Re: 25 MILERS

["kristine hammond" <tinka@reno.quik.com>]

I agree with you Patty.  Endurance riding is supposed to be fun.  Whether a
person is riding 100, 50 or 25 miles they are out there competing, and
deserve the same treatment and respect.  I have done LD, 50's, and 100's.  I
had a good time doing them all, but have to admit that I have been treated
with something less than respect and consideration by some ride managers and
fellow competitors while doing LD.  I have done LD with a new horse who just
was not ready (mindwise) for a 50, and upon recovering from a near fatal
injury where I was in bed for 8 months after the injury, and physically I
just could not do a 50.  I have done many 50's, while both my horse and I
were in tiptop shape.  I have even done a few 100's.  I always had a great
time-no matter what I was doing.  A person may choose different mileage for
different reasons.  I will always remember the ride I went to Southern
California where the 50's & 100 milers had meals offered to them,  but since
ride management considered the LD competitors not really "competitors" there
were no plans made for allowing them the option of attending the after ride
barbecue.  We complained and the reluctant decision was made by ride
management to allow us LD's to attend dinner after paying an additional
$10.00.  We then attended dinner, but I was insulted, as were most of the
rest of us LD's.  The ride management should not offer a LD ride if they
choose to treat the people who participate in their ride this way.

I guess the ego's of the people who always do 50's & 100's feel better if
they have someone to put down.  It really is kind of sad, though.  Maybe
there should be rides that only offer LD, so ride management will not have
to deal with the issues and numbers of LD people and horses.  I don't know
what the answer is...........

Kriss

----- Original Message -----
From: <guest@endurance.net>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2000 7:46 PM
Subject: RC: 25 MILERS


> pattyscott pssrs@aol.com
> I do not understand the negative undercurrents surrounding
> the LD thread.  As a manager of two rides now I can say that
> financially they enable a person like myself to put on a ride, without
them there would not be enough funds to cover the costs.
> So to discourage them is a death sentence for the smaller local rides.
Also what is wrong with a person who is physically unable to ride a horse 50
miles be competitive at a shorter distance?  And what is the difference in
the wear and tear to the horse if the *winning* time is 2:10 in a 25: 4:40
in 50 or 9:20 in a 100?
> BTW I just completed my 1st 100 this year.
>
>
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