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Re: [RC] [RC] De-Elevate - Joe LongOn Thu, 12 Jan 2006 13:00:49 EST, KimFue@xxxxxxx wrote: Although I don't agree with those that would like to see a de elevator ride, I have to say that this has been one of the most civil controversial discussions on ridecamp. I have learned a lot from reading the comments on the pro side of the discussion. But one of the flaws I see in the de elvator concept is that if a horse is pulled after a certain point because of a lameness or a metabolic problem the rider is still rewarded with some type of completion. The rider either made a judgement error in how he/she rode the race or he/she ran into a bit of bad luck. A de elevator actually takes away the safety net for the horse because the rider has the added confidence that he will get credit just in case he makes a judgement error in his horse's ability. ... I think the de-elevator concept for 100-mile rides deserves a try, but with some safeguards that would not allow the situations you are concerned about. The way I would see it work, you could only "de-elevate" at a point that was a finish for a shorter ride, such as 50 miles, and then for miles only (no points). If you chose to de-elevate at that point, you would have to present your horse for a standard completion exam where he would have to be fit to continue for you to get the mileage credit. If you decided to go on and not de-elevate, you would not be able to "change your mind" later in the day -- if you got sick or your horse got lame at 75 miles, for example, it would just be a normal pull. If a ride had a 50, 75, and 100, you would have the option to "de-elevate" at either 50 or 75 miles, with the same restrictions -- miles only, and the horse would have to pass the "fit to continue" post-ride vet exam. Personally, I believe it will result in fewer people actually finishing the 100, because of the temptation to stop at 50 or 75. But at least they would have paid the full 100-mile entry fee (no refunds for de-elevating) and supported the ride in that fashion. Oh, yes, I would count all riders who start the 100 as starters (for purposes of calculating points of the finishers), even those who de-elevate. That's no different from someone who starts and pulls, IMO. -- Joe Long jlong@xxxxxxxx http://www.rnbw.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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