LD

Diana L. Benson (dbenson@juno.com)
Tue, 28 Jan 1997 01:37:59 PST

When I start a new horse, I do a lot of limited distance on them; up to a
year's worth depending on their age and level of conditioning when
starting. My plan goes basically like this: First, start doing LD
slowly, just to finish. Then begin to add speed. When the horse is
finishing up front (and WINNING sometimes) the LD ride, he's ready to
have more DISTANCE added and I go to 50 milers. Call me a criminal - I
have enjoyed winning LD rides. And usually, when I have won time wise,
I have won best condition wise.

I haven't encountered the apparent snobbishness that's out there for
people who do LD - maybe because I'm working into 50's and hopefully
further. BUT my girlfriend is one of those people who DID encounter it
and she is also one of those people who, for several personal reasons
not to be named here, COULD NOT compete in longer races. Even though
riding LD, she still enjoyed "competition." LD is still against the
clock - even if you only award BC. Whether or not the ride manager
wants to acknowledge the placing accomplishments of individuals or not -
it is still usually important to the riders.

One other thing along this line - Ride managers have a tough job out
there and deserve recognition and thanks for their efforts. However,
sometimes they forget that they are performing a service for paying customers and the feelings of those customers are important, too.

Diana

"the truth is still the truth whether you believe it or not"