In my last President's Message I asked whether the membership was apathetic or contented. It has been quite illuminating to hear from so many members who were neither apathetic nor contented. Most had a personal item that was quickly corrected through some work by the office, while a few made some very astute observations on how AERC can better serve its membership.

Even though I will not soon be writing another such provocative article, please do keep your ideas coming in to the office or directly to me. And do not think your suggestions are just put aside; every suggestion will be acted upon.

By the time you can read this, the board of directors will have met during the AERC championship rides in Reno, Nevada. There are many very important items on the agenda such as actions of the new Welfare of the Horse Committee, trails grants proposals, veterinary research proposals, several proposed rule changes, and many committee reports and motions.

It was my intent to hold the "midyear" board meeting at a major event so real members could attend the meeting to see how the board operates and, more importantly, to provide the board with real feedback from non-board members on what the committees were proposing and what the board was considering.

Over the past few months I have attended big rides and backyard rides, rides with hundreds of riders and one with just a few riders. While they are all endurance, there are huge differences between each of them. The most important point, though, is that they are all facets of endurance, all equally important, and none can truly exist in its current form without the others. Your part of endurance is important. If you do not feel that your board is placing proper emphasis on your facet of the sport, please let your directors know.

The convention is coming up. This winter it will again be back on the West Coast in Reno, Nevada, from February 27 to 28, 2004, at the Silver Legacy Resort. There is no better place than face-to-face at convention, except maybe while riding at an endurance ride, to discuss your thoughts about AERC and endurance riding with your directors. The current board is really trying to do exactly what the membership wants.

At the convention there will be two board meetings, one Thursday evening and one Sunday morning, and all of the directors will also be there in between. All AERC meetings are open to all members. Please put the AERC annual convention on your calendar now. Ride safe, have fun, enjoy life.