American Endurance Ride Conference

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

held via telephone conference call

January 3, 2005

President C. Mike Tomlinson called the meeting to order at 6:03 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, Gail Williams, Bob Morris, John Parke, Duane Barnett, Roger Taylor, Randy Eiland, Nick Warhol, Barney Fleming, Dane Frazier, Mike Maul, Stagg Newman, Robert Ribley, Maggy Price, and Executive Director Kathleen A. Henkel. Absent: Jim Baldwin and Secretary Jan Jeffers

It was moved by Susan Kasemeyer and seconded by Bob Morris to excuse Jim Baldwin from this evening’s call. Motion passed.

Susan Kasemeyer requested a correction in the December 6, 2004 minutes as she is listed as being absent and was present for the meeting.

It was moved by Bob Morris and seconded by Roger Taylor to approve the November 1, 2004 and December 6, 2004 meeting minutes.

Motion passed.

It was moved by Robert Ribley and seconded by Jan Stevens to accept committee reports from AERC International, and Trails Grants.

Motion passed.

Special Sanction Committee Chair Vonita Bowers advised requests have been received for date changes regarding the Smokey Killen

ride, the Owyhee ride, and the Grand Canyon ride.  Because the date change requests involve several regions, President Tomlinson

requested Vonita to contact the three Ride Managers and the Sanctioning Directors  involved and try to reach a solution and report

at the next meeting.  Vonita reminded everyone that anytime a date or location of a 5-day ride is requested the matter should come

before the special sanctioning committee.

Motion from the Special Sanction Committee Chair to approve the Jaguar I, II, III Pioneer Ride, 11/25-27/05, SW Region,

Anne George RM, Nancy Crider DVM, second year for this ride.  Motion passed.

Motion from the Special Sanction Committee Chair to approve the Gallagher Grit Endurance Ride, 8/6-8/05,

NW Region, Linda Karius RM, Sarah Metcalf DVM.  Motion passed.

The Fun in the Sun Ride 2/28-3/5/05, is in receipt of a donation of 6 saddles and requires a ride steward.  Barney Fleming moved

and Vonita Bowers seconded to have Sue Phillips serve as ride steward for the Fun in the Sun ride.  Motion passed.

Terry Woolley Howe requested an emergency date change for her Warner Springs ride due to weather problems.  The ride is

currently sanctioned for January 8, 2005, and she requests January 29, 2005 as the new date.  It was moved by Special Sanction

Committee Chair Vonita Bowers and seconded by Roger Taylor to grant the date change.  Motion passed.

Motion from Robert Ribley regarding the Western States Trail Foundation ride (Tevis Cup) The Board instructs the Executive

Director and President to create, sign, and send the attached letter as amended by John Parke, to the WSTF Board.  Motion passed.

Stan Eichelberger advised the North American Championship ride is a special qualifications ride and requires Board approval.

Stan is in favor of the ride and recommends approval by the BOD.  Riders are nominated and selected for participation by

zone.  There are qualifications as far as membership and mileage.  Approval of this ride postponed until the next conference

call.

Bob Morris, Chair of the Research Grants Committee, presented for approval from the committee, a motion pertaining to a

grant from the University of Wisconsin entitled  “Are horses responsible for invasive plants in the eastern United States?

Grant request $21,528.  Motion passed.

Bob also presented from committee for approval a motion for approval of a grant from Virginia Tech, with a grant request of

$16,500 for a study of  “Do risks of potassium supplementation depend on speed?”  Bob Morris will contact the chief

investigator and obtain further information regarding this project and present findings at the next call for a vote.

Mike Jaffe, Chair of the Trails Grants Committee, presented the following motion from committee – To accept the trails

signage project in the Southern Kettle Moraine area in Wisconsin, sponsored by AERC Dawn Haas. Funds requested for

improvement of the signage on the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest Horse Trails $3,000.  Motion passed.

Mike also presented from committee a motion regarding approval of a Trail Master Course to train a number of AERC

members to design, lay out and build trails correctly and consistent with the requirements of the government managed areas.

Cost to be $3,600 based on adjusting the number of participants in this first session.  Further details contained in the Trails

Grants committee report, appended to these minutes.  Motion passed.

Nick Warhol advised the January issue will contain the questionnaire and the membership emails will be sent at the time of the

mailing and the membership can begin answering the questionnaire.

