Re: [RC] [Guest] The Jim and Joe Show - Howard Bramhall
Yes, Mr. Weary, I think that's the idea. If we grow tired of it all,
make it personal, make the whole thing ugly, then, what Roger Rittenhouse wrote
is more than likely to come true. Nothing will change; things will remain
as they are and we'll all blame the outcome on that other guy with
their opposing viewpoints.
The BOD does control the outcome of all of this. ONe thing Roger
wrote, where he said some of them think the membership's ideas get in the
way of their decision making process, kind of bugged me. This issue is too
important.
It's time to get off the fence. Because, I do think the Gambler out
in Colorado is quite wrong when he says it's only 3 of us who feel as we
do, stirring up trouble, in an attempt to get others to act on this. It
was obvious, to him, that changes needed to be made twenty years ago.
After all that time, might it not be due again?
I do believe there's more than 3. I've checked Matt's site and the
number is much larger than that. Here it is again in case you missed
it.
Add your name to the list to show Mr. Gambler man that you aren't willing
to continue on with the rules he helped create 20 years ago. I kind of
think that might be the reason why he doesn't want any changes made. He
likes the rules just the way they are because he was part of the gang who set it
all up that way and doesn't want any of it to change. It was just too darn
perfect, even though some of us think we need to do better. Frankly, I'm
tired of seeing too many gamble with the life of their horse in endurance.
Tighter controls will improve the situation for the one who has no voice in all
of this but, to them, it matters most.
If Roger was correct in his post, it will take an incredible effort to get
anything done in this direction. My guess is it will take at least 70
percent of the membership wanting a change, with over half of them making active
efforts for it all to happen. When was the last time something like that
ever happened in AERC? Probably, never.
I kind of knew it would get personal, it always seems to here on
Ridecamp. I'm used to it, been on here too long to think that
would ever change. I make an easy target; too tempting for
most. I do think the smart thing would have been for me to take Joe
and Heidi's views and agree with all of them. Tell ya'll, "Hey,
horses are going to die in our sport; that's just something we gotta live
with. We don't need no stinking rule changes. We got too many as it
is. And, heck, if you want to look at a lot of horse deaths, just visit
the stats on thoroughbred racing. We'll never catch up to those
numbers, no matter how hard we try."
The horse is too important here. Take a good look at our rides and
make a deep, soul searching decision. Base it on your horse and your horse
only. Don't base it on who you'd rather listen to or read on Ridecamp or
even your own personal friendships. It's a decision you should make
with the same partnership you have out there on the trail. Just you and
your horse. What do you think is best here?
Bruce Weary bweary@xxxxxxxxxxxx I am an endurance
rider with about 18 years and close to 6000 miles of experience. I have
been humbled by this wonderful sport more times than I care to admit. It
has brought me some of my most difficult challenges and my most inspiring
accomplishments, as I'm certain it has for many of us. However, as I have
watched the dialog unfold between Jim and Joe, I am concerned and
distressed at the tone that has permeated throughout. Who, besides me
would be embarassed to have another equine group, government agency, trail
association or other interested organization eavesdrop on our infighting?
This is a fantastic sport, faced with some problems that require serious
consideration and serious solutions. Let's remember that cooler heads will
always prevail in matters such as these. Let's also remember that opinions
aren't facts, no matter how loudly they are spoken. A quick review of
statistics reveals Joe's endurance career sporting a 99% completion rate
over some 12,000 miles and during 25 plus years. Jim
is currently at 860 miles with a 70% completion rate over eight years or
so. Now, while not all experienced endurance riders are knowledgeable,
certainly all knowledgeable endurance riders are experienced. In
anticipation of indignance toward the comparison of these statistics, I
will say that they don't show Joe to be the Oracle at Delphi, nor that
Jim's contributions aren't as worthy. However, I'm reminded of a quote
that suits this situation-- "The race is not always to the swift, nor the
battle to the strong....But that's the way to bet."
With the passion and knowledge and concern for the horse that permeates
this sport, I'm quite confident that we will arrive at workable solutions
that will effectively address and help to prevent equine deaths. This
process of birthing ideas for problem solving is always a painful one,
and, as it turns out, necessary. However,Jim, I'll suggest a little less
Semper Fi, and rather ask: "Temper? Why?" Let's go slow and get there
quicker. Bruce
Weary
