Okay, since I'm ALWAYS happy to write a letter, here's mine for anyone that needs some ideas.
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Dear Mr. Fleming,
As a female trailrider and AMA member, I was excited to see the AMA send our very own Women's team to this year's ISDE. What a fantastic way to help get more women interested in our sport and to show that the AMA believes women BELONG in this sport. With the AMA sending a Women's Team to an event such as the ISDE, it sends a strong message that we CAN ride AND compete.
To tell you the truth, I had heard about the ISDE before but the race never interested me all that much. I knew that it was a grueling event but figured there wasn’t even a remote possibility of competing in such a huge race. There are a few successful AMA racers in my family – Joe, Lonny and Rob Kopp in flattrack, Jonathan Seehorn a member of this year’s 26th place ISDE team. Even with those great roll models and with a family that supports dirtbiking, I had never considered competing in ANY events except the occasional low-key harescramble. When I heard that the AMA was allowing a US Women's Team to participate it piqued my interest. As I learned more about the ISDE and Enduro's in general I got motivated to improve my riding, knowledge and fitness so that I could possibly compete in the future.
After reading about our three women – Suzy, Nicole and Amanda and hearing their stories I am even more motivated to work harder. I don’t know if I will ever be able to compete at such a level as the ISDE but, if not me then maybe my 6 year old daughter who is in her second season of trailriding and motocross and my 9 year old son on his fourth season of trailriding and second season of MX. At least it is a possibility!
I truly want to thank you and the AMA for including the Women's Team this year. I hope that there will be a place EVERY year for a team of women that have the skill, knowledge and perseverance (guts!) to compete in the ISDE. It really gives me something to dream about and to work towards.
Sincerely,
bbbom (just kidding I put my real name!)