Some people join an organization such as AERC because they have to, some join because they feel they should, and others join because they feel the benefits of being a member are greater than the cost of a membership. It is a goal of AERC's that every member join and renew their membership each year because they feel they are receiving a true benefit for their dues.

I have to join several veterinary organizations. I pay over a thousand dollars each year in dues to these groups. Every month I get mailings telling me of the things these organizations are doing for me. The "benefits" include items such as 5% off retail on a rental car or airline ticket, that they are paying big bucks for a big name speaker for the next meeting to be held near the French Riviera, that they are paying for lobbying in Washington for or against the latest esoteric cause. Let's face it, nobody pays retail for a rental car and 5% off is twice as much as I usually pay. I cannot afford a week in Europe to hear someone tell me how to run my practice and I sure resent the organization's bigwigs getting paid to go to Europe by my dues. I often wonder if my money is going towards promoting all the corruption and pork-belly lobbying you read about in Washington.

AERC benefits

If you are going for a year-end award from AERC, then it is obvious that you join AERC because you hope to benefit. For those who never expect to get an award, those who never top 10 and really do not care about somebody else keeping track of how many miles they have ridden, the reasons for joining may be a little less clear. Let me shed just a little light onto how AERC membership improves your riding.

Foremost, even if you never once plan on riding an endurance ride, being a member helps ensure that you and your children will continue to have trails to ride on. AERC is promoting not only preservation of existing trails, but also creation of new trails for use by horsemen all across this country.

But even if you have trails, you need events to go to. AERC is the only organization which promotes and sanctions endurance rides in the USA. AERC is not just interested in one ride such as the national championship; we are actively trying to get more rides close to your home, wherever you live. Additionally, AERC is working hard on trying to improve the standardization of vetting across the country and simultaneously improve the understanding of the equine during ride conditions through veterinary research grants and the education of vets and riders alike.

So AERC is working on more rides and better vetting--what about rules? I could have you read my lips: "No new rules!" but you know how well that worked for some other president. The AERC Rules Committee is working hard to clarify the current set of rules. We fully realize that there are some vague and inconsistent parts, but those should be cleared up soon. Every member will receive an official rule book for the 2004 ride season so everyone will know the answer to the question, "Is that a rule or just a tradition?"

Committees hard at work

Actually, the Rules Committee is just one of numerous committees working hard right now. I can say with the utmost of certainty that there are more committees actually working right now than ever before in the history of AERC. The AERC Board of Directors has met every other month this year, instead of the twice a year previously, and at every board meeting the chair of each committee has presented a report on the action or inaction of the committee the previous 60 days. At the first meeting most chairs reported inaction. In July, most committee chairs reported much action and significant progress towards goals.

Once again I invite you to check out who the committee chairs are by looking on pages 2 and 3 of this magazine. Call or e-mail them and ask what their goals are. Let them know what you feel is important. I encourage you to let them know you want to be a part of endurance's future and ask to become a member of their committee. Keep in mind, though, that AERC volunteers do not get paid or reimbursed for any expenses, so unless you want to raise dues, do not expect anything other than "thanks" for all your work.

What can AERC do for you?

Maybe I have pointed out a few reasons why AERC is something I believe every equestrian that enjoys riding the trails should want to join, but I am also certain that there are more things that you might think AERC could do for its members. I would like to know what you would like AERC to do for you. Please e-mail me or the executive director, Kathleen Henkel, with any suggestions you might have for items or services which AERC could provide that would make you feel your membership is more valuable.

Sometime in most of the rides I have ridden, usually about two-thirds of the way through, I need to remind myself that I do this because it is fun and, moreover, I paid good money to do it. While AERC cannot make your rides be completed two-thirds of the way through, please do let us know what else we can do to make your endurance career more fun. P.S. No more excuses--get out and ride!