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Re: [RC] Stats on 100s - rides2farIMO the AERC BOD would be better off spending it time trying to figure > out how to provide an incentive - to replace the ROC - for the average > member to want to pursue 100's - thereby creating a demand - rather than > defining a "metal" which will create virtually no demand. I think the ROC had its day, but it's gone. That's why the National Championship hasn't caught on. The ROC was where you went to find out if you were the best of the best. With the advent of the Pan Ams & WEC competitions, the best of the best are at the Pan Ams or WEC, not at the NC. If it's handy they may go to the NC, but it's not where you go to earn a name for having beat the best in the country any more. That ain't coming back. Look at the names of the top 10 riders at the ROC...You knew the people, you knew the horses and to see them all in one place at one time was something. THAT SAID...some VERY fast horses may turn up at the NC who could actually beat the name horses with proven records *on that day* but it doesn't mean much if they beat horses with no reputation. A horse almost has to prove he deserves a win and it isn't luck before he even gets in to the Pan Ams or certainly the WEC. I have just about come to the opinion that we should use points to decide regional awards, and have a panel that chooses "Horse of the Year". Those top horses are going to meet each other at the Pan Ams & WEC. Those are the level horses that used to win the points championships. A regional champion from one year may very well be the horse that goes for the Pan Ams or WEC the next year and proves he's the best of all. It's not two different groups, it's one group that's at different stages in their careers. Personally, I don't think it was the ROC itself that increased the number of 100's riders did, it was the fact that to qualify for it was a test in itself. You can see by the numbers that simply having a horse that had done enough 100's to qualify was status. I think many went just so everyone would know they'd qualified or to ride be at the place where the best from the entire country settled who was *the* best. I certainly don't know how you can claim there's "virtually no demand" for a medal system. I have people writing me privately that say they've been shooting for an imaginary medal ever since we discussed it the first time. It was a goal, and some people like to have a goal. If they don't want to do FEI, what goal do we have that requires 100's other than top 100 mile horse in the nation? Not much for the solid competitors who can just as easily rack up miles doing 50's every week if they want mileage awards. As for why riders only do so many 100's. Good grief! What's so low about 9 100's? I started endurance in 1987. It took me until 1992 to find a 100 mile horse. It took me until 1997? (I think) to get him to the point of doing a 100. Then I did what I could do. His 100 mile career lasted about 5 years. I went to the ones we could go to. You know, crap happens. Shoes come off and you mess up a foot getting back to the trailer...sisters get married on ride dates...stuff! I'm sold on 100 milers, but it took a couple more years for me to give up on bringing Kaboot back for them, then a year to find a horse, and at *best* it will take a couple more before he can consider a 100 *if* he turns out to be a 100 mile horse. The years fly by when you only own one horse at a time, but guess what? The sport is called ENDURANCE and it teaches PATIENCE and almost all the people who have been out here a while have a long term plan and we're not rushing so the cycle of repeat competitors takes a lot longer than 1995-2004 to show trends. Looking at those numbers it will look like I gave up 100's 3 years ago. WRONG. As for management. I don't know any managers who are in this for a profit. As far as the groups I've managed rides for, the goal was to keep the entry fee reasonable, provide as many amenities as we could without losing money. Then when we made money we donated most of it to a charity, and kept a bit of seed money for next year. So...why does it matter to me whether I have 7 100's or 15? Staying up all night? Heck, the manager's up all night anyway, having a 100 means you've got people to hang around the fire with! The only reason we quit having a 100 when we moved the ride from Tellico to Chatt & Longstreet was that the trail wasn't there. I have actually made calls around at some areas I thought might support one. I'd love to manage another 100 now that I've got a little bit of a clue. P.S. I have an article to TB 3 days overdue and if you don't quit making me write rebuttals I'll *never* get it done! :-) Angie =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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