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Re: [RC] Fw: [RideManagers_of_AERC] Race of Champions? - Joe LongOn Sun, 30 Jul 2006 17:44:43 -0400, Truman Prevatt <tprevatt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: I've been around for three different NC formats. The first was a "points race" for the top. This became known as the "great trailer race" because it was more about who could trailer the greatest number of miles than who had the best horse. That was in the days when there were between 80 and 90 100 mile rides a year, vs. the 39 or 40 we have today. This format would be even more an award for the best trailer and rider with the most time to travel today than it was then. I don't remember the name of anyone that won the NC in those days. As someone who was competing aggressively during those days, I can tell you who some of the National Champions were. Becky Hart twice, on Khazen and then on Rio, for example. And Darolyn Butler on Thunder Road. And how can you forget Nina Warren and Amir Nezraff? Also Jerrilynn Gray as National Junior Champion on her Morgan horse Lain (another Hall of Fame horse). I had the honor of sponsoring her. Nearly every year the National Champion was someone who rode aggressively for a full season, winning many rides and proving themselves and their horse. There was only one rider who ever won the NC without winning rides, Trilby Pederson, and she did it by riding a great many miles indeed. Then came the National Championship Series - which was slightly different but a trailer raise non-the same. One regional championship ride each region. The rider with the most points in those rides was the winner. I don't remember if there was an over all winner - but I do remember that there were weight division winners. Yes, there was an Overall winner. Then there is todays format which has a lot going for it IMO. First it travels around - region to region. Second it is not a trailer race. Before that, we tried a three-ride series; that didn't work either. ... The thing to remember about the current NC is - it was based on the desires of the riders. In surveys several years ago the riders wanted a 50 and 100 mile NC awarded in divisions. I don't look at it as 10 AERC NC's. I look at it as the AERC NC in the 50 mile HW division, etc. The survey showed a desire for a 50-mile NC in addition to the 100, I don't recall that there were other options on the survey. But given all the complaining about the - NC assuming it truly represents more than a vocal minority - maybe the AERC should not be in the NC business. The nice thing about a private ride like the ROC is well it is a private ride. If people don't like it they won't go. The AERC is not officially recognizing it as crowning their (and our) NC. If we don't like how it is done - well that's our personal problem not the AERC's collective problem. A competitive sport that has a host of Regional and National awards programs, without a National Champion? What a concept. -- Joe Long jlong@xxxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.chiprider.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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