Re: RC: LD's

[Heidi Sowards <ribbitttreefrog@yahoo.com>]

Hi Rachael,

I agree with what you say. Can anyone confirm that there will be no
completion awards or BC for LD's? Will it be going against AERC rules
if a ride manager still gives these awards?
Since we have had a year layoff due to money problems, injuries (to
the people) and time constraints, I will have to start the season off
with a couple of LD's and try to end on a 50. (I am a newbie, being in
this sport for only 2+ years, having completed only one 50.) I want to
be considered an endurance rider and the thought of not being included
in the awards/BC event takes some of the fun and feeling of
accomplishment away.  It's like watching members of a club and not
being able to join yet.  It's probably pretty fair to say most riders
started with LD and probably all remember their accomplishments. Its
what keeps everyone involved and motivated to go farther and do
better. I am personally not sure how much racing is done as I haven't
been to very many rides, but don't the riders that normally do that
end up with poor scores or get pulled, due to injuries or poor
recoveries, etc? It seems that there are people in every sport who
take competition way too seriously. (Isn't that the reason for the
lack of monetary awards?) I think the racing goes on in most distances
(although certainly it is easier to race a 25 than a 50) having been
to a ride where someone was injured when two 50 milers raced across
the finish line. It was not pretty and was also uncalled for. (Can't
remember if anyone was suspended, but they both deserved it. IMO)

Anyway, this is just my 2 cents worth. 

BTW, I don't mind paying something extra at the rides since I am a
non-member (remember the $$$$$$$ problems?) but I do hope to join in
the next couple of months. I have also helped at a ride and know what
kind of hard work and time the ride managers and vets give to this
sport. $10 extra dollars a couple times per year seems fair to me. (If
I were to pay for a gym for a week, it would certainly be more for my
week than for someone who had already joined.) 

OK, that's enough from me,

Heidi Sowards (the sun is shining here in SW Washington, life is good!)





---RACHAEL WARD <rward@admin.hilconet.com> wrote:
>
> Hi guys,
> 	Is this true?  No more listing placements or times?  I didn't know
about
> this new policy but it seems like this would discourage some riders
from
> entering LD's and also might encourage them to enter the 50's with a
horse
> who's not ready for it.  I haven't done a 50 yet but I want to
eventually
> when I have the right horse.  
> 	So far though I have done 6 or 7 LD's and the placement to me was
just
> acknowledging how well I had conditioned my horse for it relative to
the
> people who completed faster than me.  Does this also mean there is
no more
> BC for limited distances??  I've been lucky enough to be in the
standing
> for BC several times and it meant a whole lot to me.  It gave me
such a
> great sense of accomplishment and a goal to keep in mind when riding
my
> horse during the LD's.  An incentive!
> 	Now the ride I was looking forward to so much in two weeks sort of
seems
> like I'm paying $65 to enter (+ $30 for my Coggins) so I can go on a
25
> mile trail ride...  That's probably the wrong attitude but just my
> thoughts.  And no, I don't go to "race", (no flames please) I
basically
> compete against myself.  I hope this doesn't offend anyone, it just
seems
> sort of unfair.
> Rachael & Sunny & Cien 
> 
> 
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=