Re: RC: LD and BC

[Howard4567@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/4/00 11:11:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
CYThompsonFL@webtv.net writes:

<< When you have to wait for several hours
 to present your horse, sometimes it ceases to be fun. >>

When I first started doing this sport I said that I would never want to do a 
50 cause the LD's were just too much fun and I had time to take a nap after 
the ride.  Now, I want to do and complete a 50 so bad I'm planning on 
kidnapping my daughter's horse, Rebel (who has completed 4 50's), and 
sneaking off to a ride without Jennifer and Dance Line sometime.  Boy will 
Rebel be surprised having that extra 110 lbs on his back.  And I'll get more 
oxygen being at a lower altitude.

My point is (yes, I have one) leave it alone.  The riders will acclimate to 
which distance they prefer.  If you make the LD's an unpleasant experience by 
eliminating the awards, you'll lose riders and you'll lose money.  Money that 
AERC and the Ride Managers both desperately need.  Most of the rides down 
South have more LDer's signed up than the 50 milers.  Take the money, give 
out the awards and quit acting like these riders are not important. If they 
want to race 25 miles, let them.  If they think they are winners by top 
tenning in a 25, let them think that.  They'll learn differently when they 
move up.   When they make that attempt to do their first 50 they'll realize 
the difference, I assure you.  I've learned that the two are worlds apart.

cya,
Howard