The AERC's Research Committee, chaired by Olin Balch, DVM, PhD, is planning a day and a half research summit in conjunction with the board of directors mid-year meeting in Denver this August.

The summit, which starts on August 20, will gather veterinarians from our sport as well as leading equine researchers from the U.S. and the U.K. The committee has recently reached out to the FEI and to the AAEP for their participation, also.

The bylaws of our organization say in part, ". . . shall encourage and sponsor the collection and publication of scientific data from detailed methodical examination and tests of equines for beneficial use by the veterinary and medical professions."

Our mission statement includes, "To actively promote and conduct educational efforts and research projects that will foster a high level of safety and enjoyment for all horses and riders."

In keeping with those themes, this task force will seek to:

-- Document and detail non-completions, fatalities and injuries associated with endurance riding.

-- Develop priority areas for further investigation aimed at maintaining the welfare of horses in endurance.

-- Develop avenues of communication of these results to members, the general public and other groups.

Authorized by the board of directors at its April meeting from a motion by the Research Committee and endorsed by the Welfare and Veterinary committees, funding for the summit is completely covered through monies designated by donors for the research committee and a small amount of private sponsorship. All participants are donating their time with expenses being covered by the committee.

As a rider, vice president, and chair of the Welfare of the Horse Committee, I see this summit as important to the future of our sport. Unlike the racing industry, dairy and chicken farms or even the beef cattle business, which all involve public returns on research investments, there will be little or no public money to sponsor research into our issues.

With no national general interest in our sport, we must be proactive and generate from within the ability to keep our horses safe.

A list of the participants and their biographies can be found in the Research Committee article in the June issue of Endurance News. Also present to observe and learn will be several AERC directors and committee chairs. I look forward to the results of this important event, and applaud Dr. Balch for his ideas and dedication and for the extensive time that has already gone into the development of this summit and task force.

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