Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Finish Line question for LD Riders

On Thu, 19 Dec 2002 09:08:30 -0400, "Roy" <rdrinnan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> I personnally do not think hold times should be included in ride time. 

Let me try to explain why the hold times are included.

An endurance ride is an event whose fundamental nature, and challenge,
is to ride a demanding distance within a specific time.  Part of the
skill of meeting that challenge is pacing during the event.  This may
include rider-chosen rest times, stopping to let the horse graze for a
while along the course; it always includes some mandatory rests during
the vet checks.

The amount of rest time is part of the overall equation of the stress
and challenge of the event.  IMO all such time should be, and under
AERC rules is, part of the time allowed to complete the course.

If the hold times were not included in the allowed completion time,
then instead of a uniform twelve hours for 50 miles (or 6 for 25) we
would have 13 hours for 50 miles, or 14 hours for 50 miles, or 15 (or
more) hours for 50 miles, depending on the amount of hold times in the
ride.  As it is now, longer hold times mandate more rest time but
require a faster speed over the trail, and vice-versa.  It balances
out.  It maintains a common standard of 12 hours for 50 miles for all
rides, to actually get from the start to the finish.





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