C'mon guys.....didn't we just learn a lesson
recently about looking at the records and trying to figure out "what really
happened"? Remember the assumptions made about Fred's riders and owners?? How do
you know what is in the minds and hearts of the riders that didn't try one of
the harder 100s after not completing? You can't assume that they or their horses
weren't prepared, although some of them may not have been. And, when someone
says "My horse is not ready (or whatever) for a 100, but one day I'd like
to do Tevis." to me that means they know they've got lots of work to do to
get ready. No different than stating "My horse isn't ready for a 50, but
someday I'd like to do one of the Wild West 50s".
I know many riders that haven't
tried Tevis for years, after trying once and having to pull
because their horse hit the "rock with their name on it"......nothing to do with
being prepared or not. These riders continue to condition their horses and do
50s to stay ready for next time. "Life" (health, finances,
work, marriages,divorces, abcesses, other lameness and horse health issues) may
get in the way, but the mountain keeps calling, not because of status or
the buckle, but because of the challenge it represents in life. Tevis
is there waiting for you to come try again. You know if you're willing to
do what's necessary, and, with lots of luck and the grace of God,
you can do it.....just ask Julie.
I may never try any other 100, or, maybe I will as
family obligations, time, & money allow (sending Tara to Poland shortly
$$$). But for now, all the conditioning we do is for Tevis, even
if it may take a few years to be able to enter again, or a few attempts to
complete it, because you just can't prepare for "the rock with your horses name
on it" or an accident on the trail.
Kathy,
who had the most wonderful 63 mile (incomplete
Tevis) ride of her life in 2005 and hopes to be able to enter Tevis again this
year, along with Tara, whose horse did hit the "rock with her name on it" in
2005.
The numbers
show that those that take that approach:
a) have a small chance of
"getting the Big Buckle," b) don't try any more after
that.
Dabney
wrote: > Neither. They enter these rides for Status. I've
noticed over the > years mentions in RC posts like: "My horse is not
ready (or whatever) > for a 100, but one day I'd like to do
Tevis." > > 100 milers (like Angie) have responded, "why not take
your horse for > his first 100 on an easier ride, and then try
Tevis?" > > I'm betting that for many riders, that advice fell on
deaf ears. I > guess the mentality is "I may only be able to do it
once, so why waste > time on one that won't even give me the "Big
Buckle?" > The numbers show that those that take that
approach:
a) have a small chance of "getting the Big Buckle," b) don't
try any more after that.
I have to agree with Angie on this. There are an
awful lot of things that one has to do to prepare for a 100. A shake now
ride before the big one is a good way to maximize your probability of
"getting the Big Buckle."
I think the concept of an easy 100 is
absolutely wrong. There is no such thing as an easy 100, there are easier
100 but there is no easy 100.
