Re: RC: EN Sept issue

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/11/00 12:11:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time, RQuestarabians 
writes:

<< Heidi, you brought up some very good points. However, the point that I 
think you missed is that endurance riding is one of those rare sports that 
does not have to be "labled" or "seperated" into it' own seperate levels. Who 
said that endurance is not endurance to a horse until they have traveled at 
least 50 or more miles? >>

So, do you suggest that we all start out together in the morning--Valerie K 
on a world contender almost ready to go there right next to Nancy Novice at 
her first event, and just go hash it out?  Sorry, but no.  We DO need some 
definition of different levels, etc., because people (and horses) have 
different goals, different capabilities, and different levels of fitness.  
That is why the Special Olympics kids (for whom the event is still the 
ultimate experience, the giving of one's all, etc.) DON'T line up next to 
Team USA and Team Every-other-country in Sydney here in a few days.  
Endurance, as a matter of pitting one's self against the trail, persevering, 
etc., does indeed come at all distances.  However, the sport of "endurance 
riding" starts at 50 miles.  This does not denigrate the enduring done by 
those on LD rides.  In fact, after AERC was forced to eliminate what later 
became called LD distances from endurance competition IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE 
HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE HORSES, ride managers still understood the need for 
shorter distances for all the reasons I (and others) have mentioned in 
previous posts, and AERC likewise eventually realized that some sort of 
compromise needed to be made to include an LD program--and hence the LD 
program was born.  It is still undergoing modification--as indeed, is the 
whole sport, all the time.  In fact, I have no qualms when an LD rider calls 
himself an endurance rider.  Yes, he is enduring.  And yes, he is 
participating in this sport, at its entry level.   But he has yet to do an 
ENDURANCE RIDE.  This is not a social stigma--it is simply a matter of fact.  
The dynamics of the sport DO change as one approaches 50 miles.  And if you 
haven't been there, you may have a tough time understanding this.  But it's 
true.  Some horses with a lot of aptitude can get through 25 on just guts and 
heart, with virtually NO level of preparation or fitness.  But it is not in 
their best interests to do so.  And people who don't understand that and who 
will do such things at the expense of their horse abound.  Some are not very 
educable, while others are quite amenable to learning, and get the hang of 
what it takes after awhile.  We only see a fraction of that at the 50-mile 
level that we used to see at the 25-mile level, believe it or not.  So in the 
best interests of the HORSE, AERC chose to eliminate the shorter distances 
and define the sport from the 50-mile level on up--where the distance 
dictates a little preparation.  IMO, this is one of the wisest decisions the 
board ever made.

I will never compete at the Olympics.  That did not keep me in years past 
from enjoying a variety of "Olympic" sports on a lesser level.  It did not 
keep me from benefitting from that participation, nor did the fact that I was 
not in training for the Olympics mar my psyche or cause any sort of social 
stigma.  One has to define a sport on some level.  Football is played on a 
rectangular field 100 yards long, with quarters that last for a defined time 
and rules that dictate how you play the game.  Endurance riding is played on 
a trail at least 50 miles long, with the maximum time being a defined time 
relative to the actual distance, with rules that dictate how you play the 
game.  You may certainly "endure" shorter distances--and thanks to the LD 
program, you are encouraged to do so if that is the level at which you and 
your horse is comfortable.  Hallelujah.  But only when you have adequate 
preparation to do 50 miles are you playing the game of "endurance riding."  
The bar has to be set somewhere, and lower settings of the bar have not 
worked.  Let's not go back to the dark ages and try to reinvent the wheel...

Heidi