Ridecamp: [RC] [Guest] Finish Line Question for LD Riders

Stagg_Newman@xxxxxxxxxxxx - Stagg_Newman@xxxxxxxxxxxx

Was on the board when we developed the current criteria for LD.  The board
strongly
felt that LD was not to be a race to the finish and so was to be different
from
a 50 or 100.  We wanted LD rides to be training rides for new riders and new
horses
as well as rides for people who did not have the time or inclination to go
further.
We wanted an extra margin of safety since LD rides would have more
inexperienced
horses and riders.

And at the time marathon horse races were being popularized (and having
problems).
We distinctly did NOT want 25 rides to be like the marathon horse races.
While we
understood there would be racing, we wanted to insure the racing was done
with some
control and hence the different criteria.

My impression is that the program has worked quite well and the original
reasons for the decision are still valid.

On the other hand a good debate with input from the members is healthy.
I would recommend that those advocating a change clearly articulate the
philosophy behind the change and also what effect the change would have
on the original philosophy that motivated the rule and why that should be
changed.

Note that however rules are set as long as we have time constraints,
there will be non-completions for OT, some by a couple of minutes.
That may be a non-completion is the formal AERC records.  It can of course
still be a meaningful achievement for the horse and rider that day.

BTW re the ride below, I believe for a 30 mile ride, according to my
calcutions one should have had 7 hours and 12 minutes not 6:30 so
Barb and Dot would have had plenty of time if the correct time were
allowed.

Stagg

From: "McGann, Barb" <BarbMcGann@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [RC]   Finish Line question for LD Riders


Yes, it does happen.  Have seen it happen many times and this last year it
happened to me.  Here's the scenario:  Soldier Mtn in Idaho.  LD is a 30
consisting of one 15 mile loop that you do twice (over a HUGE mountain each
time).  Dot Wiggins, super experienced rider on a young horse, myself,
extremely experienced, but packing broken ribs so we're doing the 30.  The
first time over, we're trying to pace ourselves conservatively...takes 3
hours for the loop.  Now a 30 minute hold.  So that's 3:30 out of 6:30 gone
(since its a 30 miler).  We know we have to pick up the pace some to make
it
over the mountain the second time in 3:00 flat.  And we do, except that we
have a couple of problems (like falling off).  Now we're 3 miles from camp
with less than 15 minutes!  Here's the choice (both of us have horses that
recover nicely): (1) Cruise on into camp at a medium trot and end up over
time, so it won't matter whether we recover or not.  Or, (2) we can run
like
hell the last 3 miles, and have 4 to 5 minutes for the pulse to come down.
Guess which one we chose??Stagg Newman
Senior Practice Expert
America's Telecom Practice
McKinsey and Company
1-828-232-1314

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