 |
Re: [RC] WEC Observations - heidi1. Do you really expect this discussion list to be silent on all that we have observed at the WEC? Do you realize for the past week ridecamp, endurance.net, and the UAE endurance website have inandated the endurance community with videos, interviews, pictures, play by play reporting. There was a live broadcast of the race. Of course we weren't there but we were sure encouraged to feel like we were part of the experience. There were even press releases from USA-E. Now, because there is some discussion on some of the negative aspects of the race that were reported we are not supposed to comment and discuss them. When UAE news reports that the gold medal is stripped from the winner we are supposed to stay silent until the issue is resolved??? That is like asking that there be no discussion on the men's gold medal gymnastic nightmare at last summer's olympics until it was resolved months later. Kim, I agree that we can't expect the list to stay silent. But what is sad (and I suspect Nancy is feeling this, by the tenor of her post) is the negativism, and the using the problems as an anti-FEI platform, instead of simply trying to understand what went wrong and to try to be constructive for the future. This isn't true of all of the posters--but several have used the problems to continue to promote an anti-FEI agenda that they have promoted repeatedly in the past. (And no, Truman, my saying that does not make me "pro" FEI--I'm simply calling a spade a spade here, and registering my "disgust"--if I may borrow Truman's pet word--at the tone of many of the postings. Nancy is right--whether we are "for or against" FEI--or whether like me we simply find it to be an interesting offshoot that doesn't really affect our own endurance pursuits very much--these are our friends and colleagues back there, some with success stories, some with heartaches. Sure wouldn't know it from listening to some of the bashing and gnashing going on...) I think you are expecting too much....It was the sheik himself in interviews that claimed this was his horse's first 100 mile ride. How would I have known? He was quoted in two different articles. I shouldn't question how he qualified when I am sure that US riders needed a 100 mile COC to qualify. If exceptions can be made for one country why not for our riders??? It would sure save US riders a lot of money if we didn't have to qualify with a COC. Again, Kim, the USA holds its riders to a higher qualification standard than the FEI does itself. You need to understand that aspect of the process--the "blame" for our riders "needing" to have what we require is the choice of our own federation, not the FEI. And personally, I think that the higher qualification makes a statement about who we are and how we care about our horses. I wouldn't change that, personally. 2. As far as the high pull rate, there have been several discussions in the past about high pull rates at the Tevis and the NC. Such a high attrition rate is worthy of discussion. I think that focusing on the high pull rate at the Tevis may have lead to the addition of entry qualifications and an added vet/pr check but of course I could be wrong. An added vet check might just make the pull rate higher. I don't see what the problem is with the high pull rate--it simply means that horses were not allowed to continue that should not continue. And that is good. Some were indeed pulled by the vets--but I'd wager that in most cases the riders knew the score. And our own Carol Giles is a perfect case representing that even at the FEI level, when a horse just "ain't doin' right" what's the point? That's the time to quit, and Carol did. Nor was she the only one who withdrew from the competition in such a manner. It seems to me that by bashing the completion rate, we are bashing the very things that are put in place to KEEP the WEC from hurting horses... JMHO. I have to say that it is interesting that you never mention the speed as a possible factor in the high pull rate although everything from travel stress to stricter vetting was mentioned. Speed is not usually a factor in the high pull rate at Tevis, either. While I agree that speed is a factor, it is just one factor of many. I am sorry I have to disagree with you but a high pull rate like the WEC had is not acceptable or OK. Would it be better if the pull rate had been lowered by letting compromised horses continue? I think not.... While I don't "like" the high pull rate in an intellectual sense, I am also glad to see that the vetting is that strict when there is that much on the line. Every ride can have excuses on why the pull rate was so high....the reason for the high pull rate at the WEC is not a better reason then the ones given for the tevis or the NC. No ride's reasons are "better" than those for any other ride--they are simply the reasons. 3. Can you tell how much real support FEI riding has in the general membership of AERC? Again, an honest question. If there was a lot of support (meaning large numbers) for this style of riding your working base to put on FEI rides and a WEC would be much higher. I do agree that AERC has been poor in supporting International riding. And too much of it is a knee-jerk reaction to anything that is even remotely different than how "we" do things. Sad. Can you honestly say the AERC I has done a good job to build it's base and get new riders interested in FEI? To that, yes. Seems like there are new faces on the FEI front all the time. How about fundraising specifically for AERC international and stop expecting support from the general membership. Um, I believe that what you are suggesting IS how it is already done. One reason for HAVING AERC-I is to separate the international funding process from the AERC. The general membership never has and likely never will "support" the FEI riders financially. And that is just fine. I'm just sorry to see the riders who have been our friends and colleagues for years suddenly being lumped as "them" because they happen to have a good horse and a dream, and decide to add International to what they do. You can't expect most AERC riders to support a venue that they feel is not putting the horse first. The international venue today does not seem it puts the horse first. It may not be fact but it sure is the impression. Maybe that's because so many people get up in arms when the horses that are compromised are PULLED, which in reality is "putting the horse first" but in the context of Ridecamp seems to be a bashing point for FEI, never mind that the same sorts of stats happen on AERC rides here at home. If pulling them here is "caring for the horses" then pulling them there is the same thing. I know there are several of you that have dedicated yourselves to international riding. It is your passion just like trail preservation may be the passion of another AERC member and sponsoring juniors the passion of another and the Tevis Cup another. I keep hearing there is room for all in the big tent BUT a small minority keeps speaking up that it isn't getting its support from the majority. It seems to me the smaller group should concentrate more on building it's numbers before it demands more elbow room under the tent. I really don't understand if FEI riding has big support numbers why you just don't break off and reorganize with USA-E. Those members who want could have dual membership in AERC. This was the sort of argument that went around when international endurance first started to become popular. My response then (and my response still) is that if we drive international riders from the AERC fold, then we as AERC have NO avenue for comment on or improvement of the FEI rides. I'd far rather keep a hand-holding association so that we CAN have positive input into the international scene--and despite its imperfections, FEI has come a LONG way in its rendition of endurance, thanks primarily to the proactive involvement of AERC and the Aussies. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|