Re: RC: Slower Ld's

[Jim Holland <lanconn@tds.net>]

You are absolutely correct that all riders should be considerate of
others at all times and based on your post, they were not...they should
have at least slowed down enough for you to leave the trail and let them
by without incident.  However, the "rules" are a little different for 50
milers than they are for LD riders.  The number on your horse's butt
says you are a 50 miler.  When you enter an ENDURANCE ride, it is
assumed that you have trained your horse and yourself to the level
required to compete there. As someone said, don't remember who, "Yes,
Sir It's called a "ride", but don't let anyone convince you otherwise,
it is a race!"  Supposedly, that is the reason for LD....to give you and
your horse the opportunity to learn without having to "run with the big
dogs".  Unfortunately, this is not what LD is used for by all LD riders.
I consistently rode Top Ten all year, and I always immediately slammed
on the brakes, rode alongside for a second, offered a word of
encouragement, and asked "Are you OK?" to every 25 miler, identified by
the number, I met.  For a 50 miler, it's slow down a little, yell "On
your left" or "On your right" and usually boogie on by at a speed
consistent with the trail condition and the situation.  Your horse
better be able to handle that or you need to do a little more control
training, cuz I guarantee it will happen again.  I apologize for their
behavior..there is no excuse for bad manners...


Jim and Sun of Dimanche

RBle455589@aol.com wrote:
> 
> I've been reading the trend on this and I must say that yes there is
> LDr's
> out there that raise thru these things but I can say from experience
> that the
> 50 milers can be just as bad and dangerous, I did my first ride back
> in
> Warner Springs came in last my horse was coming back from an injury 6
> months
> prior and about 3 miles out here comes the  top ten 50 milers at a
> full run
> never slowed down I had to scramble from the trail and my mare reared
> up
> twice that is how upset they got her, do you think these 50 milers
> gave a dam
> no they didn't even bother to look back.
> We could had had a serious accident on the trail and they would have
> not
> cared, so if we are going to slow the 25 milers down or penalize them
> for
> going fast let's do the same to the 50 milers they are just as
> dangerous on
> the trail.
> Sorry if this upsets some people but that is the truth so no flaming
> just
> putting my opinion outhere right along with everybody else.

-- 
Richard T. "Jim" Holland                 Phone:  (706) 258-2830
LANCONN, Inc.                            FAX:    (706) 632-1271
Three Creeks Farm			 INTERNET:  lanconn@tds.net
175 Hells Hollow Drive                   
Blue Ridge, GA 30513