Howard Kent and Mo Selzler met with the BLM and checked trails and sites.  The ride will be a 2-day ride in August 2005.  It is

an interesting area and a great ride is anticipated.

Roger Taylor, Insurance Committee, advised everything is running smoothly with Equisure, Inc.  Kathleen advised new sanction

forms are being printed and will reflect boxes to be checked indicating whether or not the sanctioned event will also hold an

introductory ride and/or clinic.  A form will be enclosed for ride management to include contact information for the participants of

the introductory ride and/or clinic.

Motion from President Tomlinson to approve formation of the Federal Land Management Relations Ad Hoc Committee and the

committee charter, as indicated below**.  This is a relations committee and its purpose is to act as a liaison between AERC and

Federal government agencies.  Motion passed.

President Tomlinson advised the long range planning process will begin at the convention meetings.  Tom Ackart, a retired

executive from the Quaker Oats Company, has done long-range planning for more than one company, is a member and rider

and has offered to assist AERC with this task.  He will be the facilitator and will shepherd the project to completion.  The Board

 will do the long range planning.  Mike Maul was instructed to work directly with Jim Remillard, Chair of the

Past Presidents Committee, regarding the placement of items online regarding long range planning.

President Tomlinson advised Laura Hayes will take the Director-At-Large position on the board vacated by Anne Ayala.

Next meeting is February 7, 2005, 6 pm Pacific Time.

Meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathleen A. Henkel

Committee Reports

AERC International

Russell Broussard/Mark Dial Co Chairs

12/6/04

Team USA is currently in Florida preparing for the FEI World Endurance
Championship to be held on January 27, in the UAE.

USEF is in the process of selecting a Team to compete in the 2005 Pan
American Championship being held in Argentina on April 14-16, 2005

Concerning the Camel Jockey issue in the UAE the AERC International
Committee recommends to the AERC Board Of Directors that we take no action
at this time. WE feel that this is a cultural & political issue that is
being handled by the State Dept.. Reference Attached State Dept. report
from the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

United Nations Commission on Human Rights
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
29th Session

Geneva 28 - 2 July 2004

Trafficking and forced labour of children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The trafficking of children for use as camel jockeys is prohibited by ILO Conventions 29, 138 and 182 and by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - all of which have been ratified by the UAE.

Children continue to be trafficked from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen to be used as camel jockeys in the UAE. The use of children as jockeys in camel racing is itself extremely dangerous and can result in serious injury and even death. Some children are also abused by traffickers and their employers (e.g. depriving them of food and beating them). The children's separation from their families and their transportation to a country where the people, culture and usually the language are completely unknown to them, leaves them dependent on their employers and de facto forced labourers.

The Government response
On 1 September 2002, a new law came into force which prohibits children under 15 or weighing less than 45 kilograms from being employed in camel racing. It also specifies that all camel jockeys must have proof of their age through their passports and be issued with a medical certificate by the Camel Racing Federation. 1

In 2003, the UAE Government accepted an ILO direct contacts mission to review the situation which visited the country from 18-22 October 2003. The direct contacts mission reported that the Government has introduced DNA tests to establish the relationship between adults who claim to be parents of children coming to the UAE as camel jockeys. The Government also provided the mission with a list of 42 camel jockeys who were deported in compliance with this provision.

These are positive moves by the Government, which should be welcomed. However, it must be noted that the new law of 2002 is little more than a restatement of existing policy as the
employment of any child under the age of 15 has been prohibited since 1980 under the Federal Labour Code. Furthermore, there is clear evidence that children are still being trafficked to work in the UAE as camel jockeys, despite the new ban announced by the UAE Government.

