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Re: [RC] LD changes - Barbara McCraryAn excellent post! While I still respect the rule that "an endurance ride is 50 miles or greater", I also see the merits of LD. And who knows, I may become one of the consistent LD riders as I get older. It IS a lot easier on the body :-)) Or maybe I'll do 50s and just ride slower, but I like riding with my husband, and "slower" isn't a part of his vocabulary. He prefers steady and moderate. But HIS horse has a smoother trot than mine. :-(( Barbara ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott Johnson" <scottj@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2004 9:50 PM Subject: [RC] LD changes I don't have any problems with LD's and expansion of these within AERC. Though why would anyone drive for 4 hours, take off time on a Fri. , pay the entry fee and then be done so quickly?Well, since you asked, I'll answer on behalf of myself and Team slow Poke. We do LDs because WE ENJOY IT! Our lifestyles (ie family obligations, full time jobs, etc) don't allow us to train to ride 50s. We enjoy the WHOLE weekend- the drive, setting up Camp Slow Poke, the getting ready, the lovely trails that we actually get to see because we DON'T go fast, being with good friends for the weekend, mingling, talking, hanging at the vet check, and of course, the partnership with our horses.I think that we do need to ENCOURAGE LD's.I think I missed your "encouraging" part.At the same time we can control it. 1) Ride Mangers could charge more for the LDer's, giving them an incentive to do the 50 miler.We already pay (without complaint) almost the same fees as the 50 milers. I don't think raising the entry fees will do anything but make some us mad as hornets. Oh, and by the way, I DON'T WANT AN INCENTIVE TO DO THE 50 MILER, thank you very much. I (and probably more than you realize) am perfectly content doing LDs. Aside from our reasons (see above), other people ride LDs because of physical limitations. I won't go into the rest of the reasons why people do LD, as it comes up every time the "LD discussion" happens here on Ridecamp. Is this all because of the LD BC issue? In my opinion, some people are going to race and/or override their horses no matter what, unfortunately (be it LD or 50 miles), because they are irresponsible. Please don't assume we're all in that group. Dede Johnson Team Slow Poke "Proud to be LD" ============================================================ Of course things aren't perfect, perfect doesn't exist on this earth. Doesn't mean we won't go on trying to get better at what we do. Besides, if everything was perfect today, what would you do tomorrow? Slamming each other doesn't get anything done. ~ Dot Wiggins ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================ ============================================================ Far back, far back in our dark soul the horse prances... The horse, the horse! The symbol of surging potency and power of movement, of action... ~ DH Lawrence ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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