In which there's a new (endurance) kid in town, and I ask some questions
Attention, endurance riders: there is a NEW KID IN TOWN! *
 |
| *not to be confused with the 1976 "hit" song by the Eagle If you click, don't blame me if the song is stuck in your head for days. |
After much debate and
soul searching, a few souls got together and decided it was time to develop a
new and improved distance riding club. The name of the new
organization is the Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA).
Like many longtime
endurance riders, I'm a little trepedatious about change.
I am the first to agree
that the existing national distance organizations (mainly AERC, but also NATRC, and even further twigs out on the branches,
like Ride and Tie and Competitive Mounted
Orienteering) are not perfect.
But do we need a new group?
Well, I'm not sure.
But, since most of the
new Equine Distance Riding Association (EDRA)'s founders live in my home state,
I wanted to know more. I reached out and asked a bunch of questions--on behalf
of myself, of course, but also to share with readers here.
Sandra Cheek, a longtime
endurance rider in the Pacific Northwest region, took time out of her busy life
to answer my questions.
 |
| Sandy and Wilson at April Daze 2016, photo by Cassidy Rae (stolen from Facebook) |
The
mission of the Equine Distance Riding Association is to promote, at all levels
and to all members, safe, competitive equine distance riding events and
experiences.
EDRA
boundaries include the continental US and Canada. Lifetime miles of equine and
rider will be compiled for EDRA sanctioned events within these
boundaries.
Central
to EDRA’s mission is a robust mentoring program that supports the development
of equines, riders and ride managers to their maximum capabilities while
protecting horse and rider. Fun, friendly, and fair competition in a learning
environment is our goal.
We
very deliberately chose as our tagline “Start Ready. Finish Proud!”.
We feel it encompasses everything we want EDRA to represent: Careful, supported mentoring at all levels.
This
organization will appeal to serious riders who want to know how to bring
themselves and their equines to their maximum, potential RMs who want to
put on honest accurate rides with verified mileage and provision of volunteer
support to help them do that.
There
will be recognition of honest miles from 25-100, with no distinction between LD
and endurance. Miles are miles. We want to reward effort, talent
and longevity, and our awards program and rules will reflect that.
Sensible,
simplified rules to protect our equines and participants.
Who is in charge of EDRA? Are there elected
officers? How is it organized? Who are your members, and who can
join? Are there geographic limitations? The
Pacific Northwestern states? Canada? Europe? Argentina? United Arab
Emirates?
Founders are listed on the FB page.
We hope to attract any RMs or riders who live in USA or Canada. We
have no plans to go further afield.
We currently have 20
founding members and have developed job descriptions for what we feel are
essential positions.
Initially, these
positions may be appointed rather than elected but we will have elections early
in 2017. Anyone can join EDRA and participate in EDRA rides.
We’re super excited
about thinking through our logbook program, our mentorship program, how
we’re going to support ride managers, and our sanctioning (we call it
endorsement) program.
 |
| approximate dimensions of EDRA logbook |
In all of these areas we
hope to both bring back what we all felt was the essence of endurance while
moving it forward into the future.
Our processes will be
entirely electronic, making for easier and faster transmission of results, ride
information, etc. We will have a much smaller organizational structure and of
course a smaller membership base—at least for the near future.
Our focus is more on the
sport of endurance than the recreational aspect—we are very serious and want to
attract serious riders. To that end we are not considering endorsing anything
less than a 25 mile track.
Our goal is to develop
riders and horses who are serious about the sport of endurance and bringing
their equines carefully to their maximum potential. That takes work, effort and
time, and it’s not for everyone.
What will riders
find similar between EDRA and other distance riding
organizations?
I can’t speak for the
other organizations, but I think we are all concerned about protecting equine
welfare.
I think we all want to
support ride managers and provide protection so they can put on events safely.
I think we all want riders to have fun and find satisfaction on the trail. In
different ways, we all want to recognize accomplishments.
