American Endurance Ride Conference
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
held via telephone conference call
November 1, 2004
President
C. Mike Tomlinson called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. Also on the line for the call: Vice President Susan Kasemeyer, Treasurer
Terry Woolley Howe, Vonita Bowers, Mike Jaffe, Roberta Harms, Connie Caudill,
Jan Stevens, Howard Kent, Stan Eichelberger, Patti Pizzo, Bob Morris, John
Parke, Duane Barnett, Randy Eiland, Roger Taylor, Nick Warhol, Jim Baldwin,
Barney Fleming, Dane Frazier, Mike Maul, Stagg Newman, Robert Ribley and
Executive Director Kathleen A. Henkel.
Absent: Jan Jeffers, and Gail
Williams.
A
motion from the Veterinary Committee inadvertently omitted from the agenda will
be added this evening.
It was moved by
Susan Kasemeyer and seconded by Stan
Eichelberger to excuse Jan Jeffers (attending class) and Gail Williams (out of
town and out of cell range) from this evening’s call. Motion passed.
It was moved by
Roger Taylor and seconded by Robert Ribley to approve the minutes of the August
21, 2004, September 13, 2004, and October 4, 2004 minutes as written. Motion passed.
It was moved by
Vonita Bowers and seconded by Jan Stevens to accept the committee reports from
the International, National Championship, Research Grants, and Trails Grants
committees. Motion passed.
Trails Grants
Committee: Motion presented from
committee to approve the Oologah Trail Improvement Grant request for $2700.45
as set forth in their committee report, below.
Motion passed.
International
Committee: Motion presented from
committee to accept as presented the list of individuals recommended for
positions as representatives to the U.S. Equestrian Federation as indicated in
their committee report, below. Motion
passed.
Veterinary
Committee: Motion from committee: All
AERC sanctioned rides must use an AERC approved rider card for the control
veterinarian(s) to record the results of their examinations.”
Jim Baldwin
advised the entire veterinary committee approved of the wording “All AERC
sanctioned rides must use an AERC approved rider card for the control
veterinarian(s) to record the results of their examinations.
Barney Fleming
asked whether any change is required at all.
Barney advised the motion as written is acceptable.
Vonita Bowers
advised the Rules Committee sees no conflict with the above and other rules
currently in force. A standardization
of checking is what this rule provides.
Roll call vote
on the motion from committee: Susan
Kasemeyer Yes; Terry Woolley Howe No; Vonita Bowers Yes; Mike Jaffe Yes;
Roberta Harms Yes; Connie Caudill Yes; Jan Stevens Yes; Howard Kent No; Stan
Eichelberger Yes; Patti Pizzo Yes; Bob Morris No; John Parke No; Duane Barnett
Yes; Randy Eiland No; Roger Taylor No; Nick Warhol No; Jim Baldwin Yes; Barney
Fleming No; Dane Frazier Yes; Mike Maul Yes; Stagg Newman Yes; Robert Ribley
No. 13 Yes; 9 No. Motion passed.
Motion from
Stagg Newman: “With respect to the
National Championship ride, I move that we have the treatment rate and related
issues remanded to the Horse Welfare Committee for report with strong input
from the Veterinary Committee.” After
lengthy discussion by the Board, this motion was repealed by the maker due to
lack of a second. A post ride
statistical report was requested from Head Veterinarian Barney Fleming
regarding the 2004 National Championship ride for both distances. President Tomlinson requested Randy Eiland
to put together stats pertaining to pulls and treatments regarding the National
Championship ride.
John Parke
advised he would like to propose a different way for handling horse fatality
reports. He would like the Veterinary
Committee report pertaining to equine deaths handled as a private advisory
report pertaining to medical issues only regarding the equine death, and the
Welfare of the Horse Committee will handle the public reporting regarding
equine deaths. John asked for the sense
of the board regarding this issue via a straw vote. Straw vote passed. John’s
proposal will be presented at a future meeting.
Nick Warhol
advised the questionnaire is complete.
After discussion, it was decided the questionnaire will be emailed to
those members with an email address and will be mailed to those without an
email address, along with the magazine
The internet company charges $1 per response to collect the data, with
one response requested per family.
