My experience has been - with older horses, green horses etc., that more
and more LD riders are not necessarily beginners, but either returning to the
sport - or ANY sport - after a lifetime of raising kids or working 60
hours a week. They don't all need TLC - some need a heck of a lot more
than that :) but most do not. In addition, in the past 13 years, I have found it
usual to be set aside in favor of the longer distance riders, and indeed have
been TOLD that this is because they are going twice the distance and therefore
are most important. Generally this is true - not always - but certainly
indicates a higher level of importance put on the horses going the longer
distances. In the main, over the years, outside of the group who seem to be
kamikazi riders no matter the distance, more and more LDers are most competent
(whether they choose to be dolts or not is another matter) and don't take more
time from the vet staff. One rider years ago actually sent the vets home at 5 to
save $$. hmmm. This was second hand - but indeed, there was not a vet on the
place for dinner...
