<< Subj: Re: MONEY PRIZES: COSEQUIN CHALLENGE
<<Date: 96-12-03 21:02:00 EST
<<From: kenayala@juno.com
<<To: RUN4BEAR@aol.com
<<Teddy...I'm with you. AERC does not need this responsibility or the
<<expenses necessary to assure compliance with all rules. Nor do we need
<<more rules. Let's be proud of our relative amateur status and speak out
<<in support of those ride managers who put on good rides WITHOUT the
<<sponsorship of big companies. I have always been very selective about
<<the small companies that I ask for donations of prizes to the Biltmore
<<ride, trying each year to have only those companies that offer quality
<<products for rider/horse and who are not in direct competition with each
<<other (in the same year); my first priority has and always will be, vet
<<staff, then stuff for rider safety (lights, marking), THEN prizes.I
<<would not like to feel obligated to seek large dollar sponsorship for my
<<ride. I think most ride managers would simply not manage rides, rather
<<than compete with AERC-sanctioned rides with big prizes/money. This, as
<<so many writers have pointed out, would be counter-productive to the
<<future success of AERC. There may be a place for prize-oriented rides,
<<but NOT as part of the regular AERC sanctioned ride schedule.
<< I guess my ultimate goal as a ride manager would (will?!)
<<be to put on a ride in which ALL riders ride cavalry, with ride
<<management providing the basics of grass/hay and water, and riders taking
<<care of themselves and their horses. I realize that I might not have
<<many "takers" on such a ride--but it would be
<<the ultimate test of the best team. I feel that we are pushing our
<<horses to the limit
<<as it is, in terms of speed, which can certainly be increased with the
<<help of good pit crews ( and I, who usually ride crew-less by choice, can
<<appreciate the offer of an extra hand late in the night!), Still, I
<<believe that simplifying, rather than complicating, our rules and our
<<rides is the road to real success in determining the best endurance
<<horse/rider team.
Ann:
I couldn't agree with you more. I do believe in my heart that the majority
of riders and managers feel very much they way you do. You can't put a price
on love!!!
Teddy