The work of the AHSA, USET, and FEI committees on behalf of the sport of endurance is funded by said organizations and not by the AERC or AERC International. Someone from the AERC International committee periodically selects and orders promotional products, which are sent by the vendor directly to the AERC Office to have available for sale along with AERC products. Up front cost of product is paid out of AERC International funds. Shipping and handling charges incurred by the office are charged to the customer. The office staff tracks the inventory.
People pulling together to meet great challenges often develop close friendships.
A person, not involved in that challenge, could easily mistake these close friendships for a closed group. International riding is helping to make it cost effective for ride managers to keep their 100-mile rides alive. So say ride managers. AERC is a player in the world of endurance through the work its members perform as FEI Championship ride officials, riders, team staff, veterinarians and as members of the AHSA, USET and FEI committees. In large part because endurance became a USET discipline, a wide variety of horse magazines now feature articles on endurance riders and some of our big rides.