I agree with M Tomlinson and some of the other posts I've read lately
reagarding the 25 miles Limited Distance -
I have only done a few 25 milers, and usually always tailend, on purpose,
then moved to the 50's, now working to the 75's because my personal goals are
toward the longer - but the 25 miles were great training for rookie endurance
horse/rider when I started -
I'm a conservative rider - and for different reasons ended up on a 25 this
season that I hadn't planned to ride - I STILL USED IT TO TRAIN. I noticed
though it seemed many were wanting to RACE on the 25, and I see it on the
other rides with the starting pack, and style of ride - speed. What I have
noticed this season is the 50's have started to look even more like what the
25's look like, with horses hauling out from the first to the finish - a
race. I still consider 50's to train, even the 75's I'm moving to - we're
training, not racing yet. I just try and stay out of everybody else's ride,
and ride my own the best my horse & I can.
I think it's interesting that the 25 mile LD don't count for mileage -
Personally it wouldn't bother me if only the 100 mi distance were counted as
mileage -- what a concept? perhaps it would alter the way our lesser miles
(25, 50, 75) are ridden overall? I don't watch points/miles/etc. I'm
focused on my individual ride - but I know different things motivate
different folks and I can appreciate that.
I have a fast horse, and I respect speed, and it has it's place in endurance
riding, however I like all the incentives for consecutive no-pulls, best
condition and anything that focuses not on 'speed' only as 1st in, etc. but
that rewards for the overall accomplishment as horse/rider team, if you
happen to be first in too, then it was your day...
I agree with awarding not the placings in the 25 - but the CONDITION of the
horse, and more than one is great! Encourage as many riders as possible to
be focused on the horse and their ride, not the others speed.
Perhaps the comments on the 25 LD that have been posted can be forwarded to
competitions committee AERC? Just a thought...
Wendy Rude
Washington state