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[RC] Trail Judges needed??? - Jonni JewellWell Howard, come on out to one of the rides at the LBJ Grasslands in Texas, and see if YOU can keep track in your mind of who is in front, who is behind etc. The trails consist of 4 different loops, all ending back in camp. There are often 25 milers, 50 milers, and 100 milers out on these loops at the same time. If a rider is up in front, and in first place, and they are clever, they could cut off part of a loop, thus shorting the mileage for their horse, and then letting it slow down a bit and rest, before picking up the pace again, and coming back into the next vet check still in the lead...with a horse that has done less mileage. While this is not a problem all rides might have, and should not be any sort of "rule", there ARE rides that have you do either a punch card at a spot on the trail, or management has put a volunteer out on the trail to take numbers. On rides that are not loops, but "out and back" type trails, this is always a consideration. Let's let management decide if they feel that there might be a problem with some riders "shortening" their ride for the day, and let them handle it by what ever means they see fit. But, if you think you caught someone cheating, and want to file a protest, you darn well better have ALL your information in a row, and the right documentation. Just saying "I think he cheated" usually is not going to get anywhere without proof........ Jonni ============================================================ Riding alone is when you teach a horse all the "tools" and "cues" he needs to handle the trail, to hold a speed, deal with hills, etc. It's also where you develop the "bond" that causes him to "defer" to you before losing his cool. ~ Jim Holland ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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