$$$prizes
Nancy Mitts (MS-MITTS@VM.MSSC.EDU)
Thu, 05 Dec 96 17:05:15 CST
As an AERC member who has ridden in several regions I have serious
reservations about the changes cash prizes will bring to our sport. The
rides I have done where there was sweepstakes money involved were IMO
ridden faster than they would have been w/o the money. I think it has
already had a detrimental effect on some people new to the sport. I know
some people will get caught up in a race even without money, but money will
make it worse.If money is coming whether we like it or not I hope the rides
require RIDER QUALIFICATION as well as the horse.Awards based on BC are not
the answer. The vet score can be very subjective, but the TIME FACTOR in BC
is not. A horse that finishs metabolically alive & "reasonably" sound, 2
hours in front of everybody else will probably get BC. There will be a greater
emphasis on winning by a greater margin than if the award was based on
simply first across the line.Riders will be more likely to pace reasonably &
race for it at the end.(I can always hope.) Don't think there won't be added
pressure on the vets(like they really need it).Can you imagine saying NO
horse is fit to stand for BC if that's where the sponsors money would go?
I know some vets who hate having to judge BC as it is.
This whole issue will require a lot of thought. I hope those of you who are
voicing an opinion without being AERC members will now put your money where
your e-mail is and JOIN!!!!! nancy mitts. PS Monte, who was at Catoosa,
is even more adamently against money prizes than I am.
(you have my permission to add this to your AERC packet)