Re: Re: Fw: RC: endurance prospect, etc.

["Helga Loncosky" <hblmh@ptd.net>]

I'm not arguing below, just want to point out one thing in my limited
opinion. In endurance, if all that you say is true about the winner being
more fit and better because of it, why aren't there more 1st placers who
also win the BC award? Personally, while I would "like" to win, I am more
pleased at finishing and earning BC. But that's just my personal goal.


Helga Loncosky
Archival Morgan Record
http://home.att.net/~a_m_r/index.html
Beacon Morgan Horses, Ltd.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/5292/
hblmh@ptd.net
***********************************************************
No heaven can heaven be, if my horse isn't there to welcome me.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tivers@aol.com <Tivers@aol.com>
To: bass@bigsky.net <bass@bigsky.net>; ridecamp@endurance.net
<ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Monday, February 07, 2000 9:52 PM
Subject: RC: Re: Fw: RC: endurance prospect, etc.


>In a message dated 2/6/00 5:43:52 PM Pacific Standard Time, bass@bigsky.net
>writes:
>
><< Tom, I must have struck a nerve, as you've resorted to personal
attacks.>>
>
>Hon, your attacks are personal as well, and offend quite a few. It's the
>moral superiority angle that irritates the most. Sanctimonious
>self-righteousness is my favorite target, and an easy one. Just doing a
>little plinking in practice for serious battle with the next
>pseudo-intellectual bully to stick his head above the trenches.
>
>>  I
> guess I should have known better, having been a "lurker" for quite some
> time. . . >
>
>That's the problem with lurkers--they don't get enough practice in actually
>having to think a concept through.
>
>>But for your info., I think that the "clear goal" of endurance
> riding is to finish, not to win.>
>
>I'll take that info directly to the bank without passing go.
>
>>  And yes, I think that generally, the
> winner is putting their horse at more risk.  It's only logical.>
>
>Not at all. In genuine competition, the winner is always fitter and better
>conditioned--and harder all around because of it. However, if you would
care
>to cite any study which suggests that winning riders cripple more horses,
>have at it.
>
> > Whether
> it's in a race to the finish line (risking lameness), or asking your horse
> to go at an incredible pace for an extended length of time, its putting
the
> horse at more "risk".>
>
>No, what puts the horse at risk is falsely assuming that you have prepared
a
>horse for an athletic contest when you haven't. And, if you haven't, you
lose
>and you get a cripple to boot.
>
> > That's what I've seen, that's my opinion.>
>
>That's not what I've seen, so our opinions differ dramatically.
>
>>  And as
> far as "conditioning an athlete that is fully capable of being safely
asked
> for a winning performance" goes, that's my point.  I have athletes that
are
> capable of a winning performance, but so do others -- and chances are that
> they are willing to ask their horse for more than I am, if and when it
> comes down to the finish line.  I don't think that makes me a bad person,
> Tom.>
>
>Losing on purpose doesn't make you bad. Not real smart, but not bad. What's
>bad is the sanctimonious posturing that follows and excuses the loss. If
you
>prefer to lose, that's just fine--but don't then criticize the winners for
>leaving you in the dust--especially on moral grounds. That's dishonest, and
>ugly. If you don't know your horse well enough to know whether he can
finish
>strong or not, that's your fault. And if you're unsure, that's a lack a
>horsemanship and still your own fault. Blaming others for these failings is
>ludicrous on the face of it.
>
>>  I do realize that "to win" is generally the idea of "athletic sport",
> but this sport involves an incredibly selfless animal as the other half
the
> partnership, so I think we need to be more careful not to involve our own
> egos as much. >
>
>Then start a petting zoo and stay out of competitive sports. Save the
whales.
>Clean up oil slicks. Start a rescue farm. Chain yourself to a selfless
>ego-free tree. Quit chopping the heads of innocent asparagus plants. Become
>an abused horse whisperer. Then you can put down virtually every human
being
>on the planet. You can float in moral indignation, wallow in it.  You can
>become the poster child for rectitude--elbowing Bill Clinton out of the
>throne. I mean, Save the Cigars!
>
> > But really, I don't know why I'm discussing this with you
> at all -- you're rude, and you really should stick with the aspects of
> endurance riding that you KNOW something about.  So, I'm done. . .>
>
>Aw, c'mon. You've jusrt come out of the closet and had your first taste of
>competitive thought. Race you to the finish--how about it?
>
>ti
>
>  >>
>
>
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