How we go about doing
these things is where we are somewhat different in our approach. We will, I
think, be able to move more quickly and be more responsive because of this
commitment to a minimalist structure and process.
Does EDRA plan to pursue
a relationship with FEI?
Not at this time.
We’ve posted our basic mission
and rules, as well as a sample of our logbook and the rules associated with
them. Folks seem excited about it. There’s some anxiety about change
but we have done our level best to allay people’s fears. We will be moving
forward regardless and hope others will join when they see what we’re about.
 |
| Screen shot of the current EDRA FB. Click HERE to view live page |
Let’s talk money. Who
is footing the bills for startup costs? Are plans in place to file for
non-profit status? How much will membership cost each year?
We have tremendous
talent in our group and folks have been volunteering their time thus far.
We have lawyers who have
assisted with the legal docs. We have CPAs who are assisting with filing with
IRS and the non-profit status. I have experience with writing grants so have
been able to help with wordsmithing. And so on.
Membership pricing:
Adult memberships: $75,
additional $25 for spouse, $10 Youth membership.
Lifetime memberships are
$750 for adults and $1000 for couples or families.
Dues may be changed upon
resolution of the Board of Directors.
Why should ride managers
consider putting on an EDRA ride?
Because it will be
fun!!!
They like that we don’t
charge for non-members, and our fee is a flat fee—no added charges—and includes
a drug testing program, logbooks, and support.
They like that we will
sanction rides at any distance—be it 40, or 45, or 85 miles—as long as the
distances are verified.
They like that we have
guidelines for ages of horses in competition.
They like us!!
I see that there’s an
intention to provide monetary “insurance” for ride managers. How
will that work?
We have an initial
seeding fund to support RMs initially in this first year. They will submit a
budget for approval and if they end up losing money we will make an effort to
help them break even. Our goal is to then develop a common pool of funds that EDRA
RMs can access and contribute to in order to make sure RMS can continue to put
on rides.
Many regional
organizations already do this so we have a number of good models to review.
Will EDRA co-sanction
events with other distance organizations (AERC, NATRC, Ride and Tie,
Competitive Mounted Orienteering)?
We are willing to negotiate with anyone who
wants to play with us!
Why does EDRA require
helmets for riders?
We think helmets
are a no brainer (that’s kind of funny, right?) Plus our insurance requires
it.
 |
| I love my helmet |
What about the log
books? How will that process work? Does the log book procedure
differ in any significant way from the process followed by Australian distance
riders?
Samples of our logbooks
and rules are on the FB page HERE
 |
| here's the logbook sample page, image stolen from FB |
Will riders be able to
participate in EDRA events without joining the organization?
Yup.
Why should riders
consider joining EDRA?
I would urge anyone interested in finding out more about EDRA review the documents posted on the Facebook page. If you want to ask questions, you need to request joining the page. We’ll try to answer all questions. Finally, if riders are serious about developing themselves and their equines in a safe, supportive environment, and being recognized for honest miles, longevity and talent, they should join EDRA.
Why do you think riders
will prefer an EDRA event to an event sanctioned by a different but similar
organization (AERC, NATRC, etc)?
I think every
organization has something to offer. It doesn’t have to be a choice.
Are EDRA events limited
to the Pacific Northwest in 2017?
Not necessarily.
Does EDRA have a
website?
How do people get
involved with EDRA?
Ask to join the FB page.
Read the rules of participation on the page and follow them.
Do you have a schedule
of rides yet?
Rides in 2017 so far
include : Coyote Ridge (March 25), Grizzly Mountain (April 15), Sunriver
(June 17), Ride the Loup (July 15), Sand Canyon (August 5), Swift Water (Sept
16)
permits are still
pending
What are your other
ideas?
EDRA wants to endorse a
new kind of distance ride: Test Your Mettle Relays. These will involve
(for EXAMPLE only) 2 riders and 2 horses, each doing a minimum of 25 miles
together to complete a 50 mile relay. Details coming soon!
