COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of questions commonly asked by endurance riders. If you have a question that is not answered here please feel free to contact the QERA webmaster so an answer can be found! 
How to join QERA (apply for a membership card)
To join QERA you will need to complete a Membership Application form and send it to the Registrar. Please ensure the waiver on the second page is completed and signed. When upgrading your membership you will need to photocopy your ride results and send in with your application (see below)
Rider qualifications from new member, to open rider (and reinstating membership status after a break) TOP
Membership cards come in 3 colours indicating the rider status.
Pink – Trainer. Allows you to enter training rides only, you need to complete 2 training rides to qualify as a Novice rider.
Yellow – Novice. Allows you to enter rides up to 120k in length with restricted rules. Apply for this card once you have completed 2 x training rides.
White – Open. Allows you to compete in all AERA rides with no restrictions. Apply for this card once you have completed 3 x 80km rides.
Renewing Open riders that have let their membership lapse for more than 2 consecutive years will be required to complete 1 ride as a Novice before becoming an Open rider.
How to pre nominate / nominate for a ride TOP
Prior to attending a ride you will need to let the ride secretary know that you are attending so correct numbers can be catered for. There are multiple ways that you can do this.
Pre nominate online - all you need to do is click on the CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE ONLINE link located under the ride name in the ride calendar. Complete all of the details and then hit submit.
Contact the ride secretary - ride secretary details can be found by going to the Ride Guide link located on the menu bar to the left of this site, then select ride secretaries and either email or phone the relevant contact for the ride you wish to attend.
Once you have pre nominated all you will need to do is go to the secretaries tent on the weekend of the ride and complete a full nomination form.
Some rides require full nomination prior to the ride. If this is the case the nomination form will be supplied either in the QERA newsletter or on this site - make sure to check rides before you attend them, and post the form in by the cut of date that will be supplied on the form.
Endurance horses and the 13 month rule application TOP
An Open (yellow book) horse who has not successfully completed an affiliated endurance ride in a 13 month period must be entered as a Novice horse until it does so.
Horse Identification procedures and microchipping TOP
Horse Identification procedures and microchipping. All horses must have a Vet ID when upgrading to Open. After 1st January 2010 all qualifying Open horses must be chipped. Microchips must be inserted by a Veterinarian. Whilst the “chip” is being inserted, have the Vet complete the QERA ID pages for the horse. Microchips are available from QERA but you may use one supplied by your Vet. All microchips are to be ISO compliant.
Day membership options TOP
Day memberships are available at rides to allow non-members to enter Training and Intro rides only. There is a fee additional to the Ride fee to cover this. Day-membership does not include any Personal Accident Insurance
Qualifying for a Tom Quilty - What's required TOP
Both horse and rider need to be Open status, additionally riders must have successfully completed a 160km ride previously. Riders must be 12 years or older in the calendar year of the ride.
Riding overseas TOP
You must obtain a letter of no objection from the AERA. For serious overseas riding members of the AES frequently obtain invitations to participate in overseas events.
What do I do if my ride results are incorrect? TOP
Contact the registrar (qera-registrar@aera.asn.au) emailing or faxing a scanned copy of the logbook page for verification
Who do I contact if I am not receiving my newsletter> TOP
Contact the registrar (qera-registrar@aera.asn.au) to make sure your mailing details are correct
What do I do if I have lost my logbook? TOP
To request a duplicate logbook you will need to send a Statutory Declaration, a logbook application with appropriate fees to the registrar. The State Management Committee needs to give approval before a replacement logbook can be issued.
How do I upgrade my Novice logbook to Open? TOP
Once your horse has succesfully completed 3 x 80+ km rides his logbook can be upgraded to Open status by mailing the logbook as well as a completed Endurance and Novice Logbook Application form (including fees) to the QERA registrar.
The EWS - point accruals and their limits TOP
The early warning system was established for the protection of the horse, it looks at an individual riders results and allows the committee to monitor riders that may need attention, and give warnings where appropriate. Full details can be found in your AERA rulebook.

Reason for non completion Points
Vet out pulse under 66 bpm 10
Vet out pulse 66 bpm or over 15
Vet out non invasive metabolic 10
Vet out mild metabolic 15
Vet out severe metabolic 30
Vet out lame – first 6
Vet out lame horse-second consecutive 12
Vet out lame horse – third consecutive 18
Vet out other – back 6
Vet out gall or injury 4

Note: A rider will only attract consecutive points for lameness, if riding the horse that vets out lame consecutively.

 
Accumulation of 30 or more non-completion penalty points, the rider or horse, through owner or connections, will be cautioned in writing.
Accumulation of 45 – 59 points requires the rider/horse to go back to Novice status until 2 endurance rides are successfully completed.
Accumulation of 60 or more points possible suspension

Non-completion penaly points are reduced by:
6 points on the anniversary of each penalty and
6 points in rides up to 90km
10 points in rides 91-159km
12 points in rides of 160km and above

How to become a TPR Steward TOP
People wanting to become a TPR need to firstly sit an exam, this exam contains both verbal and written components. If you qualify you then can work as a probationary TPR Steward at 3 rides. After you have worked as probationary TPR at 3 rides you can apply for permanent TPR status. To be a TPR you must be a member of an AERA state division (either riding or non riding)  If you would like to become a TPR please contact any SMC member and they will be more than happy to help you.
How to become a Cheif Steward TOP
To become a Cheif Steward you must first be an accredited TPR for a minimum of 3 months. You will then need to go through a Cheif Steward accreditation process which involves working under the supervision of a Cheif Steward at several rides, and then completing a written, open book exam. The QERA secretary can provide further information if you are interested in being a Cheif Steward: qera-secretary@aera.asn.au
How to apply to run an endurance ride / or start an endurance club TOP
If you are interested in running an endurance ride of your own please contact the QERA Secretary: qera-secretary@aera.asn.au
The independant appeals committee and how it works TOP
How to become a member of the SMC TOP
To become a member of the SMC first you must nominate yourself as well as arrange for a member to second your nomination, positions will be advertised on the QERA website and in the QERA newsletter once they become available, and forms for the nomination will be provided. There is then a postal ballot for all members to vote and decide who fills the vacant position. Further details can be found in your rulebook.