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Re: [RC] [RC] [RC] LD/Endurance - heidiThe fact is the 25 mile ride and the 50 milers have both turned out to be "races" for those who win, top ten, and place for points, although there are no points given to the 25 milers. That doesn't change what they have become. The 25 mile ride is a competitive sport. I'm just saying we might as well acknowledge that fact because it's what the ride has become. Sure it is. But because of the differences put in place for the sake of the horses, it is a DIFFERENT competitive sport than endurance riding. The reason I would like to see it change a little in this area is, if we're going to have a national LD BC program, we really should acknowledge that there's competition in that distance. It's there, and with a LD BC program, unless we completely revamp how we're going to decide who gets the BC in that distance, placing (top ten) will have to occur. The latter is what many of us would like to achieve, definitely--again, for the sake of the horses. I think all of this will put a value on the LD as a sport and, with that, rider education. At the clinics the LD will be discussed, as a sport, separate from endurance, but, as a sport with some relevance. This would maybe change things around. Things like what to do to prepare your horse for this distance, things like how bringing a horse that is not prepared can get this horse into trouble, etc. The same rider education discussions that are going on with the higher distances but, revamped a little, to educate riders for the sport of Distance Riding. This discussion is occurring more and more regularly as a separate briefing for LD riders in my region. One need not revamp the sport in order to do it--just do it! I don't see the 60 bpm as being the finish line really slowing down or reducing any of the ride times in the sport. Then you haven't looked. It is a frequent occurrance to have the pulse-down alter the order of placing substantially, and in a few cases, I've even seen the first rider in be bumped clear out of the Top Ten. There are two premises here--1) the pulse-down-at-finish is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL as a tool on LD to aid in regulating overriding, because the effect of overriding is not yet felt on the trail at this distance, and 2) as long as this control is in place, the sport is NOT a race per se, despite the fact that it has timed placings. Not being a race does NOT in any way diminish it as a sport--it becomes a bit of a hybrid where your fitness also impacts your time. VERY valid learning tool, BTW.... By saying this is a sport, since we offer it at our AERC rides, we are responsible for it. No one has ever suggested otherwise--in fact "being responsible for it" is precisely why Joe, Maryben, Barbara, kat, myself, and various others keep chiming in on these posts, despite the fact that we have reached the point that we'd rather be elsewhere and are sick of talking about it. It is the responsibility that we are TRYING so hard to hammer home here, Howard--and part of being responsible for it is keeping the lid on the racing at this distance, keeping it a hybrid, if you will, and putting the emphasis on the condition of the horse, where it firmly belongs. There's competition and, even for this distance, one must be prepared. By giving it the weight similar to the weight we give the 50 miler and the 100, there will be a rider education program developed for this "sport." The competition is already there. I'm saying, "Let's legitimize it." I personally don't think it is a bastard now. LD is highly legitimate, conceived intentionally with a great deal of care and thought. Its "weight" should be its own weight--it is not the same thing as the longer distances, and should not become a poor cousin to the longer distances by making it trying to look like something it is not. "Competition" is a much broader term than "race." I would say that chess tournaments are as competitive as anything, but speed is not an issue at all. (In fact, watching chess can be about like watching paint dry.) Suggesting that LDs are "competitive" in no way justifies taking away the safeguards that are put in place on them. You betcha they can be competitive--all the more reason NOT to make the changes you suggest, if we choose to remain responsible for what happens on LDs. And Joe, thank you for saying to Howard exactly what I said to Howard. I'm glad to see that when the same information comes from a source other than myself, it at least gets a civil answer. Perhaps if enough of us repeat it often enough, it will eventually be comprehended. Heidi ============================================================ One of the great joys of being a pompous idiot is that you can do and think whatever you want. ~ Homer Safferwiffle ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/ ============================================================
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