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Boy oh boy, have people got their panties in a wad
over this!

Good grief. I'm patriotic too. My favorite brother was
in Qattar setting up the perimeter security before the
war ever started. My other brother was a tanker pilot
(flying gas station) in the first gulf war. My sister
is a full bird USAF colonel in AF intelligence. I knew
this war was coming long before the masses did. I'm as
patriotic and flag waving as they come.

BUTT, I'm not going to be blinded by that patriotism.
I think it's quite clear that not much really would
have been said had it been Pepsi or Ariat or someone
else sponsoring Tevis to the tune of $35,000.

The ride has not been sold to the highest bidder. YOU
ALL GOT TO DO THE RIDE. It exists. It is there for all
of us. It is an experience like no other in horsedom.
I would have been thrilled to crew or volunteer just
to be part of the event.

I put on a few little local CTRs and have done for for
7 years. Finally quit because it was too much work
marking trail, getting vets, finding volunteers, and
yes, begging for sponsorships. Even in my little
rides, I couldn't have done it without sponors. Yes, I
proudly flew the State Line banner at my rides and any
other banners and posters that sponsors wanted. They
were generous as were local sponsors. Each sponsor did
so hoping to get his or her product out to the riders
hoping that donation would turn into eventual sales.

I've been to my share of rides that don't have
sponsors. Frankly the awards suck without sponsorship.
Yes, we all do these rides for the miles, the
recognition and the glory, but admit it, it is nice to
have SOMETHING to bring home to show your friends that
you did it.

Yes, UAE doesn't have a "product" to sell. Maybe only
a small piece of goodwill in a tumultous world. I
think that alone is worth saying thank you for.

If you look hard enough for sinister ulterior motives,
you'll find them, but I prefer the glass half full
approach.

chris
--- "Chris T. Martin" <nitram@xxxxxx> wrote:

> ED:
>
> Agree to disagree.
>
> I guess you can equate the UAE sponsorship just like
> Pepsi, Easyboot, AT&T, I CAN'T,  I have a hard time
> see two as the same.  What do they have to advertise
> that requires all the banners, bags, hats t-shirts
> etc.....
>
> You gotta be kiddin  "you must then think of the
> buckle given to the sponsor in the same way, a gift,
> from the heart, in sincere appreciation of, and in
> reciprocation of, their gift to all of us."
>
> I can't  speek to others with buckles, but for me
> giving one away to someone who has not done the ride
> would not even cross my mind.  You gotta have one to
> know how you feel about.  I only wear my first
> buckle, which is not necessarly my most memorable,
> the rest are in my sock drawer.
>
> (Yes I know the buckle was not the
> same).............................And yes I know
> that when you look at flag on the right side of your
> car it appears to be blowing backwards.
>
> Do not mess with my flag!!!  It needs to fly the way
> it was intended too.
>
> Chris Martin
>
>
>
>
> From: Ed Kilpatrick <whytrotfarms@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [RC]   tevis sponsorship
>
> i had a few thoughts on this subject to share,
> although it has mostly been covered from both sides.
>      it was my first tevis experience, and i can
> truly say that the recognition of the sponsorship
> did not bother me in the least, nor did it diminish
> the accomplishments that we made as a team, rider,
> horse, and crew.  that accomplishment is ours to
> keep and cherish for as long as we are able.  becky
> has her buckle and i am very proud for her, and i
> doubt seriously that she is concerned that a sponsor
> received a commemorative buckle.   
>      i wondered how the dispensation of buckles is
> handled by some, like those who hire a rider to ride
> their horse, lease horses to riders, those who ride
> their own horse, or in our case, lend a horse to a
> friend in order to help fulfill a dream.   i am sure
> that in all of these scenarios, there are people out
> there who are in possession of tevis belt buckles
> who have never ridden the ride.  there may even be
> someone out there who has a tevis buckle, who has
> never been on a horse. i thought about all the
> people who have 10+ belt buckles.  i know they arent
> wearing all of them.  maybe they are on display in
> their homes or some other place.  but i am sure that
> some tevis buckles have been given as cherished
> gifts to family and friends, by riders who wanted to
> share something special.  a gift, pure and simple,
> given from the heart.  you must then think of the
> buckle given to the sponsor in the same way, a gift,
> from the heart, in sincere appreciation of, and in
> reciprocation of, their
>  gift to all of us.   down here where i live, it is
> considered impolite to refuse a gift, in fact, it
> borders on an insult.  i have no doubts of the
> sincerity of the emmirates international endurance
> village.  endurance is their passion.  many of us
> share that passion.  they are our comrades in a
> sport that we all love and enjoy.  let's not
> diminish ourselves, our horses, or the sport the we
> love by being ungrateful.        ed

=====
"A good horse makes short miles," George Eliot

Chris and Star

BayRab Acres
http://pages.prodigy.net/paus

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