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[RC] Pacing at LD's - Bruce Weary DCTo add to Rae's story, there have been many here on RC who assert that racing isn't really an issue in LD due to the finishing criteria for completion and placing, and that it rarely, if ever, occurs. My experience has taught me otherwise, and it was confirmed at the wonderful Warner Springs Ride this past weekend. (Kudos to Terry and Dave-- We had a blast!) The very experienced ride vet, Dr. Fred Beasom, as he did his pre-ride talk, told the 160-plus riders in attendance of a recent ride he vetted where four LD riders decided to race in to the finish together. Not only did they not place well, according to Fred, none of the horses even received a completion, as they all took an hour and a half or more to recover. Since there were 80 or so LD riders in attendance, Fred apparently felt it was a frequent enough occurence that it was worth telling the story as instructional cautionary advice to those in attendance.I agree with Fred, that just because we may not be witnessing this kind of thing on the little stretch of trail we happen to be riding, we shouldn't assume that it's not happening somewhere else to some degree. Because, at times, it is. Bruce Weary =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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