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[RC] Change - Bruce Weary DCHi David--You make many good points regarding progress and change for the better. At first glance, it sounds reasonable that new and creative ideas may be a good thing when it comes to the development and growth of AERC, and in many cases, it is. But there is another side of the coin to consider, that being if we aren't aware of our history, we will be doomed to repeat it. Some things don't change, and in this case, an important example is the horse's tolerance to exercise. Though any horse can improve it's own fitness with an intelligent conditioning program, horses are still being built pretty much the same as they were back in the days when they showed us it can be dangerous and deadly to race with a beginner on his back for 25 miles. The carnage that occurred back then when LD's didn't have the controls they do now is, at least in part, responsible for why some RM's exercise their option not to offer a BC in their LD rides. It isn't to exclude riders from a good educational experience, or to deprive them of placings or privileges enjoyed by those at the longer distances. It is because to be considered for BC, there is a finish time or "speed" component involved, wherein the rider must go fast enough to be considered for BC. And while certainly not all riders in an LD are beginners, with an LD being the entry level type of ride, the potential numbers of beginners is greater than the higher distances.Yes, there are controls in place, such as finish line recovery criteria that tends to slow people down ( That's a good thing, and another distinction where it differs from being an endurance ride). And, many proponents will say that because we have those controls in place, overriding occurs rarely or not at all in LD's. That is not true, and is like saying because we have speed limits and highway patrolmen on our highways that nobody speeds and slams into a light pole every now and then, and that everyone behind the wheel is a safe and experienced driver. The truth is, that while most riders are caring and compassionate, the effect of a competitive atmosphere on some people's minds can vary. Some can handle it, ride intelligently and work their horse within his limits to the finish line. A few get that glassy eyed look as they run their horse too fast to keep up with the leaders, desperately not wanting to let them out of their sight, while the horse may or may not be able to handle it, and could get into trouble before the vet can recognize what is happening at the next vet check and put a stop to it. Horses can run on heart and instinct, and it takes time and experience to know what your horse can handle and what he can't. An LD is a good place to learn that. A racing atmosphere can distract an inexperienced rider's attention from monitoring the workload of his horse, and instead focus him on his placing and where the next horse ahead is. This has happened hundreds of times in our sport, and is part of what has led to how things work now. So, it's not just us "old timers" doing things the same old boring way, with a need for change driven by the tastes of a few who would rather race at 25 miles than step up to the challenge and responsibility of a 50 miler. It is because there are new people coming into the sport every day, and there should be a rite of passage that assures safety for the horse and adequate indoctrination for the rider so he/she can truly understand what a horse is and is not capable of, without the potential enticement to race too early. I have no objection to offering BC for LD rides, as long as the speeds ridden are commensurate with the rider's experience and the horse's conditioning. But, that is a difficult thing to police, and, since this is an amateur, every-man-for-himself kind of sport, the urge can sometimes be too great to get to that finish line first, whether the rider knows what they're doing or not. Endurance riders are a funny lot. I know riders with over 25,000 miles who are humble, and say they still have a lot to learn. Then there are those who have done a few LD's, or one or two 50's, that already feel they know what sweeping changes should be made in our ride structure and awards system, and that those changes would, by definition, be "improvements." Let's go slow and get there quicker. Bruce Weary =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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