Ridecamp: Re: [RC] LD rides (the thread that will not die) long opinionated response!

In a message dated 6/25/02 11:34:49 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
guest@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

<< Amanda - who detests all forms of equestrain snobbery >>

Amanda,

Tell me if I am wrong, and I might be, but from my understanding through 
training, etc. LD's were initially meant to introduce riders to the sport of 
endurance, not to be considered as an actual endurance ride per AERC 
standards.  They created LD's for the sake of those people that wanted to 
test out the world of endurance riding but hadn't had the experience under 
their belt or the horses cinch!  :)  Even though I do feel that all riders 
should be treated exactly the same when it comes to vet checks, no matter 
which ride they happen to be on (LD, 50, 100), I do feel that the goal and 
purpose of the LD was to motivate riders to actually conditional their horses 
well enough to engage in the sport of endurance riding, which is 50 miles or 
more.

I do not think that I am being a snob about this.  I have only attended one 
ride and it was, by the way, an LD.  I just think that the AERC did everyone 
a favor when the LD's where created for the sake of making endurance riding 
an actual "sport" that riders would acquire an interest in.  Acknowledgment 
of participating is fabulous at the end of ride meeting, but I feel that 
those who have reached the level of actual competition should receive the 
ribbons.

Softball was created for those that were interested in baseball but were not 
quite ready.  Minor Leagues were created for those that were interested in 
major leagues but were not quite ready.  I also want to point out that some, 
or maybe most, of the players that start with one enjoy what they are doing 
and will never go farther and that is truly there choice.  I see nothing 
wrong with that at all.  If I decided to continue riding in LD's because they 
are easier on me, my horse and I enjoy the scenery, I should have that right. 
 But by making that decision, I will not expect a ribbon at the end.  If I 
wanted the ribbon, I should start riding in 50's or over.  And, if a ribbon 
is all I am doing this for, I shouldn't be riding at all!

Ginger

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=