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Heidi,
That was just one instance. If we are going to have rules and expect the 
riders to willingly follow them, the riders have a right to know what to 
expect before they get to the ride. If a rider feels like the rules are 
being changed to work against them after they've travelled a long way to get 
somewhere, they're not going to have a very co-operative attitude. One thing 
our horse welfare discussion has emphasized is the need for vets & riders to 
work together and trust each other.
I may be nit-picky, but the items we are talking about are still in 
different sections. (At least I consider 6.2.1.1 to be a separate paragraph 
from 6.2.1) It's not that the first paragraph DOESN'T apply to the ones 
following, it's just stated emphatically enough in 6.2.1.1 that riders may 
present at any time within the hour. It would lead many people to believe 
they always have that time. In fact, when the rule book was last re-worded 
it sounded as if there was only 30 minutes to present post-ride. There was a 
clarifying statement that came out of the veterinary committee that the 
standard rule still meant 60 minutes post ride. That's not the real point. 
Deviation from 60 minutes for completion is far from the norm. What if a vet 
decided to put pulse criteria at 48? Within 20 minutes? Technically they 
have the right to do so. How many riders would consider this fair? It would 
keep horses safer, right? How low is too low, how much recovery time is too 
short? I would want this info before getting to the ride.
It's human nature to get upset by abrupt changes in routine, even if it 
might prove to be for the best in the long run. The attitude that we "do it 
because we can" doesn't cut it.
If a vet feels strongly enough that it should be 30 minutes, what's the 
problem with letting the RM know that when they are hired, so the info can 
be passed on to the riders?

Nancy Mitts

> From: "Heidi Smith" <heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Nancy, it sounds like the rider you describe was not treated fairly,
> certainly--but that's a whole different kettle of fish than a criterion
> announced to all riders beforehand and applied equally to all riders.
>
> With regard to your quote:  "The finish rule states
> that the horse HAS 60 min. and it's another section of the rules that says
> there may be more stingent criteria."  I beg to differ that it is another
> section of the rules.  Here is rule 6.2, which mandates post-ride checks.
> It is followed immediately by rule 6.2.1, which states that "Any ride my
> adopt more stringent criteria."  This is immediately followed by 6.2.1.1
> which states that the exam must be within one hour of finishing, and is
> therefore pretty clear that the things that follow 6.2.1 are the very 
> things
> which can be made "more stringent."  This is exactly the order and context
> in which they appear in the rules:
>
>
> 6.2 Each AERC sanctioned ride must have a post-finish-line vet examination,
> which the equine must pass for a successful completion, the criteria to be
> announced prior to the ride.
>
> 6.2.1  The minimum criteria for the post-finish-line vet check are as
> follows. Any ride may adopt more stringent criteria, but these must be
> provided to competitors before the ride in written form. The
> post-finish-line vet check is where the final criteria for completion must
> be met; an equine has not completed the ride until he has passed this 
> check.
> The post-finish-line vet check also serves as a safety check to monitor for
> late-developing problems (so that they can be treated if necessary) as well
> as extending veterinary control over the last leg of the ride. Because an
> equine at the finish line is not, in actuality, going on - and not going
> into the wilderness far from veterinary aid - the standards for completion
> need not be as strict as those on the trail, but they must meet the minimum
> standards below. See the Veterinarian's Handbook for more information.
>
> 6.2.1.1  All Equines must stand a mandatory post ride evaluation within one
> hour of finishing. Riders may present their equines for the final
> examination at a time of their chooing during the one-hour period.
>
>
> Heidi

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