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Re: [RC] re: LD - SusanThis is pretty much the same as any event. Example: Track and Field. The shorter the length the faster the speed. The difference is that it's people competing. Horses will go much faster than they should on just adreneline, they will continue running even with major injuries. I do LD's and the people I ride with and know that ride up in the front pack's horses are not 4 year olds. They are very well conditioned and seasoned (mentally) horses that just have not taken the next step to 50's. I've been on at least two 50's where I was riding slow (finish times of 8 1/2 - 9 1/2 hours) and in the first loop was nearly mowed over by the front running 25's. At one of them a rider literally galloped through the middle of the group of 5 riders I was with. While I know that that's a minority group, it's hard to get that image out of my head. The problem I have with rewarding fast times for LD is that an unfit horse can race that distance (especially on a flat course) and survive, they can't make it through the longer distances at that speed. Unfortunately you cannot legislate stupidity, there will always be problem riders. And it will be very difficult to take away awards categories that are already in place. How about if we add another pulse criteria? Since the longer distances have an hour between finish and completion check, have the 25's reach a pulse of 60 at or before 30 minutes and 44 at or before 1 hour. SusanB =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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 Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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