As AERC's President, I attended the 2008 National Championships in Indiana on October 16 and 18. The weather was perfect for the AERC 50 and 100 mile competitions which were held in conjunction with the Arabian Horse Association's Arabian and Half-Arabian Endurance Championship.

The ride was in the Clark State Forest, located near Henryville, with the ride camp located at member Bill Wilson's farm. There were competitors from 26 states as well as Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Namibia. The leaves were turning red and gold on the trees with the colder weather that came in for the ride.

Hurricane Ike, which hit land near my own home in southeast Texas, had traveled all the way through the Midwest leaving significant wind damage throughout the forest where the ride was to be held just a few weeks later. It was only by the tremendous effort of the Daniel Boone Distance Riders (DBDR), whose members put in 300-plus hours clearing about 35 miles of downed trees and debris on the trails, that the ride was able to take place.

Co-managers and DBDR members Cindy Young and Amy Whelan put on a great National Championship. The ride was very well-organized, had well-marked trails, many knowledgeable volunteers, and was a challenging but fun event for about 160 competitors. Even little details -- like big boxes of apples for the horses and continuously available granola snacks for volunteers, crew, and spectators -- were covered. The ride was large enough to be challenging but still had the intimate feel of a small ride.

In 2008, for the first time, AERC is recognizing an overall first place in the 50- and 100-mile competitions in addition to the champions of the weight divisions as has been the past practice. It's not a change in emphasis but simply recognizes that in every competition, there is one rider and horse that finishes first. AERC emphasizes that riders are competing against the other riders in their weight division for the championship.

The first place horse and rider in the 100-mile contest was AERC Hall of Fame inductee Valerie Kanavy with King Ali Gold. First in the 50-mile ride were Teresa McCarty and Spectacular Gold.

There was an excellent informal endurance riders music jam session on Friday night.

In addition to watching the competition, I got a chance to meet many AERC members -- riders, crew and spectators -- I had only known from their e-mail. Genie's photographic portraits of the riders and their horses were a nice addition to the ride memories for the competitors.

I've seldom been to an endurance ride where I was not riding so it was an unusual feeling watching the start from the ground. It made me wish I'd brought my horse for the competition.

I'd like to thank the sponsors -- Native Spirit Saddlery (100 mile first place), Specialized Saddles (50 mile first place), Trail and Pleasure Riding Supplies (weight divisions), Distance Depot (weight divisions), and Trailer Eyes (best condition) -- for their support of the AERC National Championships.

It was a really great AERC championship ride and kudos go to co-managers Amy and Cindy and the Daniel Boone Distance Riders.

Next year's AERC National Championships will be held in Northern California on September 11 and 13 so start your planning early.