Thank you for reading this column. I have been elected by the board of directors to be the president of the board. I look forward to an active year working towards enhancing the benefits of being an AERC member and doing my part towards improving the sport of endurance. First, though, let me introduce myself.

Horses became my life in elementary school. I have ridden endurance since junior high school. I went to veterinary school so I could vet endurance rides. I guess I was successful in that every year since then I have vetted rides, up to 25 events in one year. I have been a part of endurance in nearly every aspect. I have been an endurance rider, an LD rider, the ride vet, the treatment vet, a pit crew, an FEI judge, TD, vet, and chief steward, a member of ride management, a USET chef d'equipe, team vet, and groom, a regional director, a director at-large, AERC treasurer, AERC committee chair and member, AHSA employee, AHSA/USAE committee chair and member, and numerous other endurance aspects.

I have transitioned from full-time equestrian practice to business executive because a vet cannot be away from his practice four days a week and expect to have a happy clientele. For the last ten years (except while at the AHSA) I have been a "C"-level executive in corporate business. This permits me to spend my non-working time vetting rides and other equestrian activities.

I met my wife at the Mt. Whitney 50 (later renamed the Bill Thornburgh 50). We have lived on both coasts and the middle, too. We have two sons, Matthew (6) and Scott (4) who enjoy going to the barn every day.

Goals for 2003

In this first article I would like to provide a high-level overview of some of my goals for the year. Before the goals, though, I would like to emphasize that I am extremely indebted to all those who have come before me. I could not have the opportunity to achieve any of my goals without the ardent work of prior AERC presidents, executive directors and staff, board members, committee members, and many other AERC members. Nothing I say is intended to belittle the accomplishments of anyone prior.

I also would like to warn you that I do not approach challenges the way most people do. I rely on three basic judgments for nearly every equestrian decision:

1. Welfare. Is it in the best interest of the horse(s)?

2. Fairness. Is it fair to all involved?

3. Fun. Is this going to make it more fun for everyone?

If I can answer "yes" to all three, then it is a good bet I am going to approve it. Additionally, I do not look at AERC as a kitchen table club, I see it as a thriving business. I hope to be able to expand the business efficiencies already accomplished while maintaining the personal touch the current staff exemplifies.

I will expand on each of these goals more in future articles. The main goals for the year include:

- Welfare of the Horse. While this has always been one of my highest priorities, the renewed emphasis by the membership has reminded me how obvious I need to make my actions regarding this issue. There has already been a new committee created, the Welfare of the Horse Committee, and I have striven to ensure that all of the other committees also keep the welfare of the horse paramount in their actions.

- Making every AERC member feel they are an equal and wanted member. Regardless of whether they ride 50s, LD, international, or are pit crew, vet, ride organizer, or even just like to get Endurance News each month and have yet to attend a ride, every member is important to AERC. AERC is an organization composed of people from innumerable points of view, with many different ideas of what endurance is to them, and with many different expectations of what AERC should do for them.

- Trails preservation and creation. Without trails there can be no endurance. I have created a new committee, the Trails Grants Committee, to foster building relationships with trails creation and preservation groups and organizations and to leverage AERC's resources for trails. Also, the continued support of the Trails Advocacy Committtee and every member's individual efforts for trails is always foremost on the board's agenda.

- Education. The Education Committee has been given a strong message that they are to be active and productive this year. AERC is a 501(c)(3) corporation due to our educational charter. We intend to demonstrate that AERC is the clearinghouse for equestrian endurance information. This information must then be disseminated to the members in a way that is valuable to them. The education committee has already begun a path towards achieving this goal.

- Long range planning. AERC, like most other similar organizations, has not been known for its long range planning. Part of the difficulty is that with each new president, the short-term goals change. The composition of every committee could change every year. It is impossible to think long term if your term is one year. Consequently, I have created a committee comprised of all of the past AERC presidents. Their term is similar to that of the supreme court justices -- they are excused when they die. As such, they have the continuous challenge of creating and maintaining the long range plans for AERC.

I have so many more goals for AERC this year. One of the most important things I have not yet mentioned is the board members and committee chairs which are listed on one of the first pages of this magazine. Please, if ever you want them to know your point of view, phone, e-mail, or write to them. We talk to a lot of AERC members at the events we go to, but if you have not spoken with your directors lately, consider sending an e-mail to remind them of your top goals for the year, and please donŐt forget to cc me.