms will be talking about Endurance 101 and Angie McGhee tells us all about The Lighter Side of Endurance. To get the phone app, or listen online: http://www.horsesinthemorning.com/. Please share with your riding friends - the endurance show has become their most popular morning show on the Horse Radio Network!

Endurance rider writes about going bitless

Peninsuladailynews.com - Full Article

KAREN GRIFFITHS' HORSEPLAY COLUMN

A FAVORITE TRAIL ride of mine is from Littleton Horse Camp to the Mount Muller summit.

I've ridden it several times, and each time, I find myself awestruck by the majestic views of Sol Duc Valley, Lake Crescent and the Olympic Mountains.

It should be said a horse needs to be in shape to travel the roughly 13-mile loop because it has a fairly steep incline and decline.

And while Lisa claims her Akhal-Teke, a horse bred for speed and endurance, was “not in race shape” for their October trek up the mountain, I happen to know the two, who compete in endurance racing, are always in good condition — even in the winter.

I know because almost daily, I can look out my window — where I sit perched atop my easy chair and sipping tea next to my warm wood stove — and see them journey past to embark on the Cassidy Creek DNR trail system...

Read more here:
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131106/NEWS/311069999/karen-griffiths-horseplay-column-endurance-rider-writes-about-going

Memorial Donations honoring Jim Larimer

AERC.org

MEMORIAL DONATIONS in honor of longtime endurance rider Jim Larimer, who passed away recently, may be sent to the Wendell and Inez Robie Foundation, P.O. Box 714, Foresthill, CA 95631. Jim had 8 Tevis Cup completions and was instrumental in developing the California Loop section of the Western States Trail.

AERC Regional Director Ballots

AERC.org

November 2 2013

Regional Director ballots have been mailed to the 3 regions with elections: Northeast (running are Robert Gielen, Skip Kemerer and Nick Kohut, DVM); Northwest (Paul Latiolais, John Parkey and Steph Teeter), and West (Dianna Chapek, Antonio Corbelletta, Andrew Gerhard and Forrest Tancer). Please read over the candidates' statements and contact the candidates if you have any questions. Ballots are due to the independent counting agency by the end of November. Send in your votes in the envelopes provided!

Horse Hit the Trail for 600 Mile California Mission Ride

California’s 21 missions were founded by Franciscan missionaries and built by Indian tribes during the Spanish colonial era. The missions dot the coastline from Sonoma to the Mexican border.  Meet two women who decided to ride and film an educational documentary as they ride horseback from mission to mission.
 
www.EquineVIP.com  “If It’s About Horses, We Cover It.” 
Equine VIP can be seen on RFD-TV’s “Rural TV” line up. 
For more information: Susan@equineVIP.com   

OT Sara Moniet RSI Featured in 2014 Line of Breyer Models

Merri Melde photo
October 30 2013

Crockett Dumas' endurance mare OT Sara Moniet will be one of the new 2014 Breyer horse models.

Winner of the 2011 awards Arabian Horses Association (AHA) Distance Horse of the Year, AERC Distance Horse of the Year, and the Institute for the Desert Arabian Horses Drinkers of the Wind Challenge Champion, OT Sara Moniet had an outstanding 2011 record of 31 starts and completions and 1675 miles, with 2 100-mile completions and 9 Best Condition Awards.

The 9-year-old mare currently has 4355 miles with 83 completions in 86 starts, with 16 overall Best Conditions.

Tevis Cup Trail - American Fire Restoration Fundraiser

2013 WSTF Golf Tournament

Tevis Cup Trail and American Fire Restoration Fundraiser

Join us for a great day of golf as we support our beloved trail and the efforts in rebuilding after this summer's fire. 

Click HERE for more information!

Location:
Winchester Country Club
3030 Legends Drive, Meadow Vista, CA 95722

Cost: $135.00 per golfer 
or 
$30.00 for dinner only

Check-in: 9 AM

Shotgun Start: 10 AM

Format: Scramble

Includes: 18 Holes of Golf, Cart, Long Drive Contest,
Closest to the pin, Putting, Raffle and more!
Lunch and Dinner with No Host Bar after the Round.
 
For more information contact Kathy:
1-530-878-3897
kathysouthgate@msn.com 

Please donate on our website, www.teviscup.org.
You will see a button that says DONATE on the left sidebar.

Tevis Cup Ride a tradition since 1955

Journalstar.com - Full Article

October 22, 2013 9:53 am • by Brenda Messick / for Star City Sports

The Western States Trail Ride, called the Tevis Cup Ride, is a 100-mile endurance ride, held annually since August 1955.

The ride organizer, Wendell Robie, an Auburn businessman, and some friends covered the rugged trail of the Sierra Mountains from Lake Tahoe to Auburn in a single day on horseback. Much of the trail is along narrow mountain trails through rugged wilderness, with narrow switchbacks, edged by thousand-foot drops, climbing 50-degree inclines and crossing bridges. Safety is first to both the horse and rider, with many vets along the trail to check the condition and hydration of the horse...

Read more here:
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