Adequan® to Go the Distance with AERC

 

AUBURN, Ca.—The American Endurance Conference (AERC) is proud to announce Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as its new Platinum Sponsor and AERC National Mileage Sponsor.

“Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the makers of Adequan® (POLYSULFATED GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN), is honored to be the ‘Official Joint Therapy’ of AERC,” said Allyn Mann, Senior Manager of the Animal Health Division of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. “We are excited to support a group of riders and owners who understand the importance of maintaining healthy, functioning joints. Any time you plan to ride a horse 50 or 100 miles, their legs take a beating. Adequan® helps to keep their joints healthy so they can participate in these rides.”

AERC President and veteran endurance rider Stagg Newmann, who uses Adequan® on his own competition horses as part of their routine joint therapy, is delighted with the partnership. “Given what we ask of our horses over years and miles of competition, they deserve the best care we can provide, including the best joint therapy.”

Adequan® restores synovial lubrication to facilitate joint movement by inducing a rapid, significant increase of synovial hyaluronic acid within 24 hours of intramuscular injection. Adequan® decreases inflammation of the synovial membrane, relieves pain caused by the swelling and inflammation associated with joint disease, inhibits harmful enzymes that attack the synovial fluid and cartilage and helps restore the natural balanced “wear and repair” cycle within the joint.

“Endurance riding is an extreme test for our equines, and therefore they require the utmost care and conditioning to be successful,” said AERC spokesperson Randy Eiland. “AERC is proud that we put our horse’s welfare above all else, making Adequan® the perfect sponsor for AERC. The proper use of Adequan® not only protects our horses’ joints from naturally occurring wear and repair, it also allows these great animals to compete, be active and lead productive lives well into what we used to consider old age. I can’t think of a more appropriate fit than Adequan® and AERC.”

Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has developed an animated CD that takes the viewer on a journey through the joint of a horse. It helps the viewer understand how a healthy joint functions, what happens when damage occurs, and the various FDA-approved treatment options and how well they work to improve the health of the joint. To obtain a copy of the CD, call (800) 972-9247, or view it at www.adequan.com.

# # #

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star www.gc4star.com is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the 2006 AERC National Championship.

 

Susan Summers Wins Third and Final CEI *** Observation Trial

 

AUBURN, Ca. – Susan Summers, riding Mags Motivator, finished first in a ride time of 9:54:59 at the CEI*** 100-mile endurance ride in Ashland, Montana, on Sunday, June 11.  Her average ride time of 10:48 miles per hour put her four minutes ahead of second-place finisher, Heather Stevens, riding RSA Count Laquen.  Forty riders took the trail in the 4:30 a.m. eastern Montana dawn. The trail would take them over ranch land and through the Custer National Forest.  Twenty-six FEI riders began this third and last observation ride, hoping to land one of the coveted slots on the U.S. Endurance Team that will compete at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Aachen, Germany, in August.  A total of 16 riders finished the combined AERC Open, Arabian Horse Association Region 6 Championship, and FEI/CEI*** ride, including 11 riding the FEI division. 

Sue Summers rode much of the trail in the company of her husband, Dennis, who was eliminated after the 4^th loop.  “I had a plan,” she said.  “I wanted to finish in 10 or 10.5 hours with my horse looking good, eating and being sound.  I had all the confidence in the world in my horse to do the speed that I asked of him today.”  Summers also won the Region 6 AHA Championship, as well as a Kanavy saddle for best condition, which was awarded after the final inspection on Monday.       

Summers was happy with the team coaching and support she’s gotten as a member of the National Training Squad.  “They are people that can appreciate what we’re doing and will consider our ideas,” Summers said. “We’ve had good farrier help this year.” 

“We always enjoy sharing our part of the country with other riders,” said Ride Manager Jan Stevens.  “We had riders from Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, California, Texas, Canada and the Middle East.  It was well attended, and the weather cooperated for the most part.”  She thought the 40 percent completion rate was partly due to the weather.  “We had cool days leading up the ride but the heat the day of the ride was more than we anticipated.”

National Chef d’Equipe Tom Johnson wants the entire experience to be a positive one for the National Training Squad.  “In general all of the nominated riders that presented at the three Observation Trials were very well prepared for the challenge,” Johnson said. “Many of the teams have been working toward this goal since last year (via participation in the selection rides in 2005, and participation in the training clinics), and that preparation showed. I believe that we have the deepest pool of talented teams from which to pick that we have ever had – the selectors will be facing some tough choices to select the best from these best.  While it will be a challenge, having so many good teams from which to choose is a very good problem to have.”

