TEVIS, GUESTS, AND REPLY TO MERRYBEN

["guest@endurance.net" <guest@endurance.net>]

Debbie Ekhaml Dekarab@home.com
Hi Ridecampers, As far as the guest issue, I'm one because I can't handle all the posts everyday (my e-mail overflows)but I always sign when I do post.  As far as Tevis and the horse treated at Pacific Slab, I would hope riders would prefer the Vet to treat the sick horse first.  If it was your own, I'm sure (hope)you would want it that way. I am also amazed at the people who are not present at events that are quick to flame.  I do have to disagree with Merryben on a point though "When 20 or 30 riders come in at about the same time, you do have a long line. Deal with it."  I did deal with it.  Along with other things that were promised to be delivered at this ride that weren't.  I figure when I pay that much money to do a ride, it is up to the management to provide what was promised.  There was not enough Vet staff. Period.  It was compounded by the fact that this check was changed from a trot through to a full check. The vet decided too many horses were not looking good and changed it.  Great!!  These Vets really cared about the horses.  This is a good thing.  I don't know Merryben other than to read her column in Endurance News (which I do enjoy) so I'm not going to flame her.  I will assume she has ridden Tevis.  I will further assume she was at Pacific Mine to witness what was occuring there ( I think she was).  To say "if you were riding to the cutoffs, you are simply riding too slow" is unfair.  You have 24 hours to finish.  No one but the rider can judge their horse.  I was 1 hour ahead of the cutoffs (as recommended at the pre-ride meeting)I never planned on riding my horse any faster, because I knew we could finish. I have heard many stories of people doing Tevis and coming home with injured horses or never doing another ride.  I admit I'm one of those sappy women that really loves and cares about the animal that is going to carry me 100 miles.  My goal was to come home not only with a buckle, but with a sound horse.  Most importantly however, was to have a horse that has a good attitude at our next ride
 he didn't have the stuffings ridden out of him!
Yes, some people ride slow and don't make time cutoffs, but please don't lump them in with people who don't make time due to circumstances totally out of their control. I didn't accomplish all of my goals at Tevis,  but 2 out of 3 isn't bad.  As far as I'm concerned, it was the most important 2.  You can figure out which ones.  They'll always be buckles, but I only have 1 horse, and he's alot more important that a piece of metal.  Debbie