RE: LD and BC

["Kathy Mayeda" <kathy_mayeda@atce.com>]

I agree with you Howie!

Having spent more time volunteering at rides than actually riding rides to
date, I can't imagine vets and ride management judging best condition for
25s.

I know of one rider that has her 1st place prize for a 25-miler proudly
mounted on her trailer.  This rider will never do a 50 mile ride because of
her horse is a little elderly.  And her horse was in good condition, fit to
continue at the end.   And then there are those who want to do these rides
for the fun of it and don't have time to condition a horse to do 50's.  And
those that want a short, fast ride (or race).

I personally would not want to do another 25 miles unless its for another
"greenie", because a 50 mile ride to me is a totally different strategy that
I need to master, and the only way I could do that is to ride 50s.

I wouldn't want to see the LD rides changed in any way.  They are training
rides for moving up, and they are real rides for horses who's riders do not
want to do 50's and up.  And let's keep it simple.  I think the ride
managers at the rides I've been at so far are doing a great job in keeping
everyone motivated to stay in the sport!

Kathy

-----Original Message-----
From:	Howard4567@aol.com [mailto:Howard4567@aol.com]
Sent:	Wednesday, July 05, 2000 3:16 AM
To:	CYThompsonFL@webtv.net; ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject:	RC:    LD and BC

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


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