Jennifer Niehaus of California won the first observation ride on her nominated horse, Cheyenne XII, in a ride time of 9:49:39 on May 20 in Oreana, Idaho.  Joe Mattingley of Illinois won the second ride on May 27 in Rapid River, Michigan, SA Laribou in a ride time of 9:15:53.

            The National Team selection process will narrow the competitors to a pool of 12 horse/rider combinations and six ranked alternates.  This “short list” of riders will attend one of two training events on July 1 and July 8.  The team of riders selected to represent the United States will be named following the training events, and will depart for Aachen, Germany, the first week of August.  The 100-mile world endurance championship will be held August 21.  

The United States Equestrian Federation is the Governing Body of U.S. endurance competition at the international level.  The American Endurance Ride Conference is the National Affiliate of endurance in the U.S. and governs the sport at the national level. 

 

###

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the 2006 AERC National Championship.

                                                           

WEG Nominees Give Strong Performances at First CEI*** Observation Trial

AUBURN, Ca. – Jennifer Niehaus of Cloverdale, California, edged out a field of 36 riders to win the CEI*** 100-mile endurance event held in Oreana, Idaho, on Saturday, May 20. Riding her nominated horse Cheyenne XII, Niehaus finished in a ride time of 9:49:39, averaging 16.31 kph (10.14 mph) over the course.

Crossing the finish line with Niehaus was Suzanne Hedgecock aboard AA Montego, who posted a ride time one second slower than Niehaus’s. Hedgecock also hopes to earn a place on the U.S. Endurance Team to compete at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, in August.

Finishing third was Joyce Sousa aboard LV Integrity, who matched Niehaus’s pace throughout the ride, finishing in 9:53:15.  The Best Condition Award went to fifth-place horse SHA Ebony Rose, ridden by Dennis Summers.

            Twenty-six riders completed the event, including 17 nominated riders who occupied the top 13 placings, three foreign entries and six riders competing in the AERC-sanctioned division only.

            Ride Manager Steph Teeter said she was very impressed with the nominees. “They were smart, cool and focused,” she said. “The top nine finished within about 20 minutes of each other, and there was no racing to the finish. Everybody had a plan, had a goal, and stayed focused all day.”

            Teeter added, “In general, the nominees seemed very energized and excited about the [selection] process. [Chef d’ Equipe] Tom Johnson is doing a fantastic job with the riders.”

            “The observation trial went as well as I could have hoped for,” said Johnson. “The riders were prepared, focused and, in-general, did an excellent job of executing their ride strategies. Pending the outcome of the next two observation rides, I believe we will have the strongest and most prepared pool of nominees to select from that we have ever had.”

The pace was slower than it has been in previous years at this venue.

“It was a different course than in years past,” said Teeter. “I added sections of pavement, about five miles, and included a fair amount of hard-packed gravel road, trying to have a course that would simulate conditions in Aachen.”

            “Steph did a great job of transplanting Germany to the desert of Idaho,” said Johnson.

            The second observation trial will be held Saturday, May 27, in Grand Island Michigan, in which a new group of nominated riders will compete, primarily those living on the East Coast and from the Midwest. The third and final observation ride will be held June 11 in Ashland, Montana.

            The team of riders selected to represent the United States in the endurance competition at the World Equestrian Games will be named by mid-July and will depart for Aachen, Germany, the first week of August. The 100-mile world endurance championship will be held August 21.

            The United States Equestrian Federation is the Governing Body of U.S. endurance competition at the international level. The American Endurance Ride Conference is the National Affiliate of endurance in the U.S. and governs the sport at the national level. For more information about the U.S. Endurance Team and the 2006 selection process, contact USEF Director of Endurance Programs Mary Lutz at mlutz@usef.org, phone (908) 326-1155.

            For complete coverage of the CEI*** in Oreana, Idaho, including results, log onto www.endurance.net.

# # #

 

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the 2006 AERC National Championship.

 

WEG Endurance Team Hopefuls Prepare to Demonstrate their Abilities

AUBURN, Ca. – With the 2006 World Equestrian Games just three months away, the top endurance riders in the U.S. are preparing to demonstrate their abilities in hopes of earning a place on the U.S. Endurance Team. In order to be considered, each rider must compete at one of three FEI***/AERC dual-sanctioned 100-mile rides scheduled for May 20 in Oreana, Idaho, May 27 in Grand Island, Michigan and June 11 in Ashland, Montana. Members of the National Selection Committee will be present at each event to evaluate the competitors’ performances.

