Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

While you're considering this, you might think about the current format of our National Championship ride. ONLY weight division winners are to be recognized, there is no overall  placement. There are 5 winners, 5 second place, 5 third place. (one for each weight division, one for junior).  hmmmm....

 

Steph

 

(sneaking some RC email in the Bab Al Shams lobby (the only wireless internet to be found around...) though I should be compiling notes from the FEI Medication Control forum)

-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Phil Gardner
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 10:47 PM
To: Ride Camp
Subject: [RC] Time to revualiate awarding of Best Condition

From: Joe Long <jlong@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Subject: [RC]   Weight Divisions

 

 

With the AERC Convention coming up, I believe it's time for the AERC to consider making changes to the Weight Divisions.

 

 

Joe, I couldn’t agree with you more.  This brings back memories of the first years of AERC when this was a hotly debated issue.  I fought hard for no weight divisions and lost.  Four weight divisions are way too many, two would be plenty. As a heavy weight rider I have never felt disadvantaged by my weight. 

 

Now I would like to bring up Best Condition.  Originally BC was awarded to the horse in the top ten who was in the most superior condition, in other words; in you had to continue on, which horse you would choose.  Then people who were racing for first place felt that time should be considered and then weight division people felt weight should be considered.  We are now saddled with a BC judging process that lets other consideration than the condition of the horse determines the BC winner.  It is not possible to do a ride where your goal is to finish 10^th and have your horse in the best possible condition and win BC because of the other irrelevant factors the judging.  The Tevis Cup is the only ride I know of that has a meaningful BC judging process.  Along with weight divisions BC judging should be revamped to get back to the original intent of honoring the horse that is actually in the best condition following a ride.

 

Phil Gardner