The Board of Directors of the AERC met September 12, 1987 at the Mariott Inn in Nashville, Tenn.
There being a quorum present, the meeting was
called to order at 8:23. Directord present were Matthew Macay-Smith, Louise
Riedel, Doyle Caraway, Joe Long, Maggy Price, Lindsay Taliaferro, Earle Baxter,
Heide Flint, Arlene Morris, Carolyn Ellis, Frank Bennett, Barbara McCrary, Tom
Bowling, Peter Ansorge, Pat French and Jackie Mitchell.
Tabulation of the membership questionnaire was disbributed.
Comments from officers--no action required. Business. proceded to
committee.
Ethics Committee: Frank
Bennett presented the following statement:
1. It is possible for a member to be in compliance with AERC rules and
still
be guilty of unethical conduct,
2. Any conduct with takes unfair advantage of riders or ride manangement
is unethical, It was suggested that a statement including abuse of the animal
as unethical conduct be added. Referred back to committee,
Hall of Fame Committee: Arlene
Morris called for further nominations.
National Office Committem: Refer to printed report, Barbara McCrary moved that the membership year
be changed to coincide with the beginning of the ride season, effective
December 1. Members to be given the option at April 1988 to choose an 8-month
membership, April 1 1988 through November 30, 1988 or a 20-month membership,
April 1,!988 through November 30 !989, with appropriate pro-rated fees. Frank
Bennett seconded. Motion carried. This requires a by-law change, preceded by a
2/3 majority approval of the Board, This matter will be sent to the entire
Board in the next mailing.
Barbara McCrary moved to approve funding for networking the office
computers with the stipulation that networking not he done until funds are
available. Frank Bennett seconded, Motion carried.
Barbara McCrary announced that a donation of a hard drive and tape
backup
had been offered~ valued at about $3500.~ by Mountain Computers in
exchange for a letter from AERC stating the nature of our organization. Joe
Long will contact Mountain Computers relative to this offer,
Sanctioning Committee: It
was the sense of the board that there should be
a discussion at this time relative to changing the method of selecting
the national champion. Tom Bowling offered plans that had originated from
several sources. After considering various alternatives the Board agreed that
the following factors should be incorporated in a proposed system:
...... equal
numbers of 50 and 100 mile rides
….. some head-to.-head
competition
…. Part of season devoted to
ordinary competition; part of season devoted to championship riding
..... balance
of both speed and endurance in champion horse
...... no junior division in national championship competition
..... champions in each of three weight divisions (no over-all national
champion
Proposals for three alternative programs were formulated.
2. Traditional points for a portion of the year; qualifying a numberfrom each region (number
to be specified) then go to sectionals or nationals.
3. Continue in the traditional way but apply a new system of analysis
which will emphasize achievement in longer races, ride points weighted by size
and length of ride; a final sectional or national ride.
Joe Long was directed by the chair to reword the point system for rides
with fewer than 10 entrants.
Legal and Insurance Committee~ A conference phone call was
received from Sheryl Studley during which she discussed the status of the lawsuit
against AERC filed by McAna!ly, manager of the Catoosa ride.
Veterinary Committee: Heidi
Flint presented a proposed Veterinary Questionnaire to be filled out by ride
veterinarians. The Board extended approbation to Dr. Dane Frazier for his stand
at Catoosa. The Board unanimously approved the questionnaire with the
alterations suggested.
Grievance and Protest Committee~ The chairman shall be reimbursed for phone and mail expenses incurred in
the business of the committee. Maggie Price moved and Frank Bennett seconded
that the party who is dissatisfied with the committee’s decision and who wishes
to go on to the entire board must pay an additional appeals fee of $50. Fees
will be returned if protest is upheld. The question arose as to whether the proposed
protest procedure necessitates a by-law change, and will be referred to the
legal committee. Joe Long moved, Peter Ansorge seconded to apply the same fee
schedule to grievances as to protest. Motion carried.
International Committee: The president explained that the Organizing Committee for an
international ride is responsible for financial arrangements and indebtedness
for the event. Consideration of this matter was tabled until Sunday's meeting.
Lindsay Taliaferro and Barbara McCrary were appointed to prepare motions
concerning AERC’s functions in international rides.
