Fw: Introductory rides, response, long, sorry!

["Virginia Ware" <vware@micron.net>]

Sorry, I sent this to Terre, but forgot to cc Ridecamp!

>
>>One of the major differences between endurance and the other equestrian
>>sports is that we do not have an unsanctioned "schooling" format.  In
other
>>disciplines, riders can participate in unsanctioned, inexpensive "back
>>yard" type competitions until they feel ready to move up to the sanctioned
>>events.  This "level" of competition does not exist in our sport--riders
>>are involved with the National organization from the very beginning.  The
>>alternative to paying full fees (and non-member fees) is
non-participation.
>> There is no introductory level.
>>
>>Terre
>>
>    Terre, in response,  here in Southern Idaho, we have historically
>offered an unsanctioned "schooling" format in the form of 10-15 mile
>pleasure rides, run concurrently with our sanctioned distances.  These
>"schooling" rides are advertised as fun, safe trail rides over a measured,
>marked course with veterinary control, and the opportunity to view
>first-hand actual endurance riders at the longer distances.  Participants
>are required to sign in, pay a nominal fee(in the neighborhood of ten
>dollars), and present their equine to the vet for a cursory exam.  They
>could start their ride within a given time window and take whatever time
>necessary to complete.  After completion, they again presented their horse
>to the vet and were then recognized at the regular awards ceremony with a
>simple reading of names of those who rode the pleasure ride, a token
>certificate or small award, with no placings of any kind.
>    And who participated?  Moms and pops, with saddebag lunches and
helmeted
>kids on ponies, sometimes a herd of kids/ponies.  Young couples with their
>first horses,  middle-aged folks anxious for a change from arena riding,
>seasoned riders wanting some exposure for greenbroke colts.  "Real"
>endurance riders dragging along an endurance wannabe or spouse.
>    What did they get?  Exactly what was advertised.  The total endurance
>experience without the intimidating factor of a big digit mileage.  They
>were welcomed and reassured and hopefully will come to another ride, at the
>same distance or maybe alittle longer if the endurance bug "bit" them.
>    What did ride management get?  We exposed them to our sport and
injected
>some extra dollars into the kitty to hopefully get us over the break-even
>point.  And a couple of our rides this year would NOT have broke even
>without the added income from our "pleasure riders".
>    This income will be lost to us with the result of the recent AERC vote.
>These folks will not, nor can they afford the fees that a sanctioned
>distance entails.  Idaho is not a wealthy state.  You only have to look at
>rigs entering a ride camp to realize that half the adventure is just
getting
>to the ride!  No living quarter goosenecks and although I think there is
one
>motorhome, but it was bought used.  We are five year old trucks, and ten
>year old trailers but we ride tough horses and are proud of our rides and
>actively recruiting riders in the best way we know how.
>    We voted!  We lost, and will now be looking at other options.
>
>IMHO, sincerely,
>Virginia Ware
>Kuna, Idaho
>"I lurk, therefore I am!"
>
>