Re: [aussieendurance] Fw: Dubai, awards ceremony

["Steph Teeter" <step@fsr.com>]

Garry,

You are 100% correct! This has been an incredible
experience... but certainly not Endurance as we know
and love it.

Steph


----------
> From: Garry BYRNE <garry@lisp.com.au>
> To: Anne <scuba@b022.aone.net.au>; AussieEndurance@aera.asn.au
> Cc: ridecamp@endurance.net
> Subject: Re: [aussieendurance] Fw: Dubai, awards ceremony
> Date: Saturday, December 12, 1998 4:47 PM
> 
> Hmmm,
> 
> They might have the money to host a World championships but does that
mean
> we should let them buy it.  I'm probably wrong but from what I have read
> the UAE are keen to host the World Championships permanently.  
> 
> Its seems rather strange to me coming from a sporting background of Surf
> Life Saving & Olympic class Kayaking.  Endurance Riding had all the
> qualities that I had with SLS.  A family sport, a social sport where
people
> of all standards of athletic ability could be involved.  A very
changeling
> rewarding sport that also catered for the more serious competitor.  A
sport
> where life long friendships can be made with people that you would have
> normally never met.  A sport where you can compete as part of a team one
> day or as an individual the next.  But you are never an individual in
> endurance riding.   Most if not all riders, strappers and crew are more
> proud of there four legged friend than they are of themselves.  I have
won
> state and national titles as an individual and as part of a team and its
> the team victories that still many years later warm my soul.  Success is
> far more sweet at any level when it can be shared.  We can go to a ride
and
> most our club can vet out but if one of us has a win or good ride we are
> happy and all share in the victory.  
> 
> Sorry if I'm babbling but a writer I will never be.  What I'm trying to
say
> is that in my opinion I can not see Endurance Riding becoming the sport
of
> Kings and at the same time retaining the elements that are the reasons
for
> us being involved in the sport in the 1st place.   
> 
> When I nod off to sleep tonight with one or two wines under my belt (beer
> was warm) that always give me pleasant dreams.  I may see myself riding
the
> best conditioned horse or winning horse at the Quilty,  Tevis Cup or
maybe
> even the World Championships.  But in my dream the presentation will take
> place amongst fellow riders, strappers, supporters, family and friends. 
We
> will probably be at ride base camp amongst the trees. We will have a
drink
> or three and through the celebrations I will wonder off from time to time
> to spend a few quite moments with my steed.
> 
> To those who would rather the 5 star hotels, the 50,0000 screaming people
> and lazer light shows take no offence, but its not for me and I have not
> being to a five start international hotel yet that will welcome my team
> mate, my horse.  I must admit I'm a new commer to the sport and may have
> the wrong impression.
> 
>  ,
> /,`\
> ` | \____\\
>  _(      ) \    Garry Byrne
>  \-\~~~_|\  \     'Belar' Mudgee. 
>  `  \ `   \  `      New South Wales. 
> 		Australia
> 	     garry@lisp.com.au
> 
> PS. And yes I did steal the horse off someone, thanks
> 
> 
> At 05:16 PM 12/12/98 +1000, Anne wrote:
> >Still don't know the BC, but more info and a confirmation that we did
get
> >the bronze!
> >
> >Anne
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Steph Teeter <step@fsr.com>
> >To: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
> >Date: Saturday, 12 December 1998 16:52
> >Subject: Dubai, awards ceremony
> >
> >
> >>Hi group,
> >>
> >>Believe it or not, I still don't know much! It's just incredible.
> >>I *think* the BC award went to one of the UAE horses. At
> >>the presentation awards, there were 3 horses left in contention,
> >>2 UAE horses and the Italian horse. The awards ceremony
> >>last night in Abu Dhabi was an incredible production - they
> >>called it an 'Operetta' - it was a dance, music, lightshow
> >>extravaganza. 50,000 people in attendance. Fireworks,
> >>Arabian horses, camels, singers, etc. Absolutely amazing.
> >>But the actual awards and announcements were lost to most
> >>of us. The military had the area gaurded since His Highness
> >>and his family, and the other Sheiks were in attendance. We
> >>viewd the presentation of awards on tv screens placed high
> >>in the stadium arena. It was conducted in Arabic (minimal
> >>and inneffective transation). When Valerie's win was announced
> >>the entire stadium was booing and hissing ... a little scary.
> >>The cheering for the Nationals was deafening though.
> >>
> >>And sad news for Belgium - they did not receive the Bronze
> >>afterall - the times were re-evaluated and the Bronze was
> >>awarded to Australia.
> >>
> >>Congratulations to the Australians!
> >>
> >>(But oh the Belgians were devastated).
> >>
> >>After the awards extravaganza in Abu Dhabi, there was
> >>another awards ceremony at the Jazirra hotel. I didn't
> >>know about it (you can't believe how difficult it is to
> >>know what's going on!) and went back to the hotel, but
> >>I spoke to Hall Hall this morning, he said they finished
> >>at 3AM, with an award for everybody!
> >>
> >>I still can't find a copy of the official results, yesterday
> >>before the buses left for Abu Dhabi, the officials were
> >>given a copy which I saw breifly.
> >>
> >>The official websites - the UAE site, and the SmartVision
> >>sites ONLY have results from other rides which were held here
> >>recently. There is nowhere that the WEC results are posted.
> >>If you go to the UAE endurance page, the results of the Nov 11
> >>ride are posted...
> >>
> >>I'll post more later when I feel that I am able.
> >>
> >>
> >>Steph
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >************* The AERA takes no responsibility for the information in
> messages generated in this mailing list.  Message are the opinion of the
> author only and not necessarily that of the AERA.
> >