Ridecamp: RE: [RC] OD (Long)

You know Jim, you just can't please everybody. To be honest, one of the
reasons for using the team approach was to reduce the  delays caused by
riders who argue with vets and demand a second and sometimes third opinion.
And yes, some vets can be intimidated by some competitors. Another factor
here was time. There were around 100 riders in the 50 plus the 20+ riders in
the 100 to get thru the process. So running the vet-in process this way kept
things moving well. Eventually there were two teams doing the trot-outs and
4 vets doing the hands-on. There is always going to be disagreements of
course. Ideally the riders know their horses best, but many horses still are
lame at vet-in. Sometimes it's a suprise to the rider and sometimes not!

Bonnie Snodgrass
OD volunteer

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Holland [mailto:lanconn@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 7:02 AM
To: Ridecamp
Subject: Re: [RC] OD (Long)


Cindy

IMHO and given the variations in gate between horses, sometimes it's
hard enough enough to get agreement with two vets. Adding a third and a 
"peanut gallery" of three more doesn't sound like a step in the right
direction! <grin> 

I really didn't like the "concensus" approach....I don't think that did
anything except make the evaluation procedure more difficult and all
that "firepower" may have overwhelmed some riders. I have no complaints,
tho...they gave me the benefit of the doubt. They were all great, easy
to work with, and obviously knew their jobs. However, I think that
approach MIGHT have prevented a timid rider that didn't speak up from
starting. I don't know that for sure. I know of at least three 50 milers
and one 100 miler who were "rechecked" for lameness and finished in fine
shape...Flinn was one of those. Not all riders "know" the horse they are
riding that day the way I know Sunny.  

Personally, I prefer working with a single vet, then asking for a second
opinion from another vet if we're not on the same page. Sorta like "Too
Many Cooks Spoil the Stew"? :)

Just out of curiosity, do you know how many riders did not start (in all
rides) this year and how that percentage compares with other years? 

Jim, Sun of Dimanche, and Mahada Magic 

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