Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Dr. Nik - I really appreciate you posting and letting us see how you view the world from where you are!

 

Endurance in the US is a very small sector of the horse riding population and within our ranks you will find quite a diversity.  You will find some "landed gentry".  There are those that live in very rural areas which are not quite so affluent.  Some of us live in more affluent suburban areas and board their horses at a facility, like I do, and have to deal with more urbane challenges like baby strollers on a single track and mountain bikes screaming down the hills at your horses.

 

Most of us are quite content not to compete internationally because we have such wonderful rides at home.  I think from where you are sitting, you probably don't have the availability of having our local amateur rides to enjoy and learn the ropes of endurance. 

 

I truly appreciate the fact that you are admitting to be an amateur, because, in truth, very few of us Americans are professional endurance riders. 

 

Most of us are just working folks, and that hurts us because a lot of talented riders don't have the necessary time off and funds, the extra help (grooms), and full time veterinarians and farriers at our disposal to help us compete with UAE.   We do our own conditioning, and those that have their horses at home do their own feeding, cleaning, and stable management on top of our daily tasks of earning a wage.

 

Geographically, we have such diverse terrain that sometimes simulating the conditions of the overseas competition is challenging.  Out here in the in the San Francisco Bay Area, our challenge is to find enough flat land to simulate the desert rides!

 

Thanks again for posting.

 

Kathy Mayeda

 

 

 

> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> From: "Nik Isahak Abdullah" <drnikisahak@xxxxxxxxxxx> 
>
> > As the few non American addicted to this website I always enjoy Stephanie's 
> > writings especially the Wrap Up's be it on a small ride in my part of the 
> > world ,Latin America's rides or the endurance world at large ie Europe or 
> > Middle East .She's urbane ,her writings reflect the reality and aspirations 
> > endurance world as she sees it elsewhere.Endurance is many things to many 
> > people .To the petrodollar rich Middle eastern Countries it is a way of 
> > going back to their roots ,also a small way of saying to the rest of the 
> > world 'we have arrived'.To the Latinos ,endurance equestrianism reflect 
> > previous centuries of Spanish conquest ,exploration and plunder ! To you 
> > Americans ,perhaps the Wild Wild west e
> ra and a sport of leisure for the 
> > landed and gentry . I may be wrong . 
> > But your chief de quippe is certainly right ,within the huge borders of 
> > America ,it is not too difficult for you guys to bounce back again in the 
> > fore front of FEI endurance .It is a matter of orientation and focus .I have 
> > no doubtwith you resources and planning you guys will do well in WEC 
> > 2008.When I see how you guys have resolutions and table plans for the next 2 
> > years in your USET and AERC meets ,I got the cold shivers and feel shameful 
> > .We are still mere amateurs in comparision ,always "adhocking" all the way ! 
> > 
> > Yours Sincerely 
> > Dr Nik 
> > 
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