AERC 2004 National Championship Veterinarian Staff

Barney Fleming DVM, Deming, New Mexico, Head Veterinarian  Dr Fleming has vetted hundreds of rides over the last 8 years in most of the AERC regions.  He served as the Head Veterinarian for the 1999 and 2000 National Championships and served as a member of the Veterinary staff for the 2001 and 2003 NC rides.  He serves as an AERC director, elected member of the Veterinary Committee, and was AERC President in 2001 and 2002. 

John McConnell DVM, LaQuinta, CA, Treatment Veterinarian and Control Veterinarian.  Dr McConnell has vetted rides for 8 years including the very large rides in Southern California.  He is a highly respected Equine Practioner working mostly with performance horses.  He has served as an elected member of the AERC Veterinary Committee.  Dr McConnell will be well equipped to handle our treatment needs, if required.

Gail Conway, Comanche Texas, Dr Conway vets more rides in the Central region than any other Veterinarian.  A highly respected General Practitioner very experienced in Endurance horses.  He is an Endurance rider having participated in our sport for 15 years and has vetted several National Championships.

Charlie Liskey DVM, Somis, CA.  Dr Liskey is an Equine Practioner with vast experience in Endurance horses.  He is an athlete in human endurance sports and understands endurance horses and riders.  He has been vetting Endurance rides for 20 years.

Craig Chandler DVM, El Cajon, CA.  Dr Chandler has been vetting Endurance Rides in San Diego area since 1988 and is very familiar with this year’s National Championship ride site.  A part of a large Equine Practice he has vast endurance horse experience. 

Jamie Kerr DVM, Napa, CA.  Dr Kerr needs no introduction to most of you.  He is the Head Veterinarian for the Tevis, past chair of the Veterinary Committee and vets rides in many regions including several past National Championships.  He is an Endurance Rider and has been involved in endurance riding and vetting since 1986.

The Veterinary staff for the 2004 National Championship was chosen for, first their dedication to the sport and the welfare of the horse, secondly for their vast experience vetting rides and thirdly for their friendly regard and concern for the riders.  Because this is a high profile ride with more emphasis on speed than the majority of AERC rides there will be a more structured and stringent approach to Veterinary Control.  These Veterinarians can accomplish that while remaining friendly and open to the riders concerns.  Everyone’s, Veterinarians, Management and Riders, emphasis will be on safety and horse welfare.

Local on-call full service Veterinary Hospital: San Luis Rey Equine Hospital in Bonsall, California.  760/726-4566.  Directions below. 

Equine Hospital

          It is our hope that every rider has a very enjoyable and successful endurance ride.  We have assembled a very competent group of veterinarians to handle the veterinary controls at the championship ride who are trained to take care of any emergency treatment that may be required the horses. 

          While, it is our hope that no horses will require any involved medical treatment, we all understand that with horses, sometimes situations arise that require more extensive treatment for the horse than can feasibly be handled in a field setting.  Our veterinarians are trained and experienced with equine medicine, and particularly with endurance horses.  However, a situation may arise where the veterinary staff feels that they cannot effectively treat a horse in the field and will ask that the horse be taken to the equine hospital for observation and/or more intensive treatment.

          The closest equine hospital to the championship ride is the San Luis Rey Equine Hospital in Bonsall, California.  This equine facility has an outstanding reputation and is owned by Dr. Barry Grant, who himself has participated in endurance, and ride and tie events.  The clinic’s telephone number is 760/726-4566.  

          Directions to the clinic from basecamp:  Go north on Highway 79 (38 miles) to Interstate 15.  Take Interstate 15 south to Highway 76 (about 10 miles).  Go west on Highway 76 for 8 or 9 miles.  Just before the big concrete bridge that goes over the gorge, turn right onto Holly Lane.  Go up the hill and make a left at the stop sign (you will still be on Holly Lane).  The address is 4211 Holly Lane and it is the second driveway on the left after the stop sign.