Howard Kent
advised Maureen Selzler, residing in Central Utah, is interested in managing
the Rock Springs ride. A conference
call is upcoming with all interested parties to get things moving.
Roger Taylor
advised that after discussion with Diane Lesher of Equisure, Inc., that if the
sanction forms are changed to include a line for Introductory rides (fun or
clinics), to coincide with our rule book, that we keep track of those that
participate in these rides and a list be sent to the office of the
participants, this will satisfy criteria, and those events will be
covered. AERC will collect a day member
fee for these participants.
Competitive
trail rides will not be covered. The
insurance will cover endurance rides only.
Roger advised
an email was received from Bob Walsh of the Creelman Agency today (November 1st) regarding
insurance costs to Markel. Mr. Walsh
has not yet been able to convince Markel of AERC’s position regarding ride days
to be covered. Markel feels their
exposure was increased and feels further negotiations are necessary regarding
the ride days to be covered. Mr. Walsh
advised Markel is willing to compromise but on what basis is still up in the
air.
President
Tomlinson advised he will furnish an update regarding the Federal Land
Management Relations Ad Hoc Committee at a future meeting.
Randy Eiland
asked if the sponsorship committee should seek sponsorship from an entity in
the UAE? President Tomlinson advised
Randy Eiland not to pursue sponsorship from the UAE at this time.
Discussion
ensured regarding a special recently screened on HBO regarding the UAE. It was decided AERC should find out what the
international community feels about this issue, along with the feelings of
our
international governing body.
President Tomlinson advised he will work to obtain some facts regarding
this issue. John Parke stated he will
do an outline of a letter pertaining to this issue.
Meeting adjourned
at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Henkel, Secretary
Pro Tem
In the absence of Jan Jeffers
Russell Broussard, Co-Chair 10/27/04
The AERC International
Committee recommends to the AERC Board of Directors the following individuals for the positions identified:
As the AERC representative to the USEF Board Of Directors:
Mike Tomlinson as the primary candidate
Tony Benedetti as the alternate candidate
For the eleven positions to the USEF Technical Committee
the I. C. recommends:
Mark Dial as the Vice Chair of the International
Committee
Julie Bullock
from the East zone
Sue Phillips
from Central
Linda Strelnik
from Mountain
Carol Giles
from Pacific North
Tinker Hart from
Pacific South
For the six remaining positions the committee recommends:
Art Priesz
Mike Foss
Nancy Elliot
Tony Benedetti
Mike Tomlinson
Teresa Cross
Additional names recommended to the President of USEF
Becky Hart
Dane Frazier
Valerie Kanavy
Stephanie Teeter
Robert Beecher
Vonita Bowers
Robin Oscar
Anne Ayala
Jeanie Waldron
National Championship Committee ReportRobert Ribley, Co-Chair 10/25/04 The 2004 National Championship Ride was a success, thanks to the hard work of the ride manager, Terry. The committee will be amending the National Championship requirements to read as follows: 1. Horse and rider team must have a lifetime total of 300 endurance miles (50+ mile distances)
2. Horse and rider team must have one top five finishing in their weight division in an endurance ride with a minimum distance of the championship ride in which they intend to compete. This must be accomplished within the 18-month period preceding the championship ride.
Or, horse and rider team with a lifetime total of 1000 miles allows for automatic qualification in either distance.
Research Grants Committee ReportBob Morris, Chair 10/25/04
The Research Grants Committee currently has two grant
projects in progress. One with Michigan State University, “Why Do Endurance
Horses Fail to Finish: A Pilot Study” and one with New Bolton Center titled
“Can successful endurance performance be predicted by physiology?”
These two projects are currently funded with $23,050 of
committed funds.
We are in possession of three additional proposed
projects submitted by other educational entities. They are “Plasma
concentrations of orally administered dantrolene sodium in horses following
various periods of fasting” from Oklahoma State asking for funding of $17,860.
From Virginia Tech we have a request for $16,500 for a study of “Do risks of potassium supplementation
depend on speed?” And from the University of Wisconsin we have “Are horses
responsible for invasive plants in the eastern United States? They are
requesting $21,528.
