hold time/ride time

["odd farm" <jsalas@tampabay.rr.com>]

Jim, I don't think Dot meant to change the ride times, just not count the holds in the ride times.

 

I did the Big South Fork one year. It was hot and humid, but no more so than usual here in the south. (I am in Central Florida). The hold time for the 25 miler was 1 hour. Way to long. My Daughter and I were 10 minutes over the 6 hour time limit. We got our completions, but no miles.

 

I know it was hot, but it was also mountainous.  I also think terrain should be taken into account when setting up the hold times. Riders can always take longer breaks at the vet checks if they want to or need to. We needed and wanted to take some extra time to get over those mountains. (It was soooo beautiful!) Ten minutes, that's all. Even though we were using that ride as a training ride we wanted the mileage to count. If the hour hold was not counted in our total ride time, we would have had plenty of time. I always thought total ride time was time in the saddle until that ride. That was an eye opener!

 

 The vets are looking out for the horses, this I understand. However, I feel that if you need an hour hold in a LD ride, you weren't ready to begin with.

 

On the other hand, if you have 24 hours to complete a hundred miler, and then tack on another 4-5 to include hold times, I am not sure I would want to be a volunteer, RM or vet for that ride! Holy crap, it would never end!! Lisa Salas, The Odd farm