Limited Distance Committee: Report from Jeri Scott approved as circulated with the following
exceptions: Correct date of establishment of program to read "1984."
No. I. Change length of ride to read "no less than 25 nor more than 35
miles." No. 3. Add phrase "at time of ride" after 48 months. Add
No. 15. "There will be no awards or recognition for speed." Change
No. 9 to read "The ten horses or mules having the highest veterinary score
will be recognized" Jackie Mitchell moved to approve report. Seconded by
Carolyn El!is. Motion carried.
The sanctioning committee was asked by the chair ko develop language for
inclusion in the by-laws~ to be sent out with the ba!lot, for response which
will (1) establish the authority of the AERC to issue sanctions and police
them. He also asked the rules committee to do the same thing by the October 15
deadline~ He also would like by the winter board meeting a description of the
powers and duties of the sanctioning director.
In the matter of a !50-mile ride alleged to have been won in !0 hrs, 45
min. Pat French moved that we resolve that Joe Nebeker revise his ride results
for the Farmer's 150, based on accurate measurement, and report the mileage
completed to the best of his ability. The Protest and Grievance Committee can
require the production of evidence satisfactory to the resolution of the
problem.
Membership and Outreach Committee: The chair directed Carolyn Ellis to get together with the Legal committee
to find out what kind of position people who ride with us who are not members
put themselves in in terms of our exposure in liability to them, their exposure
in liability to us. The question is whether non-members who ride with us are
covered by our insurance
Publicity and Education Committee: Items for concern:
..... The Endurance News
-
Press releases
to national horse magazines; classified ads in same
-
---Attendance at
conventions--our own and other horse related conventions
New manual on "How to Put on a Ride"
..... Possible Handbook for Riders
Rules Committee: Directors were referred by Peter Ansorge to a proposed
new codification of the rules which had been printed and circulated. He began
the discussion by a brief overview of the material. Exception was taken to rule
3, "The ride must be open, to all riders. .... " .The word
rider" stricken. Rule 3 should now read "The ride must be open to any
breed or type of horse or mule"
Following are changes that were made by the Board to the proposed rules;
Rule 1.1.1 This mileage over
50 must be a multiple five….
1.2 - Endurance rides which are sanctioned
1.4.1 - Delete
"series" to read: Special exceptions may be granted by
the Board of Directors of the AERC for rides….
The meeting was recessed at 4:45
The meeting was reconvened at 8:04 September !3. Discussion continued on
revision of rules,
Add Rule 1.3.2: A change in mileage and/or ride results certified by the
AERC may be mandated by the Protest and Grievance committee or the Board
Rule 1.5: Substitute “Not to exceed 35 miles” for
"less than 50 miles”
Heidi Flint moved the
addition of rule 2.1.4.1. “The recovery parameters and hold time shall be
established by the ride veterinarians., based on environmental and trail
conditions, existing at ride time. Ride management may set more stringent
parameters." Motion seconded--defeated. The committee is asked to work
with the veterinary committee in relation to this concept.
Heidi Flint moved to change rule 3 to read "the ride must be open
to all horses of any breed or type and regardless of qualifications,"
Lindsay Taliferro seconded. Motion defeated.
The chair asked for a consensus of the
board as to whether it wants to see the possibility of sanctioning special
events (such as the PROC). The response showed ten in favor.
Peter Ansorge will rework all of rule 3 and submit it by mail ballot for
approval.
Rule 4: To be
renumbered to fit into Rule 3.
Rule 5: To read "The ride must provide a specific
amount of time (total competition time"
Rule 5.2: To read "Total
competition time.
Rule 6.1: "An
entry must pass all veterinary criteria for completion. A rider who fails any
of the other criteria should be pulled from top ten placing".,..
It was the consensus of the board by show of hands that the minimum
completion standards (now found in the veterinary handbook) be put back into
rule six.
The statement "Ride management has a right to set more stringent
requirements than those set by AERC" will be added to rule 6,
Rule 8.5.2.2: A poll of the board regarding weight with or
without tack resulted in 10 in favor of weighing with tack; 5 without tack.
Rule 8.5.2.2.: Joe Long moved that we change the break-point
between middle weight and heavyweght to 210 pounds. Heidi Flint seconded.
Motion carried.
