Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Sorry you were flattened, Cate, but as a RM I have to ask: why was the 
finish line set up so close to camp?  "Semi-congested area" is not 
suitable for a finish line on a RACE.  And racing for 3,4,5,6--perhaps 
they were being competitive about weight divisions, still "valid" 
reasons to be coming fast.  Heck, it's fun to come across the finish 
line at a gallop, my mare particularly enjoys that, even if it's for 
20th place-not a race, obviously, but still part of the fun.

Another criteria for a finish line is having a relatively safe 
(uncongested) place for helpers and onlookers to BE as 800-1000 lb 
beasts are racing towards you.

Was it a lack of volunteers that necessitated the timers being also the 
finish line people?  I use different folks for the finish line than for 
other timing at basecamp

No, people, sadly, don't always know where the finish line is, even 
though RMs urge that it be pre-ridden to prevent mixups.  At one of my 
rides, the riders didn't do that and the first two finishers ended up 
reversed when they corrected their error.  How hard is it to pre-ride 
the finish, if you are a RACER?  I emphasize that in my ride meetings.  
Maybe it should be in my welcome flyer, LOL.

Sure, riders should have their horse under control.  As to finding you 
later, would she have recognized you from that momentary encounter (and 
in a ridecamp of perhaps 100-200 people--just guessing).

People need to have learned from that horrendous accident in the NW a 
few years ago--the finish line must be AWAY from camp, too bad for the 
spectators and crews having to haul a little bit, but it ain't worth 
risking everyone's safety over it.

Lynne
Two posts to Ridecamp in 2 days, uh, oh.  Rather talk about this than 
LD BC (a continual hot button)



On Apr 5, 2004, at 6:53 AM, Ridecamp Guest wrote:

> Please Reply to: Cate Peloquin cpenguin57@xxxxxxx or 
> ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> ==========================================
>
> Dear Riders, please be careful when racing in.  Our team of volunteer 
> timers was standing in the same location where they had been standing 
> all day trying to assist you in and out of the holds as quickly as 
> possible.  A group of 4 riders not racing for first (3,4,5,6, I 
> think)came racing in out of control right into a semi congested area 
> of timers and other volunteers.  One of the riders flattened me.  I 
> was not hurt only the wind knocked out of me.  You all knew we were 
> there, I saw the look in your eyes when you knew your horse was out of 
> control and you couldn't avoid me.  With 4 horse racing in such tight 
> quarters there was simply no place for me to go and I trusted you to 
> have enough to control to steer your horse.  I will not make the same 
> mistake again.  You apoligized for knocking me down but never returned 
> to make sure I was doing ok after the incident.  I guess standing for 
> BC and your friends was pretty important.  I would have felt 
> differently.  I am not a new volunteer and I recognize the risk of 
> being around horses.  I'm just glad it was me that got hit not the 
> older woman who was with me.
>
> I know they don't call them races for nothing but I think having your 
> horse in control at all times is in the rule book somewhere. Maybe, I 
> was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but you all knew what 
> you where racing into as well.
>
> Other than that, cudos to the management of this ride.  Things went 
> well.  I'll be back to volunteer in the fall for the 50/100.  Cate 
> Peloquin

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Doesn't mean we won't go on trying to get better at what we do. Besides, if
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