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Re: [RC] Define "An Endurance Rider"? - Joe LongOn Tue, 8 Aug 2006 21:41:11 -0500, "Patricia Israelson" <mspattykirk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: To those of you who are "discussing" whether Limited Distance riders should be considered to be Endurance Riders; I have been reading on Ride Camp the opinions of many of you - both pro and con. I would ask you to check your current August issue of Endurance News. On page 55, EN lists the "National Limited Distance Mileage Championship" In the Junior Division, Jordan Israelson is in second place. She is nine years old and has been doing Endurance Rides for three years now. This is her second year to be nationally ranked in the EN. Also, in June of ' 05, she was on the cover of the magazine. Every time we start out on a ride, the first thing she wants to know is if we are in the top 10. She is planning on doing her first 50 mile ride next month. I have kept her in the Limited Distance rides up until now because, as her sponsor, I want to be sure that she was REALLY ready to move up to 50's. Jordan considers herself to be an Endurance Rider and she rides an Endurance Horse. The welfare of her horse, riding the trails, encouraging other new riders, and making friends are her priorities. Many of the riders and vets here in the Central Division know who this little girl and her one-eyed horse are. She is the future of our sport, as are all the other new riders who are starting out in the Limited Distance category. Which one of you legalists would like to tell her that she's not a "real" Endurance Rider yet? First of all, you have an error. If you've kept her in Limited Distance, she has not been doing Endurance Rides for three years now. If you'd like, I would be happy to explain to her that you become an endurance rider by riding an endurance ride, which must be at least 50 miles in one day. And I will encourage her to do this when she's ready, and congratulate her when she achieves it. It will mean so much more to her if she understands what she's really accomplishing. I don't believe that children are such fragile creatures that you have to hide the truth from them, or tell them what you think they'd like to hear. Real kindness lies in honesty and genuine respect. -- 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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