Ride Meals, Entry Fees and LD BC

[Lynne Glazer <lynne@glazer.org>]

I'm not in a bad mood either, Nancy and Phil.  Of course, my ride is 
still 3 months away.  ;-)

All righty, it's survey time!  Three subjects, first about the awards banquet.

The past two years, my ride has had an excellent catered BBQ, where 
the entry included the meal.

My intent this year is to offer the meal by election only.  For the 
vegetarians, we'll have veggie lasagna (all by the same caterer) like 
we did the first year, by pre-selection.  Sorry for last year's 
accidental omission.

I'm interested in hearing particularly from those who have done this 
PS ride, or plan to do it this year--how welcome is this choice? 
That means no honor system, a fine volunteer will sit there and 
collect meal tickets.  Last year we fed 228 meals, FWIW.

As a rider, I like knowing that a full meal is provided, one less 
thing to plan for, and I like replenishing those calories.  Potlucks 
are *great*, but less practical on larger rides (120+, like NRR is). 
I guess I'm just not willing to get more into food service myself.

I know that many folks do these rides on a shoestring, and a $10 
reduction in entry fee would make a difference.  Feedback in public 
or private, your choice.

Subject #2--perhaps a bit more controversial:

The difference between the entry fee for LD and for a 50 miler.

I did an informal survey of the PNER ride booklet, and noticed that 
most rides varied the cost by $20.  I think that's pretty much true 
in PS, except for the Lakeside Classic and EHSC.

I've been thinking a lot about this.  I give the same completion 
awards for LD as for 50, have the same amount of vets based on total 
riders, not on breakdown between distances.  Same number of 
volunteers to work, and feed.  Same basecamp costs, number of 
potties, insurance...

As far as I can tell, the only difference expense-wise is that the 
50s get top ten and weight division awards--that's 15 total "serious" 
awards, plus first and BC.  We give BCs to 5 places on the LDs, and 
an entry to next year's 50 for the rider that finishes first (the 
"Hot Shoes" award).  Price-wise, the difference per rider doesn't 
compute.

So why should there be a difference in the entry fee, per distance? 
Civil opinions only, please.

--#3
Lastly, I really have my panties in a twist over this LD BC thing. 
Do you all know about it? New roolz by the Board effective right now 
in fact.

As a ride manager, if I don't use the endurance BC worksheet, 
completely, with *time and weight factors*, the horse and rider who 
get 1st BC *won't be eligible for year end points competition*, or be 
listed in EN.

I understand that increasing the representation of LD in year end 
awards is important, but to essentially force ride managers to reward 
SPEED?  Those who finish in the top ten ONLY are eligible for 
consideration for BC, just like the 50s and up!  Them's the rules 
now--and I am aghast that we would take away the emphasis on LD as a 
training distance, not a race.  Anybody else feel this way, besides 
my buddy Pam Haynes of the Purple Passion ride up in Idaho?

Years of inculcation down the drain.  Now we're gonna reward the 
horses who are raced 25 or 30 or 35 miles, and certify them and only 
them as eligible for "best condition".

I know it isn't easy to come up with any kind of method that can be 
standardized across the LD landscape, but I hope there's another way 
that doesn't *require* speed.  Vet score portion of the BC worksheet, 
ok.  Even the weight points are ok.

Sorry, probably yanked my chain harder than anything but the rider of 
the underage horse who did my ride, was DQ'd right there on the spot, 
and did another ride while still under age.  We're still waiting, 
nearly six months now, for some action on that one by the P&G 
committee.

Ahhhh, ride management.  I volunteered for this, right, Julie?  And 
this year, the opportunity to try again to break even.  ;-)  Couldn't 
imagine a better group of riders to do it with than we have down 
here, though I want to get to one of Nina's LIT soirees in the SE one 
of these years.

Lynne
all chains duly yanked

Norco Riverdance Ride 9/2/00, PS
and Rem-member Me, Celesteele





At 1:47 AM +0000 6/6/00, Nancy Mitts wrote:
>Phil,
>I vote with you, & I'm not in a bad mood!
>The rides in our area are always small & no frills, usually a pot luck.
>When we travel, it's usually to do 100's & as conservative (okay, 
>slow)riders we usually end up not getting the meal anyway.
>Even if I do the 50 & get the meal, (the food at Longleaf last year 
>was GREAT) I'd really rather bring my own & have the money off the 
>ride!
>Nancy Mitts
>Central Region
>
>>From: RBluebirdpr@aol.com
>
>>Being in Ride Management, it would be a lot easier for us if we just reduced
>>the dollar amount of the ride and let people bring their own food!!!  That
>>would stop all the bitching and moaning!!!  It would save ride management
>>time, effort and money!!
>>
>>Phil
>>P.S.  Can you tell I'm in a bad mood?
>>
>>
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