"I started this
sport with failing to complete an LD in ’04. I did a full year of
successful
LD rides in 2006 while I learned the ropes. In 2007 to the present I
moved to 50 mile rides and now I like the multi-day rides best of all.
The
jacket I received for 4th place in LDs in 2006 is a
treasure. But I
can assure you that I learned right quick that 50 miles is a whole
different
game from LD distances. And, multi-day rides really up the ante. As an
LDer in 2006 I felt bad that my LD miles didn’t count on Ffarza’s
record. However, once I started 50s and multi-days and realized how
much better
both I and the horse had to be to complete as “fit to continue” I
understood and agree that LD miles are not the same as 50 endurance
miles. In fact a really great LD horse, Ffarza, struggled with 50s even
though
he earned 1,000 endurance miles. I have learned that it takes a better
horse,
better fitting equipment, a better rider, and MUCH better attention to
detail
to get a horse through 50 miles. I haven’t even attempted 100. You can
get by with an OK saddle fit on an LD and a little too much speed.
However that
same saddle fit and speed will result in a horse about ready to crash
at mile
40 when you increase the distance. A horse that is a little too ampy or
a
little too competitive can always make it to the lunch stop on a 50
mile ride.
However, the miles after lunch can become a gut wrenching worry if he
has used
himself too hard. I agree with others that LDs are a great place to
start in
this sport and they give people a safer place to learn the ropes. It
sure
helped me. I agree that LDs are the correct distance for some people
and some
horses and I like the fact that it has its own parallel award system to
encourage people to continue. It recognizes those people and horses
that are
challenged by that distance. But, my LD miles are nothing like my
endurance
miles. I have a new real quiet endurance horse who can jump right into
multi-days. Reyno doesn’t used himself over 50 miles as hard as Ffarza
used himself in 25. But let me tell you, I pay attention to every blink
of the
eyelash during those miles. And, I’m having fun. That really is the
bottom line. People should ride whatever distance they want as long as
they and
their horse are having fun. But the recognition for LDs and endurance
should
remain separate." Carey Brock
