I'd like TO thank AERC members for turning out in close to record numbers in 2008 compared to 2007 -- even though fuel prices were high and have just recently decreased.
There was a lot of concern on the part of members about being able to afford to travel to rides. The high price of fuel did have an effect but nowhere near what could have happened.
Total ride entries have been in the 22,000 to 23,000 range for the past few years with 2007 being the highest with 22,956. Entries in 2008 decreased only 2.4% compared to 2007 and were still more than the 2006 season. Most of this decrease was due to fewer day member riders.
AERC member entries were down only 0.8% or 150 entries out of the whole season. It appears that AERC members found ways to get to rides even with the steep increase in fuel prices. This may be from attending more two-day rides, driving slower to conserve fuel, and sharing transportation.
The number of two-day rides in 2008 was up 10% compared to 2007 with the number of Pioneer rides about the same. More ride managers are trying to help members lower the travel cost per ride by going from single day rides to two or more days of riding for the same travel costs.
The number of limited distance entries in 2008 increased by 2.3% compared to 2007 and is now 40% of the total ride entries. In the Central, Midwest, and Southeast regions more than half of all entries are limited distance, with the Central Region at 55%. The regions with the lowest LD participation were Pacific Southwest (26%) and West (28%).
One hundred mile ride participation decreased 22% which I feel was primarily due to the cancellation of Tevis.
The largest Pioneer ride was the Mountain Region's Paunsagaunt XP Pioneer Randy Coleman Memorial Ride (previously Bryce Canyon) with 354 entries over five days. The Pioneer ride with the largest number of entries per day was the three-day Cuyama Oaks (Pacific Southwest Region) with slightly more than 100 riders for every day.
The most riders per day in a two-day event was at the Southeast Region Camp Osborn Boy Scout Pow Wow with 111 entries per day.
The largest single-day ride was the Southeast Region Million Pines Classic with 155 entries.
The 20 largest rides in 2007 and 2008 had 22% and 20% respectively of the year's total even though they were only 14% of the total ride days. Five years ago, the top 20 rides had the same percentage of total entries so the largest rides are not growing at the expense of the smaller rides.
The smallest 100 rides had 14% of the total entries even though they were 23% of the total ride days. This was true in 2003 as well as 2008.
What this means is that members are still finding ways to get to rides even with steep fuel prices. It also means that ride managers are helping to reduce per day travel costs for members by having more two-day rides. With these efforts, AERC members came very close to duplicating the record number of entries in 2007.
This year will be challenging for all of us because of our economy. It will be for AERC as well. The BoD will need to look carefully at all expenses to see where savings can be made. Members need to continue talking with their friends and people they meet about our sport so membership can continue to increase.
I believe that members will continue to find ways to get out on the trails, to rides, and to enjoy time with their friends and their horses in this challenging sport that we all take part in.
I wish the best to all of you for the coming year and hope to see you at the convention in Louisville.
