Ridecamp: [RC] LD MY final ideas or cut- delete

Way back in the beginning of LD ride they were setup the same as the
normal rides/races  with a finish line placement. In spite of some
opinions , I think I have this correct, they were races same as a 50.
While some MAY have thought they were only a training ride' The actual
rules and implementation of  them  supported races.

Just a flat out race. When riders and the BOD saw the error they tried
 fix the main issue  of racing. The finish pulse down to 60 sort of stopped or
limited the racing   -for a short time.
Remember at that time early  - what 90s - the flat UAE MARATHONS were in the
fore front. FLAT out full bore runs. They UAE stopped them for the most
part. BUT horses were being sold for being FAST at 25 miles and
staying sound. Same  as some great race horses.

AERC made the change to the pulse down finish but the level of competition
was still considered a race by those who did. Horses got in better
condition for the task - running fast for short distances - stayed
sound and look ok at the end race after race.
 The 60 pulse down placing has not
really slowed down the racers- only caused us to make stronger horses
and crew faster.
NOT ALL but many still use them for a race with no intention to move
up It is their chosen level of competition..

Hot dogs who knew nothing,  ALL the bad boys and girls- came out to be
an 'endurance rider'. After a few years the better riders in LD and
higher mileage riders and vets began to put down the hot dogs.
I saw it early on when I moved to the SE.
LD riding/racing was going on big time here. The bad
dogs were driven out. They left. Sure we still have a few - but they
DO learn and appear to learn faster, or go away.

The concept is what ever you want it to be.

I like it just as it is. I want no changes to age or format or ride rules.

What is a training ride to me may be race to you. I used the LDs to do
my flat land running -interval runs. Since I live in the mountains, I
do not have 10 to 20 miles of SAFE fast trails to let him RUN fast, to
build his depth and increase his endurance. SO we really ran a few
with the front runners - its called racing when you come in with the
front runners??
I used fast LDs to TRAIN my horse for the faster 50 milers I had
planned - so for me it WAS a training ride. But some would write it
off as a nut case LD racer. Ten miles around a lake in less then 40 minutes was
a real rush. hehe
   Now seriously -
What I would propose is we do the following
1. Drop ALL national level LD award programs  Placing ,BC, high mile
etc.
2. Keep Lifetime mileage in the LD miles program
3. Award REGIONAL placing and Regional BC and high mileages for those Region that want to
support the concept. As we do in the SE.

4. DO NOT force all regions to comply with the LD program. Let the
riders decide in each region how they want LD to be implemented and rewarded.

5. List the LD ride in EN JUST as is now done. Placing for the
regions offer placing and ride list for others. Just report it as it
is being done by region. Keep regional statics only (placing BC mileage
etc.

6. NO AGE CHANGE LD or ENDURANCE

Ok maybe not all -  but thats about all I could work out today on  the
hour ride with Omni.
We are coming back!

Now how to make things happen. WELL easier said then done.
The board is not inclined to look into much of the LD changes  but it has
come up to consider some issues. I dont see any changes taking place this
year.

How to make it happen. Send emails to the Board at AERC office.
Addressed to the LD committee
Hopefully they will be reviewed and talked about.
The age thing has little chance of going forward, there is just NOT the
evidence to support the need for a change.
But ask for it  - make it a 'for the record issue'.

Posts here are not read by all the BOD members. For a suggestion to be
seriously considered you have to go direct to the board preferable the
LD committee.

You never know when something will get through.
 If something good is derived from this and no bashing, we may get
things rolling with the LD Comm this time
I am sure some of the board will see this - I will post to them later after a
few iterations here

First ride  to be GERA 25 End of Aug.
  Roger Rittenhouse



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