[RC] LD vs 50--Let's ruffle some feathers - Joane Pappas White
Dear Jackie,
I agree with you completely! LD is its own division for a number of reasons and yours are just the kind that are valid. My statement was intended to be somewhat tongue in cheek but it goes beyond that too. Imagine you and your horse electing to compete in LD at your ride and then having a dozen 50 mile horses and riders joining you at a typical 50 miler pace because they had done a 50 last week and just wanted to have fun today. It has always amazed me that LDers are criticized for racing when it is the 50 milers who are blowing by at extremely fast rates because they are only doing 25 miles on horses that are normally competing at 50's.
Do I care? Not really as I am in LD because I love to sponsor my juniors and rookies and like developing young horses. Is it a complaint among LDers---absolutely---and with some real justification. More importantly, it is one of a number of issues that needs real resolution instead of just being "debated" ad nauseam.
