Re: Pleasure/LD riders

["Janet Baca" <horsetrl@ctaz.com>]

Hi Barbara,
I think you have my note mixed up with Linda Flemmer's note probably because
I didn't type in "In a message dated .......wrote it".   I was just
expanding on what Linda Flemmer (flemmerl@rcbhsc.wvu.edu) wrote and relating
it to my experience.  But the part about time frames and mosying in was
written by Linda.  I do, however, understand your point because I was on a
50 mile ride and came in late (the one that I took the wrong turn on) and
when I got to the vet check, the vet was gone, only the ride manager was
there.  I won't go into details but I had not reached the cutoff time yet
although my horse was unable to continue due to...get this...depression.  I
didn't believe it at first but then after she saw another horse she perked
up and was just fine.  Went flying down the hill toward her stablemate after
dragging her on foot for about 8 miles.
Janet Baca
-----Original Message-----
From: BMcCrary27@aol.com <BMcCrary27@aol.com>
To: horsetrl <horsetrl>
Cc: ridecamp <ridecamp>
Date: Thursday, September 17, 1998 10:05 AM
Subject: Re: Pleasure Riders


>In a message dated 9/16/98 8:14:55 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
horsetrl@ctaz.com
>writes:
>
><< What about time frames for the short rides?  A lot of "pleasure riders"
who
> are
> being exposed to the sport in non-sanctioned distances DO NOT go fast.
They
> may
> take the entire day to mosey along and see how the ride is organized for
the
> LD
> and Endurance.  (Trail marking, vet checks, feeling of riding actual,
> measured
> miles)  How would you like to greet a potential future endurance rider
with,
> "I'm
> sorry, but you are overtime."?  Just a bit of a turn off.
> Janet Baca >>
>
>Janet, in many ways I agree with your viewpoint, However, the one drawback
>from the ride managers' standpoint is in regards to vets and personnel.  A
>ride manager works with a certain number of personnel, and a VERY slow LD
>rider can detain the personnel at a given checkpoint for so long that they
are
>unable to make it to their next assigned checkpoint.  On our rides,
personnel
>leapfrog from, for example, vet check 1 to vet check 3 (or 4).  If they are
>detained excessively, they may not make it to their next assignment in time
>for the first horses to arrive.  That is why we set a time limit for our LD
>ride.
>
>Barbara McCrary
>Mgr, Castle Rock 50 & Barley Patch 30
>