Re: [RC] who is captain of the ship - Howard Bramhall
The thing is, Frank, we do have a problem. And, since we can't really
control these riders, we can control the sport. This is why I really do
believe it's the only answer. Make some changes to the sport that affects
Yahoos who will run their horse into the ground if we let them. And, trust
me, a Yahoo does not have to be an inexperienced rider or one with low
mileage.
If we're not willing to accept changes, nothing ever will. Make it
all about the horse; let the horse prove themselves in spite of who owns them
and who rides them. Have it restricted, with a tier system and we will
save horse's lives by making the system all about the horse and not about
us. If the members are not willing to make any changes or can't agree on
one of them, well, then, might as well get used to 7 equine deaths per year and
climbing with outsiders thinking endurance is over the edge we've all been
talking about.
My only wish is ya'll keep on open mind about all of this. Try and
decide what types of change you might actually be able to live with
before going over the deep end and saying "I'm going to quit if you pass that
stupid rule." No one wants you to quit. Do you quit being an
American if your neighbors elect someone you don't like? Do you stop
voting because a bill doesn't go the way you wanted? The thing is I really
do think changes are coming. You might want to start deciding which of
them you can live with and quit believing nothing's going to change and today's
endurance will stay exactly like it is till then end of the millennium. I
don't think that's going to happen. And, deep down, I bet you don't
either.
In a message dated 10/30/2003 8:32:22 AM Mountain Standard Time, SandyDSA@xxxxxxx writes:
I am not sure why LD is so denigrated here
and there. IT has not been a stumbling block to our
horses
It ain't the distance, it's the rider.
A rider who has no compassion and no vision
for anything other than a prize, an award, a title, a whatever, will never
truly see their horse or listen to the simple truths about speed,
coupled with terrain and weather, let alone the
variables involved with trailering and stress-free
conditioning.
I've seen riders who fit this description in every
horse sport to which I've been exposed...when I was younger, I
might'a slipped into those shoes a time or two just to find I didn't like
how I kept stumblin' when I wore them.
Thank God my ego was all that paid the price.
I might prefer to start my horses on 50's, and a time
or two, even a 100, but that doesn't mean others HAVE to do that. I
would hope riders out there know what's better for their horse than I
do.
If not, well, then "We have a problem,
Houston...."
