FLUFF + 25 vs 50

["Kathy Myers" <kathy@nvolve.com>]

Sorry, I cannot agree that 25 milers should be included
in "Lifetime endurance miles".  50 miles has always been
the minimum length for an endurance ride.  As such it
should be.

I'm sure there are those who didn't want to "recognize" LD
miles at all because of the fear that this would happen...
people would then want MORE.  People would want them to
be included in "Life time endurance miles".  People always
seem to want MORE.  But LD miles should not be inlcuded in
Lifetime Endurance miles.  The meaning is different.  Much as
it pains me to agree with Joe Long, ;-)  <-- I'm kidding joe,
he's right.  It's like a Marathon.  Definition, 26 miles in
one shot on foot.  Not horseback, but running on foot.  An
"Endurance Ride" is a minimum of 50 miles in one day.  A 25
mile ride is no small feat... especially with kids or physical
limitations of rider or horse.  And LD miles are recognised...
as is LD Best Condition... as well they should be.

But the two are very different.  Much as it pains me to
say it, any 25 mile Magnum might ever do in the future I
would never want to be included in his "100 endurance miles"
total.  Those 100 miles are sacred because he did 2 50's
against quite a few odds.  And he passed all the vet checks.
And that means a lot.

I don't want him to have "130" miles because we did a 30
miler first.  I don't want him to have 155 miles if we ever
get to do another 25.  It's OK if he dies with 100 miles.
Because that says it all.  It was done in ENDURANCE... 50
miles minimum in one day.

I have something like 105 LD miles lifetime and, if I
ever dig them out 250 endurance miles lifetime.  I have
100 recognised lifetime miles total.  And that's the
way it should be.  Now, if I can just get off my butt
and do either some more LD's OR Endurance miles I'd
be proud to see my name and my horse's name TWICE in
Endurance News.  Thank you AERC for recognising all my
miles.  Both LD and Endurance... but PLEASE continue to
keep them seperate.  They are different things.

- kat myers
in San Mateo, Ca with Magnum the TB ex-racer
AERC Region West