Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Yes, but, one can dream.  Dream of a day when the LD is no longer considered 
"limited."  Dream of a day when all riders are educated to the point that 
the horse will always come first, no matter what the distance.  Dream of a 
day when riders of all distances are treated equally.  Dream of the day when 
knowledge of the past is used to aid us in our future.  Dream of the day 
when we can come up with a solution to all of this.

I do think that the days you're speaking of also had some antiquated rules 
like the 72 bpm for passing the vet check, only one vet check, at the finish 
line, for the 25, instead of two, no knowledge of what a CRI was, walking 
the horse instead of trotting him for the completion, etc.  Incorporate all 
of those and, maybe, dare I say it, even adding another rule or two, and the 
shorter distance can be handled the same way as a 50 or the 100 without 
having the problems you mentioned.  Rider education, clinics at the rides, a 
well established mentor program, which includes providing mentors for those 
who want or need them at the ride, all of this could really make such a 
thing a reality.  And, to change the name of the LD to a 25 mile endurance 
ride.  Eliminate the word "limited" altogether.

It can be done if only we wanted it badly enough.

ONe can only dream.

cya,
Howard (I still believe)


> From: <heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <howard9732@xxxxxxx>
> CC: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [RC]   [RC] RideCamp -LDs.
> Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2004 08:41:03 -0600 (MDT)
>
> > I did not know that, Heidi.  This is why listening to one's elders is so
> >  important.  You might learn something from them.  All this time on
> > Ridecamp  and this is the first time I've ever heard anyone say
> > something like this.   Wow!
>
> I guess repitition pays off--I repeat that information at least once a 
> year.
>
> > So, 25 miles used to be endurance????  Is that what I'm hearing?  Just
> > incredible how some put that distance down, when, in the beginning, it
> > was  considered worthy to be called endurance.
>
> Uh, Howard, no.  Only a few folks "put it down"--and you can find
> naysayers about anything.
>
> > I say, bring it back.  Bring it back.  Make it all inclusive.  Go back
> > to  the beginning.
>
> Again, Howard, it was discontinued in the interests of the welfare of the
> horse.  What happens when there are points attached is that a few who
> choose to abuse the system will hang in to the first vet check, pass that,
> and then race balls to the wall for the last half.  It only takes a few to
> ruin it for everyone.  The numbers of horses lined up on IVs was what
> caused the 25-milers to be shut down as points rides.  I'd think that
> given your interest in horse welfare, you'd be the LAST person to suggest
> that we bring back such a travesty.

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...but then, I do ride my horses a lot more than most people 
~  Karen Chaton

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