A documentary broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on 25 February 2003 2 shows police at a camel race escorting a group of very young camel jockeys onto a bus while other officials attempt to stop the filming. The film also includes other footage of two camel jockeys from Pakistan, aged five and seven, who have been in the UAE for two years and who race four times a week. A young child from Bangladesh who has been a camel jockey in the UAE for approximately six years is also interviewed and describes it as "the worst job in the world".
According to an article for the Xinhua news service, the Embassy of Pakistan issued a press release on 12 May 2003 in which it noted that it was receiving full co-operation from the UAE Government to end the exploitation of children as camel jockeys. The press release stated that the Embassy had arranged for the repatriation of 21 trafficked children in the previous week alone and that a total of 86 trafficked Pakistani children had been repatriated in the last year.
Two more camel jockeys (aged eight and nine) were brought back to Pakistan later in May 2003 according to media reports. 3 Anti-Slavery International also carried out interviews with two brothers who had been camel jockey in the UAE (aged six and eight at the time of interview) and who were repatriated to Pakistan on 18 September 2003. 4 Between October 2003 and February 2004, the Bangladesh National Women's Lawyers Association provided Anti-Slavery International with details of several cases involving Bangladeshi children who had been trafficked to the UAE to work as camel jockeys. These included eight boys, all between four and seven years of age when trafficked, who were still thought to be working as camel jockeys in the UAE.
In 2004, Anti-Slavery International was provided with photographs of dozens of camel jockeys who appear to be between the ages of six and 14. The photographs were taken in January 2004, mostly at the Nad Al Sheba race course in Dubai and include children exercising camels, training, preparing for races and racing. In training, young children are seen alongside adults, but only children take part in the race itself. Many of the children in the photos are clearly under the age of 12, the majority of the jockeys participating in races appear to be well below the age of 15.

Implementing the new law
Reports of children aged between four and 12 years old being used as camel jockeys in the UAE have been documented every year for the last six years. The information above clearly shows that boys below the age of 15 continue to be used as camel jockeys in contravention of the law. However, prosecutions of those exploiting camel jockeys remain extremely rare. Information provided by the Government to the ILO direct contacts mission in 2003 revealed only three successful prosecutions, all of foreign nationals, since the new law came into effect. Given the very public use of underage camel jockeys (as evidenced in the documentary footage of October 2002 and the photographs of January 2004) this is an extremely disappointing figure.

The direct contacts mission also received a list of 42 camel jockeys who were deported when DNA test revealed they were travelling with people who falsely claimed to be their parents, yet it does not appear that any legal action was taken against those involved. 5 Furthermore, media reports relating to the 21 children repatriated by the Embassy of Pakistan indicated that they were all under 12 and that many were rescued when they were brought to the Embassy to renew their passports. Again it does not appear that legal action was pursued against those responsible for the exploitation of these children.

In this context, it should be stressed that the ILO Committee of Experts (2004) has underlined the fact that penalties imposed by law must be strictly enforced and adequate and that "penalties should also be imposed upon persons who, through their involvement in camel races in any form, have knowledge of and tolerate such practices to obtain benefits of any nature." This means that prosecutions should be initiated against those who receive and employ child camel jockeys as well as those who recruit and transport them.

Outstanding recommendations
The Committee on the Application of Standards (2003) concluded that: children continue to be trafficked and used as camel jockeys and children under 18 should not work as camel jockeys. The UAE Government representative accepted these conclusions and undertook to amend Section 20 of the Federal Labour Code (1980) to raise the age of employment to 18 years for tasks which are hazardous or endanger the health or morals of young people. This amendment is still awaiting final adoption by the competent authorities.

The direct contacts mission also reported that the Government acknowledged that the present legal and practical measures "are insufficient to prevent completely the trafficking of children… for work as camel jockeys". In this context it also recommended that the Government adopt provisions which prohibit the employment of children under 18 as camel jockeys and establish severe penalties for those trafficking children for this purpose. In addition to these recommendations Anti-Slavery International would also urge the Government of the UAE to:

Take urgent steps to implement existing legislation, including carrying out regular unannounced inspections to identify, release and rehabilitate any child who is being used as a camel jockey and ensuring that all those responsible for trafficking and employing underage jockeys are prosecuted.
Provide full statistics, broken down by year, of all the prosecutions brought, successful convictions obtained and the sentences passed against those trafficking and employing camel jockeys since 1 September 2002.
Introduce, as a matter of priority, legislation that prohibits and punishes the employment of children under the age of 18 in hazardous work or work that could jeopardise their health or safety, including as camel jockeys.
Ratify and implement the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (2000), supplementing the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime.

1 Those not complying with the law face a fine of 20,000 dirhams (US$5,500) for a first offence; a ban from camel racing for one year for a second offence; and a prison sentence of three months along with a fine of 20,000 dirhams for subsequent offences.
2 Thompson, G. & Grey, K., Foreign Correspondent, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 25 February 2003. Footage was shot between 13 and 25 October 2002.
3 "Two more camel jockey kids arrive", The Nation, Karachi, Pakistan, 23 May 2003.
4 Interviews conducted on 22 February 2004 at the Edhi Foundations's Korangi Centre, Karachi, Pakistan.
5 Report of the Committee of Experts, 2004, p. 173.

