RE: I'm Back.....

["Bob Morris" <bobmorris@rmci.net>]

Steve:

While your intentions are, no doubt, of the best and are considering the
welfare of the horse, perhaps it might be of interest to investigate this
proposal more fully.

Let us look at the current record of endurance competition. I am only going
to use general "approximate numbers" here due to the research time that
would be necessary for actual full detail.

Over the past 20 years we have averaged about 500,000 miles of competition
per year. This amounts to some place around 10,000,000 miles of competition
completed with minimal metabolic problems and extremely minimal fatalities.
I would say fewer problems than in comparable human competition. With that
record, is a rule change warranted?

Then we look at the FEI requirement, and I presume that is what you are
thinking about. Article 815 states "No less than one water point must be
provided in all cases every 10 km. (6.25 miles)" Now I am willing to bet
this FEI regulation is very often violated as in the US this is often very
impractical as well as being damn near impossible.

OK we now look at the proposition made by Steve <<< rides
should make available or have natural water available at the minimum
once between the start and midway vet check and at least once between
the check and the finish.>>>

Will you accept water one mile from the start and no more water until the
mid-way check? Will you accept water not until one mile from the mid-way
check? How about water one mile from the mid-check and water one mile after
the mid-check? These all fill your conditions. Better still why not like
some of the UAE rides and follow along with a water truck and water every
few miles on course. I know that is foolish but you can see where it leads.

At one point in time Endurance Competition was one man, one horse against
the trail offered that particular day. It is turning into one man, one
horse, against a carefully prepared track, aided by a complete pit crew
available every few miles. Pit crew to include not only the groom but equine
massage, human massage, vet, chiropractor, farrier, coach and assorted
handlers for each leg of the horse. Oh, sorry, I did not include the driver
of the support vehicle that carries the cooling spray crew that meets the
horse and rider every few miles along the track.

Steve, all I can say is endurance is turning into a wimpy bullshit
pseduo_sport.

You stated <<<So now I'm back to make trouble, or to make sense.>>> How
about me?

Bob Morris



-----Original Message-----
From: sshaw@postoffice.pacbell.net [mailto:sshaw@postoffice.pacbell.net]
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2001 9:01 AM
To: Ridecamp
Subject: RC: I'm Back.....


Well this has been an adventuresome summer. XP 2001, Tevis Crewing, and
Pan Am in Vermont...

So now I'm back to make trouble, or to make sense.

I have something to propose for AERC Sanctioning Requirements. I have
been the Sanctioning Director for the Ride & Tie Association for the
last two years. (We Basically follow the AERC guidelines.)

Here is my thought for AERC Rides concerning water availability. Similar
to FEI requirements for protecting the horse, I believe that rides
should make available or have natural water available at the minimum
once between the start and midway vet check and at least once between
the check and the finish.

Let's us consider this, discuss it and submit thoughts to our AERC
representatives.

Steve Shaw


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