According to United States Equestrian Federation’s Director of Endurance Programs Mary Lutz, there are approximately 49 riders scheduled to compete at one of the three observation trials, including members of the current National Training Squad and former World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy and former Pan American Endurance Champion Heather Reynolds. Riders who have nominated on more than one horse must compete at one observation ride with each horse.

Chef d’ Equipe Tom Johnson of Loomis, California, said the he doesn’t expect the nominated horses to be “peaked” for the observation trials, but should still be building up toward the World Equestrian Games.

“I expect the successful riders to ride strong and smart, and to finish within a reasonable distance of the winning horse but not necessarily win,” Johnson said. “The top horses will make it look easy by finishing strong and looking good doing it.”

Following the final observation trial, the National Team of 12 horse/rider combinations plus six ranked alternates will be selected by the National Selection Committee.

 “Those riders will then attend one of two training events,” said Johnson. “Locations of the events will be selected based on their location in order to minimize how far they have to haul. Riders will complete a test ride of 30 to 50 miles.”

The final team will be selected based on several factors, which include but are not limited to the horse’s fitness and soundness and the rider’s ability to ride to instructions.

            Johnson added, “The goal of the selection process is to finish strong in Aachen. The observation trials are a step in that direction.”

            The team of riders selected to represent the United States in the endurance competition at the World Equestrian Games will be named by mid-July and will depart for Aachen, Germany, the first week of August. The 100-mile world endurance championship will be held August 21.

            The United States Equestrian Federation is the Governing Body of U.S. endurance competition at the international level. The American Endurance Ride Conference is the National Affiliate of endurance in the U.S. and governs the sport at the national level. For more information about the U.S. Endurance Team and the 2006 selection process, contact USEF Director of Endurance Programs Mary Lutz at mlutz@usef.org, phone (908) 326-1155.

# # #

 

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the 2006 AERC National Championship.

 

 

                       

2006 AERC National Championship Hits the Trails

of the Historic Old Dominion Endurance Ride

 

AUBURN, Ca.—Endurance riders from around the country will face the test of time and terrain when they compete for national titles at the 2006 American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) National Championship in October. The championship, sponsored by Gulf Coast 4 Star Trailers, will be held October 20-22 in Fort Valley, Virginia, on the trails of the historic Old Dominion Endurance Ride. The Old Dominion, first held in 1973, is considered by many to be the most prestigious endurance competition in the eastern United States.

The 100-mile national championship will take place on October 20 and the 50-mile championship will be held on October 22. Competitors qualify for the championship by completing a minimum of 300 miles in AERC competition with their horse and earning a top-five placing in their weight division or by having 1,000 or more miles together as a team.      

Riders will follow a course that is rich in both scenery and history as they climb over the beautiful Blue Ridge and Massanutten Mountains during the height of fall foliage along trails that wind through the Shenandoah National Park.  

AERC President Stagg Newman of Candler, North Carolina, considers the trails to be the ultimate challenge for endurance riders. 

“The 2006 AERC National Championship will combine the challenge of a tough course with awesome scenery over historic trails,” said Newman, who has won the Old Dominion Endurance Ride three times. “Completing the 100 miles of tough, rocky Old Dominion trail requires the highest degree of horsemanship, which is the essence of what endurance riding is all about. It's not about speed, it's about pace and heads-up riding.” 

            Newman added, “When fording the Shenandoah River in the light of dawn, it is easy to imagine Stonewall Jackson's cavalry crossing during the Civil War. When climbing the trail Colonel Morgan made at the direction of General Washington as an escape route to Fort Valley for the Colonial Army in case Washington lost at Yorktown, one can imagine wagon trains traversing the rugged terrain.”

            The 2006 AERC National Championship will be staged from Fort Valley Stables, just south of the historic Fort Valley area. According to event manager Bob Walsh, competitors can expect a well-marked trail that is both challenging and fair to their horses. “The fastest horses may not win these rides, but the smarter riders could,” said Walsh.

            Paul Zeck, president of Gulf Coast 4 Start Trailers of Willis, Texas, said, “Without question, the trail is one of the most scenic places in the country and the organizing committee has always done a super job with the ride. Gulf Coast 4-Star is proud to be a sponsor of this great event.”

            For more information about the 2006 AERC National Championship, visit. www.olddominionrides.org or www.aerc.org. For images contact jnice@ridemediagroup.com.

