Re: LD and BC

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/5/00 1:41:46 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
sbrown@wamedes.com writes:

<< While I have to agree with this to a certain extent, I know that there are
 quite a few "experienced" horse people out there (myself included) who had
 not done much distance riding before they got interested in endurance...and
 didn't really know what all of the aspects of competition was really like.
 What 25-30 miles is *really* like, along with the whole concept of vet
 checks, camping with your horse, how to ride the trails (read the markings
 so you don't get lost ;-)), and so on), can't be realized until it has
 actually been done.  >>

Sue, I'm sure I'm not the Lone Ranger in being one who had camped with my 
horse and done a significant amount of mileage before ever being introduced 
to this sport.  Yes, a great many have not--and that's why we have LD's.  But 
to force EVERYONE to start at that level simply is not necessary.  

I personally don't like to see horses get the idea that the 25-miler is 
"it"--and I rarely take any of our horses on 25's.  We seem to be in 
agreement that the 25's are for people.  So why, if a person has the ability 
and desire to start with 50's, should they be FORCED to make their horses 
stop at 25, in order to get started in this sport?  This is no more fair than 
to take away the LD's and force those who are NOT prepared to do 50 to start 
out at that level!

Heidi