Ridecamp: [RC] LD rides (the thread that will not die)

A. Perez walkergirl@xxxxxxxxxx
"National Awards for this (LD) are relatively meaningless"

  I can see not considering LDs 'endurance', but I don't see why  they should not recieve recognition for competing at the LD level.  I have never once heard a marathoner say "10 K races should not be timed and 10 K runners should not get awards since 10K is not a marathon".  Nor has any major league ball player suggested that scores not be kept in minor league games because they are not 'real' baseball.  And if they DID stop scoring minor league games, what do you think that would do to the number and quality of players entering the sport?!  What kind of incentive would that be?  Geez, even little league games are scored!  How is that 'diluting' baseball?
  I know nothing about baseball, but even I know the athleticism required to be in the majors is far greater than that needed to be in a single or double A team - but even the farm team players can beat the pants off of me, and I do not begrudge them any recognition for the time and effort they have put into competing at their level!
  Not every one has the time, money, energy or horse to ride 50 or 100 mile rides (I doubt 'apathy' or the fact that awards are available at the LD level has much to do with it).  Why should that preclude them, if they know what they are doing and their horse are fit, from being able to COMPETE at the LD level?  Why can't AERC have a parallel track, and ranking system for LDers?  That way people can compete at the level they have the time and horse to train for.  Snotty comments about carousel horses aside, I know I'd have to train DAMN hard to complete even a 25 mile ride, and if I top-10ed in one I'd be proud of it!
  What can't there be room in this tent for everyone, or is endurance going elitist like so may other equestrian sports?

Let's stop scoring all sports except at the Olympic level of competition!!!  That'll motivate all those candy-assed wanna-bes to work harder to be REAL athletes!

Amanda - who detests all forms of equestrain snobbery




=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-