The greatest race I've ever seen was the 100 at the old Longleaf in
Mississippi in the mid 90's. The last loop was 16 miles on dirt road.
Three riders left out on the last loop. It was safe to race there and
the ride wasn't big so while everyone not out on the trail was the
finish to watch there was no problem.
The three horses represented the last two ROC winners and a hrose that
would go on to be two time World Champion. They did that 16 miles (and
it was 16 miles) in 40 minutes - that equates to a 24 mph average - and
when they came into view there were three across the road headed for
home. There was no more than a neck between the three. So while you
would like to think it could be sorted out before the finish - it
always can't. It also took them about another 1/4 mile to bring them
down.
There are a lot of rides where this type of finish would not be
possible, and hopefully riders will recogonize the difference. Boy was
that one heck of a race between three great horses and riders.
Truman
Nancy Mitts wrote:
That's pretty much
how it is here in Missouri as well. You don't even use the word "race"
as that is "incompatible with land use management plans" in most areas.
Many otherwise great rides would not be held if riders insist on their
"right to run to the finish" no matter what. The overwhelming majority
of riders would rather settle things during the first 49 miles than not
have the ride at all.
There are many types of timed event (which make them as much of a race
as endurance) that have other qualifying parameters.
Jump-offs are races, but you still need to clear the jumps. Barrel
racer's have to leave the barrels standing. Endurance Racer's can't
just run full out for 50 miles, you can only go as fast as the horse
can sustain. Not being able to sprint for the finish the last mile out
of 50 or 100 does not change the essence of the sport. My suggestion
would be however, for the ride management to declare "no sprinting for
the finish" BY ANYBODY if their area is not reasonably safe. That would
prevent responsible riders from losing out to the idiots.
Nancy Mitts
From: Truman Prevatt
<tprevatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
With the Forest Service at least in the Southern region the Special use
Permit grants the ability to hold an organized event on pulic land. It
does not buy you any authority over the management and use of that land
for the period covered.