Copies of these grant requests are appended for your
consideration. I would appreciate
comments on these proposals and would like to consider approval of them at our
December conference call.
Mike Jaffe, Chair, 10/25/04 The committee is in receipt of a trail improvement grant request from Jim Baldwin for improvements at Oologah Lake, Oologah, OK. The improvements are needed to keep the trail open and useable year-round. The committee recommends approval of this grant request for a total of $2,700.45 with funding to come out of the 2005 budget. The request as submitted is as follows: Trail Improvement Grant Request
Oologah Lake
Oologah, OK
Submitted by Jim Baldwin - Sponsor
I. Description of the area.
Oologah Lake is a major lake in this area of Oklahoma. It provides water for industry and residential areas while at the same time providing major flood control in an area that was previously plagued with almost
yearly flooding. In addition to these functions it provides fishing, water sports, hiking trails, hunting (both large and small animal species and water fowl plus quail and dove), public/boy scout camping and equestrian trails on the Will Rogers Centennial Trail. The permanent horse camp has piped in water, permanent toilets, concrete picnic tables, tie posts, fire rings plus cooking grills and designated plots
for each rig. All this is separated from the other public camping areas and has the lake on two sides if one wanted to combine boating and horseback riding.
II. Project goals.
Goal 1. To upgrade a washed out trail crossing between the lake and an adjacent coal pit. This area of the state had extensive open pit coal mining about 50 to 65 years ago and many of the open pits are used for
fishing and swimming. This particular coal pit communicates with the lake through a small saddle where the water either moves towards the lake when it rains or from the lake as the lake becomes higher than the
coal pit water. This gives it a "tide effect" as the water generally has a current working one way or the other. This saddle is situated in a critical spot on the trail about 3/4's a mile from the base camp.
Attached are pictures of this crossing that illustrate the need for a better passageway. It is proposed to build a bridge based on concrete footings and earth fill 20 feet long and 8 feet wide across this area.
Goal 2. To build a low water bridge across a particular bog type water tributary of the lake. This small stream runs water almost year round and has deep black dirt on both sides that will not support a horses
weight with out sinking to knee or hock level. This heavy mud pulls muscles and jerks off shoes on a regular basis. By utilizing a "low water bridge" concept where the concrete bridge will set on rock and
earthen fill with pipes underneath that will allow water to flow under normal circumstances and then allow water to flow over the top during flooding circumstances. This type of crossing is used on many of the
rural roads in Oklahoma and works quite effectively. Pictures that illustrate the depth of the mud are also enclosed for this particular crossing.
Goal 3. Goal 3 is almost identical to Goal 2 except in another spot on the trail. No pictures are enclosed of this crossing but when this is finished, completed project pictures will be enclosed.
III. Present situation.
The Will Rogers Country Centennial Trail has been established by the US Army Corps of Engineers since 1975. On August 4, 1995 Mr. B. Bobbitt, secretary of the interior, established it as a National Recreational
Trail. It has approximately 25 miles of trail that is laid out in a fashion that by riding out and back, lollypop loops, etc. one can easily put on a fifty mile ride. This year will be the 13th year that the Indian Territory Ride has been over this trail and prior to that time Don Bolton hosted rides by another name. There are eight parking areas where one can access the trail for crewing or just pleasure riding with the largest area being the permanent horse camp that is part of the Lake's "fee" camping areas. The other seven are generally used by day riders and do not require a fee. The Corps of Engineers have graciously
waived all camping fees for all of the AERC Indian Territory Rides.
IV. Past situation.
It should be noted that this area of Oklahoma is where the infamous "Catoosa" ride was held on Corps of Engineer property. For those of you not familiar with this ride, it was advertised heavily, AERC sanctioned
and was a disaster. Fortunately, Drs. Dane Frazer and Becky Brewer had the foresight to withdraw AERC sanctioning but the ride went on anyway and officially 6 horses died in the ride but unofficially there were
more like 13 horses that died as a direct result of the ride. People spent time in jail for animal abuse that stemmed from the ride. Since that time reputable AERC members have slowly built up the Corp of
Engineers confidence where we are now accepted graciously. A grant of this nature will help towards our showing our continued support of reputable endurance and trail riding.
