Re: Firemountain 50 -2nd that!!

[Teddy Lancaster <Teddy@runningbear.com>]

Unfortunately, I think it is indicative of AERC LACK of policy.  Ride managers
are given NO guidance, NO support, NO thanks.  Hence, they get NOTHING in
return and yet have to collect and pay fees which are passed on to the riders.
They do what they have to do or what they are used to doing.

AERC BOD needs to come up with policies that are fair to all riders such as
USCTA does....I understand the need for limits, but to exclude those who may
want to be a part of the championship is WRONG. USCTA has an opening and
closing date.  NO entries accepted before, all entries accepted by postmark
after that time and up until the closing date.  The rest are placed on waiting
list.  Those that do NOT make it are granted first consideration in the next
event.

Now there is the LD issue.  IMO, a championship ride has NO PLACE for an LD
division (unless there is room).  FIRST consideration MUST be given to
Championship riders.

A ride here in the east used to have an LD and a 50/100.  Limited to 150
horses.  It got SOOO big that they were forced to drop the LD and hold it later
in the year.  Smart move.  The LD riders came to help and the managment was
able to cope.

Teddy

DreamWeaver wrote:

> >Hello folks.  Some friends of mine just received word that they can't do
> >the FM 50 because entries are full.  If, by chance, you have sent in an
> >entry and know now that you can't attend, could you let me know so we
> >could ask the manager to give them those spaces or allow others to
> >participate.  I'm not sure what is politically correct here.....tia  jan
> >freed
>
> Okay, I've gotta add my $.02 (and then some) here!
>
> I called the first week in January to request an entry to this ride.  It is
> a National Championship Series 50.  I did not know that until the current
> issue of EN.
>
> Okay, so when I requested the entry, I specifically asked "is the ride
> going to fill up, because I can mail you a check today", and was told "no,
> you have plenty of time", and the RM said that if he mailed the entry I
> would have no trouble mailing it back and still getting entered. At this
> time I DID NOT KNOW that they had a 120 horse limit.  I received the entry
> (took them a week to get it to me), and sent it back the same day I got it.
> On the back of the ride entry it states that all entries must be received
> by January 21, 1999.
>
> Got a call tonight.  They are filled up.  with at least 15 extra on top of
> a few extra they accepted above their limit.  I entered early enough to
> receive the early entry discount....but apparently not early enough!
>
> THIS IS A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (50) SERIES ride.  Why are they letting so
> many LD riders fill it up and turning away the 50's - this is ridiculous.
> If there was going to be so much problem with the 50's being allowed to
> enter this ride then the AERC should have chosen as it's Championship
> Series 50 a ride that would allow the riders to enter.  I don't know about
> the rest of you all, but I usually enter most rides two weeks in advance.
> If I had known this ride would fill up, I would have entered sooner. (why
> couldn't somebody have let us know?)  Or if the RM had said that I should
> hurry up, you can bet I would have had the check in the mail that day!
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Karen
> in Gardnerville
> & Rocky...who was getting new shoes and everything!
> & Weaver....hahaha, I'm still on vacation! :-)