# # #

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star www.gc4star.com is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the 2006 AERC National Championship.

                                   

 

AERC Reports Record Numbers for Multi-Day Events

 

AUBURN, Ca. – Faced with the high price of fuel, more endurance riders are participating in multi-day events as a way to get more miles for their money, the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC), the governing body for endurance riding in the United States, reports.

“In today’s age of increased fuel and other costs, the multi-day ride is the best value going for endurance riders,” says past AERC President Randy Eiland. “Instead of competing just one day, the multi-day ride allows the rider to participate in three or more endurance rides for the cost of only one trip.”

Participation in multi-day events has increased almost 13 percent per year from 1996 to 2005, according to AERC Vice President Michael Maul. “The growth rate for multi-day rides is more than four times our annual membership growth of 3.1 percent,” says Maul.

In 2005, AERC recorded 4,341 entries in 34 different multi-day events representing 115 days of competition.

The multi-day event, or Pioneer Ride, is typically three to five days in length, and competitors ride 50 to 55 miles each day. The total minimum distance for a Pioneer Ride is 155 miles. While some opt to ride a different horse each day, many strive to complete the entire event—sometimes up to 250 miles total—on the same horse. Because of this, the atmosphere of the multi-day event is relaxed, and riders place more emphasis on finishing the day’s ride, rather than winning, thus providing testament to AERC’s motto, “To Finish is to Win.”

Karen Chaton of Gardnerville, Nevada, says she enjoys multi-day rides because it gives her the chance to learn a lot about her horse and herself. 

“I find multi-days to be the greatest challenge, and the most rewarding experience for me is to complete a five-day ride on the same horse,” says Chaton, who has twice won the XP Gold Medal Award for completing all five AERC-sanctioned XP multi-day rides (www.xprides.com) in one year—two three-day events and three five-day events totaling 1,060 miles—with her Arabian gelding, Granite Chief+/. “The riders are more relaxed, and everybody tends to focus on experiencing the trail, their horse and their friends, which is more like family.  It gets you away from the real world and puts you in an atmosphere that allows you to succeed or fail, while at the same time allowing you to learn so much,” says Chaton. 

Eiland, who has been managing multi-day rides since 1988 and currently manages several three-day, 165-mile rides each year, says that his events in southern New Mexico attract riders from as far as Indiana and Canada. “Pioneer Rides have proven both their worth and their ability to excite the membership,” he says.

The Pioneer Ride was born in 1982, when Tom Bowling was granted sanctioning by AERC for a four-day ride to help preserve historic trails. The following year, Dave Nicholson, D.V.M., who currently manages five multi-day rides each year, hosted the first of the five-day, point-to-point Pony Express Rides.

“Dave Nicholson’s ride captured the imagination of a few AERC members and proved to be a successful event,” says Eiland. “From those early beginnings, more and more AERC members began to catch the multi-day ride excitement. The original Pioneer Rides were point-to-point rides over four or more days. In the mid-1990s, the AERC Board of Directors approved three-day events as Pioneer Rides to encourage more participation and opportunity for awards.

“This made the event available to a wider range of riders,” says Eiland. “When multi-day rides began utilizing one base camp, the floodgate was opened. Today, the Pioneer Ride is one of the most popular and well-attended events that AERC sanctions.”

Says Chaton, “I like how many of the multi-day rides are laid out, with one large loop out of camp. “You get out there in some of the most beautiful country imaginable.”

# # #

 

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the 2006 AERC National Championship.

Joe Mattingly Wins Second CEI*** Observation Trial

 

AUBURN, Ca. –  After 100 miles and more than nine hours in the saddle, Joe Mattingly of Scales Mound, Illinois, edged out Betty Baker of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, by one second to win the Grand Island CEI*** on May 27 in Rapid River, Michigan. The event was the second of three observation rides for competitors vying for a place on the U.S. Endurance Team to compete at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, in August.

            Mattingly, riding his 11-year-old Arabian gelding SA Laribou, maintained a steady pace throughout the six phases of the 100-mile course, averaging between 9.7 and 12.8 miles per hour.

            “My goal going into the ride was to complete and get a good finish with the hopes of getting best condition,” said Mattingly.

            SA Laribou, a former second-level dressage champion, was awarded the event’s best condition award following the final inspection on Sunday morning of the top-finishing horses by the event veterinarians.

            “The next morning it was pouring rain, but horses and riders gamely presented for best condition,” said Event Manager Marjorie Dutton.

