Re: 1999 LD Rules

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 98-09-14 08:41:24 EDT, steenhof@cyberhighway.net writes:

<< In our area, where we are lucky to get
 20 riders on a 50-miler, ride managers help pay expenses by offering 10-15
 mile non-competitive trail rides.  These rides usually are on one of the
 shorter endurance loops and cost about $10 to enter.  They are an
 opportunity for folks who are too timid to try even a 25-miler to learn
 about the sport.  They are also an opportunity for friends and family
 members who don't aspire to be endurance riders to see some of the scenery
 on their non-endurance horses.  Neither of these groups has any reason to
 join AERC or pay high non-member costs to see the trail.  So if AERC insists
 on sanctioning the short rides, they simply won't happen. >>

What's more, these rides are some of the best advertising for endurance riding
out there.  People come, see what is going on, find out that yes, they CAN
ride 10 or 15 miles, and sign up for the LD at the next one.  I was going back
out on my second loop on the 50 at Santiam this year, and met a couple of
ladies coming in at the end of their 15-miler.  Overheard one say to the
other, "Oh, have we done the 15 miles already?  Maybe we COULD do 25!"  I have
yet to see an overridden horse on one of these, and we do them the courtesy of
vetting before and after, rules or no rules.  Most of them take forever to do
the trail--hardly a race.  Have yet to see placement prizes on them.  AERC is
shutting down a great resource here--can they afford to do that?  I think not.

Heidi