Ridecamp: [RC] Rule 6.KDisscusion Comm-GPS

FROM   Roger Rittenhouse     roger@xxxxxxxxxxx
Again we have here the beginning of another gray - not so clear rules
discussion.
Why was rule 6.K developed?
I am sure there will be someone (*guess who)  who will surely disagree
with me , but here goes MY understanding of the alleged purpose of
RULE 6.k.  (page 7)
Way back in the old days riders had crews who would follow them down
the road and crew 'real time' that is hand stuff to the rider - spray
the horse with water while trotting. Crewing on the fly. The trucks
would block other riders from passing and of course other crews.
I attest to this from rides I was in and crewed at many years ago.

The next issue was a rider had a buddy horse ridden by   another rider.
The horse was out on trail someplace, fresh and ready to go. When the
rider came on the buddy horse, they took off and paced together,
pulling  the 'racing' horse along. We also have seen runners go out on
trail with a rider/horse and sort of lead the horse along.

So to stop this sort of unsportsmanlike activity which also served to
 present a safety issue  the subject rules were written.

The 'waiver' was added to help the 100 milers at night when the trail
was on an access road and dark, not marked. The crew truck could
follow at a distance with lights on. This was before the light stick
days. Most rides do not allow this anymore, a few do for those very
late riders.

Now NONE of this has anything to do with radio communications nor GPS
usage. As with all our rules - RM and rider and etall  apply self
interpretation. This is performed to make the rule fit the alleged problem.

>From my perspective I see NO PROBLEM with the use of radios, cell phones
or GPS.
Now there will be a RM and 'officials' who will call in UNFAIR COMPETITIVE
advantage, a very old worn-out poor excuse now days.  Hang all issues
and preventions of something you dont like  on that lame excuse.

The point of the HRM was clearly shown many years ago when it was
considered they should not be allowed in competition.

Every rider can get a radio, cell phone or GPS and use it.
If a rider is going to CHEAT  you dont  really need those tools to do
it.

The PLUS side of the tools are all positive. You may not get lost (
yes you can cut trail). Heck the best trail cutter in the SE never had
one. Dont really need a GPS for that. A GPS lets you learn how to pace
your horse both at home and at a ride. Why should it be some secret
how many miles you went.?? Maps and written directions tell us the
same thing as the GPS.
I would like to see the 'rule' on making trail
changed to PERMIT the use of these for SPECIAL rides. The method used
in the XP . Heck it worked great. Of course it WAS and still is
against the trail marking rules. Maybe it is time to change that one
also. (6.D) ??  Rides where a GPS would be used to define the trail, that
is all points are stored in a GPS and no actual trail markings are
used, should be approved under Special Sanctioning (11.2) a change may
be required.

Radios and Cell phones. Theses are disallowed by many rides since it is
assumed you will contract your crew when you are getting close, to
pass information about your horse, report problems with your horse and
tell your crew how the ride is going. Now what is so 'really bad'
about all that? Is it not good to let your crew know how the ride is going.

If you are RACING then it it alerts the crew you are coming. HEY ALL
the RIDERS/RACERS CAN get a radio. It would appear to improve the
safety and well being of the horse. As for letting those RACERS know
where the competition is - well, we do that anyway by keeping time
sheets on the other riders. That is GOOD crew members do that. A radio
just improves the process. No real competitive advantage here just
more efficient crewing.
Heck, I wanted to wire up my helmets with VOX
radios to talk with my wife when she and I both rode. The FRS radios
we have today make that very easy.
I dont think we need to define the
use of communications in the rules nor should they be disallowed by
a RM. It is not part of the 'rules' of a ride. It is a choice of the
rider to use a tool. I fail to see how that is 'cheating'
Like I have said many times, the object IS to obtain a competitive
advantage within the rules of the ride.  Its not a level playing field
for all. We only need to provide for the rules of play, how a ride is
run, the vetting,completion criteria, horse welfare issues (drugs) etc.
Why add more rules to make it more difficult?

Just because YOU do not care for the use of assorted tools, does not
make the  use wrong or unfair. You dont like the tool dont use.
The only rule change required, if any, is to say the following support
tools are permitted during a ride, HRM, communication devices, GPS
and ???? dare I say it ? blood testing devices.
The use of these tools can be and are for the good of the horse and
rider. They can be useful form a safety persecutive as to provide
actual horse health information.
They are not a violation of the intent of RULE 6 nor RULE 13.


Ok Bob have at it.

Hey you think those radar guns would tell me how fast I am going?

Roger Rittenhouse



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