Limited Distance Program

[DreamWeaver <karen@chaton.gardnerville.nv.us>]

>I am troubled with the decision to give regional and national awards to =
>the Limited Distance division.  If someone wants to be a career LD rider =
>then that is fine but AERC, IMO, is making a mistake with these =
>additional awards regardless of who is paying for these awards.  AERC =
>stands for the American Endurance Ride Conference so if  LD is to =
>achieve national award status perhaps the definition of an endurance =
>ride needs to be redefined.  In watching the evolution of the LD program =
>I hope that in 10 years we are not giving regional and national awards =
>for 15 to 20 mile rides.  I am sorry if I have offended any LD riders =
>out there.  

Marci: 

Very well said, and whether you know it or not, a lot of riders agree with
you.  I do, completely.  I was a little shocked to learn of the huge number
of awards that will be given to the LD riders, both regional and national.  

I'll bet most people don't realize this, but starting with this ride
season, LD riders will receive awards for top ten in each region, while
*hundred* mile horses receive no recognition whatsoever regionally.  I know
I may sound like a whiner, ;^0 but I sure can't see the fairness in
somebody getting an award for doing less than the equivalent of what it
takes to condition a horse to complete *one* hundred miler.  

If I am misinformed with how the awards program is, somebody please let me
know.

How much income does the AERC derive from the LD program, and how much does
it receive from rides with a distance of 50 miles or greater?  Maybe some
articles in EN showing us the facts would prove beneficial?  I know I would
like to be more informed.  

Happy Trails,

Karen
in Gardnerville
AERC #14149
& horses
...who have done probably 15 LD rides (and about 3300 miles)