Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Staying after rides

As a ride manager, I have been disappointed many times by the exodus of
riders during awards distribution.  We've had the dinner, and then I start
to announce completions and present awards.  I am distracted by the sound of
truck engines starting, diesels being the loudest, of course.  Probably
35%-50% of the riders are pulling out during this period of time.  Add to
that the riders who are planning to leave and come up to the awards table
and ask me what place they finished, and may they have their award now
because they are leaving.  Needless to say, this is quite confusing and
disruptive.  Also, I often have riders ask me BEFORE dinner if they may have
their award because they are leaving, and the result list hasn't even
arrived from the finish line, several hundred yards away.  Then, too, I
haven't yet received a completion order from the post-ride check and the
head vet secretary.  We all know that the occasional horse is pulled
post-completion, for lack of recovery or lameness.  So, unless I have the
definitive ride results in my hand, I can't really give an early-leaving
rider his award without knowing for sure who is considered a finisher.
I used to feel hurt and rejected by this exodus of riders, because of the
thought and planning that went into the awards dinner.  It was as if I had
been giving a party and no one was attending.  A good friend told me not to
be hurt, that it wasn't an intentional snub, but perhaps a necessity.  So, I
accepted that and went on.  But having someone come up to me during the
awards presentation, disrupting the order of presentation based on finishing
order, still gets to me.  Of course, I have to spend the time and money to
mail the awards out.  I've always done this, but it would be interesting to
know how other ride managers handle this.  I know some who flat-out refuse
to mail awards........if the rider doesn't stay around to pick it up, too
bad.
Any ride managers out there who wish to comment on this scenario?

Barbara McCrary
Ride manager, Swanton Pacific 75/100

P.S.  The above scenario was always a part of the one-day ride.  With the
75/100 mile ride, all riders are relaxing the next morning after their great
effort; they've showered, are enjoying the awards breakfast, watching the BC
judging which is quite public, and lounging in the sun.  It's so much more
relaxing and fun, even for ride managers.



----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathy" <kc85124@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2002 10:23 PM
Subject: [RC] Staying after rides


> I also would like to know how to get people to stay over after awards.  We
> always do and like to socialize afterwards. The main reason though we stay
> over though is that we are too tired to pack up camp.  If I only had a 2
or 3
> hr. haul home my horse would be much better off going home the evening
after a
> ride since he refuses to drink in camp when the ride is over.  Luckily
he'll
> eat wet oats, beet pulp etc. and most of the time does fine.  He has been
> doing this for years so not really a training issue anymore.  I finally
gave
> up worrying about him.  Happy Trails, Kathy
>
>
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=