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[RC] re: From a Turtle's Perspective - Michelle AquilinoI wasn’t trying to say that I felt any less of my accomplishment, just that it would have made the finish a little more exciting for me, and make me smile a little more at the end of that long day.? And like I have said to some people, it’s about expectations.? I had already run “through” the finish line, and seen what everyone else had gotten, so I had that image already in my head.? That may be the main reason it was a letdown at the finish.? Anyway, everyone has different things that make them smile at rides, and different preferences for different things, etc.? I had a great ride, am really proud of my horse, proud of myself for taking things slow, and exceptionally happy with how good and still energetic my horse looked after the ride. ? I have volunteered at rides many times, including (as I mentioned) standing alone in the pouring rain and cold as a checkpoint person.? I know how it is to volunteer and to be waiting for that last person.? But I agree with Buddy in general.? The final vet check was in camp (and usually is), there were chairs, a canopy for shade, etc.? What is there to require them to leave the station completely unmanned?? If those people hadn’t have been putting away the scale, I would have been walking over to the dinner place, wandering around aimlessly yelling “I need a vet!” all over, lol.? Is that really necessary? ? As for dinner and awards.? Dinner is just as much MY right as it is everyone else’s.? It was scheduled for 7pm.? If anyone wanted to leave before then, then they would have known in advance that they would be missing dinner.? I’m sure they could have gotten their awards earlier as well if they had requested them.? There was also an earlier LD awards meeting at 4pm for them if they wanted.? I suppose my point here is that everyone knew that dinner and awards were scheduled for 7pm.? If you didn’t want to wait, then don’t wait, but why should everyone be complaining to start things earlier than originally planned?? Like I believe I mentioned, if I had come in at 7pm, I knew that I would be late/miss things, but I was kinda hoping to come in before 6:30 (as I did), because I “knew” that would give me enough time to get everything together before dinner and awards at 7pm.? Maybe I “planned” my last loop with that time in mind, rather than the actual 7pm deadline?? If there’s a schedule, why not stick to it?? I don’t think there were very many people who left after the awards/dinner, it seems more a matter of just being in a rush to get through things or something… ? I also understand Crysta’s perspective, but personally I just find it sad that people should even make us feel guilty for coming in “late”.? When I have finished early on other horses or ridden in LDs, I expected the dinner/awards to be when they were said to be, or I just got my completion award and got on the road before it all even started.? I find it sad that there are people who want everything to start while someone is still out on the trail.? If you’re in such a rush, then just get out on the road whenever you’re ready…? And if the awards presentation is so “unimportant”, then why do you need to delay your departure from camp for it?? Dinner and awards are not required for anyone, but it should be an option for everyone, I guess is how I feel. ? I didn’t want to “complain” about all of the volunteers.? I know that they are necessary for our sport, I always try to thank them for volunteering as often as I can, and try to always have a smile on my face for them =)? I just wanted to tell my story and my perspective so that maybe they can see things from my/our perspective as well.? I’ve found from posting it that some people do, and some people never will, and that’s ok.? It’s just like anything in life, you never know where anyone is coming from, what they’re going through in life, or what’s on their mind, I try to treat people the best I can, just in case any of those are on the negative side. ? The ride IS the prize, I had a great time, I am not “mad”, was just disappointed HOW different the experience was as a turtle rider.? If I am to become a habitual turtle rider, can I pay a smaller ride fee, because I will consistently be missing dinner?? I suppose it is my “option” to ride a more conservative ride, and thus my “option” to be missing dinner, but if I want to take care of my horse in that way, it doesn’t really seem like an “option” to ride faster in order to make dinner.? I’m having trouble wording this, lol, does that make sense?? It was just such an immensely different experience for me than all my other rides, it was weird, and yes, a little disappointing. ? I am going to add to that, something that might not come across right.? Yes, the ride is the prize, but if we just want to go out and ride 50 miles and nothing else, why do we need to spend $100s to travel to ride events?? Is it not the whole experience of the ride?? The start, the holds, the vet checks, the finish, the camaraderie, and if you are staying the night, the awards and celebration of everyone’s completions and accomplishments?? Take out the celebration and camaraderie, and you almost might as well do it at home?? You can make your own holds, go through the vetting process, grade the different areas, etc. ? Also, thanks Karen for pointing out the effort it takes to ride a horse more conservatively ;-) -- "Don't breed or buy while shelter animals die"
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