Re: RC: APOLOGY - long

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Linda
I've been off ridecamp for a while because I went back to my old
profession as social worker--- yes, child protection. I applaud you for
your posts and the follow-through to actually do something about the
error in the system, ie. filing a protest. Yes, we all know that S---
happens, yet, unless we are willing to take a stand and do something
about it, we will soon be covered in manure.
Interesting little fact here. Do you know that in the 1800's a little
girl was covered with bruises from beatings from her parents and nothing
could be done about it because, of course, the parents have the "right"
to raise their 4 year old daughter the way they saw fit. Well some folks
did not agree with that situation (sound a little familiar here?) and
tried to find a law to protect the child. As children had no rights in
those days, they went to the animal Humane Society and filed a protest.
Yes, the little girl was taken to a shelter and protected from further
abuse through The Humane Society. This was the first attempt at child
welfare. Interesting that your particular case involved a "child" (which
I don't know about your 19 year olds but mine is far more mature and
street-wise at 19 than I was at 30) who lost sight (for whatever reason)
of humane treatment of animals. I believe your point is not to persecute
the perpetrator, but rather to prevent abuse of this nature from
occuring again, through ignorance, through misjudgment, through a
competitive spirit, through shame and the desire to sweep it under the
carpet--- through whatever!
I used to be happy to see my horses go to endurance people but I have to
tell you, after reading ridecamp over the past year, I have been
encouraging buyers to look into competitive trail. There are too many
weekend warriors and people without the knowledge for these longer
distances and too much speed being asked of many under conditioned
horses. This info is directly from ridecamp--- experienced and well
known riders. More safeguards evidently need to be in place and I am
overjoyed that Linda and folks like her are picking up the vanguard.
Thanks, Linda
Bette
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov	
(Yes, really 16.2!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com

Linda Hedgpeth wrote:
> 
> Ridecampers,
> 
> I am writing this to all whom I have offended with any post I have
> written since June 19 which was the first one I wrote requesting
> information regarding the death of the mare at NASTR.  Since joining
> Ridecamp in '97, I have posted very little.  Mostly, I have lurked
> here.  I have learned many things.  To those who have willingly shared
> their tips and techniques - thank you.  I have also read through many
> of the Flame War posts.  In this 4 years, we have cussed and discussed
> everything from nekkid joggers, to guns on the trail, to dogs in camp,
> the Heidi / TI conflicts and much more.  Believe or not, I actually
> learned some things from TI & Heidi during this era.
> 
> I grew up in Texas on the horse show circuits.  In that part of the
> country, QH and Appaloosa breed shows have fierce competition.  I
> finally stopped because I could not stomach the horrors many of these
> horses endure for futurity monies.  I had heard of endurance and in
> 98, I thought I would like to learn about it.  After years of
> competing, I have no desire blaze any trails.  The camping out and the
> wilderness riding are enough for me.
> 
> This issue of the horse death affected me and I saw a side of the
> endurance community I did not realize was there.  It is an emotionally
> charged issue to say the least.  Some, like me, wanted to know more.
> We wanted to know what was the real deal.  We asked, "What is the real
> deal, here"?  Others said, "Let's not talk about it until we know the
> facts.  Besides, AERC is handling it".   But, the facts never appeared
> here for those who asked.  Over a month later, I contacted B. Fleming
> and D. Barnett only to discover that nothing would be done.  Oh, they
> had talked about it, but since no one had filed a grievance and forked
> over any money, nothing was "officially" being done.  I found out that
> I could file a grievance, so I did.  I *knew* that it would be a
> grievance AERC could ignore because none of our rules applied here.  I
> felt so bad about the suffering and death of this mare, that I filed
> anyway, in her name.  It is my hope that something positive comes out
> of this.  Then perhaps, she won't have died in vain.
> 
> I suggested in my protest that maybe more that 1 vet check is needed
> on a 50 mile ride.  If there had been 2 vet checks on this ride, this
> mare "might" be alive right now.  Who knows.  I realize that an
> experienced, careful rider on a fit athlete can do a 50 miler safely
> with only one vet check.  It's just that there are lot's of others
> that don't meet this criteria and they are out there too.  It is their
> horses that pay the price.  Fortunately, most of the time only their
> health is compromised - not their lives like the NASTR mare.
> 
> I protested the fact that the LD race on this ride has it's vet check
> at the 20 mile point.  This is not in compliance with rule 1.2.1.4
> which states that the vet check should be at, or near, the halfway
> point.  Twenty miles is not near the halfway point of a 25 mile race.
> This is the same with the Comstock 25, The Washoe Valley 25 and the
> Land of the Neversweats 25.  All have riders going app. 20 miles
> before their horses see a vet.  Many new people enter these races -
> many of them ride very fast.  Additionally,  these races have a 1 hour
> hold at this 20 mile point vet check as opposed to races I have
> attended in other areas where the vet check on a 25 miler is 15-20
> minutes in length.  The extra 45 minute hold time eats into the 6
> hours alloted for the race.  People have to ride faster to make up for
> the loss in time.
> 
> The last suggestion I made was a similar system to what other
> countries are doing as far as requiring people brand new to the sport
> to do 1+ LD before advancing to the longer distances.  At NASTR, this
> was the rider's and the horse's first race and it was a 50.  It won't
> solve all the problems, but perhaps, it would assist people in
> learning about the sport and caring for their horses.
> 
> Many here think that this has been a lynch mob - a blood bath.  There
> has been no compassion for the dear child who lost her horse.  This 19
> year old woman was offered money and transportation (by strangers) to
> a medical facility where her horse could be treated more extensively
> than in a ridecamp.  These offers were REFUSED and her mare died after
> suffering for 19 hours.  The only one I am sorry for here is the horse
> and the ignorance that caused this tragedy.
> 
> I have received criticism for my views and my writing of this subject
> here on ridecamp.  Maryben has suggested that this is not the forum.
> Where is the forum?  We have no other forum, except for the "The Way
> We Win " group that is just now forming.  This incident would have
> never been known to other riders, had it not been for ridecamp.  Why?
> Because no one talks about the dead horses.  Some don't want it
> discussed on the internet because the animal rights advocates could be
> lurking.  OK.  So we have things to hide from groups who don't like to
> see sports that involve sick or dead horses??  This is a sport that
> wants to step into the Global spotlight??  It will be hard to hide
> there.
> 
> So here we are.  I again apologize to all I have offended.  I
> apologize to Maryben for my harsh posts to her.  I will wait for her
> apology to me for her less-than-friendly posts and emails.
> 
> To those of you who supported me - thanks.  We shall see what becomes
> of this.  Many here have made some great suggestions for improvement.
> As I wrote in my protest letter - our horses should not have to pay
> for this sport with their health and their lives.  Talking about it is
> the beginning of a change.  To those who discourage this discussion on
> ridecamp and to those who have written me the nasty private emails, I
> say, "Better we discuss it here, and make positive change".  If
> nothing happens, there are those who will step in and make changes for
> us.
> 
> Linda Hedgpeth
> 
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