Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Title: Re: [RC]   Back on Topic (was Show Ring ...)

Ahh, the team concept, as explained in the August issue of Endurance News is very interesting.  However, the negative to this new concept is all the other rides that have been going on for years and years, and happen to fall on the same date, week before and week after are certainly in for a severe drop in entries.  

It is my understanding that the tentative date for the Team competition in the USA is September 29th, 2007.  Up to 5 four member teams from each region will be allowed to compete.  That's 20 horses/riders per region.  There are 9 regions in AERC - so do the math, thats 180 riders that aren't going to their local rides.  As a ride manager, I think this absolutely stinks.  While no ride manager is going to beable to retire on the profits that are made from an endurance ride, it would certainly be nice if losses weren't experienced.

I contacted the chair of the international committee and pointed out this flaw in their plan, and her responce was, that some of the rides had been contacted to suggest that they change their date.  ("some" is the key word here, because the MW ride scheduled for that weekend has not been contacted.)  Over half the country rides seasonally, and as everyone knows, dates are locked in.  The point is,  if you take 20 competitors away from any event, you are probably putting that ride in a financial squeeze.   Ride managers who lose money on a ride are less likely to put the ride on again.  So, are we going to have a national shut down for the weekend before, weekend of and weekend after this team event?  

While I have been a strong supporter of international competition, I'm afraid the international committee and I part ways here.  Why not have this event in December or January when many fewer rides would be effected.

Elinore Tonsor

 
> From: John Teeter <johnt@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 10:53:37 -0600
> To: "Richard M Levine" <richardmlevine@xxxxxxx>,ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [RC]   Back on Topic (was Show Ring ...)

> Re: [RC]   SHOW RING ABUSE DISCUSSION
>
> At 10:36 AM 8/27/2006, Richard M Levine wrote:
> > I have received numerous emails direct responding to my 2 postings on this topic recently on your Ridecamp group list. Some possitive, some negative, but nonetheless important input on both sides of the topic, which is healthy.
>
> while this has been a good discussion, it is a diversion of focus from endurnace. I'm sure there's lots more to be said, but this would be a good time to take it private; let Richard have the last word; and move back on topic - endurance. It's sunday - there's a new champion young-horse in france - there are lots of trails to ride and things OUTSIDE the show circuit to discuss. 
>
> For example; any comments on the new team competition format that was tried out in France? We, in the NW, have under the PNER organization, teams which accumulate points all year. The French experiment was to apply the team concept to a single event - to break the FEI structure of 1 team/country and to allow teams to be any 4 competitors (from anywhere). I'm trying to convince Steph to do a similar thing next year here in Oreana.
>
> any thoughts?
>
> jt.