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The full results are coming. It proved impossible for John and I to  
run the event and cover it at the same time. It was a massive amount  
of work. I wanted to provide a true 'championship' trail and I think  
it was that - 100 miles of 'no repeat' trail, from 2400 to 6500 ft  
elevation. The near record high temps made the afternoon an even  
greater challenge.  We saw some incredible horsemanship and  
sportsmanship.

I personally feel that the only way our NC will be taken seriously is  
to have an overall 'race' - first across the line is the winner. The  
weight division champs can stay, as divisions, but the excitement is  
with the pace setters. And it really was a race here. John Crandell  
and Cheryl Dell were head to head all day. Their final push into the  
last vetgate cost Cheryl a few minutes as she presented too early  
with a 72 pulse. John and Heraldic got a 4 minute lead on them going  
out on the final 8 mile loop and that was enough to keep the lead  
till the finish.

I don't think it's possible to bring the ROC back, the way it was. In  
the 'good old days' the ROC was the only big show - now the FEI  
championships (WEC, PAC, etc) are drawing many of the top  
competitors, the trial events, the ranking events, etc - horses are  
having to prove themselves again and again for selection, throughout  
the season and up until the selections.  There's not enough horse  
left for another big show.

At our event there were only 70 or so riders on the trail, but there  
were 300+ people here - between riders, crews, clinics, vendors,  
vets, officials, staff, etc. My goal was to provide a good/tough/fair  
competition and a big endurance 'celebration'. I think we did achieve  
that, and in doing so hopefully we sparked a little more enthusiasm  
for the sport.

Steph

On Aug 28, 2007, at 12:08 AM, Steve Shaw wrote:

> Yes, I would like to see the top placings of the ride, not just the  
> divisions. How come not more TOP riders and horses show up??  Not  
> to say that I saw a lot of top people there, but many were missing.
> I still believe that the Race of Champions WAS our National  
> Championships.
> Too bad that AERC can't figure out how to do that .... they might  
> talk or contract with Susan Gibson.
> Steve Shaw
>
>
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