Ridecamp: Re: [RC] LD

Let's think about that for a second. I don't consider LD riders to be
"second class citizens", but it is kinda like being on the "Junior
Varsity" squad.<grin>

I fully support the LD program in Endurance, although I agree with Roger
that  National Awards for this are relatively meaningless...at least to
me...IMHO, just too much inconsistency between regions.  (The riders
that have won them probably disagree) <grin>


IMHO, the LD program serves several very useful purposes.

- It gets new riders into Endurance. 

- It allows people to "be" Endurance Riders without a big learning
curve. (In their eyes anyway, which is OK) 

- It allows old timers like me to look forward to doing 25's when I
can't do the longer distances anymore.

- It contributes significantly to the coffers of the Ride Managers and
keeps the cost of rides down.

- Some riders like to start new horses at this distance. (I don't, but
that's a personal preference)

- It's an ego trip for some people...to race their horses cross country
and "win" at LD.  Because of this group, I strongly support raising the
LD age to 5. I suppose we could instead change the rules to say that you
can ride LD's at age 4, but can't win any awards...all you get is
completion, but IMHO, that would needlessly complicate the issue. As to
raising the age for Endurance to 6, I think that should also be
considered.  The Old Dominion has been won by a 5 year old. PERSONALLY,
I would never ask any 5 year old of mine to compete at that level...but
that's just me...I care too much about the welfare of my horse to even
try something like that...especially at a ride like OD. IMHO, you're
courting disaster.

It's interesting when you talk to other riders about "Endurance". A lot
of folks don't quite get it. When I mentioned it to my new neighbor
several years ago, she said "Oh, I used to do that". Further discussion
disclosed that she had done two LD rides. I have people who ride only
Competititive Trail or "Wagon Trains" tell me that they are "Endurance
Riders".  

Just from observation over the years, it seems that lots of people don't
move up to 50's not because their horse can't do that distance, but
because they can't.  (Or aren't willing to do the homework) The jump
between LD to 50 is as significant to them as the jump from 50's to
100's. It's "easier" to just do 25's, the awards are there, so why do
it?  It's the apathy thing....the path of least resistance....if there
is no motivation to do so, then they won't. It's sorta like fad
diets...everyone KNOWS they don't work...but because of the promise of
losing weight without having work at it, exercise, or change your
lifestyle, then take the easiest path. In reality, I think that we are
not helping our sport grow by giving awards to LD...it may actually
deter people from moving up.  However, if that's what the membership
wants, I have no problem with that. JMO...no offense intended. However,
I have also noticed that if you can ever get them to TRY a 50, and they
are successful, usually they don't ever want to go back! :)

Ain't that right, Penny? <grin>

Jim (Still Trying to Get Sunny to 100's), Sunny (My 75 didn't count?),
and Magic (What's an Endurance Ride?)



Renee Gonzalez wrote:
> 
> Lets just face it. The reason we feel like second class citizens when doing
> an LD is because we *ARE* second class citizens!
> 
> (calm down--*that was a joke*)
> 
> I've done far more LD's than I have 50's and have never once felt as though
> I was being treated like a second class citizen. I do feel like its a
> common courtesy to let a 50 vet ahead of me if I'm just waiting for a
> completion check and they still have another loop to do.
> 
> Renee
> 
> <<At 07:05 PM 06/24/2002 +0000, you wrote:
> >Courtney Giardina courtney_mae1@xxxxxxxxxxx
> >hello all
> >
> >I really understand where you feel that LD riders have become second class
> >citezens. I have done about
> >
> >9 LD rides because of my older mare's lameness. Now that I have a new
> >horse, I can't wait to finally get to
> >
> >50's where others (vets and ride managers) will finally acknowledge me and
> >my horse how they should have before.
> >
> >I am not saying that all vets and ride managers are like that, but I have
> >only done one 50 and it was a very different
> >
> >ride.  No matter what distance you do,  riders and horses should be
> >treated the same on any distance ride.
> >
> >Happy Trails
> >Courtney
> >
> >
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-- 
Richard T. "Jim" Holland
Three Creeks Farm
175 Hells Hollow Drive
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
(706) 258-2830
FAX (706) 632-1271

The Fall Pig is September 21st, 2002


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