Re: LD's

["Susan Evans Garlinghouse" <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

I for one totally support AERC's decision to not award placings, which does
not meaning they can't/aren't awarding completions or increasingly, placings
based on the final vet scores.  I LOVE the concept of awards based on vet
scores---anybody can race a horse through 25 miles (I'm not saying anyone
here is doing that, but there are those that do) but to finish well AND have
the highest vet score---now that's something worthy of recognition and
praise.

I agree with Joe---25 miles is a potentially more dangerous distance than is
50 miles or better.  AERC is just trying to be responsible and protect the
horses, not punish LD riders.  Which deserves respect, IMP.

Susan Garlinghouse
-----Original Message-----
From: Heidi Sowards <ribbitttreefrog@yahoo.com>
To: RACHAEL WARD <rward@admin.hilconet.com>
Cc: ridecamp@endurance.net <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Tuesday, March 09, 1999 12:26 PM
Subject: RC: LD's


>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   
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