Endurance riders from across the U.S. and Canada will converge on Atlanta, Georgia, for the American Endurance Ride Conference’s 2014 convention March 7 and 8 at the Sheraton Gateway Atlanta Airport Hotel.
“Horses First” - AERC’s commitment to horse welfare
Endurance riders from across the U.S. and Canada will converge on Atlanta, Georgia, for the American Endurance Ride Conference’s 2014 convention on March 7 and 8, 2014.
The convention combines free events – a trade show for distanced riders, early morning “hot topics” discussions, and an always-popular tack swap – with seminars ($55 per day), a dance on Friday night, and the nonprofit organization’s national awards banquet on Saturday evening.
The trade show and tack swap are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 7, and until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 8.
Complete information about the convention can be found on AERC’s website: www.aerc.org/2014convention.pdf.
The theme for this year’s gathering is “Horses First,” which reflects AERC’s commitment to horse welfare. “With rides of up to 100 miles in one day, it is imperative that our riders always put their horses first,” said AERC Executive Director Kathleen Henkel.
“Every competition includes a pre-ride check for the horse, with multiple checks during and after the competition.” Endurance riders today, Henkel emphasized, strive to do well with their horses over the long run. “One of our most coveted awards is the Decade Team award, which honors riders and equines who have competed together for 10 or more years,” she said.
Many rides offer introductory, fun rides of 10 to 15 miles, to acquaint new distance riders with veterinary checks and following ribbons along the marked course of a ride. The organization is also expanding the number of clinics so new riders become familiar with training methods, suggested tack, and common feeding protocols.
“It’s a pretty low-cost sport for riders compared to other equine disciplines,” said Henkel. “Plus our members and their horses have the benefit of riding together, building their partnership, over miles of trails as they train and compete.”
The American Endurance Ride Conference motto is “To finish is to win,” and last year AERC’s 5,000 members completed more than 650,000 miles of competitions in rides across the U.S. and Canada.
About The American Endurance Ride Conference
The national governing body for endurance riding in the U.S., AERC was founded in 1972 and has grown over the years as both a membership organization that tracks points and mileage for its rides of 25 to 100 miles per day, and as a leading force behind preservation and construction of new equestrian trails.
For more information about AERC or endurance riding, please contact the AERC office, located in Auburn, California, at 866-271-2372, or email aerc@foothill.net.