Trails Grants Report

Mike Jaffe, Chairman

1/3/05

The committee is in receipt of two trails grants proposals and we believe both to be worthy projects and are consistent with our mission to invest in the sport through the further development of trails. One is for a trails signage project in the Southern Kettle Moraine area in Wisconsin and which is sponsored by Dawn Haas. Dawn added the following information relative to the tie between this project and the AERC:

"There are currently three AERC sanctioned rides held in the Southern Kettle Moraine area. These are: Glacier Trails, ApDRA, and AHDRA IV. Ride managers and their organizations are willing to donate their time and money as well to this project.

AERC members helping with this project include myself and husband, Jim, Chuck and Connie Gray, Bonnie Mielke, Mary Alice Ruckwardt, Sheryl Levin, June Scheunemann, and Mike Bernsdorf"

A. Proposed project: Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest Horse Trails, permanent maps and signage

B. Funds requested: $3,000

The total cost of this project is estimated at $5,500, for materials needed. (See project description below) The DNR has indicated that they are willing to fund $2000 - $3000 in 2004. Distance ride organizations using these trails have also indicated willingness to contribute to this project. DRAW (Distance Ride Assn of Wisconsin), ApDRA (Appaloosa Distance Ride Assn), AHDRA (Arabian Horse Distance Ride Assn), and MDDA (Midwest Distance Driving Assn) will contribute $25 - $50 each, and their members will be participating in installing the maps and signposts.

UMECRA (Upper Midwest Endurance & Competitive Ride Assn) has given SKMHTA $250 this year (2004) for trail improvement. The installation of maps & signposts will be done by members of SKMHTA, working with DNR employees.

C. Location: Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest

Jefferson, Walworth, and Waukesha counties, located in southeast Wisconsin

D. Land Manager: Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources, Kettle Moraine State Forest, Southern Unit, Eagle, WI

Paul Sandgren, superintendent

E. Requesting Organization: Southern Kettle Moraine Horse Trail Association (SKMHTA)

F. Contacts:

Dawn Haas

Vice Pres, SKMHTA

Pres, ApDRA

W5401 Young Rd

Eagle, WI 53119

262-495-8105

haasd@ticon.net

Barclay Wallace

W333 S4720 Fieldstone Dr

Dousman, WI

262-565-6123

bwallace@wi.rr.com

John Davis

Treas, SKMHTA

S105 W37180 Estates Dr

Eagle, WI 53119

262-594-8956

G. Project Description:

The Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest Horse & Snowmobile trails are complex with many intersections, shortcuts, etc. There are currently four subsystems within the forest, - Eagle, Palmyra, Ottawa, and Blackhawk. The posted maps on the trails are poor quality, 8.5x11 paper copies. The maps are hard to read and interpret. There are many intersections without maps. Thus, it is common to encounter horse riders who are lost. In addition, if an accident occurs, it is difficult to describe your location to rescue crews.

OBJECTIVE:

Make it easier for horse riders to interpret trail maps & signage so they avoid getting lost.
Allow people to more easily communicate their location on trails in case of an emergency.
Make it easier for riders who are unfamiliar with the trails to select an appropriate length ride and stay on-course during their ride.

MAP CHANGES:

Number and name several predefined trail rides for each subsystem.
Install large trail maps showing all the subsystems located at each parking lot. The map with mounting materials will cost about $500 each. For the four parking lots, the cost would be $2000.
Install large 12 x 18 trail maps at all road crossings, trail accesses, and at locations where the trails enter a different subsystem. This will allow riders entering at these points to plan their trip with knowledge of their current position on the trail. Each sign with mounting post will cost about $40. About 30 trail maps are required, for a total of about $1200.
Predefined trail ride signposts – a 5-6 inch wide flat metal or plastic post with numbers and arrows will be used at all intersections, road crossings, etc. to note the predefined trail ride number(s) and direction. About 60 trail ride signposts will be required at a cost of about $15 each, for a total of $900

Additional trail posts will be positioned about 20 feet from trail ride signposts and trail map signs, so they are easily visible. These sign posts would include the trail ride number(s) and the diamond reflectors or “Do Not Enter” signs for snowmobile travel. These trail posts are already used for the snowmobile travel and we can simply add the trail ride number(s) to existing posts in most cases. It is estimated that an additional 60 posts need to be installed, costing $15 each for a total of $900

Road signposts – 5-6 inch wide, flat metal or plastic posts with road name will be posted at each road crossing. An estimated 30 road signposts need to be installed. Each cost $15, total of about $450.