Rule 8.5.3: It was the consensus of the Board that riders
shall be weighed at their first ride of the season and may be spot checked at
any or all subsequent rides, Any rider may challenge an entrant's weight. Ride
results must show any deviation from the stated category so the office can
properly award points.
Rule 8,5.5.1: To read "where there are fewer
than eleven starters".
Rule 8.5.5.3: To read "Bonus points that WOULD have been earned
by the place equal to
Rule 8.5.5.5: To read "Where there are fewer
than six juniors
Rule 8.6: To be renumbered to follow other rules on
weight.
Rule 10.3: Joe long moved that juniors who qualify to
ride without sponsors shall ride as
seniors. Rule to read " Juniors
14 years or older who have completed 500 miles or more of AERC sanctioned rides
in the AERC rider mileage program and have written consent of parent or
guardian shall ride as seniors”. Tom Bowling moved that we rescind Rules
10.3/!0.3.1. Pat French seconded~ Motion defeated.
Rule 10.5: The sponsor must be
a responsible adult and must be duly entered as a competitor in the event,
Rule 10.5.3 Delete
Rule 10.6: Delete ”Any”
Rule 12.5: Delete
"Approximate"
Rule 15.1: De!ete.
Frank Bennett moved to accept the report of the Rules Committee with the
exception of. rules three and four which will be reworked. Motion carried with
thanks to Peter Ansorge
Trails Committee:
Report accepted as circulated
Rider Safety Committee:
Report accepted as circulated.
Protest and Grievance Committee: (Continuation) A second statement was read into the record by the chair.
Peter Ansorge moved that the Protest and Grievance Committee incorporate the
two documents as well as the present procedures appearing in the rules, to be
coordinated with the Rules committee and to be forwarded to the Board by mail.
With reference to the proposals for revision of the national
championship system~ Lindsay Taliaferro moved that items 1 and 2, (as recorded
in the previous day's minutes) be properly worded and submitted to the
membership via the next Newsletter along with any explanations that the committee wishes to add and that a vote
be required by return mail no later
than Nov. 1, that the Board be advised of the results and that the committee
submit a plan corresponding to the will of the membership. Joe seconded. Motion
carried.
International Committee: (Continuation) Lindsay Taliaferro moved that the AERC and its
International Committee will act only as sponsors of FEI sanctioned endurance
events within the U.S. The International Committee will select an
"Organizing Committee" for each event. The members or organization
comprising the Organizing Committee must at time of selection, evidence and
guarantee satisfactory financial responsibility and wherewithal to successfully
fulfill FEI event requirements without recourse to AERC genera.l funds. Barbara
McCrary seconded. Motion carried.
Lindsay Taliaferro moved that the AERC office staff will assist the
International Committee, such time and effort subject to National Office
Committee review and approval. Barbara McCrary seconded. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
It was the consensus of the Board to sanction Randy Eiland’s 5-day New
Mexico Renegade Ride.
The AHSA has requested that AERC appoint representatives to their
organization. The International Committee will make the selections.
Arlene Morris moved that we change the boundary of the Southwest
district to
conform to the time zone line. Motion seconded and carried.
Frank Bennett moved that we refuse sanctioning to any rides that offer
cash awards or are run in conjunction with rides that do. Barbara McCrary
seconded. Motion defeated.
Heidi Flint moved that any ride offering prizes in excess of an amount
to be determined shall agree to pay the expenses of an AERC steward to attend
and monitor the event. Maggie Price seconded. Motion carried. Effective as of
the new ride year (December 1).
The chair proposed a motion to state that the above applies to an
organization offering any single prize whose value is in excess of $500, with
the exception of futurities and other contributory schemes supported by an
organization recognized by the AERC. Jackie Mitchell seconded. Motion carried
Lindsay Taliaferro moved that the organizer and manager of a ride may
participate only for completion. The motion was tabled and remanded to the
rules Committee.
Joe Long moved that beginning December I, AERC members accumulate points
toward a regional championship in the region in which they ride. Lindsay
seconded. Motion carried.
It is the sense of the Board that AERC is in opposition to the proposed
Vision Sports ride from St. Joseph Mo. to Sacramento in the summer of
1988.
The meeting adjourned at 12:00.
Louise Riedel, Secretary