I guess you can equate the UAE sponsorship just
like Pepsi, Easyboot, AT&T, I CAN'T, I have a hard time see two as the
same. What do they have to advertise that requires all the banners, bags,
hats t-shirts etc.....
You gotta be kiddin "you must then think of the buckle given to the
sponsor in the same way, a gift, from the heart, in sincere appreciation of, and
in reciprocation of, their gift to all of us."
I can't speek to others with buckles, but for me giving
one away to someone who has not done the ride would not even cross my
mind. You gotta have one to know how you feel about. I only wear my
first buckle, which is not necessarly my most memorable, the rest are in my sock
drawer.
(Yes I know the buckle was not the
same).............................And yes I know that when you look at flag on
the right side of your car it appears to be blowing backwards.
Do not mess with my flag!!! It needs to fly
the way it was intended too.
i had a few thoughts on this subject to share, although it
has mostly been covered from both sides. it was my
first tevis experience, and i can truly say that the recognition of the
sponsorship did not bother me in the least, nor did it diminish the
accomplishments that we made as a team, rider, horse, and crew. that
accomplishment is ours to keep and cherish for as long as we are able.
becky has her buckle and i am very proud for her, and i doubt seriously that she
is concerned that a sponsor received a commemorative buckle.
i wondered how the dispensation of buckles is
handled by some, like those who hire a rider to ride their horse, lease horses
to riders, those who ride their own horse, or in our case, lend a horse to a
friend in order to help fulfill a dream. i am sure that in all of
these scenarios, there are people out there who are in possession of tevis belt
buckles who have never ridden the ride. there may even be someone out
there who has a tevis buckle, who has never been on a horse. i thought about all
the people who have 10+ belt buckles. i know they arent wearing all of
them. maybe they are on display in their homes or some other place.
but i am sure that some tevis buckles have been given as cherished gifts to
family and friends, by riders who wanted to share something special. a
gift, pure and simple, given from the heart. you must then think of the
buckle given to the sponsor in the same way, a gift, from the heart, in sincere
appreciation of, and in reciprocation of, their gift to all of
us. down here where i live, it is considered impolite to refuse a
gift, in fact, it borders on an insult. i have no doubts of the sincerity
of the emmirates international endurance village. endurance is their
passion. many of us share that passion. they are our comrades in a
sport that we all love and enjoy. let's not diminish ourselves, our
horses, or the sport the we love by being
ungrateful.
ed
