Re: RC: LD AND OPINIONS

[SandyDSA@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/21/01 10:09:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
guest@endurance.net writes:


> why
> some Endurance riders feel they are so superior as to belittle 
> LD.  What if a person (or horse, maybe one with say, a thyroid condition) 
> is Ok enough for LD, but physically not capable enough for a longer 
> distance?  What's wrong with that? All this emphasis on slowing down LD 
> while the 50's bomb away.  Yes, 
> there will always be hot shoe LDers, just like 50's.  The key
> is to educate!  The ride results for LD at Fire Mt. were read in 
> alphabetical order, not placement finish.  We need to not lose sight that 
> we are ONE ORGANIZATION!!!!  LDers add countless
> dollars to OUR sport.  We all have to start somewhere.  Let's 
> stop dividing ourselves over miles.  


Amen Debbie,
And congrats on your good ride. It has always been our opinion and position 
that riders AND horses, for various reasons, can be dedicated to LD for a 
length of time, or in your case, have a need to go back to it. Riding and LD 
does not relegate a rider to being any less competent or any MORE  stupid 
that being in a 50. I have seen 50 milers race in on clearly exhausted 
horses, only to be told they did not pass muster in the final vet check. Some 
of these people stare blankly, not understanding their part in the failure to 
complete, and others - HORRORS! - argue with the vet and trot their poor 
horse out multiple times, hoping the vet will finally get sick of the sight 
of them and pass their horse. So.....overuse and abuse can occur at all 
distances. Seems to me that while people are so concerned about slowing down 
the LD riders, they better start regulating (EEK!) the longer distance rider 
to slow down as they whiz PAST the LD riders whom some will pass, and teach 
them some safety and courtesy. :) and to the clowns to fired it up past 
several more cautious and kind riders through the Rock Farm at last year's 
Malibu ride, may your horses be fortunate enough to either have MAJOR pads or 
to escape you at the next ride. sheesh!
s