Reprinted from Endurance News, June 2013, Ride Managers’ Column, monthly publication of the American Endurance Ride Conference, www.aerc.org, 866-271-2372
We envision most clinics will fall into one of three categories:
1.Endurance 101 Clinics
These are introductory clinics for people new to the sport, typically conducted in a classroom type of setting, but ideally with access to endurance tack and equipment and horses, upon whom veterinary checks can be simulated, and metabolic (heart rate, skin pinch, cap refill, tack/back soreness) checks taught to the clinic attendees in a hands-on setting.
PowerPoint Modules
1) YOU can DO this!
2) What Are The Distance Riding Sports?
3) Where Do I Start? The Horse
4) Where Do I Start? The Rider
5) Where Do I Start? The Stuff
5A) Where Do I Start? The Feed
6) Where Do I Start? The Conditioning
7) Where Do I Start? The Camping
8) What To Expect? The First Competition
9) What To Expect? Arriving At Camp
10) What To Expect? Vetting In
11) What To Expect? On Ride Day
12) What To Expect? After the Competition
Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, is presently producing short YouTube educational video clips to mesh with these powerpoints, starting with the topic of containment of horses at AERC rides, which will be available both on the internet, and as part of the CD/DVD resources as they are developed and finalized.
2. Endurance 201 Clinics
Oftentimes, mounted clinics with a mock endurance ride and vet check as well as a camping experience, are conducted by clinic organizers. These may be a part of a multi-day clinic which also includes materials from Endurance 101 Clinics, but more frequently are held in locations without access to classroom types of settings and projectors, and are more hands-on in nature.
Endurance 201 Clinics are designed to take concepts and turn them into practice. They are a critical part of the learning process and key to ensuring new competitors feel comfortable with the skills they will need to successfully get through their first ride.
3.Beyond The Basics Clinics
This PowerPoint presentation was created by the Education Committee to help riders get through the “sophomore slump.” It was intended for riders who had done some competing but were looking to increase their level of performance in the sport.
As you are reading this column, I’ll be serving as Chief Guinea Pig for our clinic format, having facilitated an Endurance 101 Clinic at our farm over the winter, a demonstration and mini-seminar at a local Equifest during March, and even as your feverish fingers turn the pages of Endurance News at this moment, an Endurance 201 Clinic at a local stable with excellent facilities and trail access.
Drop me a line. I’ll give you all the practical dos and don’ts that I can muster!
For all of these clinics and expos, the office staff is happy to get you promotional materials for AERC, some good “swag” to hand out to clinic participants including membership applications.
Remember, all of this is part of one of our most important organizational missions, and that is to ‘cast the net’ and increase our AERC membership.
Spread the love!
Happy trails.