Writing a month in advance always makes it difficult to discuss a current event. What I can say in June is that July should have been a very busy month for AERC members. There are 27 rides scheduled for July, the formation meeting for the new National Governing Body (the amalgamation of the former AHSA and USET organizations) is set for the 8th, and an AERC board of directors meeting is scheduled for the 29th.

With so many rides in July and a similar number in August, you should be able to find an AERC ride close to you or at least in the closest region where the temperature is a bit cooler. If you cannot ride an endurance ride this month, then consider volunteering at a ride. Whether with your horse or with your horsey friends, it is a great time to attend endurance rides.

You cannot be riding 24 hours a day, so when you get a chance, check out the AERC website. The AERC board meeting minutes are now available on our site, including all reports to the board by the committees. These reports incorporate current projects and goals of the committees as well as any findings by the Veterinary Committee, Protest and Grievance Committee, and every other committee.

The board meeting minutes are being presented to the membership as quickly as is possible. Right now they are published in text format on the web and in Endurance News. The technical committee is working towards the goal of economically getting the audio of the board meetings available in real time.

The ultimate goal is to enable member feedback within days rather than the prior feedback cycle of six months between board meetings. I am trying to ensure that the board does not pass any new rule without first publishing the proposal and obtaining member input. Most of all, we must realize that it is not what the board of directors does that causes the most improvement in the sport of endurance; it is the work of each individual AERC member.

Without the riders, without the ride managers, without the trails, without the horses, there can be no endurance. So please ride, and I mean really ride; be kind to and supportive of the ride managers and consider managing a ride yourself; become a trails advocate in both words and deeds, and most important of all, go out and give your horse a big hug.