This is such a fascinating discussion for me - I
agree with Sue Hahn (?) in MN - my life just doesn't let me ride my horses on a
weekly basis. Riding a 5 year old twice a month does not condition for
50s, although my 15 year old gelding could probably handle it. It's all
priorities, I know, but being there for my family and keeping my solid gold
credit rating by working (more than) full time trumps the horse time. I
have a weight problem - I'm fat!, and walking myself (and my dogs, who stay home
from rides) does more for my fitness than riding that same amount of time.
Until my son is anxious to ride a long way (right now we're still doing leadline
stuff with his pony in the pen at home) I'll be doing 25s.
I think part of the perception problem is that it
is an either/or case. Either you do 25s or you do 100s every time out -
anything less is just a training ride. How about convincing people to
attempt ONE 100 mile ride every year. If half of the 50 mile riders
attempted one a year, it would increase the participation and increase the
bragging rights in the AERC greatly! Also, I LOVE the idea of more
75s.
