So you dream of being one of the 'chosen few' who represent your time zone or nation in international level endurance riding. You've sent off for the nomination forms and have carefully filled them out in detail and checked for accuracy. You've sent them off to the Selection Committee chairman with the correct fee, within time before the deadline date that we set for the close of nominations.

You are already a member of AERC and AERC International and you have anticipated the requirement to be a member of the United States Equestrian Foundation (or are in the process of joining).

You have been competing with your nominated horse for years and have a solid completion record and consistent "sound at the trot" record on rides of all distances, footing and climatic variation.

You and your horse are seasoned haulers, adaptable to the often unforeseen problems and stresses of being "on the road", far from the familiarity of family, friends and home.

You are confident in your horse's ability and know that you are one of the best horse/rider teams in your zone or nation to compete skillfully and successfully in a 100 mile ride over terrain that you are well prepared to deal with and veterinary criteria you are very comfortable with.

You are ready to make the effort to get to know your teammate's strengths and weaknesses.

You realize the financial backing you will have to have in place to finance not only the expenses of yourself, your horse and your crew to attend the competition, but realize that you may be gone from home, work, family and other responsibilities for a extended period of time (especially when competitions are off the continent). Since you are not capable of just reaching into your savings for the money it will take (or are you?), you have a well thought-out plan for fund raising and have actively begun to pursue it. Remember, the people who donate ten dollars deserve as much thanks as someone who is able to donate a large amount. They all want to be part of your quest for the gold; keep them informed and let them know how much you appreciate their support. Be honest with yourself and your family; can your job and you relationships take the stress of your need to focus so much of yourself and your time on this endeavor? It is unfair to your teammates to have to hold your hand and baby you through when the reality of it all cave in on you. Are you experienced enough with FEI protocol to know and follow the rules, yet be flexible enough to flow with the changes at a moments notice?

You have committed yourself and your horse to this goal of competing in this one

international competition and laying aside other competitive plans until it is over. Since you have already researched the type of terrain and climate you will be competing in (or have you?) you know this is where your particular horse shines. You have pinpointed possible problems and stresses and have devised a sound plan for nutrition, conditioning, health care and shoeing. Since the competition is a 100 mile ride, you have realized that it is probably unwise to take the chance of injuries from running competitive 50 mile rides and have planned to attend one or two challenging 100 mile rides (hopefully mimicking the terrain and climate of the upcoming FEI competition) where you and your horse will be viewed before, during and after the ride by one or more members of the Selection Committee. Since they are well experienced with FEI competition, you take the opportunity to ask questions and be open with them about concerns you have.

You have already competed on a time zone team in a previous continental championship before you would consider nominating for a World Cup (especially off-continent) Ride. Therefore, you already have a good idea about your ability to deal with FEI style riding and how you yourself rise to the occasion when the going gets tougher. You already know that you are expected to be a gracious goodwill ambassador of our sport and our country, not just a polished, self-assured competitor. You are well-spoken and your comments well though-out when dealing with the inevitable media. If you are nominating for a time zone team for a continental championship, you are prepared to learn as much as you can about FEI structure in order to be an asset to your team, not a liability everyone has to work around.

You have made the cut. It looks like you might go...you politely turn down offers of new tack, supplements, clothing, equipment, etc, unless you are having a problem with what you are already using. You know what you did to be good enough to get to this point; stick with the program you and your horse are used to.

You realize that some qualified criticism/instruction in "centered" riding and presentation in hand might polish your confidence and image.

You are having second thoughts...maybe you really are in over your head. Talk to your chef d'equipe and be honest and open. Don't wait till the last moment!

Call and email fellow teammates and let them know what is going on; they are depending on you.

You are physically and emotionally conditioning yourself to assure that you will finish even if you have to walk and jog alongside your horse for many miles in order to do so. You are willing to sacrifice personal glory and higher placing to get a teammate through if it is asked of you.

You are ready to ride the best ride of your life to date. You know you are part of the winning team.