[RC] awards and distance ridden - Mary Ann Spencer
I really like something more tangible than T
shirts. In the 80s, we got T shirts and I still have a few around with
holes in them. The plan was always to 'elevate' to the next distance, ie
30-50 after 'surviving' the shorter distance. The plan was also to use the
LD as behavior training as well as conditioning. Now all these yrs later,
the plan is about the same. I like a few T shirts but the XXLs are more
like night shirts and hence not an award that can't be shown to others.
Therefore that $100 T shirt is not an efficient item dollar wise. However,
I DO like to see others who are wearing their T shirts, that actually
fit, as I can go say "HI I see you are an endurance rider" which I have
done on more than one occasion.
I did some 'shows' and have some ribbons but the
BEST award I have is the BUCKLE as I can wear it when ever I have the occasion
to wear my dress up jeans. I did not get the buckle from endurance but
from a show series but it proves to me each time I wear it I did the
training and I did the showing and that I 'CAN' when I have the time.
I also have a few SIMPLE but very nice PLAQUES that don't fade with
washings and are nice to remind me of what I have accomplished.
Many folks have to work shift work and then try
trading someone for a weekend off? Yeah, right!!! Being able to 'go
the distance' and keep family intact and still have the money to repair the tow
vehicle and pay the bills is probably the biggest challenge.
Due to the time it takes to do the conditioning,
and the energy, the average person starts out behind the curve ball. Many
have some sort of 'support'. Many of us don't. Each person
needs to evaluate the why, etc of persuing this sport. Like anyother
equestrian sport, you and the horse have the ability or don't.
The PLUS for endurance is that you can do your own
training without fancy trainers. In the 'show' world, you better be REALLY
talented with a good trainer and a really well trained horse to go
anywhere. Endurance you get to ride longer. Many who show don't
want to stay that long in the saddle. If you want the shows with the
high dollar return, there is still a price for that. They may win $30,000
but the horse cost more than that as well as all the other incidentals.
Endurance started out like a 'grassroots' type of
competition and I hate to see it get so fancy that ordinary folks can't
ride.
