Cash Prizes is an interesting subject. Cash or merchandise equate to the
same thing. Be it a $20,000 horse trailer, a $200 blanket or a $20 gift
certificate is all the same thing. To paraphrase an old response " we have
determined what it is, now we want to see to what it costs".
If you sincerely look into the sport of endurance riding it will eventually
show up the same as any other equine sport. "I have a horse that can (fill
in the subject) than yours".That is why we have horse shows, racing, three
day eventing and so on. Realizing that endurance riding is not a financial-
prize free sport we should very seriously investigate the ramifications of
substantial placing payoffs. If some endurance horses were not winning races
the sales prices on them would not be in the outer realm of consideration!
(an indirect cash prize for winning).
<<<We will be no better than all the other sports that abuse their equines
for monetary benefit >>>
If we cannot ensure the integrity of our "controls", the Vets, then we will
have problems. I, for one, have enough faith in our vetting system and the
integrity of our Veterinarians that I believe there would be no problem. I
do feel that the problem will eventually be with the management of such
rides. REMEMBER That when purses get large enough it is possible the
individual State Racing Commissions and/or Lottery Commissions will become
involved.
Yes, I have been in Endurance Rides for cash prizes! And Yes, I have won
same. But the act of winning is not connected to the cash prize as much as
it is to the EGO. Come substantial cash prizes and you will see
"professional Endurance Jockeys". And yes, we have seen some of these in the
past.
Something to consider. As the prizes get bigger the entry fees will increase
. This will tend to limit the attendance to the "prize races"" to a certain
segment of the riders.(witness the ROC that seldom if ever fills the field)
Less riders will mean higher entry fees and the cycle has begun to self
destruct.
<<<Do you think most people ride the big -name endurance races (like the
ROC, for instance) for the prizes >>>
I not only think they do but KNOW they do. I am familiar with riders that
check on what awards are being presented to determine if they will attend a
ride. When one of our rides gave belt buckles for awards they had many
entries. When the buckles were not available any longer the attendance
dropped drastically.
People are driven to excel by EGO and Monetary Gain!!!
<<<It is offering $30,000 in cash prizes (non-sweepstakes prizes),>>>
Cash? or Products? or what?? As far as sweepstakes are concerned, Do you all
believe that the Arab Sweepstakes pay off does not affect those riders that
can get money? Would you like to buy some beach front property in Austin NV.
???
<<<which apparently is legal under AERC rules as long as there is an AERC
steward present.>>>
It is "legal" though I feel the word should be 'allowed' legality has no
part in what the AERC does for regulation of rides. End that and you end the
ROC and several other rides that give trailers, saddles and the like.
Lets face it, it will be done openly, like it should, with adequate controls
, or it will end up under the table as has happened in other sports
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID