RE: Why I do LD rides

["Maryanne Stroud Gabbani" <maryanne@ratbusters.net>]

At this point our local endurance association ONLY sponsors LD rides
because, frankly, that's all the local horses are ready for. The FEI, I
understand want to do another CEI of about 80-100 km  this spring, but there
will not be that many local horses prepared to complete one. Last year we
were tossed into the deep end with three rides of 20, 50, and 100 km in a 3
month period, and to be honest, our horses suffered from our riders' lack of
knowledge.  LD has its place, no doubt, for many people. As an entire
country of novice riders, I think that Egypt would be better off with about
2 to 3 years of only LD rides. The learning curve is too steep otherwise.

Maryanne Stroud Gabbani
Cairo, Egypt
maryanne@ratbusters.net
www.ratbusters.net




In a message dated 01/24/2001 1:52:40 PM Pacific Standard Time,
guest@endurance.net writes:

<< but who knows my daughter might like to continue with this sport and
maybe
someday she will look back at those "lowly" LD rides and remember the
wonderful time she had with her mother.  This is why some of us like to to
LD's.
  >>

I wonder how many folks really think of LDs as "lowly".  I think they're
great.  I've introduced a young horse to the sport through LDs.  I've
watched
two of our sons-in-law, who have themselves ridden may 100 milers, take
their
daughters through LDs.  It's wonderful to watch the next generation starting
in and being thrilled with the sport.  This is our third generation in
endurance.  I remember when our youngest daughter rode her QH on a 50 miler,
when she was about the same age as her daughter, who just did the four Death
Valley LDs with her dad.  I only stress that a 50 miler is just that much
more of a challenge than a LD ride, and a 100 that much more than a 50. The
sport offers something for everyone, and each level needs to be appreciated
for what it offers.

Barbara


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