off trail, short cuts and cheating!

[Paddi <seamstob@telusplanet.net>]

This happened at a ride this weekend.
I was in the fifty mile race leaving directly behind the next rider.
Mile 25.
We were to follow the fence line out of the vet check. This was the
second loop so we had all rode the loop once and it was clearly ribboned.
The rider in front of me cut across the pasture instead of following the
set trail as marked ,mapped and told by ride management.
(I have 2 reasons for being upset
1. he cut trail
2. we are on property not belonging to us and courtesy to the landowner
says we stay along the fence line and off his fields)
I galloped following the trail caught up to him and informed him he
had shortcut the trail and he had to ride the fence line. He said it was
no big deal and continued on his way. I told him it was a big deal to me
and everyone else who rode the proper trail. The rules are very clear!
I reported the shortcut to ride management as soon as I could. We were
in top 5 position and really moving. I lost a shoe and had to drop back
leaving this rider so it was awhile before I came in to report the infraction.
Now I do need to point out that he did not cut miles off the trail
more like a few 100 yards BUT a shortcut is a short cut regardless of
distance and rules are made to keep the playing field equal for all riders.
How do we decide how much or how little is except able?
Ride management took it to the BOD to be decided and I am not sure
what happened but he received his placing, points and prize. No one I have
contacted on the board seems to know how it was decided .It was not discussed
at the meeting...
I sat on the BOD for 4 or 5 years , 2 years as sanctioning director
and resigned over another ride where the BOD decided it was okay to be
off trail. I will admit when it comes to rules I can be a bit (others will
say alot) anal but the rules are the rules and must be applied to keep
the field equal for all.
We all spend alot of hours, money and love on the sport.

The ride management on this ride was new to endurance , in talking to him he agrees that the trail must be followed.
This has moved onto the next level of protest as laid out in our rule book and will continue until it is settled. Like a dog with a bone I have sunk my teeth into this one.
This rider is new to endurance but has attended races, rode CTR and is heading state side to ride a 100 mile this year. We follow AERC rules during race time.
In answer to Teresa Van Hove the reason people don't tattle is because the one who reports it is made to feel like the bad guy. I have been told I am being petty, I have been told grievances are a hassle to the club so I should drop it and I have been told to relax and just ride for miles. Well I sure don't have to pay $50 entrance fees not to mention the expense of getting to there to just ride miles I can do them from my own back door for free. It is not always easy or popular standing up for what you believe in. 
If we are going to keep the integrity of our sport everyone involved must follow the rules. This is one sport where you must trust in the honesty of your competitors since we ride alone most of the time.
The only one you really cheat is yourself and your horse. How can you stand up and except an award knowing you don't really deserve it? How do you sit arround a campfire visiting with the real winners, the ones who finished behind you but followed all the rules?
I personally won't just tattle I will scream it for all to hear.
Happy and safe trails to all
Paddi
Canadian Trail House
manufacturer of quality biothane tack
seamstob@telusplanet.net