As endurance riders, we all know the saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink." A successful endurance horse must drink regularly and well. Similarly, successful endurance riders "drink" from the fountain of education regularly and well. As the newly elected chair of the Education Committee, my focus this year will be to motivate all AERC members to continuous improvement of their education in order to realize one of the three reasons why the AERC was founded.
To quote from the AERC bylaws (emphasis added): The conference is established to promote and encourage:
1. The sport of endurance riding.
2. The care of endurance horses and prevention of cruelty to animals.
3. Equine owner and rider education through convention seminars, published articles, and other means as approved by the board.
First, my highest compliments for the leadership shown by Dinah Rojek and the work of the AERC Education Committee over the last two years while I was AERC President. Major achievements include:
-- Major revision of the AERC website
-- Updated mailing material and briefings for new riders
-- Course material for briefings and seminars including the basics and a "beyond the basics" seminar
-- Implementation of the mentor and mentor liaison programs
-- Monthly articles in Endurance News.
In particular I encourage all AERC members to go to the AERC website, www.aerc.org, click on the "education" tab, and explore the wealth of material there. You will learn something!
Given the wealth of resources available and the AERC mentor program, I believe our biggest challenge is to motivate members to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by AERC. So I will end my first column as the new chair of the Education Committee by making two requests:
1. Send me your ideas on how to expand participation in AERC member education.
2. Make a personal commitment to continuous education.
You and your horse will benefit.
