Re: [RC] [AERC-Members] Miinutes of the AERC BoD Conf Call Meeting Online - Howard Bramhall
I would love to see LD really become a direct part of our sport.
Not for it to be separate at all, but, for it to be the first tier in a
three tier system. And, here's a good one: actually give
endurance mileage credit for the LD miles. I'd even go so far as to say
let's get rid of the LD term altogether. Call it Tier/Level One.
Now I realize this concept will fly over most of the old timers like a lead
balloon (hope it doesn't hit you in the head on the way down; if it does blame
it on Florida). But, if you really stop and think about it all, it might
make a bit of sense. LD riders are a big part of our sport already, the
fastest growing segment, the biggest amount of income (per mile) for our Ride
Managers, the least amount of equine deaths or serious metabolic problems,
etc. Why not make this something we all do? Hey, it's only 3 times
for a brand new horse. Why is this idea so bloody awful? Of course
all of those horses who have already completed 50's or 100's could be
grandfather'd in. I'm not completely crazy (that's debatable).
I would really like to see the lower distance become an integral part of
our sport. Doesn't this follow the concept of LSD training? Wouldn't
it stop those who sometimes rush their horse's into longer distances asking too
much too soon from them? And, to the one lady who mentioned that
successful riders don't ever do LD's I beg to differ. I've been watching
my gal, Val, for quite some time now, and she does start out her younger horses
in LD's. She doesn't ride them in that distance herself, she has someone
who works for her do this (I've applied for that job, btw), but, her horses do
start out on LD's.
The thing is, it should be all about the horse. This tier system idea
is the horse's tier system, not the rider's. I only ask that you think it
over for a minute or two before you jump all over this one. It's quite
doable and would eliminate completely any negative type stigma attached to LD
(Tier One), because all horses would be required to go through this level,
making us all LD Riders.
Subject: Re: [AERC-Members] Miinutes of
the AERC BoD Conf Call Meeting Online
This sentence of Howard's message
jumped out at me and I felt the urge to give my opinion on
LDs.
Personally, I'm grateful for the
opportunity to ride LDs. I started one young horse (age 6, his first
ride) on an LD and he performed successfully. He was in good health
afterwards and I realized he could do a 50. I have a new horse who is
now 7. It has taken me nearly 1-1/2 years to smooth out the kinks, have
him bond with me, and lead him to understand the direction of his
life in the future. I plan to start him on 4 consecutive LDs in
December. If he handles these well, then I will try an easy 50
miler in spring. The first horse I mentioned is coming back from an
injury and his first ride will also be the 4 consecutive LDs. I am
grateful for the opportunity to compete without undue stress to each
horse.
I'm not sure why people feel they
are being treated as "second-class" citizens. No one has the
right to make you feel inferior without your permission. If you
feel inferior, or second-class, it's because you are allowing that to
happen. Why not be able to finish an LD and feel like you have just
conquered the world? And placement should not be an issue. When my
6 year old finished, I felt wonderful about it, and still treasure a green
bungee cord that was his award.
There are some of us out here in
the endurance world that have been at the sport for a long time. For me,
it's been 32 years. I have not ridden every year of that 32 years, but
sometimes things just don't work out the way we want. An LD ride is
just what I need right now. My body is protesting activities that I used
to take for granted. I do not suppose I will ever ride 100 miles
again; I just plan to see if I can ride 50s again, after a two-year
hiatus. Then maybe some multi-day rides. Time will
tell.
My suggestion to riders of LD rides
is just take it easy, don't fret about how someone else perceives LD rides; go
out and do what YOU feel you want or need to do, and ignore public
opinion. I don't buy this "ride managers treat LD riders like
second-class citizens". The one thing I do emphasize is that AERC
defines "endurance" as 50 miles or greater. You can't fight the By-Laws,
and why bother anyway. Just get out there, have fun and stop trying to
use LDs as a race track.
Subject: Re: [AERC-Members] Miinutes of
the AERC BoD Conf Call Meeting Online
The thing is, the LD level will be difficult because quite a few
members have such a negative opinion of this distance. I really don't
understand why they feel this way but, it is obvious that quite a few of
them do, especially on Ridecamp.
