It has been stated many times that Endurance Riding
will never be an Olympic Sport. The main reasons given are that it is just
too spectator and television unfriendly. Unlike marathons, which can be run in
urban locations in front of thousands of spectators, we traditionally have rides
in remote rural areas. Occasional access to indoor plumbing is about as close to
civilization as we usually get.
When reading about Wendell Robie again, it inspired
me to approach the problem from a different perspective. Besides
originating the Tevis ride, he once set a world mileage record by riding a
series of horses in short loops in an indoor arena. Instead of trying to lure
spectators en-mass to the woods, and convincing broadcasters to set up 40-50
cameras, maybe we should create an event more friendly to their specific
needs?
So here is a concept for you to consider about a
different type of Endurance Ride. Think of it as NASCAR on horseback. We
take a one mile oval horse track, and do loops. 25 times around for LD
riders, 50 times around for a fifty mile ride, and so forth. Obviously
this type of ride would not be for everyone. Those who just want the quiet
and serenity of riding in the remote country would not enjoy this. Those who
want to work on their ride pace and trying to do "negative splits" over a
uniform surface would benefit from this type of event. Those who want to polish
up ride tactics, such as stalking etc, would find this kind of ride
useful.
From an equine safety standpoint, this event should
be far better than any other kind of ride. Every horse would be in view of the
spectators, vets and crews 100% of the time. Horses that began to show a minor
injury would not be ridden the extra miles back to camp as on a regular ride. No
rocks. No holes, tree roots, concrete, asphalt, or automobiles. No single track
trails to get caught behind slower horses.
From the people standpoint, there would be no
hunting for a place to pee in the woods, as you would pass a porta potty once a
mile. Crew would be there to assist every mile as needed.
Would it be boring to ride? Would anybody
come watch? (a few folks do turn up weekly to watch a bunch of good old
boys drive cars round and round an oval track for 500 miles) Who knows
until we try it?
So what are your thoughts about this?
It is not totally idle speculation. There is
actually a track in Oklahoma available to do this. They are not only willing,
but eager for us to come. The question is will any riders come?
