The AERC-I Committee represent members and acts on matters pertaining to international equestrian endurance riding and is made up of elected representatives. The Committee serves AERC members international endurance riding membership by promoting excellence in the sport of international endurance riding through education, participation, promotion, facilitation, and support of the United States efforts.

The International Committee has transformed over the last few years as we tried to find ways that we can contribute to the Endurance community in the United States, through AERC. Over the last two years the International Committee has pivoted to focus on developing high performance, National Young rider programs, and international rider programs for seniors and juniors.

2024 is a senior championship year. As we’ve seen in the past during qualification years for the senior team, there is a resurgence of FEI events focused on the hundred-mile distance, or three star/160 km. This year we have seen a number of competitions on the East Coast that have had 10+ competitors, most of them being FEI. For the most part, these rides have been run at established 100-mile competitions, alongside AERC events, and run very successfully with little impact to our members. However, we have seen a few rides focusing on FEI that have impacted AERC rides. We hope to minimize this impact in the future by working together with ride managers and organizing committees successfully.

We’ve also had success with the young rider championship in United States, providing funding reimbursing to the riders directly. This year their championship is being held alongside of the national championship. Finally, we have seen a number of international exchange programs for riders where they are learning from other countries. Generally, there is a common thread, endurance is a bond between the rider and the horse covering distances together. We encourage you to become involved with AERC-International and the various initiatives, or support us through annual membership and/or donations.

Tom Rajala, AERC-I Chair

Chair: Tom Rajala, Southeast Region

Vice Chair: Shawn Polke, Southeast Region

Secretary/Treasurer: Open

Advisor: Annie Whelan, Southeast Region

Regional Representatives:

Central: Open

Midwest: Open

Mountain: Open

Northeast: Open

Northwest: Dewayne Brown and Jala Neufeld

Pacific Southwest: Anastassia Savini

Southeast: Sophia Donovan

Southwest: Karen Binns-DiCamillo

West: Teresa Cross and Dublin (Tinker) Hart

Interested in supporting AERC International? Contact the AERC office for details or add a donation when you renew your membership.