Re: RC: Whips and spurs...an outsider's perspective

[BMcCrary27@aol.com]

In a message dated 01/08/2001 11:34:48 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
tracey@tbt.co.za writes:

<< What I'm about to say may upset many of you, and I'd like to point out 
that this is NOT my point of view, and that I don't endorse it in any way, 
but I've discussed the ruling with some folks in other disciplines, and the 
only "rationale" we can think of for the FEI's decision, is that, to many 
people, and particularly to those involved in other disciplines, endurance 
riding is still perceived as "yahoo" riding. 
 
 To the so-called "purists" of equestrianism, it is unnecessary to "mess 
with" long-established sports such as show-jumping, dressage, and eventing.  
Indeed, the politics rampant in those sports would make any attempt to do so 
highly unlikely to succeed.  However, as endurance is a new sport, and lacks 
the elitism of the older disciplines, it is "fair game" to the FEI, which is 
seeking to show the animal activists out there that it truly has the best 
interests of the horse at heart.
 
 
 Maybe I'm wrong in my assumption, but my experience sitting on disciplinary 
panels makes me think not. >>

Personally, I think you are right on target.  And endurance riding is 
stressful for a very extended time, while other disciplines last a much 
shorter period.

Barbara