The total estimated cost for maps and signage is about $5500.

H. SKMHTA Description:

The SKMHTA is a social organization of horse lovers interested in the promotion, preservation , maintenance, and improvement of horse trails and campgrounds in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest. We work with the DNR’s SKM Forest staff on trail and campground related projects.

We are a newly founded group, formed in 2003. We have been able to establish a partnership with the DNR and have already completed several projects, including the building of a fire pit and seating area in the horse campground, creation of three picnic areas on the trail, consisting of picnic table, hitching post, and mounting block, and have assisted in the planting of trees in the campground.

We will be providing the majority of the workforce to install the new maps and signs.

2^nd proposal: This is a proposal by Jerry Fruth to conduct a Trail Master Course to train a number of our AERC members to design, lay out and build trails correctly and consistent with the requirements of the government managed areas. Jerry believes we can hold the project cost to $3600 based on adjusting the number of participants in this first session.

This proposal is for a 4-day trail clinic. The clinic will be open to a maximum of 15 participants interested in increasing their knowledge of what it takes to create and maintain sustainable trails.

The focus of the clinic would be to give participants quality training in the design, construction, and maintenance of a trail. Each day will be a mix of classroom time held in indoors, which will include a power point presentation, and outdoor hands on training. The latter half of each day is designed to allow participants to put what we covered in the classroom into actual practice on the trail.

Booklets will also accompany each phase of the clinic. These materials will provide participants with a valuable point of reference for future projects. We will provide a computer for the presentations, and all written support materials.

A suitable indoor room capable of accommodating the number of attendees, a digital projector and screen, and any desired food or beverages will be provided by the host.

Due to the nature of the “on trail” part of the clinic an extra day will have to be planned into the trip to allow me to look at the trail and find appropriate sections to work on. This day is included in the price below. Please note that we will require an area where we can execute actual trail work including a reroute. Host is responsible for acquiring any permission needed for trail work prior to the start of the first class.

We look forward to the opportunity to work with you!

Sincerely,

Mike Riter

Four-day clinic and support materials: $200 Per person

Travel and lodging: To be provided by host.

This price is good for a period of: 12 months from the date of the proposal.

Federal Land Management Relations Committee

Mission Statement:

To act as the liaison between AERC and all federal land and natural resource management agencies.

Additionally, to provide genesis, coordination, and oversight assistance to new rides which are in

partnership with a federal agency.

Committee Structure:

There will be one Chair, one Member from each region (Regional Members), plus for each ride being

created in partnership with a federal agency there shall be one additional Member (Project Manager

Members).

Chair Qualifications and Duties:

The Chair will be an AERC member in good standing residing in the US. The responsibility of the

Chair will be to work with the national land agency personnel making sure they understand the

importance of creating and maintaining a mutually beneficial partnership with AERC. Additionally,

the Chair shall ensure that the Committee is responsive to the needs of the federal agencies and also

those of each Project Manager.

Selection of Chair:

The Chair will be appointed by the AERC President as soon as practical after AERC Officer elections

each year.

Regional Member Qualifications and Duties:

Each Regional Member will be an AERC member in good standing residing in the AERC region

which they represent.

Selection of Regional Members:

The Regional Members will be appointed by the Chair at the start of each year and whenever a

vacancy occurs.

Project Manager Member Qualifications and Duties:

The Project Manager will be an AERC member in good standing residing in the AERC region where

the site is proposed. The Project Manager will be the contact person between this Committee and the

Ride Manager. The Project Manager will select the Ride Manager in cooperation with this

Committee and the regional AERC Directors. The Project Manager will assist the Ride Manager

with relations with the local and regional land agency representatives. All other Regional and Project

Manager Committee Members will assist the Project Manager in any way to make sure our working

relationship with the land agency continues in a positive way.

Selection of Project Manager Members:

When it becomes apparent that there is a need or opportunity to establish a new ride site that will

serve the AERC membership and further our working relationship with federal land managers, the

AERC Regional Directors from the region of the prospective ride site location will be given the

opportunity to serve as a Member this Committee as the Project Manager for the new ride. If both of

the Regional Directors decline the position, then this Committee, in consultation and cooperation

with the AERC Regional Directors for the region, shall select the Project Manager Member.