V. Improvements.
The trail is continuously maintained by a variety of users. AERC members mow the trail on a regular basis as well as trim back overhanging limbs. AERC members scouted, cleared, marked and in general "established" a four mile section of the trail that allows for an eight mile "out and back" loop that is now popular with many of the riders.
VI. Timeline.
Due to the fact that this trail goes around the shore of Oologah Lake (not on water's edge) it is necessary to do repair work of this nature when weather conditions permit. This is a --no vehicle- area except by
special permit, ie. is used for a horse or hiking trail with no motorized traffic on the trail. The areas requiring repair work are located in areas where one cannot get vehicles, except tractors, consequently, all materials and supplies and mixing of concrete must be done by hand. It is proposed to complete this work during the dryer fall season of 2004.
VII. Resources - People.
Glenda Vincent, Park Ranger
US Army Corps of Engineers
Oologah Lake
Resident Office
P.O. Box 700
Oologah, Oklahoma, 74053
918-443-2250
Paul Shockley, Conservation Specialist
US Corps of Engineers
Oologah Lake
Resident Office
P.O. Box 700
Oologah, Oklahoma, 74053
018-443-2250
Janet/Jim Baldwin - former ride managers
26251 E. 350 Road
Chelsea, Oklahoma 74016
918-789-3521
Jane/Howard Huff - current ride manager
3960 N. Broadway Ave
Springfield, Mo. 65803
417-833-0938
Joe Hayman
Scout Master, Troop 96
Boy Scouts of America
Claremore, Oklahoma, 74017
918-283-1239
Numerous AERC members
Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas
Local trail riders to include
Bartlesville Trail Riders
VIII. Budget request.
Goal 1. (1) Corps to provide three 20 foot I beams, back hoe (with operator), equipment to haul I beams to site, supervisory personnel and any government paper work required. (2) Twenty two 3x12 treated timbers,
eight feet long @ $42 each = $924. (3) Concrete, 20 bags @ $3/bag = $60. (4) Bolts, nuts, flat washers, lock washers, etc. = $442.45. (5) Re-bar, twenty four 4' sections = $20. (6) Wood sealer, five gallon can = $44. (7) Bulldozer, if required @ $60/hour with operator = $120. (8) Drill bits = $20. (9) Trucks to haul materials, gas, tractors, wheel barrows, hoes, shovels, drills, bolt cutters, portable generator, gloves, etc.
all donated. TOTAL FOR GOAL 1 EQUALS $1630.45.
Goal 2. (1) Corps to provide under low water bridge pipes, back hoe (with operator), equipment to haul pipes to site, supervisory personnel and any paper work required. (2) Concrete, 90 bags @ $3 = 270. (3)
Re-bar, 100' @ $4/20' section = $20. (4) Ten sheets plywood @ 18.50 =$185. (5) 120 feet 2x4 boards = $56. (6) Nails = $4. (7) Trucks to haul materials, gas, tractors, wheel barrows, hoes, shovels, gloves, etc. all
donated. TOTAL FOR GOAL 2 EQUALS $535.00.
Goal 3. Same as Goal 2.
TOTAL FOR GOAL 3 EQUALS $535.00.
Add $500.00 for unexpected expenses on all three projects. Grant total
for proposal equals $2,700.45.
IX. Pictures.
I have provided before project pictures to all the trails grant committee members and also to the Corps of Engineers. If each of you would attach these pictures to this document, it will show the dire need
for these improvements. Pictures not included in this email transmission.
***Body of Stagg Newman email to the BOD 10/31/04 – “Given
the NC is supposed to be our premier ride, I believe we need to ask ourselves
the following questions:
1. What are the facts about the NC 100 vis a vis treated horses - i.e.
what % were treated? At what point in the ride? What was the nature
of treatment? How have the treated horses fared since the ride?
2. Is this level of treatment acceptable to AERC, i.e. do we have a
problem here or not?
3. What are the likely causes of the high treatment rate?
4. What if anything can be done to mitigate this problem?”