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Hi Donna,
	As a rider of a non-Arab who has almost 3000 AERC miles, I feel 
qualified to give you my opinion (for what it's worth).  The sport of 
endurance is really two sports in one, both happening concurrently at 
rides.  As a participant, you get to choose which sport you want to 
partipate in: the "race" sport or the "to finish is to win" sport. 
Personally, I choose the "to finish is to win" sport, so I've "won" 
almost every ride I've ever entered.  I would choose that sport even if 
I rode an Arabian because that's how I like to ride.  I go for miles of 
trail in beautiful places, not speed.  Because of how I choose to ride, 
I have no trouble finishing 50 mile rides on my non-Arab.  Of course, I 
do realize that having made the choice I've made, I have eliminated any 
hope of every winning one of those prizes awarded to the racer who 
finishes first, or the one horse out of the top ten finishers who is 
judged in the Best Condition.  And I will say that it sometime rankles 
me that my entry fees never get rewarded with material stuff like prizes 
(except for completion awards).  But then I remind myself that I'm not a 
"stuff" person and I do not need a plaque on the wall to remind myself 
of what a wonderful time I had at a ride.
	As for why Arabians are so popular in the sport, here's my take (please 
note tongue in cheek!): arabians that couldn't make it in the show ring 
were really cheap back when the sport was starting.  The breed was also 
known to have contributed a lot to the Thorobred, known for racing, so 
why not?  Now Baby Boomers are discovering the delights of trail riding 
and doing it on lots of different breeds.  Some are now giving endurance 
a try on the horses they already have.
	What doesn't get talked about too much here (or anywhere else), is how 
to bring a non-arab to ride (note I did not say "race") readiness.
	So, my advice is to believe that any horse of reasonable conformation 
and conditioning can compete in the "to finish is to win" sport of 
endurance, bringing his rider great joy and a huge sense of accomplishment.
	Go out and ride!
Laney

Donna Deyoung wrote:
> <<<, I've had people tell me if I wanted to be serious in this sport I 
> needed to get an Arabian and I just smile and keep on riding my own breed>>>
>  
> Brings up a question I had... I'm not an Arabian owner. I wonder if the 
> AERC time limits are set so as to favor Arabians? It seems that the only 
> option a rider on a slower horse has is to finish the ride as over time 
> and not get a completion - or choose a different sport. Why can't there 
> be a different level of timing so slower horses can still "finish" and 
> do a long distance ride under AERC? NATRC is not really the answer - 
> they have slower times but its a judged ride on horsemanship.
>  
> I'm reminded of a good example -  barrel racing - where no matter how 
> slow or how fast your horse is, everyone competes together. The results 
> are then split into 3 time groups. The rider in the slowest group "wins" 
> that division. Everyone is given fair chance at winning something. Even 
> riders in the slow group.
>  
> I realize you can't wait all day and the next for someone to finish a 
> ride... but if the rides were slowed down even by a half hour or an hour 
> that could make a big difference in other breeds being "successful" and 
> it might draw more people to the sport. Wouldn't it also be kinder to 
> the horses?
>  
> Where is the "distance riding" event (as opposed to a race) supposed to 
> happen? if not within AERC. Then we need another sport.  Where are the 
> fun distance rides that you can finish without having to rush? And how 
> do you define serious?  A serious rider cares about themselves and their 
> horse. Not everyone is suited to be on an Arabian or wants to be.
>  
> Donna
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Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

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