Re: [RC] who is captain of the ship - Barbara McCrary
If we didn't award speed, would the
problems go away? What would happen if we only went out to ride for the
pleasure, the experience, and the adventure? What would happen if AERC did
not recognize speed? Would everyone quite the sport?
The thing is, Frank, we do have a problem. And, since we can't
really control these riders, we can control the sport. This is why I
really do believe it's the only answer. Make some changes to the sport
that affects Yahoos who will run their horse into the ground if we let
them. And, trust me, a Yahoo does not have to be an inexperienced rider
or one with low mileage.
If we're not willing to accept changes, nothing ever will. Make it
all about the horse; let the horse prove themselves in spite of who owns them
and who rides them. Have it restricted, with a tier system and we will
save horse's lives by making the system all about the horse and not about
us. If the members are not willing to make any changes or can't agree on
one of them, well, then, might as well get used to 7 equine deaths per year
and climbing with outsiders thinking endurance is over the edge we've all been
talking about.
My only wish is ya'll keep on open mind about all of this. Try and
decide what types of change you might actually be able to live with
before going over the deep end and saying "I'm going to quit if you pass that
stupid rule." No one wants you to quit. Do you quit being an
American if your neighbors elect someone you don't like? Do you stop
voting because a bill doesn't go the way you wanted? The thing is I
really do think changes are coming. You might want to start deciding
which of them you can live with and quit believing nothing's going to change
and today's endurance will stay exactly like it is till then end of the
millennium. I don't think that's going to happen. And, deep down,
I bet you don't either.
In a message dated 10/30/2003 8:32:22 AM Mountain Standard Time, SandyDSA@xxxxxxx writes:
I am not sure why LD is so denigrated here
and there. IT has not been a stumbling block to our
horses
It ain't the distance, it's the rider.
A rider who has no compassion and no
vision for anything other than a prize, an award, a title, a whatever, will
never truly see their horse or listen to the simple truths about
speed, coupled with terrain and weather, let
alone the variables involved with trailering and stress-free
conditioning.
I've seen riders who fit this description in every
horse sport to which I've been exposed...when I was younger, I
might'a slipped into those shoes a time or two just to find I didn't
like how I kept stumblin' when I wore them.
Thank God my ego was all that paid the price.
I might prefer to start my horses on 50's, and a
time or two, even a 100, but that doesn't mean others HAVE to do that.
I would hope riders out there know what's better for their horse than I
do.
If not, well, then "We have a problem,
Houston...."
