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RE: [RC] Drafting? - EnduroGal"It seems to me that all the advantages are to being in front: You get to pick the pace that is right for your horse, you can see further down the trail in order to negotiate or avoid objects, if you maintain it to the finish line, you will place ahead of them." Sounds good, but not always true. As a long distance runner and (former) long distance cyclist (as well as an endurance horseback rider), I've experimented many a time and found that in many cases it's easier to sit in back and let your competition panic and do the "pulling." The runner, cyclist, rider or rabbit - whatever - is grimly setting the pace and in most cases is hoping to shake the tail. The tail, on the other hand, could be quite comfortable just sitting behind the rabbit when it may very well be capable of going faster. She's just sitting there, conserving energy and happily obeying the herd instinct, while the rabbit is feeling the pressure of the pull and worrying whether he's going to keep the lead or lose the lead (granted, there are naturally talented folks - and horses - out there who are the exception, but most rabbits do feel the pressure). From a human perspective, I've done foot races against other gals who are about my pace and like to go out faster than they should, and when I do I just let them sit in the front for a while, with me several paces back. About halfway through the course - if I can - I'll do my best to slowly reel 'em in to where I can almost reach out and touch them, and then all I have to worry about is matching their pace. I concentrate on trying to stay relaxed and focused while they're worried about maintaining their placing and pumping along just a bit harder than I am. If I feel I've got it all together and the finish line is in sight, I dig in, give it a kick, and charge on by - while the competition, in the meantime, has run outta gas. (As you can imagine, it's a good idea to lose that annoying tail at the porta john, the aid station, or the vet check.) Alternatively, I've had folks hanging on my heels before, and if it's early in the race, heyyyyyyyy... no problemo! Rather than feeling pressurized, I just slow down until they're frustrated enough to take the lead - so I can get a breather until it's time for a push. If you're not a super athlete, all you've got to rely on is a little strategy - it's all part of the Game. As the saying goes, all's fair in love and war! If the rabbit leaves you in the dust in spite of it all, he deserves the better finish and more power to him, I say! ;-)) I've always thought it would be an interesting experiment for all endurance riders who are mechanically "sound" to be required to run (or jog - but not walk) at least one competitive 10K and one marathon. The perspective would be worth its weight in gold! ;-)) "I just don't see the problem with letting people ride behind me. Why do other people care. " Those same folks generally have a problem with other cars following right on their bumper when there's a passing lane on the left. ;-) Happy Trails! :-) -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of k s swigart Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 10:27 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] Drafting? I must confess I am having a hard time figuring out why I would care if somebody were riding behind me at the same pace as I am (I am assuming we are not talking about tailgating here). It seems to me that all the advantages are to being in front:? You get to pick the pace that is right for your horse, you can see further down the trail in order to negotiate or avoid objects, if you maintain it to the finish line, you will place ahead of them. And if you are riding a horse like my hyper reactive mare Marla, you can put any other horses off their ride by having her spook at every ant hill and make the horse/s behind into basket cases...and their riders as well after they get tense and tired from having their horse jump to the side along with yours.? So then they beg you to let their horse lead. If the rider behind is using your horse to "pull" it along at a pace that is faster than the horse would or should?choose for itself, then all the better, because you can "trick" the competition into over riding their horses. Most times when I ride with people that happen to be on the same stretch of trail as I am at the same time, I have been able to come to an amicable agreement with the other rider as to which horse would do best to lead (usually not Marla, as she makes other horses and riders nervous with all her spooking...me? I mostly got used to it). I just don't see the problem with letting people ride behind me.? Why do other people care.? What is better about riding alone than riding in front? kat Orange County, Calif. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. 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