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Re: [RC] United We Stand.. apology - heidiI have not lost sight of the fact that endurance is a RACE.. period. BUT, each person sets their own goals when they begin the ride, some want to RACE, others to FINISH. Yep. The only thing different about FEI is that those who do want to race (pretty much all of which have done their homework) all show up in one big place to do it. One of the main complaints about the old AERC points championship (by its very vocal detractors, many of whom also seem to be on the bandwagon bashing FEI) was that there was no "head-to-head" competition. Well, FEI is "head-to-head" competition. If I know that my horse is prepared to ride hard and fast the entire ride, then that is how I will ride him. That's pretty much what the FEI folks do. BUT I refuse to ride my horse past what I know he can handle.. no ribbon or award is worth him getting hurt. Which is why FEI (like AERC, or perhaps even moreso) has strict veterinary criteria (in case the rider gets race brain and does something he might regret), and why you see people like Carol Giles pulling using the FEI equivalent of our "rider option" when she just thinks her horse is not having the best day and that enough is enough already. "Them" are "us," folks. "They" are the folks like us from all around the world who want to go ride their horses. The Aussies have a reputation as long as ours and at least as caring as ours, and many other participating countries are trying to ride to the same sorts of standards and ideals. In many countries, they do not have an equivalent to AERC from which to learn and through which to compete before they go. A lot has been said about the UAE and the other Arab countries--they are the new kids on the block, they have a lot of money, and they want to play the game. And they are getting pretty good at it. Additionally, this year they happened to be the host country. But there were 40+ countries represented, and most of the folks there have the same cares and concerns and the same love of their horses that we do. FEI is not the UAE and the UAE is not the FEI. I will ask this.. are you unhappy with the selection process because you didn't get picked to respresent us? I don't think I'm the one to whom you were directing this, but no, I'm not unhappy with the selection process because I didn't get picked--I'm unhappy with it because I think it could be a lot better. And I think that what we do with the horses before we go could be a lot better. I hope that my comments are taken in that vein, not as a slam against the great folks who went and who did their best. I personally know, admire, and respect several of the folks who went, both as riders and as support crew. I personally have no particular interest in riding overseas, nor do I have the athletic ability to be a likely contender. But I've rubbed elbows with the FEI enough to at least feel like I have some idea about what is happening--I've been a team vet for 2 continental championships and a WEC, I've chaired the OC for a Pan-Am, and I've crewed at the WEC in Dubai. There are many on this list with far more experience and knowledge about FEI competition than I have, but I share what little I've done just to verify that I've rubbed elbows enough to have a first-hand view. FEI endurance is quite recognizable as a part of "our" sport, and it is sad that so many feel so driven to be negative about it. It isn't everyone's cup of tea--that's for sure! But it exists, it is going to continue to exist, and IMO it is far more constructive to try to make it better than to try to draw some sort of self-righteous "us" vs. "them" distinction. Again, "them" IS "us" to a degree--at least "us" is a significant part of "them." There are a lot of things in this life that I don't particularly want to do. Besides not particularly wanting to ride in a WEC, I don't aspire to drive Indy cars, or be President, or a great many other things. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate those who do and wish them the best. 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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