FEGENTRI, the International Federation of Gentlemen Riders, governs amateur racing in Europe. They card literally hundreds of flat races for amateurs, plus two or three championships between the member countries. Sensing the need for America to join its European counterparts, French born former amateur race rider and internationally renowned cartoonist Pierre Bellocq (PEB) and his son, Remi Bellocq, formed the Amateur Riders Club of America in mid 1986.
Gathering the support of the only two members of the Jockey Club who hold current riding licenses, Edward “Ned” Bonnie of Louisville, Ky., and George Strawbridge, Jr., of Cochranville, Pa., and the best amateurs in this country under one mantle, the Bellocqs scheduled the first pair of races at Delaware Park and Philadelphia Park in July and October, 1986.