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Re: [RC] Olympics and endurance? - Susan Young Casey--- Jackie Winkleman <jwinkleman_2001@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: Why don't we want new people? Everyone starts out "new." I think it's safe to say the entire membership of AERC was new at one time and didn't have the "benefit" of seeing endurance as an olympic event. I promote endurance locally. The hold-up for most folks is they don't want to ride 25 miles much less 50 or 100. There's also the time/money constraint holding many people back. Who is to say that the other sports are "spectator" sports? Like basketball... Just because you and I don't want to sit and watch a game of basketball doesn't mean it's not a "spectator" sport. It's a spectator sport because the ease in which those who are willing and able CAN sit and watch a game. Try sitting and watching an endurance race. It'd be like sitting and watching the grass grow! Once everyone race by your spot, you'd be done as a spectator. Unless, of course, you had the money to lease a vehicle and drive to several spots. But, by defination, endurance is NOT a spectator sport. And, I don't know how to make it one. If a country could shell out the major bucks for strategically placed camaras along a 100-mile course, how exciting would it be to watch a bunch of horses walk/trot/canter along? Not very. There goes that grass again. It's not like a 22-fence XC course. Then, there's the OTHER monster of FEI rules. I feel that FEI is already taking over some local rides and I'm TOTALLY against that! Talk about keeping new blood out! NO ONE starts any equine sport at the FEI level and that's exactly what will happen if some people have their way. And, how many people start this sport with a 100 miler? PLENTY, for sure! You may be surprised how many started with a 100...NOT because it looked easy but because that's all there was or some other reason. And, I know OF a few, who ought to be in prision, who started RACING pasture potatoes and killed the horse right then and there. Folks can watch show jumping or XC and think, "That looks fun." However, it's doubtful if they'd go out, grab ole Faithful, throw the ole Western saddle on, and start jumping 5 rail fences. However, when watching a bunch of horses trot/canter down a trail, well, heck! "I do that once a month!" and there you go. ===== Susan Young Casey, Princess of Pink, LIW, RRHA, RHS Semper Obliquo (Always aside) Glenndale Grace Farm, Ft Gibson, Oklahoma U.S.A. "Ride on! Rough-shod if need be, smooth-shod if that will do, but ride on! Ride on over all obstacles, and win the race!" - Charles Dickens (1812-1870) __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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