The mentoring program
will be great as well.
 |
| Definitely open to new challenges |
Okay, readers: now
it's your turn.
Post your questions and thoughts in the comments box (please don't put comments on Facebook, I won't see them until NaNoWriMo ends in December!)
* How do you feel about the new possibilities?
Interested? Intrigued? Apprehensive? Other?
* What do you think AERC should do in regards to the new organization?
Co-sanction? Ignore? Other?
* What questions do you have for the EDRA founders?
* What do you want to know about the mentoring program?
A follow-up post focused on the EDRA mentor program is in the works, please stay tuned!
I will share your input with EDRA and AERC folks.
If they let Apollo come out and play, they'll get all my money and support.
ReplyDeleteI'm not the only blind horse owner chomping at the bit to legally compete in endurance.
Thank you for this blog post, Aarene! You are probably the most articulate writer that *I* know. Your quest to search out facts over opinions is always appreciated.
ReplyDeleteAnd to Apollo, the Blind Horse, come check out EDRA. If your person feels you're well taken care of and can handle the rigor of an endurance ride, then I, for one, want to meet you!
Darlene Anderson
0 EDRA miles (for now!)
10,000+ AERC Miles
...and counting
I'm attracted to the idea of getting credit for actual miles ridden. I would love to see some 35- to 40-mile rides offered or (in AERC terms) an LD to 50 elevator.
ReplyDeleteBut just from a business perspective, I don't think that EDRA is offering much incentive to riders to join, other than general disenchantment with AERC. Your first pool of EDRA members come over from AERC, but how do you attract a second wave? (As a marketing person, I'm always thinking in terms of "differentiators" - are the differences between you and your competitor meaningful enough that the choice is clear? Based on the rules document, I'm not convinced that EDRA is different enough from AERC to be sustainable in the long term.)
Other than that, I'm interested to see their banned substances list and get more information about the vetting side of things. And, you know, just wait and see what happens. I comfort myself that I won't have a horse in competition during the first couple years while they work out the kinks!
Thanks for writing this up, Aerene! I really like the idea of the variation in distances. I'm sure it is a huge challenge for Ride Mangers to get trails matched to specific distances and as a competitor, I like the idea that there might be 35-45 mile rides to bridge the gap between the 25 and 50 mile rides.
ReplyDeleteI am curious about how the vetting process will work. I definitely prefer the AERC model (quick but effective) to the ECTRA model (takes much longer with no added health benefit for the horse) so the way vetting works is a make or break issue for me.
I'm a former PNW rider, now in the midwest. Will I be able to join and accrue mileage at rides in Michigan with EDRA? What should I tell RMs in the midwest to encourage them to have an EDRA sanctioned ride? If I'm the only rider with this org at a ride, what is the benefit?
ReplyDeleteI,like many endurance riders, live on a pretty tight "ride budget', so I will not be attending one of my fav rides: Grizzly, much to my disappointment,considering it is not sanctioned by AERC. Because I like to ride for points as well as fun, for me EDRA rides just not worth the $. I would guess the founders are concerned about low turn from others who like to ride for points too, thus the 'insurance' money for RMs. This is a smart move on the part of EDRA founders.
ReplyDeleteI have from time to time disagreed with AERC, but I got over it instead of abandoning AERC. Best of luck to those who just want to ride for fun at EDRA rides, the founders are very experienced endurance riders and will likely put on great fun rides. I hope one day EDRA will reconcile their differences with AERC. I was not there and I don't have any first hand info on the dispute, or the high emotions and white hot anger the situation produced. I did however, read carefully every word printed in Endurance News and came to the same conclusion as the people at AERC, who also had to depend on information submitted. Good sportsmanship is an important endurance lesson we all should take a deep breath and be a little humble when things do not go our way. It really does not matter anymore, I will miss my friends and the rides like Griz and Sunriver that we used to shared. I sincerely hope everyone continues to enjoy their horses and trails.