Re: RC: Maryben's Message

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/10/00 10:20:33 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
Dbeverly4@aol.com writes:

<< I would support the change Maryben suggested as well --  Including LD in 
with 
 the longer distances and under the same points structure for year-end 
awards.  >>

Historically, the shorter distances used to be included.  The reason they are 
NOT included now was because of the high incidence of problems and 
treatments, as a great many folks literally raced for the points.  Yes, you 
say, there is still racing on LD's.  Yep, you're right.  But having lived 
through that era when they WERE part of the points structure, I can vouch for 
the fact that separating them into their own entity dropped the incidence of 
problems and treatments considerably.  I for one don't really care to see 
history repeat itself.  I think the LD format is great in a lot of ways, and 
like most things, it could use some improvement.  Maybe we know more now, and 
maybe the mistakes of history would not be repeated.  But being a student of 
history, I wouldn't hang my hat on that.  Sorry, but I'll buck the trend 
here--been there, done that, it didn't work, don't see a lot of point in 
trying it again.  It always amazes me to see things that had bad results 
constantly revisited.  How many fingers do you have to put to the blurry edge 
of the buzz saw before you figure out that that blur isn't fluffy?  AERC has 
a mission to protect the horses.  Don't forget that mission here.

Heidi