Current Status of Federal Agency Partnerships

In the past all of this work was done on an informal basis. The growth of our projects and the scope

of our land agency relationships has changed. Bringing some structure to all of this work will

element any misunderstandings as to who is responsible for what.

We now have four targeted ride sites in play. They are Ft. Stanton, (BLM), Talladega (NF), Rock

Springs, (BLM), Las Cienegas/Tucson (BLM).

Proposed Interim Committee Members:

Chair:

J. Fruth

Region Members:

R. Eiland – SouthWest Region

M. Jaffe – Central Region

Project Managers:

R. Taylor – Ft. Stanton and Las Cienegas

H. Kent – Rock Springs

J. Schoech – Talladega NF

We expect to see more growth in our relations with the BLM and FS. At the same time we will need

to concentrate on the development of several projects with the FS in the West. In the East we have

established a very strong working relationship with the Talladega NF. Electricity and water is being

developed at the Yellow Hammer ride site at Talladega all on the FS’s dime. Our responsibilities

will be to build bridges and reroute trails. A wonderful working relationship, all lead by Joe

Schoech.

As anyone can see, our work load continues to grow. Growth requires planning, personnel, and

direction. The FLMR Committee is committed to doing just that. Without the planning our ship will

just drift which is not good for the AERC.

The Trails Committee will continue in its efforts to promote trail creation and preservation through

the training of trails masters and through the promotion of trail work days. The Trails Committee

will also continue to remain involved with trail access issues across the U.S.

The mission and work of the new FLMR is well defined and will not conflict with work taking place

through the trials committee. In fact the Trails Committee will be a source of personnel and

information for the new FLMR Committee.

Respectfully,

J.L. Fruth

Chairman- AERC Trails Committee

Proposed letter to Western States Trail Foundation:

To: Mike Pickett, President of the Western States Trail Foundation

From: The American Endurance Ride Conference Board of Directors

Re: Permanent special AERC sanctioning of the Western States Trail Ride

The rules that the WSTF have proposed in addition to the AERC rules we, the AERC Board of Directors, recognize are needed changes in order to increase the safety of such a rigorous event as the Western States Trail Ride. We applaud your positive efforts in this regard. Because the proposed additions do not present a conflict with granting special AERC sanctioning, AERC will accept and allow these differences without reconsideration each year.

AERC is an organization that represents equal and fair treatment to all rides within the sport. As such, WSTF will need to submit a sanctioning request for their ride each year. Requesting special sanctioning each year is a standard and straight forward process of filling out the special sanctioning form. The special sanctioning director and the AERC office staff will be available to assist in the completion of the sanctioning application. The advantages of updating the form each year with AERC is two fold:

1) Details that may be changing each year such as ride date, starting time, head vet are clearly communicated to the AERC office for accurate publication in Endurance News.

2) The WSTF would have the ability propose additions to the list of rules AERC has already accepted. The Western States Trail Ride, like AERC, is slowly evolving and ever changing and adapting rules in order to make the event more safe and fair.

AERC strives to represent equal and fair treatment to riders within the sport and provides a uniform enforcement of AERC rules through the Protest and Grievance process. However, AERC encourages all ride management, including the WSTF, to attempt to settle disputes at the ride. The WSTF provides an on-site protest procedure assuring that any and all complaints are promptly brought forward, in writing, to Ride management and then adjudicated on the spot while memories are fresh and witnesses are present. It is agreed that no protests will be entertained by AERC unless the person making the protest has first complied with the WSTF protest process. If, a competitor is sanctioned by the WSTF for unsportsmanlike conduct or other violations of Ride rules, and seeks to appeal to AERC, it is agreed that the Presidents of WSTF and of AERC shall mutually agree on (1) whether or not the protest primarily implicates an AERC rule or (2) the violation is so egregious that the competitor should be sanctioned beyond what is available under WSTF rules. If it is mutually agreed that the issue involves primarily the interpretation of an AERC rule or is so egregious that additional sanctions should be sought under AERC rules, then the protest shall go forward under the AERC adjudication process. In all other cases, involving violations of WSTF rules and sanctions that do not go beyond the Tevis Ride itself, the Cup Committee decision shall be final.

AERC recognizes the important historical significance the Western States Trail Ride represents and the contributions the Western States Trail Foundation continues to make to the sport of endurance riding. We look forward to working cooperatively with the WSTF in the future.