Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I think what sometimes happen is, originally, when set up, the finish line 
is in a safe area.  What happens at these crowded rides is folks start 
parking everywhere, and, eventually, start migrating towards the finish line 
area.  Parking their rigs, setting up a farrier's location, that sort of 
thing.  By the time the ride manager finds our about it, it's too late.  
People are dug in and getting them to move ain't easy.

I've seen this at quite a few rides that have so many people, loose dogs, 
and small kids running around I'm quite amazed that we don't lose more 
spectators than we do horses at these events per year.  We need to have more 
respect for the sport, the riders and their horses.  We are endangering the 
horses and riders by allowing this to happen (along with the loose dogs, 
kids, and adults on foot).

cya,
Howard


> From: Joe Long <jlong@xxxxxxxx>
> Reply-To: jlong@xxxxxxxx
> To: "Carol" <cstiles@xxxxxxxxxx>
> CC: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [RC]   Racing
> Date: Wed, 07 Apr 2004 21:40:22 -0600
>
> On Wed, 7 Apr 2004 19:36:57 -0700, "Carol" <cstiles@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >Give me a break, haven't you ever seen a reining horse
> >or a roping horse stop at a sliding stop? Or better yet,
> >ask Alice how fast her 1000lb horse can stop when he
> >spooks. The problem is when the rider can't "control" their horse.
> >Carol
>
> Even roping and spooking horses don't stop instantaneously.
>
> Yes, some riders run in out of control, but the most concientious
> rider on the best-trained horse still can't always avoid people who
> are in the way at the finish.
>
> The poblem is with poorly designed finish lines and people standing
> where they put themselves at risk to horses racing in.  If someone is
> injured due to a finish line being in or too close to camp, or lacking
> both a safe runup to the finish line AND a safe runout (shutdown) area
> past the finish line, IMO the ride manager is negligent and primarily
> responsible for the injury.
>
> In addition to the risk of injury, riders deserve a fair and safe
> opportunity to race in.  No one who has put in the time, preparation,
> travel and expense to compete in a ride should lose his chance at
> placing because he has to pull up prematurely (due to poor finish line
> design or people standing where they put themselves at risk).
>
> I once finished third in a ride I should have been first, because the
> trail to the finish was barely wide enough for two horses to go
> side-by-side, and I couldn't pass the husband and wife who were riding
> next to each other ahead of me.
>
> The Ride Manager's Handbook used to say that the finish should have
> enough room for THREE horses to run full-speed side by side, with
> enough safe area to slow down and stop gradually after crossing the
> finish line.  I don't have a copy handy so I can't say it is still
> worded that way.
>
> --
>
> Joe Long
> jlong@xxxxxxxx
> http://www.rnbw.com
>
> ============================================================
> We are talking about all the tools we can use to keep our horses safe and
> alive at the rides. Training/conditioning is one of the best tools
> available. It makes us better horseman and women, it benefits our horses
> and could quite possibly be the key to preventing most crashes.
> ~ Lisa Salas - The Odd Farm
>
> ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/
>
> ============================================================

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Just because someone tells you that your horse isn't "fit" for
endurance...doesn't mean it isn't, it just means your horse isn't fit to be
"their" endurance horse! Go for it, you never know what you'll accomplish
with that "saddle horse" or "trail horse" of YOURS!
~ Darlene Anderson - DPD Endurance

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