Home Current News News Archive Shop/Advertise Ridecamp Classified Events Learn/AERC
Endurance.Net Home Ridecamp Archives
ridecamp@endurance.net
[Archives Index]   [Date Index]   [Thread Index]   [Author Index]   [Subject Index]

Re: [RC] It's not the distance... - Joe Long

On Fri, 17 Oct 2003 20:25:34 -0600, "E.L. Ashbach"
<samaia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Optimal works if you know what optimal is, which obviously you do.  ;-)

Here we have the crux of the problem ... you seem to feel that you
know what is optimum for someone else's horse better than they.

Yep, CTR does, and we do ourselves honor as endurance riders to provide 
safety measures for those beginners who don't know what optimal is, and 
for any equine lucky enough to be brought to this life by someone who 
loves them.

IMO we do not need Yet Another Rule that takes responsibility away
from the rider and tells them how they must pace their horse.  No, we
do not do ourselves honor by doing so ... we change our sport in a
fundamental way, away from endurance and toward CTR.  Now, CTR is a
fine sport for those who like it, but so is endurance, thank you.

BTW, Kahlil and I began our careers with one 25-mile ride before going
on to our first 50.  I have never done more than two 25's on any horse
I've started in endurance before moving to 50's.  The speed I ride
them depends on the horse, usually mid-pack although in one case in
last place, and in another first-to-finish.  I do not want you or
anyone else to tell me how fast to bring them along.

My own feeling is that as long as you prepare properly and pace the
25's properly, one or two is enough before moving to the 50's.  The
real key is properly pacing the 50's, and again that pace depends on
many factors and cannot be set by a rule.

I do agree that many if not most *beginning* riders would benefit, and
their horses would benefit, if they spent some time doing 25's and
learning the ropes before attempting 50's.  But that is (and should
be) an individual decision.

-- 

Joe Long
jlong@xxxxxxxx
http://www.rnbw.com


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

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

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Replies
[RC] It's not the distance..., E.L. Ashbach
Re: [RC] It's not the distance..., Heidi Smith
Re: [RC] It's not the distance..., E.L. Ashbach
Re: [RC] It's not the distance..., Heidi Smith
Re: [RC] It's not the distance..., E.L. Ashbach
Re: [RC] It's not the distance..., Heidi Smith
Re: [RC] It's not the distance..., Heidi Smith
Re: [RC] It's not the distance..., E.L. Ashbach