Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> > Of course these people ride slower!  And the people
> > who ARE racing the LD are not being pushed by a field of "racing"
> > competitors, so they don't have to ride as fast as they are
> > capable of in order to beat them--they only have to ride
> > faster than the few other "racers".
>
> So what you're saying is that they're riding their horses within their
> capabilities, and are thus going slower. I agree, but that's contrary to the
> racing LD'er myth.

Not exactly.  We haven't been discussing whether the horses are being 
ridden within their capabilites or not--the only data we have is ride 
times.  What I am 'speculating' is that the level of competition is 
less "fierce".  Because a greater percentage of the entrants are in 
the "young horse, old horse, rehabbing horse, family riding together 
yada yada" category, the "field" is riding slower, so the "winners" 
can ride slower.  There is no point in coming in an hour ahead of the 
next horse, even if your horse is perfectly capable of it.


> > That may be why some of
> > them decline to move up to the longer distance.
>
> I know that's a factor for some people, but I only know a few of these. Most
> people I know who can run up front on 25's get bored with it, and want to
> take on greater challenges.

I think that's largely true.  I can see, however, how some people 
might enjoy the prestige and prizes of winning at one distance, and 
recognize they won't be likely to do so at a longer distance--and 
therefore find it hard to give up the easier win.

terre


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