            Mattingly’s performance did have one minor glitch—he got off the marked course for several miles. “I was off trail for 15 to 20 minutes,” said Mattingly. “This threw my pacing off. However I still managed to get a great finish.”

            A total of 35 competitors started at 5:30 a.m. Of those, 14 were nominated riders. Of the 14 hopefuls, 10 completed the course.

            “Back at the finish line at the Grand Island trailhead, pit crews, timers and friends waited anxiously,” said Dutton. “Then there was dust and a bit of movement against the dark tree line. It became clear that two horses were coming. Joe came in first at a nice rolling canter, followed by Betty on Synematic.”

            Six minutes later, Jeremy Olson crossed the finish line, followed by Kathy Downs, Valerie Kanavy, Steve Rojek and Julie Bullock, all within 10 minutes of Mattingly. Candy Barbo, Sandra Connor and Jennifer Lewis rounded out the top 10 finishers.

            “The course, new to most of the riders, was primarily sinuous single track and narrow double track in the woods, with a good, sandy footing throughout,” said Chef d’Equipe Tom Johnson, who was present to observe the riders’ performance. “Weather conditions were favorable, with a cool, overcast humid morning giving way to a warm clear afternoon, but without serious heat.  In total, I would asses the total difficulty of the ride as very similar in magnitude to the first ride in Idaho.”

            Johnson added, “Once again, we had a strong demonstration by a group of the nominated riders. The results alone do not tell the whole story, as crewing, tactics, presentation, soundness and a variety of other factors are being assessed during the observation trials.”

The third and final observation ride will be held June 11 in Ashland, Montana.

            The team of riders selected to represent the United States in the endurance competition at the World Equestrian Games will be named by mid-July and will depart for Aachen, Germany, the first week of August. The 100-mile world endurance championship will be held August 21.

            The United States Equestrian Federation is the Governing Body of U.S. endurance competition at the international level. The American Endurance Ride Conference is the National Affiliate of endurance in the U.S. and governs the sport at the national level. For more information about the U.S. Endurance Team and the 2006 selection process, contact USEF Director of Endurance Programs Mary Lutz at mlutz@usef.org, phone (908) 326-1155.

            # # #

 

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the 2006 AERC National Championship.

  

Endure for the Cure and Ride for your Life!

 

AUBURN, Ca.—The Arabian Horse Distance Riding Association (AHDRA) is sponsoring a charity event to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Scheduled for July 14-16, this is the sixth year for this multiple distance ride competition, to be held at the 800-acre Farmdale Park in East Peoria, Illinois. The three-day event is sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and will thrill riders with many levels of competition in endurance and competitive trail riding. Friday and Saturday will feature a two-day, 100-mile endurance ride, as well as 50-mile rides both days. Each of the three days will also feature a 25-mile Limited Distance (LD) ride, as well as a 25-mile competitive trail ride. There will be novice trail rides of 12.5 miles on both Friday and Saturday, and Sunday’s events will include a driving competition.  

            “This is a great event for a good cause,” said April Hammer, who manages the event. An oncology nurse, Hammer has been proud to hand over a check each year to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and has been instrumental in raising more than $80,000 for breast cancer research. A global foundation, money received by the Komen Foundation is used for research, support and education.

            Riders at the event will bring in donations from their personal networks and receive prizes donated by corporate and local sponsors. This year, Mortack, Inc. will donate a Kanavy Endurance Saddle to the rider who collects the most donations.

“Two years ago the saddle went to a rider that had just gone through chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer,” said Hammer.

            The 2005 ride had more than 110 entries, and more are expected for this year’s event. Farmdale Park features single-track wooded trails, as well as open prairies with creek crossings. The large but primitive campground will have catered food available as well as a rider BBQ.

            For more information about the event, contact event managers April Hammer or Bonnie Iten at (309) 698-1773, email april@endureforthecure.org, or visit www.endureforthecure.org.  For more information about the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, visit www.komen.org.

# # #

 

The American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) was founded in 1972 as the national governing body for endurance riding in the United States. AERC sanctions more than 800 events annually, is the leader in education related to the use of equines in long-distance riding and encourages the use, protection and development of equestrian trails in North America. AERC’s mission is to serve its more than 6,500 members and to promote endurance riding as a sport in which horsemanship and equine welfare are paramount. For more information about endurance riding and AERC, visit www.aerc.org. Gulf Coast 4 Star is the official trailer of AERC and is a sponsor of the 2006 AERC National Championship.