Well Jonni, I liked most of what the ride manager
wrote. Wish I could have been there. However, I do believe more than a
few "fake" endurance riders might be offended by the statement,
"So few real endurance riders
showed up for this ride of 50 miles per day..."
I myself, am not sure if I am a fake or real
endurance rider. I started in LD, have done a few 50's and will attempt many
more. I will always do LD's but love the 50's and really hope to do 100's
as well as multi-days.
I am searching for myself, have you seen me
anywhere??
I would love to do a ride on "real" terrain.
I guess Florida is not considered "real" endurance land but we do have
the heat and humidity, along with rain, lightning, sand, bugs and the occasional
wildlife, like rattlesnakes and alligators. But the rest of our regions have
mountains and rivers and diverse weather. Doesn't that count? And we are still
expected to take care of ourselves and our horses out on the trail. I guess it
is a luxury to have a crew and crew area. But I doubt many of us would quit
riding if we didn't have that luxury.
I wouldn't mind if rides were still like they were
"way back when" except we wouldn't want anything else to be that far behind. But
the statement of,
"but we understand that there aren't
very many Old Warriors and horse Trekkers left out there who can ride the
distance, party around the campfire, and ride again the next day."
,
just isn't true. Ask my husband about
his drunk girl story... 'cause I don't remember
{;-O NO! but I did get up
and ride. Yeaah,baby.
And to write,
" As the sport
pursues points, mileage, fame, and growth, and sanctions rides every weekend
during spring and fall and few if any in summer and winter, some
crazy managers might just try to continue providing some real endurance
rides, even if they represent a terrific financial loss each time."
As if to imply no other
RM's can provide a "real" ride without worrying about financial loss. We can
only do the best we can, with what we have to work with. Or, we can not do it at
all. All RM's who make a ton of money off a ride, say
"ME!".
Was that a pin
dropping?
But I have to draw the line at not having enough
room for big rigs. I camped for 8 years in a tent, in a trailer, in the rain, in
the heat, and in pain. Me and my crew, (my family) have earned the right to
sleep in the B.A.T. Clean and nice and comfy. If I ride a horse all day in SE
conditions, (hot and humid) and my crew crews for me all day in the same
conditions, then by golly, we had better have a hot shower and nice beds to
sleep in or we will all kill each other before we get home. John commented
the first time we returned from our maiden voyage with the B.A.T., "Man, you all
look so much more pleasant." Then he took a whiff in the truck and said, " You
smell even better!" He said we were pretty wicked when we returned after a ride
involving tent camping.
I think each and everyone of us strives to be
"real" endurance riders, no matter WHAT anybody else thinks. I am sure all RM's
do their best to put on a "real" endurance ride. I know the satisfaction of
riding your horse down the trail, finishing fit to continue, spending time with
your family and friends and having a great time is real.
The real secret of success is enthusiasm. - Walter
Chrysler
