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A few thoughts:

Ask the people who are currently doing 100's 'why' they are doing them.
(rather than asking those who aren't, 'why not?') My guess is that FEI
championship rides are a big reason - to qualify for North American, Pan
American and World Championships. Rides which also offer FEI often have a
larger attendance.

(One significant exception to this is the Tevis, which is unique among the
'regular' 100 mile rides - the buckle, the challenge, the name, the
history - it is recognized world-wide and revered. )

I think our current AERC National Championship is too diluted with weight
division categories to have any real or lasting (memorable)  meaning as a
championship ride. Plus many of the 'top riders' are choosing rides which
are co-sanctioned FEI so that they can also qualify for the Int'l level
championships. Maybe AERC should consider a multi-day format for a
championship? a 3-day challenge? w/o weight divisions.

As far as nurturing 100's and encouraging new 100 mile riders... maybe, just
maybe, a little creativity is in order. Tom Dean (new NW director) recently
posted an idea to the AERC list which was shot down really fast, but I think
it's worth taking a little closer look at, at least having a civil
discussion over.

AERC currently allows sanctioning of 'elevator rides' - sign up for the 50
(e.g.) and if you're still up for it at 50 miles, move up to the 100 (e.g.)
for miles/completion only. One hardly ever sees these rides though, I'm not
sure why, but it might be because you lose all your points if you move up to
100.

Tom suggested that we might consider a 100/50 'de-elevator' ride. Sign up
for the 100 (e.g.) and if you finish, great, full points. However if at 50
miles (e.g.) you or your horse have had enough, you have the option (once)
of stopping and keeping miles/completion only for a 50 mile ride. Honestly I
think this idea is worth considering. It doesn't take any of the glory and
satisfaction out of finishing a 100 (no more than if other riders were DQ'd
at 50), it gives a little safety net for those that would like to try a 100,
but are nervous for whatever reason. And I personally HATE TO PULL, I just
hate it and feel crappy for weeks. If I were entered in a 100, and halfway
through felt that my horse was not up to the game that day (travelled
poorly, dehydrated, tack problems, rubbing boots, bad shoe job, etc etc) and
I had the option of stopping at 50, save the big effort for another day, but
not have to be DQ'd, I would love it! Maybe I'm weak and lacking in higher
human qualities, but I really really hate a PULL.

So for civil discussion - pros/cons of Elevator rides? pros/cons of
De-Elevator rides?

Steph



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