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I've never understood the animosity, either.
Until this year, I'd only done 3 LD's, and I didn't start with LD--partly
because I started before the concept of LD had even been dreamed up, and partly
because the challenge of 100 miles was what lured me to try the sport in the
first place, so I started with the Virginia City 100. That said, I'm now
coming off of two years of not riding at all, and I'm enjoying the opportunity
to get out on the trails and enjoy my friends without having to take the time
first to get myself and a horse fit enough to do 50. (Actually, the horse
is ready at this point, but I'm still not--and he could have easily been ready
for 50 without ever doing an LD--I've always said that LD's are for people, and
not horses--and I still agree with that now that I'm a "people" who is enjoying
riding them.) LD's can be different things to different people, just as
50's on up can be. And why this "we-they" mentality ever developed is
beyond me. I, too, agree that "real" endurance starts at 50 miles--but
thank heavens for LD's, where those of us not quite able for whatever reasons to
do them can go rub elbows with those who can, and where we can meet our own
lesser goals, whatever those may be. (Mine happen to be to enjoy myself
while getting myself back together to do longer rides, and to get some sale
geldings out in the public, so that people can at least see that they are broke,
sane, pleasant to ride, and already know how to camp out.) Yep, I'll be
back doing 50's at some point--again, that's my own goal, and need not be
shared by others, although I'd hope that most who are physically able and who do
LD's would eventually aspire to go farther. And meanwhile, I'll enjoy
myself, and my entry fees will help keep rides afloat so that others can go
farther, and so that those managers will still be in business when I'm ready
to do 50 again, too.
Heidi
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 4:40 PM
Subject: Re: [RC] ENDURANCE NOT
Hmm, this has been a very interesting thread for me, with all of one LD
under my belt but with hopes of many more.
"Short and sweet", LD rides are not endurance. Ok, we all knew that,
that's why they are called *limited* distance. So then I'm guessing that
the conflict here is the inclusion of LD at all with endurance rides?
But as someone said, without LD riders, what would the average ride fee
be for the "real" endurance riders? Seriously, I would have to
think they would at least double, possibly triple, or else the ride would
cease to exist. Or is it just the fact that LD riders are
recognized in mileage statistics, albeit separately? So if those less
able for whatever reason wish to participate in such statistics, they
need to form their own group? The American Pleasure Ride Conference? :-)
I truly admire the ability of the people and horses who do 100 mile rides
and multiday. However, I really am at a loss at the animosity I'm seeing
with this whole subject. Throwing out that folks who do limited
mileage should "just" do CTR is like handing someone a carrot when they
asked for an apple. A CTR is different than a LD ride, and some
folks prefer one to the other. :-P
As for the PC running the ranch, if that were the case no one would get
placings at all. Everyone would be given the same handshake and
congratulations irrespective of their placing or distance. I don't see
where giving LD separate awards and mileage in any way dilutes the statistics
of endurance riders. Or maybe the objection is to having 50 milers
included in endurance statistics, as those are "training rides"?
So, what is the 'dilution' that is occurring here? I don't get
it. To me it seems the LD/endurance relationship is a win/win
situation. The endurance riders benefit by the financial support of all
those LD riders who are willing to pay almost the same to do a shorter
ride. And face it, there are lots more folks capable of doing LD than
endurance. The LD riders benefit by having a structure similar to the
endurance rides which they probably would love to be able to do but can't for
whatever reason. Where is the dilution? They are separate animals,
but use the same organization to track statistics and share ride facilities
and management.
I totally understand and agree on one thing. The LD I did (a 30) was
absolutely a pleasure, possibly one of the most pleasurable days of my life
and one I will remember until my dying day. I hope to move on
to 50s, and my dream is the Tevis, but until then I will be content to
eat the dust of the you endurance riders and take inspiration from your
accomplishments. :-)
Dana the confused
PS I think doing 30 miles (600 laps) on a merry-go-round would be an
absolute test of endurance and way harder than 100 miles on a horse. I
think I'm gettting dizzy..... :-P
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