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Re: [RC] It's not the distance... - Joe LongOn Fri, 17 Oct 2003 20:25:34 -0600, "E.L. Ashbach" <samaia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Optimal works if you know what optimal is, which obviously you do. ;-) Here we have the crux of the problem ... you seem to feel that you know what is optimum for someone else's horse better than they. Yep, CTR does, and we do ourselves honor as endurance riders to provide safety measures for those beginners who don't know what optimal is, and for any equine lucky enough to be brought to this life by someone who loves them. IMO we do not need Yet Another Rule that takes responsibility away from the rider and tells them how they must pace their horse. No, we do not do ourselves honor by doing so ... we change our sport in a fundamental way, away from endurance and toward CTR. Now, CTR is a fine sport for those who like it, but so is endurance, thank you. BTW, Kahlil and I began our careers with one 25-mile ride before going on to our first 50. I have never done more than two 25's on any horse I've started in endurance before moving to 50's. The speed I ride them depends on the horse, usually mid-pack although in one case in last place, and in another first-to-finish. I do not want you or anyone else to tell me how fast to bring them along. My own feeling is that as long as you prepare properly and pace the 25's properly, one or two is enough before moving to the 50's. The real key is properly pacing the 50's, and again that pace depends on many factors and cannot be set by a rule. I do agree that many if not most *beginning* riders would benefit, and their horses would benefit, if they spent some time doing 25's and learning the ropes before attempting 50's. But that is (and should be) an individual decision. -- Joe Long jlong@xxxxxxxx http://www.rnbw.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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