AERC is thankful for all of the sponsors who help support endurance riding and our organization. Economic times have been hard on most of them and yet many remain loyal and still choose to support us.

Endurance riders make choices every time they decide to make a purchase. So often it is too easy to pick up the "Wal-Mart" type of tack store catalog and place an order to save a couple of dollars or to get free shipping. We need to stop and think about who may be out of business next year if we do not return the support that they give us.

Endurance riders have specialized needs when it comes to our tack, clothing, trailers, horses, supplements or just about anything else you can imagine. There are several different avenues a sponsor can take to support us and we should look at each of these, and try to support our sponsors, when we make our purchases.

Support through sponsorship

As you read through this issue of Endurance News you will notice that there is a page that showcases our Platinum, Diamond and Silver level sponsors (see page 8).

These people, organizations and companies have decided that you are worth putting time and funds into. Some of these sponsors help us by donating to our awards program and are listed in EN's award standings section under the award they have chosen to support. Thanks to Adequan, Equipedic, Gulf Coast 4-Star Trailers, Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, SR Saddles and Belesemo Arabians.

AERC's sponsors receive benefits from our organization too -- a presence in every issue of EN, the sponsors' page in our website, and advertising discounts.

Advertising support

Looking through this issue of Endurance News you will also see that there are many different ads about all kinds of products and endurance-related items. When you are thinking about purchasing something for you or your horse -- or even a new horse -- check these ads out first.

These advertisers offer tried and proven products. These companies choose Endurance News to place their ads and they purchased space in our magazine, which in turn supports us.

Event sponsors

We have a lot of everyday, every ride sponsors that need our support too as much as we need them and their support.

When you attend a ride and notice that a vendor has come to the ride, often they are there as a sponsor of the ride, donating products for the ride managers to have nice awards for you. Be sure to thank the vendor for coming to the ride and for supporting endurance riding.

How often have you won an award that the ride vendor donated and actually thanked the vendor for donating the award? Be appreciative for what they have donated and let them hear from you.

Ride managers have a difficult balancing act: hosting rides, giving nice awards and not losing money. The ride managers are very appreciative to have a vendor come through and help them out.

Stand-alone sponsor

We have one sponsor who is in a field of her own. Julie Suhr has donated 100% of the profits from her book, "Ten Feet Tall, Still," to support trail promotion and preservation for AERC and the Western States Trail Foundation. (See page 33 for ordering information.)

For those of you have not read her book, you must purchase it now. It is an entertaining story of Julie's fascinating life and how endurance riding became a large part of it. She did not start riding endurance until she was 40 years old and, some 40 years later, has obtained over 29,000 miles.

There is much more to this book than just endurance riding. All your family members, even the non-riders, will enjoy it. Not only do you get a great book to read with every purchase, you will also be supporting our trails. (See page 33 for ordering information.)

Support your AERC sponsors

When you need to purchase a new endurance related item be sure to search out the folks who support you. I have only one more thing to say, and this is directly to all our sponsors: THANK YOU!!!

New members: join online by clicking here or phone the office toll-free, 866-271-2372.

Renewing? Click here, or give the office staff a call at 866-271-2372.

How far will you ride this year? Join AERC and we'll help you count the miles!