This is how I feel about the ages of
competition: Ride 5 year-olds in LD, at least for the first 2-3
experiences. Start 5-1/2 to 6 year-olds in 50 milers, at
moderate pace. Six year-olds can do 50s at a stronger pace, and only when
a horse has reached 7 should he compete in distances over 50 miles. I base
this opinion on having brought along numerous horses from the age of 4.
Basically, I believe the permitted age levels are one year too early, and a 5
year-old should never do anything over 50 miles. As for LD BC, we never
gave it for the simple reason that judging BC depends on the top 10, and that
means speed. I know there are riders out there who won't agree with
me, but I'm merely stating how I feel about the issue.
Barbara McCrary Ride manager, Swanton
Pacific 75/100 "The most beautiful trail in the world"
In a
message dated 5/29/2003 2:03:18 PM Mountain Daylight Time, Merryben@xxxxxxx writes:
LD is and will remain a race. You can't put the Genie back
in the bottle
...then, let's keep the
four year-olds at home. Make the minimum age 60 months and let the
horses deal with the trials on the trails, not the hubris in the
saddle. ---Frank
