ridecamp@endurance.net: ROC revisited

ROC revisited

John & Sue Greenall (greenall@vermontel.com)
Sat, 11 Oct 1997 22:38:02 -500

Roger's commentary about the ROC was very accurate and fair.
However, I do want to point out that the credit for making this the
best ROC ever goes to the Fort Armstrong gang. There was an existing
facility, with lights, a ring, barns, hook-ups, pavillions, wash
racks, etc., there was an existing trail and there was an experienced
group of trail riders willing and able to run the event.
I also want to state again that the bread and butter of any sport,
the ones who PAY for us to play, are the entry level and "aspiring"
riders. Many of them are not mounted on endurance horses, but can
complete the trail if given enough time and enough support. If a
ride wants to weed those people out, then cut the ride time down to
18 hours like the FEI does. A "Championship" ride, one that requires
a rider to qualify for, should run under the same criteria as the
rides where qualification takes place UNLESS clearly stated.
Some riders simply have to deal with what they have for a horse, and
as long as the rules say that they have 24 horse to complete, they
should get the same respect as the winners. If this sport consisted
of only those that could or wanted to ride top ten, we would be in
big trouble. While I agree that endurance is a form of racing, the
reality of it is that a good deal of riders ride a very different
ride than those that race. I have been in both places, and one
cannot appreciate being up front until you have done some time in the
rear.
John and Sue Greenall
mailto:greenall@vermontel.com

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