Re: Lds and facts?

[CMKSAGEHIL <CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com>]

In a message dated 98-03-14 01:31:05 EST, you write:

<< The cool thing about rules is that they can be changed!
 
 chris paus and * >>


Chris, we love you, we respect you, we applaud your LD accomplishments, and it
is obvious from most of your posts that you are a caring rider.  Let me see if
I can illustrate what I have been trying to say on ridecamp.

Learning to read in the first grade does not give you a Ph.D.  It is still a
major accomplishment (maybe even a bigger step than going from there TO the
Ph.D.) and the first grader, his parents, his teachers, and everybody is
rightfully proud. The first grader is successfully launched.  Changing the
rules does not change the fact that the first grader has not yet accomplished
a Ph.D., no matter how much effort and perseverence was required to learn to
read.

A wonderful round in training-level dressage is not Grand Prix.  The horse and
rider have worked hard.  The judge may admire them greatly.  They have every
right to be proud, as does their instructor and anyone else involved.  No
matter how many hours of training and how much effort it took, changing the
rules will not make the great training-level performance into a Grand Prix
performance.

A successful completion with all A's on your vet card on a Limited Distance
Ride is a wonderful thing.  It still is not an endurance ride.  You have
worked hard to do it.  You have conditioned and trained and done right by your
horse.  It took a lot of effort.  You have every right to be proud.  If you do
it at a ride where I am the vet or the ride manager, I will more than likely
tell you in person that I am proud of you.  You have accomplished a great
deal, and you have my respect.  I hope you will continue to endurance rides
when you are ready.  There is still a whole new horizon out there, beckoning.
You have taken the biggest, hardest first step.  Changing the rules, however,
will not change the facts--you still have not done an endurance ride.

Heidi Smith, DVM--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)