RE: [RC] President's Cup Race (in my opinion) - Steph Teeter
Hi
Kim,
your
question <<I just have one question...Do you think your ride record was
the only reason you were invited to visit? >>
I
think it was mostly a fluke. My ride record is not that great, I hardly have
any wins, and our performance in France was nothing exceptional. But, that was
the first year of the UAE World Ranking system, based on FEI rides, and I was
the top ranked US rider simply because I had done several FEI rides that
year, and the France completion was worth bonus points. I wasn't their first choice. They want
winners. not finishers.
No
excuses - I'm fully aware of the consequences of what I do and say, and the
mixed message my words and actions must give. But I'm a total sucker for fun
and adventure, and at the very
least try not to let it affect my judgement regarding my own
riding philosophy - and my own horses.
Steph
-----Original Message----- From: KimFue@xxxxxxx
[mailto:KimFue@xxxxxxx] Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 11:08
AM To: steph@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] President's
Cup Race (in my opinion)
In a
message dated 2/19/2003 9:36:57 AM Pacific Standard Time,
steph@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
2. as a rider: When I received an invitation to ride in the
World Cup (Dubai) with Khruschev, I didn't hesitate for a second.
Everybody has a price, mine is the thrill of adventure. I ate their
food, I dined and lounged in tents set up in the middle of the desert -
carpets, hubbly bubbly pipes, the feel and smell of mid-Eastern air. I
spent 3 weeks in an exotic foreign country with my husband and one of
my sons. I rode across sand dunes among the camels - this was AWESOME!
I met some very fine people. It was a most incredible adventure, I
don't regret it for a second, and I would do
it again.
Steph, I appreciate
your candidness also. You and I are different. I could not
accept a "gift" from an organization who is promoting something I am opposed
to. I would not want to "appear" like I condone the style of endurance
they are promoting by my participation. I know you don't condone their style
of riding Steph because I read what you write in EN and on Ridecamp....to
those that don't know your views as well you do give the appearance of
acceptance which is what the UAE needs from from the world community. A
symbiotic relationship is the basis foundation of many successful business
dealings as well as biological organisms...both parties get something.
If you don't think you compromise anything by accepting "the
perks"....what can I say? I just have one question...Do you think your
ride record was the only reason you were invited to visit?
