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Jessica:
Right on Girl!!!!
I feel that there is a component of riders that want a developed bridle
trail with perfect footing, no tough hills, water every mile and some one to
lead them but also let them win the ride.
Some years back it was called endurance riding and I remember many rides
that took 6 to 8 hours to finish in the top ten. Now if the riders are out
there more than four hours for top ten (and 6 hours for the last rider) the
ride is to tough. We once put on rides that were ENDURANCE rides. up to 9
hours for a fifty miler winning time. Nothing tough or dangerous just a lot
of trails and cross country. People said they were to tough (never had horse
problems just people problems) so we do not put on rides any more.
We also find that if rides are not accessible at many, many points along the
way for the so called "pit crews" access then the riders do not like it.
Many riders want a "no brainer" when it comes to trail marking, they expect
to be able to follow a cross country trail at a gallop. I thought this was
ENDURANCE RIDING? With all the specialized equipment, special shoes, special
feeds and special training it is no longer the horse and rider team. I also
find that with all this "SPECIALIZATION" there is still only one winner and
still only ten in the "top ten" placings. The "ALSO RANS" of today are the
also rans of yesterday.
Endurance riding of the past was FUN. Endurance riding of today is WORRY!!!
All I see on this forum is what vet score did my horse get? Trauma if it is
not all "A's" Come on people get real you are working with an animal, a
horse, not a fragile butterfly. An animal many times tougher than most of
you.
It is time for the endurance riders to realize that most of the ride
managers do not make a real profit and the rides would be failures if not
for those who volunteer their services. Ask Randy Eiland, Susan Brannon or
the teams putting on the FEI rides what would happen if there were no
volunteers!!!
SO!! Jessica I am glad you said it like you did and support you to the
fullest. You riders who bitch, when are you going to get out there and put
on a ride???
Been there, done that and am sorry to see things going the way they are
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
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