Re: Cash Prizes
Gwen Dluehosh (dluehosh@vt.edu)
Mon, 02 Dec 1996 20:04:13 +0500
I am with Wendy and others on this one. If you are reading the concurrent
discussion on the Arab L, we are trying to figure out how to cut out the
problems associated with A rated showing these days. Abuse comes first, but
high on my list is the cost of entering! I for one come to rides when I can
because I can be comfortable, enjoy my horse and not pay a ton of money to
do it and still get the recognition for a job well done. Sure we'd all like
to win money but that's not what this sport is about- yes I am an an
idealist. I would hate to see this "grass roots" sport become what Arab
showing is today. We have an opportunity to do something special here...
let's continue it.
It's working.
At 02:23 PM 12/2/96 MST, you wrote:
>I see several potential problems appearing with endurance rides going to
>cash prize awards. These problems will become greater and more frequent
>the higher the cash award.
>
>1. The *racers* will come out of the woodwork. Forget the horse, it's the
>money that counts. The less educated horse people will think that their
>backyard horse, or even very expensive horse, can do the race. Even with
>vet controls, this could become a disaster for the horse. After all,
>there are 12-20 miles between vet checks. A lot can happen in that
>distance.
>
>2. As Bob stated, there will be more professional jockies entering the
>race. Everyone (who is a *real* endurance rider) knows that the rider
>must be in good shape to ride a winner, and some folks will not put in
>the effort. And since the jockey only gets paid a percentage of the winnings,
>the jockey is in a position to push the horse too hard.
>
>3. Buy the made horse regardless of cost, and run him till he drops for
>the money.
>
>4. Good bye to "To finish is to win". How many of us seriously think we
>could win money at a regular basis? How many of us ride a ride just to
>complete? I had the opportunity to buy Cash before he became famous.
>Had I done so, you would not know who Cash was, because I am not the
>person to go out for the win. We would have poked around in the top
>ten. I ride to complete. Winning is fun, but not necessary.
>
>5. Higher entry fees. Sure prizes are nice. I won BC at my last ride
>and am more pleased because I won than I am at the horse sheet that came
>with the win. Completion awards are great. I love belt buckels, but a
>ribbon, bucket, or even certificut is OK. However, I do not want to pay
>much higher entrance fees just to get a bigger award. I can go out and buy
>my own T-shirts (I don't have to because I get them free with everything
>now days) bucket, sponge or brush. I can't even imagine the cost if
>cash prizes become the norm.
>
>A few championship rides - ROC, regionals, nationals, worlds - can have
>their high cost awards, or even cash. But let's keep the local rides
>to small awards, nice but not expensive completion awards, and lower
>cost entry fees.
>
>
>--
>Wendy
>
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> Wendy Milner HPDesk: wendy_milner@hp4000
> Hewlett-Packard Company e-mail: wendy@fc.hp.com
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Gwen Dluehosh
Desert Storm Arabians
1156 Hightop Rd, #89
Blacksburg, VA 24060
540/953-1792