American endurance is often seen as a solitary and individual sport. It is not. With every trailer ride, every footfall, every stride, every mile, every loop, every check, every ride, every conditioning ride . . . we are not alone.

We represent a style of riding, an approach to endurance, that often seems to be vanishing internationally. Legitimate concerns are voiced when we see sprints from check to check over unchallenging terrain on the internet or via television. We witness or hear of horse deaths or collapses or career-ending injuries and we question what is happening to this sport. Asking those questions is the right thing to do. However, spewing forth solutions or allegations of indictment, particularly from long distance, is not the right thing.

The FEI is revising the international endurance rules. All nations were asked, through their national federations, to offer suggestions and comment on the proposal that will be put before the FEI's general assembly for implementation in 2005.

AERC is the heart and soul of American endurance. Our history in endurance, our approach and style is also the conscience of international endurance. AERC members make up the committees within the former AHSA/USA-Equestrian, the USET and now within the new National Federation, the USEF. That conscience and the commitment to it comes through in our submissions and presentations to the FEI and to the world, our endurance friends.

The proposed new rules adopt a definition change, which provides: Endurance riding is a test of the rider's ability to safely manage the stamina and fitness of the horse over an endurance course in a competition against trail, the distance, the climate, the terrain and the clock.

Therefore, the most important responsibility of the technical delegate, the ground jury, the stewards, the veterinary commission, the chef d'equipe, the team veterinarian, the grooms and most importantly, the rider, is to ensure the health and welfare of the horse by the diligent application of their skill and a caring, knowledgeable attitude by the rider.

From the reference to the sport as "riding" to the defining terms related to test, stamina, trail, terrain, and others is a significant change from recent perception and is evidence of the FEI's realization of what this discipline is, or should be.

This kind of impact did not occur because of strident complaining and crying into the internet atmosphere. It is happening, and will only continue to, thanks to the hard work and careful argument and discussions offered and led by the AERC members of those committees, and by the examples set by U.S. international competitors and trainers and crews at international competitions.

You are never alone. The FEI recognizes it. We cannot forget it. The terror for the long distance rider is loneliness. But that is a misconception.

You have your partner, your horse, the other being attached to you in a mystical and spiritual and physical way by beat of your hearts, by the rhythm of your souls. The horse is your devoted, frightened, faithful partnerÑrest your faith in your horse. And . . . you have your grooms and veterinarians and all those around youÑall those competing with you and all those who have come before you. When AERC members saddle their horses and climb aboard on a cool spring morning, they are not alone.

It takes all of us. All of this effort, all this teamwork, all the preparation, all the friendships and all the argumentsÑall of this and all of you lead to the single effort with no reward necessary but the ride itself. To finish is to win.

So, hold nothing back. Ride knowing you can because of those who came before. Ride knowing your equine partner joins you in a sacred trust, which you must honor. Ride knowing you are supported and befriended by those there riding with you. Ride knowing that this sport of ours, that our approach to it and history in it are part of the future, not just the past, both at home and internationally.

And, ride knowing that for others in the future, you must be there for them, too, like Maggy, Louise and Julie and countless others have been for us. The work is not done, but you are never alone in doing it. Enough said.