A writer for one of the equine magazines has contacted AERC for information about our membership age distribution. The article she is writing is about how keeping active as we get older (as we do in equine activities--endurance and limited distance in our case) helps us live longer and remain mentally and physically fit. I certainly believe this. The only downside is that we have to be more careful of injuries because we take longer to recover.

To my knowledge, we have five members in their 80s who still compete in rides. We may have more but not everyone in the records provides a date of birth. Some of these riders were founders of AERC. Some have many miles and others few but they have kept at it over the years. At this point in their lives, it's likely their rides are for fun and not competition. Some have dropped back to LD to avoid the wear and tear rides can entail. But they are still out there. I would guess that few other sports can say the same.

There are 56 members in their 70s who entered rides this year. When I was in my 20s, even 50 looked to be incredibly ancient. Now that I'm much closer to 70 than 20, my perspective is quite different. Some of these "more mature" riders are very competitive. Some do ride and tie in addition to their endurance competition. I've finished well behind some of them in rides. I hope I'm still out riding when I'm a septuagenarian!

There are a lot of "us" riders in their 60s. There are at least 420 in this age range, out of our 6000+ membership competing and riding to finish. This is an age where retirement starts for a number of members. They go to more multi-day rides because they have more time. They come early to the rides and get the good parking spots. They have more time to socialize.

I think too many "mature" people retire and really "retire." Taking part in activities like endurance and limited distance is a great way to live longer and enjoy ourselves with our equines while keeping physically and mentally alert.

One of 12 endurance riders that you see on the trail today is over 60. I don't know if we have any riders still on the trail in their 90s but I'd like to be one of them when my time comes.

One of the pluses of being Vice President is that you get to write a column on anything you chose for the membership. One of the minuses is that you have to write a column--every month. So far I've covered things I know and am close to: the Internet and how we can use it in our organization, and statistics about our equines and ourselves. I'm running out of topics in this area to cover for my column.

I'd like to receive suggestions from you, the members of AERC, on what you would like me to cover in my column. It can be more about the Internet or more about information concerning members and our equines. Or it can be about any other topic you would like to see discussed. E-mail me or call; the contact information is in every Endurance News.