Various AERC rides have in the past and will in the future have FEI divisions. Many riders have asked how the FEI rules differ from AERC from a rider's perspective and how having a dual-sanctioned ride would affect the AERC rider if at all. Presented below is the list of requirements where there are differences.

The FEI requirements do not affect the AERC member unless that member chooses to also ride in the FEI division. Then that rider must comply with additional requirements. Note that there are other AERC rides with special divisons such as Arabian Horse Association (AHA) divisions. Another example is the Old Dominion which has a Cavalry division that imposes special requirements on riders choosing to ride in that division. So the concept of special divisions is not new to AERC.

Rider requirements

AERC: Must be an AERC member or pay day fee. FEI U.S. riders: Must be member of AERC International, USEF active rider with discipline dues paid. For non-U.S. citizens, rider must have letter from their National Federation.

This is a non-issue. All riders will be members of AERC (either as a regular member or day member) as most rides that are dual sanctioned require entry into the AERC ride first.

Dress code

AERC: None, except as established by individual rides (helmets, etc.). FEI: Varies according to level of competition, but requires shirt with collar and shoes with heels (or safety stirrup) and approved helmet. No spurs.

Non-Issue: FEI riders will follow their rules, AERC riders will follow those of AERC ride management.

Horse identification requirements

AERC: No ID requirements at present. Event may require Coggins/health papers, etc. FEI: Must have FEI or national passport for 3-star (100 miles).

Non-Issue: Each ride and/or state has different requirements which need to be met. Check with ride manager before planning your trip. FEI riders only are reuired to have either an FEI passort or a national passport.

Weight of rider

AERC: Riders ride within the established weight divisions. FEI: Riders must weigh in with tack (no bridle) at minimum of 75kg (165 lb.), including juniors riding as seniors. Bottles and fanny packs should be empty and any added weights securely attached/sealed.

Non-Issue: The only ones that this will affect are the featherweights and some junior-age riders riding FEI. AERC rules state that you can weigh more than your weight division calls for, you just can't weigh less.

On-trail crewing

AERC: Rules permit crews to accompany a rider down a public road in support vehicle provided they do not haze or push the equine, unless ride management prohibits this practice. FEI: Assistance may only be given at specific places indicated by the organizing committee as crewing locations. Preceding vehicles are expressly forbidden (Art. 815-16). No crewing is permitted at vet gates until after rider has timed in at arrival timer.

Non-Issue: Each AERC ride has their own established protocol for crewing. Ride management will announce what is allowed and what isn't according to what is allowed in their particular area.

The finish

AERC: Weighing of riders is optional, except riders standing for BC award. FEI: Rider must be mounted to cross finish line. FEI riders will be weighed after finish.

Non-Issue: Weighing will follow guidelines for AERC and FEI. FEI riders will be mounted at the finish.

Completion criteria AERC: The AERC post-ride examination completion criteria (Rules 6.0-3) must be met within 60 minutes of finish time. Rules allow more stringent criteria if provided to riders in written form before ride starts. FEI: Completion criteria must be met within 30 minutes of finish time. It has been customary in the U.S. dual-sanctioned rides to allow a competitor to be disqualified by FEI, and still try to meet the AERC criteria within the hour allowed.

Non-Issue: Once again, ride management will let riders know what their procedures will be. AERC allows management to establish more stingent critieria if they deem it necessary and they let the riders know in writing prior to the ride. Timing of total ride & phases

AERC: Formula for total ride time based on 12 hours for 50 miles and 24 hours for 100 miles. No specific rules for phases, but the ride manager can establish closing times for vet gates. FEI: Most U.S. rides follow the AERC formula. Non-Issue: Most U.S. rides follow the AERC formula.

Parking AERC: Whatever ride management decides. FEI: Horses traveling on passports are required to be stabled/parked separately from horses without passports (i.e., required vaccinations reported on paper).

Issue and Non-Issue: Certainly this is where things get "dicey" when it comes to the feeling that FEI riders are elitists and are "better" than the AERC riders. Ride management is required to "stable/park" the FEI horses with passports separately from those that aren't passported. There are several reasons for this in addition to the FEI requirement:

1. 100 mile riders usually come earlier so they are often parked at the back of the camp so that it can fill up easier.

2. 25/50 mile riders don't like to hear generators and extra noise at 3:00 a.m. when they don't have to have to start until 8:00 a.m.

3. Vets can find the 100 mile horses easier if they are in one area instead of having to go all around camp looking for them (FEI horses have the two-hour check after the finish).

4. The reason that the FEI requires separate stabling/parking is the quarantine that they put on the horses at international competitions. Horses are quarantined prior to the start of the event starting so that there is less chance for the spread of disease.

We realize that AERC rides with an FEI division aren't "international" so to speak, but FEI rules apply to all nations and to areas where control of horses from many nations is of greater necessity.

If you have not attended a dual-sanctioned ride, we invite you to do so. Each organization has something to learn from their differences, often to the benefit of the welfare of the horse. You may also hope to have someday a horse that will travel to international competitions, and would like to become more familiar with the additional requirements. It has been the experience of most riders that, whether AERC or FEI, the trail and the horse are paramount, and that both groups are working toward a system that allows endurance competition without jeopardy to the horses we love and respect.

In summary, an AERC event which also has an FEI division affords AERC members who so choose the opportunity to compete in an FEI competition and develop qualifications for competing internationally. Moreover the FEI division can attract more riders to the ride, frequently from out of region. For AERC members who choose not to compete in FEI, the FEI division has minimal effect on them while giving them a chance to meet more AERC members from around the country.